Question about numbness...
 

It was suggested to me at another forum that numbness isnt anything to call the neuro about, but the past 2 days I've had some really weird numbness.

It goes from my thighs, maybe my waist and goes down the inside my legs to my feet. Bottoms of my feet feel like I'm wearing lambs wool slippers. I had a pretty serious bit of spasticity the past night or two in my right calf. Enough that it's pretty sore there now.

I've had the random wandering numbness for over a year now, and occasionally it doesnt bother me, but the past night or two, this has been annoying. Last night it was a tingly, cold, mildly burning sensation in my feet.

Now it's got a burning feeling on the front of my thighs (feels like I just put a small amount of some capsaicin creme on my thighs), and it kind of wraps halfway around the inside of the thighs too.

This morning, I woke up a few hours after going to sleep, and the vision in my left eye was totally blurred, and wouldnt come unblurred everytime I woke up after that until I'd slept most of the afternoon away. (had a weird headache during that) Tonight it feels like my color vision in both eyes just seems a little off.

Does all this sound important enough to call the neurologist about? I dont think he'll give me any steroids (they're not all that appealing anyways) because I had a little MRSA infection in my nose (both nostrils, one infection at a time) last september. (right after having a prednisone taper) I had 3 cultures (1 every two weeks) to make sure the infection was gone and so my doctor could say that I was MRSA negative.

I went to my eye doctor in late october, and he said I had a new case of optic neuritis (in my previously non-ON eye) and that I should have some IV solumedrol.

I checked with the neuro about that, and he said "NO!" to the steroids because I was still getting the MRSA cultures at that time.

I wonder if I call him now (well, in the morning, I'm not going to call and wake him up...that would be rude :rolleyes:) and tell him what's going on, if maybe he'd give me a very small round of IV steroids?....what's the minimum dosage for IV steroids anyways? I dont want a lot, maybe just a bag or two and a day or two of a taper if they do that....

I dont like the thought of steroids, but I know they might help, even tho I blame the oral prednisone for the MRSA infection that I had.

So, should I call the neuro, or is this something that I dont need to call about and should sit and wait it out???

Hi Erin,

You have indicated that much more then just numbness is occurring, so my answer would not be the same as if that was all that was going on.

I have never done steroids, but I would consider them if my eyesight or breathing was effected. That's where I would draw the line, I think.

Cherie

Yes, Erin, call your neuro. Let the doctor decide whether it's significant, I think it sounds like the beginning of an exacerbation and some IVSM could help keep it under control and shorten the whole thing.

What you described is too familiar to this oldtimer and I'd hate to think that you "fear" notifying your neuro of it, your neuro is your employee!

Don't put too much stock in complaints about steroids, IVSM is very easy for me and it makes a world of difference. Dosepacks of pred are a little harder on me, but nowhere near the impact of the symptoms. Please do at least notify your neuro.

Sorry, Erin, that all this crapola is happening now.:(

Sure, call the Dear Doc. Why should he/she be enjoying all the peace and joy of the season, when you're in pain..:cool:

Feel better..:hug:

Erin
So sorry you're having all this icky stuff. I tend to get more sensory stuff this time of year. Definitely call the doc and keep calling. You are the boss.

I don't feel much better with steriods, because the side effects whack me out (more then usual). I can't sleep and it seems the to me the 'roids effects feel worse then the ms. At least on steroids I'm not worrying about the sx. ;)

I hope you get some relief and soon.

:hug:

Called my neuro. He's older than methuselah and he's on vacation for Christmas right now. (just like he was last year when I had the symptoms that got me my diagnosis...I should have known!)

Calling my eye doctor tomorrow to ask about the wacky vision. I dont think he can do much but Rx me some IV steroids. I'm not sure I want to have any steroids so I'm not sure I really want to call him. I think I will tho, because I always say "never ever ever ever EVER mess with your eyes". So, I better follow my own advice and not mess with my eyes.

I'm just wondering if the numbness and the wacky vision is just a product of christmas stress, even tho I dont feel any stress...or maybe it's from the stress of a couple of weeks ago when they had that stupid kid shoot up the mall here in Omaha. (I was supposed to be shopping in that store, that day, around the time of the shooting. didnt go because we wanted to get lunch first)

I also had some insomnia for the past month, month and a half, and the lack of sleep could be doing this to me. At least my eye doctor can help me (hopefully) I'm going to bet that he's on vacation too, because that's usually the case.

I dont want to bother my regular doctor with this because I'm the only patient he has that has MS right now, and I dont think he has that much experience with it yet...plus, he'll probably be on vacation too.

I dont like being the panicked MS patient anyways, causes me too much stress. If my eye doctor is in tomorrow, and if he thinks I need to be seen or if I need steroids, then I'll start to panic. I think I'll just relax and see what that does for me till I call the eye doctor tomorrow.

The vision stuff is just a little distorted vision in the right eye, no ginormous blind spots or pain when I move my eyes. Have a headache, but I think it's probably just a normal headache and not anything from the ON.

:) Hi Erin,

MAN! Are you messed up!:eek:

You have enough going on for any three MS patients and I think enough to be concerned about to call the neuro and maybe be seen by whoever is taking over for him while he's on vacation. (Is that a run-on sentance?)

You need to keep a symptoms journal, if you are not already. This will be a big help for your PCP and neuro alike. Also, it helps you clearify your thinking and help you focus on what's necessary to call and what's not. Although, I think coming here and asking questions and giving good information to us is a really good way to get input on what to do.

BTW, I don't think of you as a, "panicked MS patient." Although it might seem that way to you. Needless to say, your body is talking to you and we're all here to help and support you any way we can. :hug:

My eyes are still feeling a bit sensitive, looked out the window earlier and regretted looking towards the sun...but the text on the computer isnt looking so strange anymore, maybe for a few minutes if I go from one room that's lit different than my bedroom is, but after a bit my eye will adjust.

I did call the eye doctor and talked to the tech, and am waiting for a call back from either the tech or the opthalmologist with an answer. But, now things dont seem so much like I need to have them looked at like I thought yesterday.

Why is it that dealing with MS symptoms is like the weather sometimes...if you dont like it, wait 20 minutes, it'll change.

The numbness is still there, but not as annoying as it was...no more burning tinglies on it at least. If the eye doctor doesnt think he needs to see me about the vision issues, I guess I'll just wait till after Xmas next week to call the neuro about the numbness. I know if I think something is an emergency and I call the neuro, his answering service WILL call him at home, and he'll call me back himself.

I'm stiff and sore today, but the numbness feels better and my eyes arent as wonky feeling as they were yesterday. I wonder if going to bed ridiculously early last night and sleeping till 10am has anything to do with me feeling not so MS-ish today? Maybe if I take a baclofen or a flexeril, the stiffness will go away?

Is it true that if you think about numbness a lot that it makes it worse?