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1084398 tn?1277304810

walking on floating steps??? now... numbness in both forearms???? HELP!!!!!

I will be on Copaxone for two weeks this Saturday.  Total of 12 shots so far.  Never had any really "BIG episodes."  I got the feeling of being shaken in a bottle (4 days before I started on Copaxone)  That was really the only episode I would say.  That lasted 2 hours or so from mild to strong back to mild within those two hours.  Nothing since until this week.  I've had the dizziness, I can't deny that one, but... that comes and goes all the time, but not ever very bad.  I can handle that one (10-15 sec. and goes away).  

Okay... Tuesday and Wednesday I had floating feelings all day long... like I was walking on a bridge that was not supported, a bridge that goes from one end to the next, but all wood panels (every step is different going up and down as I walked or even sat).  Yesterday was worse.  I called the Swed. Hospital and talked to the nurse 4 times and finally got a response from the dr.  The nurse was very helpful and comforting.  She wanted to make sure I knew I was being helped, but just waiting for final word from the Dr.  She sent me to Memorial Hopstial (Yakima) for Infusion Steroid treatments.  Supposedly this will attack my "episodes that I'm having" and fool them into leaving me alone. I was told the Steroids could last from probably 1 month to several months depending on the person.   I'm I still have my IV thing in my arm (just under a wrap) so I can give myself 2 more treatments, tonight and tomorrow). Of course this makes me wake up at 3 in the morning and want to go-go-go.  I was told I would probably go home wired for 3 days straight and to call dr. for a sleeping pill. (all normal).

Anyway... I'm up at 3:30... can't sleep ready to go for the day... but ... from the bottom of my wrists to my elbow they are tingling big time like they are heavy trying to go numb or to sleep.  I don't get this one.  I've never felt this.  I thought the steroids were supposed to attack all ms symptoms for the time being, not just stop one symptom (walking on a floating bridge) to another (arm numbness in both forearms.)  I'm not sure what is going on.  I can't lose power in both arms can I?  It will come back won't it?  I'm starting to freak out.  How can I make these arms wake up.  I can feel when I tough them, but hey are heavy and are starting to be painful.  I don't know what is happening or how to make it stop.  Does anyone have any suggestions??? PLease help!!!!  
Anyway... Talk to you later,
Take care!!
Leah
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1084398 tn?1277304810
This medicine is helping. Thank goodness.  This numbness I guess was just a 3-4 hour thing.  It's gone as well as the walking on a moving bridge.  THANK GOD!!!  UGH!   I had to give the Steroids myself last night and boy did it hurt.  I'm thinking it was because I didn't take it out of the fridge 2 hours early before I gave it (didn't get home in time).  I only got it out 1 hour early.  She told me to pull out the IV, hold firm and heat it.  I'm glad I did this.  I don't think I could have handled one more  day with that in my arm. I go back tonight and she is going to put it back in, give me the meds, then take it out.  It is the last dose.  I'm glad, but grateful that these meds are sidetracking things a bit.  

I did get the cramping from waist to toes all night as well.  That was a new one for me. I only ever got that during pregnancy.  I'm hoping it doesn't happen again today.  It's gone this morning.  

The thing is, I didn't ever have any real "episodes" until a  month ago.  Part of me wonders if it's just because I was told I have ms, so the problems are all happening all random and different.  I don't get it.  I'm not making these things up!  It is scary as *-LL.  I hate it!  I'm hoping after Copaxone kicks in, all will go away.  

Anyway... thanks for listening.  
Leah
Helpful - 0
293157 tn?1285873439
wish I could help with this one, but I haven't had this med..
hang in there, hope you feel better soon

wobbly
dx
Helpful - 0
572651 tn?1530999357
Hi Leah,
Its real easy to be confused about the role of steroids.  They are an anti-inflammatory, meant to reduce the pressures that are causing you problems.  They are not a cure, and unfortunately sometimes they don't stop all of the problems.

Yes, they will make you feel wired - that is the unfortunate side effect of this drug.  Also, don't be surprised if you want to eat everything you can see.  Your hunger can get very agressive from the steroids.

As for the copaxone helping - 2 weeks if a very short period of time.  It takes some of us 6-9 months before it begins to work effectively.  You are retraining your immune system to attack the copaxone instead of your myelin, and that takes time.

I have not had IV steroids, so I have no personal ideas for you to try - I'm sure someone else will be along to help.

be well,
Lulu
Helpful - 0
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