numbness

[helen41]

I don't know if I belong here or not but would really appreciate some clarification.

When people talk of MS numbness, is it an entire limb, everywhere below a certain level, or simply an area?  ie right now I can't feel the lower outer part of my thigh but I can feel my calf..

I seem to get these numb spots but it's never an entire body part.

I'd appreciate hearing a description from others so I can compare. Thankyou

[helen41]

thankyou all. I've spent the morning scratching, poking and even using pins on various parts to see what I do and don't feel. It's been interesting.
This is the only place I'd confess to that kind of activity LOL

[Sparkysarah]

Numbness was an important message to me that something was not right with my body. First I had a slightly numb pinkie small finger 9and boyd did I feel like a hypochondriac going to the doctor about this!) Then I had a slightly numb half side of left face.

More recenlty I have had some numb patches on my right arm.

All these new symnptoms have been counted as separate relapses by my neuro as they all lasted longer than 24 hours. They still come and go but none are as bad as they were when I first had them.  They were all however significantly different to the serious relapse I had in March for 6-8 weeks when I was so fatigued that I could barely drive, cook or do anything.

However as far as my neuro is concerned I have now had 4 relapses since last October which is more than the average for someone with RRMS.

Hope that is helpful and you are very welcome to hang around on this site..it is a great place to seek support, ask questions and learn a lot or just have a vent.

With best wishes

Sarah

[jensequitur]

I have lots of numbness, in various places, but I don't know it's numb until I touch that area.  Mine is all patchy - the side of my right knee, underside of my right thigh, tips and large portions of my feet, fingertips, face, back...

[RedFlame]

I think Sumanadevii brings up an important point.  I have areas that are completely numb but I never think about it becuase I am so busy dealing with pain.

Red

[Sumanadevii]

I was under the care of a neuro that kept asking me if I felt any numbness.  He asked this every visit during my three years under his care.  I always said no.  Finally I asked him what did he mean by numbness.  He explained and I said no.

Guess what?  A new doctor and now I know what numb is...but not until I was put on steroids IV x 5..  I guess the inflammation was so bad that I only felt the pain in my back.  After steroids, I could feel my hips, legs and feet were numb.  You think a doctor should have had a clue?  My warning is to be aware, you may have pain in other parts that keep you from feeling "numb".

[RedFlame]

Hi helen41,

Why do you feel like you don't belong here?  I think you belong here.  I'm trying to remember what you have been told by your doctor---but it doesn't matter becuase your symptoms are the same!!

As far as the numbness, I think it is different for everyone.  It depends on where in the spine the lesion is or nerve damage or whatever it is.  One thing that helped when I was trying to figure things out was a dermatome map.  It gives you an idea of the nerves that are connected to different discs.


You always give excellent 'spot on' feedback helan.  I would hate to see you leave.  

We want to support you too.

[Lulu54]

Helen, that numbness varies person to person, just like everything else with this MySterious disease.  

I have numb patches at times -these are on my legs.  Other times my lower  right leg feels numb.  

More than the "I can't feel my (body part here)" problem, I get the "it feels like my leg is in a glove" sensation.  I can feel things toouch my leg, but I am not really getting the signal of what that feeling is.  I hope that makes sense.

As for belonging here, you are welcome to ask all the quesitons you want and hang out as long as you need.

be well, Lulu