Anyone's MS start like this?
 

Since May I have had a partial loss of sensation spread from my hands and feet up until, now, it covers my entire body. I still have some sensation everywhere, but also partial numbeness EVERYWHERE. Now I just seem to be growing more numb as the days and weeks pass.

I am scheduled for brain MRI and EEG soon, as I have not yet been diagnosed, but I have had neurologists in the past suggest that I had early MS due to other strange symptoms ultimately labeled "atypical migraine."

Does the progressive partial numbness covering your entire body sound familiar to anyone? Seems like many people have numbness, but only one one side, or only certain parts. Not EVERYWHERE. I am really truly hoping at this point that it is MS and not CIDP. The latter sounds more difficult to manage. I'm desperate for a diagnosis.

BTW I am 18 weeks pregnant, also, but neither the neurologist nor the OB think this is related to pregnancy, as it began with tingling in a few fingers prior to conception.

Thanks!
Shauna

Did your doctor rule out Guillain-Barre syndrome? I know someone who had/has that and experienced very similar symptoms.

My doctor didnt mention guillain-Barre syndrome. Thank you. I will ask about that on the 30th when I go back in.

i havn't experienced that but wanted to welcome you to NT.
congratulations on expecting your baby.

keep us posted tho.

Spreading numbness was one of my early pre-diagnosis symptoms. It spread rapidly from the soles of my feet to my waistline. I could just about draw a line where the feeling stopped and started, it was that dramatic.

Bear in mind, this is my MS. Yes, many people do have numbness. If you do have MS, yours will not be exactly like anyone else's.

Hope your neurologist visit goes well, and you get some answers! Try not to expect all of them at once. :winky:

Thank you for the welcome, Judy.

Sparky, thanks for the reply. Was the lower-body numbness you experienced TOTAL numbness or just a partial loss of sensation?

Thanks!
Shauna

My first major relapse involved partial loss in sensation on the left side of my body from the chest down. I could draw a line down the center of my spine and tummy. Hope you get some answers, but for many it takes a while to get them. I thought I would also mention that many people with ms actually experience a remission during pregnancy.

Hello skboren,

You might ask if you could also get a MRI of your cervical spine. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the Central Nervous System(CNS) which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Lesions can show up in any or all of these areas.

I have never had numbness everywhere but I have had numbness in the entire area from the waist down. This was one of many symptoms I had at the time of diagnosis.

Thanks, barb. Yes, I have read remission is common in pregnancy. It looks like for me it may be the opposite.

Snoopy, thanks. Was your numbness from the waist down complete numbness or just a partial loss of sensation where you still had SOME feeling?

Thanks,
Shauna

This link might help explain numbness in Multiple Sclerosis:
http://www.mymsaa.org/about-ms/symptoms/numbness/

What I felt as numbness (altered sensation) was confirmed by a Neurological exam. I also experienced Paresthesia (pins/needles, buzzing/vibrations) from the waist down, including the girlie parts. I was unable to tell when I needed to urinate and had trouble leaking urine due to this.

Pregnancy and Multiple Sclerosis:

It is not uncommon to have a relapse (attack, flare-up, exacerbation) post-partum. Many women have relapses during pregnancy as well as post-partum, some women have no problems with their MS during or after pregnancy.