numbness of the tongue

[emskelly]

I have had MS for nearly 18 years now, and have done incredibly well I think. I have been exacerbation free (major exacerbation free) for 10 years, until about 2 months ago. I had optic neuritis in the right eye. Previously had it in the left, this time, the right. I had been on Betaseron for about 3-4 years after I was initially diagnosed, but the side effects became overwhelming and I opted to try alternative treatments. They had worked incredibly well for me until I moved to another state, separated from an abusive marriage, and started life over again, literally. Just a bit of stress to say the least. Since my most recent exacerbation, my doctor has restarted me on medication this time Copaxone. So far, I think the side effects are minimal at best. However, I have over the last week or so developed numbness on the right side of my tongue. Food tastes horrible, powdery, and when I was brushing my teeth this morning I realized that my tongue is numb as well as my lower right side gum. Is this a side effect of Copaxone? MS? What can it be?

[tdr1013]

thanks for your respone, I sent a message to your personal inbox with some questions, not sure if you received it, would love to hear your answer to those questions, and maybe you can try one of the things i  mentioned, hope to hear from ya soon

[emskelly]

When I was in Arizona, I found craniosacral therapy to give me the most relief. I was extremely apprehensive about it initially. A friend of mine is a practioner and kept hounding me to give it a try. Then, I was working in an Emergency room and had a patient pull my arm during a procedure and separated my AC joint. After 4 steroid injections I still had limited motion of my arm and intense pain. Surgery was my only option. One of the ER physicians was a DO and he too advised me to give crainio a try. Finally I gave in, said ok, and my friend placed her hands on my shoulder. I kid you not, not 5 min later I was able to move my arm freely and without any pain. The ER doc said "if you don't believe what just happened, take an x-ray." I did and the joint is still separated but I am completely PAIN FREE and have NO limitations. My surgeon reviewed  the x-rays and agreed that if I had no pain, or problems surgery would wait. Since then, I believed it was so helpful and began getting treatments whenever I could. Accupuncture also helped but I was new to that before I left Tucson and have not found practioners here in NW Indiana since I have been here.
Vitamins have also been a major help. My last MRI in Tucson actually showed improvement in some of my lesions. Normal or not I have no idea, but I was feeling great and that was what was important.
The heat was completely debilitating for me. I felt worse during the hottest months no matter what I did. Coordination was a struggle if I was hot or outdoors. Since I have been back here in the midwest, I don't seem to be bothered by the weather. Even during the summer months. In Tucson, I was working three 8 hour shifts per week and didn't have the energy to do another minute of work. Here in the midwest, I am working 12-14 hour shifts 6 or 7 days a week. I am exhausted, but don't have a choice at this time. But, I do know I couldn't do this in Tucson. I also had an attack of Belles Palsy after leaving Tucson, but I think the stress I was going through at the time brought that on. This latest exacerbation struck my blindsided. I am back to square one with figuring out what it was that was working before and if it is possible to do it again.
If you have any advice or suggestions I am open to them all. I hope this information will help you.
  Have a great day,
       Kelly

[emskelly]

Dr. Deshmukh,
    Thank you so much for your help and support. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I am sure not feeling as strong as I had been lately. But, with support like yours, I will find the strength again.
     I appreciate your help!
   Blessings,
       Kelly

[tdr1013]

please tell about the alternative treatments that you used that worked so well for you, and also the difference in climates, you said you had changed states? has diet worked? what have you done to have no relapses for 10 yrs? please tell your success story
thanks so much

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hi.

I am not convinced about the sinusitis and the tongue numbness association. And it is not only numbness that is the issue. You also have an altered taste. It seems to be a manifestation of the MS. The numbness will stay for some time and will go on its own.

You have been through a lot. And I am sure you will pass this test also.

Regards

[emskelly]

I spoke with you about my tongue being numb several days ago. I called the Copaxone nurse and she also made the suggestion of stopping the Copaxone to see if it resolved. Not advised by both of you, but I stopped it on the 12th to see what would happen. I had absolutely no change. On Fri the 15th I saw my doctor and he is treating for me for a horrible sinus infection, which he says could be the problem. I re-started the Copaxone last night and am taking 875mg Augmentin BID. Do you think this will help or is there something else I should do, Solumedrol or something? I can't stand the numbness and lack of taste. Am I at least on the right track or am I expecting too much to quickly as far as results. I appreciate your help and input.
Thanks,
   Kelly

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

It is difficult to say if the numbness will go away. If it is not due to copaxone, it may last for several days before it goes away. You will have to wait and watch in this case.

Regards

[emskelly]

Thank you for your reply. If I don't stop the copaxone will the numbness eventually go away. I have not had any spasms of my tongue, just the numbness and loss of taste on half of my mouth.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Tongue paresthesia is an unusual symptoms of MS. But it is possible. Copaxone has a burning sensation as a side effect. It is difficult to identify the cause. One way would be to stop copaxone for some days and find out. But it is not be advisable.

In MS, the tongue numbness usually lasts for several days together, and may also be associated with tongue spasms. It is really difficult to say if it is MS or copaxone at this point.  

Regards