Numbness feeling?

[Wobbly]

hi again... I'm confused about the term Numbness.. is this like the feeling of having you mouth frozen when your at the dentist...?  or a feeling like when you touch you leg, and it feels like leather or something strange?  

Or, a weakness...strange feeling like you have to shake it to make it move?

any ideas? my left arm has been very strange for a few days now.. weak, dull pain.. and I feel like I have to shake it to move it or it will not work?  what's this called?  

so many questions again...

wobbly
undx

[doni54]

Hi Wobbly,

It is hard to explain isn't it.  When I first came to this forum I was trying to describe some of the feelings and all I could think to say was "weird".  Quix made me come up with a better description.....hahaha

I have the numbness, like Shelly, here, there, and everywhere on a changing basis.  The biggest place for numbness has been the outside of my left leg, from knee to ankle.  It doesn't really feel numb when I touch it, but when I try to walk or move my leg, it feels numb?  I'm sure a neuro will think I'm batty when I try to describe that!!!!

So, anyway, you, as always, are in good company!!!  The numb sisters, huh?

Take care,
doni

[sllowe]

Hey Andie,

When you go back to the specialist? Definitely describe it - you did a fine job. Of course our Doc Q nails it for us once again!

It's so hard to describe these things isn't it? I've had those "tell your part what to do bit" and then it seems to follow through.  But, have also had the numbness, tingling stuff that seems to pop up all over the place which feels like small patches of skin or something and they just move around and don't last long in once spot - strange indeed.

ttys,
Shell

[Wobbly]

yes that does help alot...thanks for your explanation... I find it so hard to explain these symptoms to the specialist... mostly when I have a difficult time finding words...

how is your Mom and how are you doing?  fine I hope.

and my arm... I just have to move it... it kind of reminds me of RLS...which I don't have.  not yet anyway..

take care
wobbly
undx

[Quixotic1]

Hi, Bobbly,

The exact meaning of numb is "without feeling."  But, the commonest use of numb is reduced feeling or feeling weird like the pins and needles of a foot that has been asleep, or even feeling foreign.

So numbness is a general and nonspecific term.  When people use it, the neuro has to ask a few more questions to determine just what they mean.  But, in all circumstances it should mean there is some reduction of normal sensation.

No, weakness is the feeling that the muscle won't be able to do its usuall job, that it will give way or does give way, or that it fatigues tto much given the work you have done with it.

Often weakness goes hand in hand with a degree of numbness or pain.

About the having to shake it.  Ican't answer that as a doc, but I think I might have had a similar experience.  Sometimes, I feel like a limb isn't going to do what I need it to do, so of like I can't find the control switch for it.  But, after I touch it or move it in some way, I am able to make it do what I want.  Almost like I can't find the commands for it, but touching it or straightening it or shaking it makes my brain say, "OH, THAT leg.  Yes, let's lift it."  Then it the legs obeys.  I have had that feeling.

I think it would fall under the heading of scr ewed up signals.

Does that describe what you meant?

Quix