Opinions Needed!
 

Well thought this numbness that Ive had since September would just pass, but it hasnt. Im been totally numb from fingers to scalp for 7 months with really no changes. So do you think this is permanent and Ill just have to live with it? Or do you think it will pass at some time? This is not in just patches, its completely in whole upper body, like if it was slept on feeling.

jmiller, it's impossible to know right now if the symptom is permanent or not. Seven months really isn't that long for a symptom, although it can feel like forever when your dealing with it.

Usually if the symptom is still there without change for 2 or 3 years then you can call it permanent.

Sorry.......:(

Well thats a big bummer, I could deal with a little numbness but this is just out of hand. Thought I was just in a bad flare but didnt think they lasted this long. Besides I never really had 1 and thought if you were ppms you dont get these. Everything since my DX in 1990 has been slow and now someone has stepped on the gas. Hope theres a darn stop sign ahead.

Hey, Jeff, have you done any steroids for it?

My right hand/arm has been numb since October. I'm going on six months now. I've about gotten used to it but by 5 PM my hand is screaming and I have to take something for the pain. I'm hoping everyday that I'll wake up and it will be magically "un-numb" but so far no such luck.

I hope yours corrects itself soon. Take care. :hug:

Tried IVSM for 3 days, seemed to help a tad and a couple things better. Yeh I hope to wake and be gone too.

I hope something could be done...have you talked to your neuro abou it yet?


I called my neuro today (and he wasnt there...argh!) because my right foot has been a bit numb the past few days, and last night and this morning it was really really annoying. It also felt like the numbness was going up into my knee.

Right after I called him and left a message, it started to feel a bit better. It's still UNpleasantly numb, but not as horrible as it was last night. I'm still going to see what Dr. Neuro says when he calls me back tomorrow. I dont know if I should call Dr. Regular Doctor and see if he has any suggestions for what to do. (like a UA to see if I have a UTI)

It's just annoying to have an appendage that feels so bizarre and you either just want to rip it off, or jab it with an IV of solumedrol and hope it wakes up and stays awake.

Yes Im in constant contact with my Neuro, but not much can be done. Just have to be a lab rat and see what works. So far nothing.

I'm numb off and on - it seems to eventually disappear of it's own accord - but some of it stays - my feet are numb but not so numb I can't tell that they're on the floor - or the rest of me for that matter (on the floor that is) - I always wondered how you can itch in a spot that's totally numb to the touch -

Geeze dont mention itching, thats worse than the numbness. I scratch and scratch and it still is there, and beause of the numbness I cant tell how hard I am scratching so then you bleed. The steroids and neurontin have dramatically reduced that though.

I have wondered the same about my face. It went from numb to patchy numb and has been that way for a year now...The one good thing it does is it tells me when I'm tired or overdoing it! (It gets number!!!)

I always thought numb was numb, til this MS!!! LOL

Just reading about the itching, makes me itch too!

Sorry to hear about the numbness to that degree ~ been there, done that. :cool:

I agree with Snoopy that you really have to wait a couple of years, even if we might 'generally' expect this symptom to let up within 6 months. I've heard of several others who've gotten improvement in the long run.

Have you considered LDN? That has helped me tremendously, although I have had some challenges more recently.

Do you have any infection; teeth, UTI, anything you might not have given much thought to? That is almost always what starts my spinal lesion problems (numbness), including recently.

For the itching, try hydrocortizone cream 1%, and ice packs on the itchy spot. One of those two always works for me.

Cherie

2 years, lol I might look into trying to sleep that long then wake up and maybe it will be gone. Ive tried creams but to no help. I have no infections at the time or any other stuff like that. So far I have just skimmed the surface on LDN, will have to look farther into that.

JM,

:hug: Sorry to hear the numbness is driving you nutty. I've had the "loss of sensation" numbness in my right side for about 2 years now. The intensity goes up and down, so I sometimes have to be careful to use my left hand to test for hot water.

I've also had to learn to pay attention when I scratch an itch since I don't know how hard I'm pressing sometimes.

The docs have tested me for stuff to make sure it's not something else, but yep - it's my MS. Of course they told me they don't know of anything that helps make it better so I keep trucking along best I can.

Hope that things calm down for ya soon.

Hydrocortizone cream is rx, so perhaps you haven't tried that yet . . .? The ice pack does work well too, and I've even gone to sleep with one in bed with me. Frigid . . . me? . . .

I put up with tooth inflammation for over 12 months, for some reason not comprehending that meant "infection". :rolleyes: Having that tooth removed has made a considerable difference in my numbness . . .

It won't necessarily take 2 yrs ;), just that there may still be improvement over the next 2 yrs. Any of my numbness that's lasted longer then that, even if it is only intermittent (when I am fatigued, sick, etc.) has never disappeared completely throughout the last 17 yrs.

If you are PPMS, there aren't a LOT of choices out there. The LDN did take away the numbness in my hands (right at the two yr mark), although I've recently gotten it back with the infection/psuedo exacerbation. It helped in a lot of other ways too; bladder, bowels (I have UC), claw hand, PAIN, etc. It might be worth a try if you aren't able to take the interferons anyway. :confused:

Cherie

Ill ask for that Rx cream next time. Amazingly fter day 2 ofthe IVSM I was able to open my right hand after about yr or so of it being nearly closed all the way. The steroids have also taken the edge of the intense itching. I will also ask about the LDN too.

I know what your going through I have had numbing in both my legs,feet and ankles for 9 months and so far i think that its permanant. But my neuro says anything can happen