tingling

[mommie1962]

I am newly diagnosed--about 2 months now.  Is it normal for me to now be aware of every little tingle or twitch in my body?  I panic every time I feel something like this and think "Not a flare up!"  I hope someone out there with more experience with this can help calm me and reassure me that we have tingles going on often and every time I feel one doesn't mean a flare up.  That I am just more aware of these now.  I go to the doctor in 2 days to order my medication, so I should start it in about 2 weeks--as soon as insurance approves it and gets it to me.  They are pretty fast.
Thank you

[Tiredofbeingnumb]

Hey,

I mostly lurk here but I wanted to respond because I completely understand how you feel! I was diagnosed almost exactly a year ago, and for the first few months, I felt the same way you do. Is it a relapse, or just a weird sensation? Most definitely in the beginning you are going to be very aware of what your body is doing.

The rule of thumb that I go by to determine if a symptom could be a relapse is to wait 24 hours. A true relapse symptom needs to last at least 24 hours, as told to me by my neurologist. So, if I'm getting a weird buzzing/tingling/whatever sensation, I tell myself that I'm going to sleep on it. If I have the same feeling in the morning, then I would report it to my doctor.

Case in point, just yesterday I had some localized tingling in my face. Not painful, but definitely there. It occurred on and off yesterday. Went to sleep, and today, no tingling in my face, so I'm not worrying about that. But of course, if you have a symptom that particularly alarms you, 24 hours or not, call your doctor. But for those minor symptoms that are questionable, wait 24 hours and see.

Also, over this past year, I've found that stress can bring about "transient" neurological symptoms. I had a very stressful day at work a few months back, and my nose was buzzing. Weird feeling. I felt like Rudolph. Once I got home and away from stress, it went away, and I didn't have it the next day. Another time I had a stressful day, my thigh felt like it was in cold water. That was when I was first diagnosed, and did call the doctor, and he told me what I'm telling you, wait 24 hours and see if it is still there. I did, and it wasn't.

I hope this helps. I so understand the feelings of confusion and, I don't want to say paranoia, but hyper-awareness. I promise you, you will get more comfortable in understanding what your body is telling you. Also, don't be afraid to call your doctor if something concerns you. That is what he/she is there for!

I wish you the best.

[sllowe]

Thank Gosh those tingle-jerky buggers aren't typically flares! Think the world would be lit up like a Christmas tree yr. round from all us flares! ha/ha

Seriously, I like the hyper-vigilant Ren describes. Noting it may help you get use to how MS affects you. Hypersensitive skin, reflexes, it all seems to come with the package deal - yuck!

Having said that, these symptoms can also be magnified bigtime during a flare. But, don't panic, that will most definitely make them worse.

Stick w/us - we'll help you get through!
Thanks for joining us,
-shell

[rendean]

Hi, lets try this again. Wrote one post and then hit the wrong key only to  have it disappear.

Yes, it's natural for someone to be hyper-vigilant about every little twitch, tingle or new sensation in their body when they have just been diagnosed with a disease that changes your lifestyle.

I have been diagnosed since last April and now no longer worry about every little tingle or twitch unless it becomes constant. I still have questions, in fact I just posted about eye blurriness. It's comforting to know that we "get it". No long explanations about the disease to someone who isn't diagnosed. We are all here because we have symptoms that mimic MS or are from MS.  MS is different for everybody so don't panic if you have some symptom or tingle that no one else has experienced.

Feel free to post here any time with any of your concerns. There are no silly questions and everyone here remembers being first diagnosed and worrying about every little thing. We will do our best to answer any question and more than likely someone else has experienced the same thing you have questions about.

For true concerns, it is best to contact your neurologist or MS nurse if they have one. Otherwise, come here for support and know that we've all been in your shoes at one time or another.

Warmly,
Ren

[tarter]

Hi mommie

I always dread the signs those signals of twitching and numbness because you know you are about to have a possible flare.

Saying that i have had some milder flares but still feel wiped out from them.

Its the not knowing which causes me concern today I have urine retention I think shall i go to GP or just ride this out I am proberbly in one now but hopfully tomorrow will be better.

Take Care tarter  

[LoveMyBostons]

Yes, definitely! If I stubbed my toe I would worry that the next morning my enitre leg would be numb. I was diagnosed about 4 months ago and now I'm not so aware of the little things like that anymore.

Which medicine did you choose?