Chocolate? Did you say chocolate? I'd like some. LOL.

It definitely affects the internal organs. Not fun. I am still on a smoothie diet. LOL.

Numbness, tingling, inflammation, spasms, and extreme sensitivity to touch are some of the things that I can think of that go along with this.

I was thinking about this the other day T, and I really hate eating when I get the numbness with the hug. I think it expands my skin in some small way, and then the sensation is much worse (just like when we move or do virtually anything). I also feel sick to my stomach, but I think that is a bit of mind over matter (because I know it will hurt to eat).

You described the sensations very well, BTW. Sometimes is also hard to get my breath . . . like the lungs don't expand enough. I also feel as though I have no muscle what-so-ever in my torso . . . I couldn't hold in my stomach if my life depended on it.

Cherie

Cherie - I get the same way. Digesting food hurts and I don't do it well when I am like this. As far as eating, I think you are right about the mind over matter to some degree. But is that from the pain or a physical symptom due to the MS? I'm not sure. Kind of like what came 1st, the chicken or the egg. Either way I know that when I get like this it's smoothie time. (Cucumber yogurt smoothies are really good!) I can't eat anything that is difficult to digest.

Many times I have to lay down and put my arms over my head to get that good deep breath. Or I do yoga stretches. It helps even if only temporary. As for the sucking your stomach in, I am so with you on that one. No ab workouts for me. I gave up on that.

MSacorn - Thank you so much for that information. That is exactly what the neuro and uro said. Because of our mixed up sensations we may not feel an infection.

Kind of funny story about bladder issues. I was at DBF's one day and was horrified as I felt like I had just peed myself. So off I got to the bathroom thinking I was going to have to shower and change and was completely humiliated.. I get in there and to my surprise, I was dry. LOL. Yes, our sensations are mixed up. This happened several times that day. I finally decided I was not going to run to the bathroom anymore until I saw a puddle.

Part of it may be that often our bowels aren't working properly during this period too. I will go weeks without one BM, and my stomach and back are experiencing that pressure as well. I don't "feel" anything (of course, I'm numb), but my abdomen and back are swollen from not having the muscle/coordination/ability to go.


Yoga breathing exercises are awesome, and agree putting my arms up (especially when I am laying down) is the best way to get a breath. Breathing exercises are good for helping to distract us from the pain too.

I don't do any other kind of exercises when this happens, or even have much movement when it's really bad. As soon as I start to feel slightly better though, I do as much as I can tolerate, at every opportunity. If only one area is numb, I do exercise the other ones (stretches, foot curls, etc.), but sometimes most of my body is going through it so I don't do anything. It's a long 6 weeks . . .

MSacorn, you are right about not feeling things (and/or feeling things that aren't there; trickles, buzzing, hot patches, cold patches, etc.), and I really can't emphasize enough how important it is to keep our fever in check and infections treated, especially with spinal lesions. Every spinal lesion attack I've had so far has started from an untreated infection or virus that increased my body temp. It doesn't take much of an increase either . . .

Cherie

Thank you Cherie!

In an effort to help I've called Pest Control. They are coming to get that boa constrictor uncoiled from your torso!!!

I know you're not a large person, but the Hug sounds like a size 22 woman wearing a size 12 girdle.

I haven't experienced it yet, so just going by the posts. Ugh! So sorry for you, Frank, et al.

Be well, my friend. (very gentle hugs)

No Twink. It is a size 22 woman wearing a size 2 girdle.

Movement is rough. I spent 4 days laying down, not comfortably, but laying flat on my back. I went from one couch to the other to my bed to the computer to check for work and "lurk" and/or post on here to back to the couch . . . I was so thrilled when I could sit up for a little bit. Big sigh of relief.

Again, 4 to 6 weeks is a pretty good prediction as that is what I have experienced in the past with this thing. It is a slow healing process.