Arms vs. Legs

[lisamaggio]

Is there anyone that has their ams affected way more than their legs? I seem to have alot more problems with pain, burning, heaviness etc..... in my arms. I have long hair and I am considering cutting it because I can't use my arms the way I used to to blow it dry, style it or even brush it some days.

Thanks,
Lisa

[Phoenix177]

I'm in limboland

One of the 1st few sx I got was with my right arm. it started with a electrical, shocking, and tearing pain when I moved my arm and I got dizzy/spinning . then 1/2 my ring finger and pinky went numb the next day with right eye problems. the underside of my right forearm went numb with pins and needles or itching around the edge. I didn't relies it until I noticed a tac sticking in my arm and I've been dx with fibro ('04). I should of been screaming.  my arm wasn't normal for 9 1/2 months,but by then my right leg wasn't working very well, and my right side felt very heavy.

I get tingling on my right side. all my sx started on my right side. I hope this sx doesn't return; it feels like a snake wraps around my ribs cage, shoulder, and some times one of my limbs and squeezes hard. it hurts to take a breath. anyone have an idea what this could be?

I drop things more and can barely ever open jars anymore. this is very frustrating to me, but its how it affects my kids (10,11) that upsets me more. they have always viewed me as a strong mom despite my medical problems (they are under control), but now they are watching what ever this is kick my a$s over and over.  they ask what's wrong and all I can say sorry my doc and I don't know yet. I went 6 weeks sx free, it was nice to be normal again. all my sx left in reverse order that they came once the summer heat left. my sx came back when temperature increased. I figured out last summer, heat intolerance and my PCP agreed on this and what ever this is it new

I'm rambling. I hope every feels better soon

[essdipity]

Hi Lisa. We do hear more here about legs, but plenty about arms too. One of our members, doublevision1, has written here extensively about her arm and hand symptoms.

Having an arm feeling too weak to dry hair or lift things is reported here a lot. As Meagan says, there are ways of compensating. I hope you don't have to cut your hair, but if you do, there a loads of attractive shorter styles out there.

Sending best wishes,
ess

[Meaganj]

I too have a lot of weakness in my arms and lots of tingling in my hands, as well as nerve pain that shoots down my left forearm and fingers, basically rendering the arm or fingers incapacitated till it passes. I aso lose muscle coordination in my hands, but that is usually a sign I am about to have a relapse. I do also have weakness, numbness, etc, in my legs, but my arms are definitely affected. I have to sit on the toilet seat and flip my head upside down to blow dry my hair,  keepin my elbows close to my sides, so my arms arent up in the air, and have to take breaks when folding laundry. Sigh... the joys of MS. I am still just "Probable MS", but they did find 3 suspicious spots on my spine (two in T-spine, one in C-spine), but when they did a second MRI to confirm they didn't show up. I think its a very good possibility that Spine lesions are the culprit. I also have head tremors which I think are related to the T-spine and due to muscle weakness. Changing a few ways in which you do tasks throughout the day can help. Take breaks, sit down to do things, like use a stool to wash dishes so your arms arent so far above the sink, or sitting down to blowdry your hair, have made a difference for me. Good luck, and hang in there.

[Mike_Shuswap]

Hmmmmm. Interesting. I've had a sore R shoulder for a few weeks now, deep in the socket....I never thought this could be another symptom (I'm possible MS) I haven't seen a doctor about this yet, it would be debilitating if I was working, but I'm not, so I've been putting up with it. I'll make an appt with my Dr., and call my MS nurse to report this, just in case it's neurological (does that mean the pain isn't relly there? LOL, I wish)

Luckily I don't have to blow dry my hair, or brush it for that matter,it's only about 1/4" long lol.

Mike

[JENNIEO]

yes, most of my pain is in my arms - right should (right in the socket area) and left arm (bicep and forearm, sometimes hand and fingers).  The bicep pain comes with no warning and is like a strong zap, stays a minute or two and then goes away - I swear the bicep muscle seems tense when it occurs, like it is being stimulated.  The forearm pain is similar but not as strong - hand and fingers are intermittent pains, sometimes when I grab a doorknob I am surprised to have it hurt and other times typing hurts quite a bit - no swelling or disfigurement involved.  Neuro says it is from the lesion (I am dx'd MS) in my C-spine causing this and we've tried a few things - neurontin, lyrica, carbatrol (current attempt) - so far, nothing is helping.
Good luck with your arm-pain.  Oh, my legs seem ok other than very restless and sometimes a foot-drag here and there.

Peace-
JENNIE

[mistylee]

Hi Lisa,

Yes I'm having the same differculty. See my post 'anyone help with this.' I have trouble keeping my arms in the air to hang washing, wash hair etc.
The arms are really heavy but I get burning on the palms of both hands and the hands feel slightly numb as well so I am somewhat clumsy.
I really feel for you.
The last relapse I had however was mostly my legs. Both arms were fine.?? So hoping it will get better . I'm all for making your life easier if it helps. I have short hair but still need to blow dry etc. I just try not to wash it too often. Every 2nd or 3rd day .
I can tell you that hair wash day I dread!! lol

Mistylee