How long does a sensory relapse usually last and does it get worse ?

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the needy post…

How long does an episode of tingling and electric shocks in both legs and feet usually last ?

Also, if I seem to have a symptom pretty persistently for a few months now- is that just going to stay ?

Unrelated to the things in my legs and feet I have also had some weird feelings in my upper back. First appearing last year but now pretty consistently there for a few months. Is that just something I need to live with now ?

Back to the legs and feet sensations- would that usually stay just sensory or could it get worse and end up affecting my movement

sorry probably no one has the answers, but I just wondered whether anyone had experience like this. I think I’ve had the feet and leg thing before actually and it just passed. Hopefully this time too.

thank you !

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IT’s an individual thing. For me mine start slow and gradually get worse. Can be 2-3 weeks before the peaks and can last me 2/3 months. That goes for any sort of relapse not just sensory for me. I know some people that are rapid and peak within a week and usual gone within a month.

By gone I don’t mean completely. As some of the symptoms may linger at a lower intensity and become what I refer to as my new normal.

I’ve had things star sensory and lead to movement, sight issues and others. Then I’ve had relapses that start sensory and are nothing but sensory.

Not much help but MS can be rather different for each of us yet similar at the same time.

Thanks for your reply. As usual it’s hard to say but definitely interesting to hear of your experiences - especially around it starting off at sensory and then moving to mobility. I should brace myself so I’m not surprised I suppose. Thanks again.

Hi Em, as you say, everything varies widely from person to person. Have you got RRMS?

This is the type where you get periods of relative calm , followed by relapses(attacks). With most attacks you can be left with a bit of something…some call it disability which stays with you.

Are you on any DMDs?

MS has such a myriad of possible symptoms…perhaps a word with your MS nurse (if you have one), would help.

Sorry I cant be more helpful.

Boudsx

Hi ! Thanks for your reply. Yes I do have Relapsing remitting MS. I’m not on a dmd as I had a baby not long ago and I’m waiting to go back on tecfidera. I spoke to the MS nurse who said this is a relapse, but that if it’s not severe- I shouldn’t have steroids. I definitely don’t want to take steroids unless I literally can’t move or see. I have had optic neuritis before and I suffer from a bad eye anyway. If it ever goes to my good eye, I will have to take steroids as I won’t be a lot to function on my bad eye. Hopefully that never ever happens.

Hi There

I also have RRMS and have also experienced the tingling/numbness in my feet/toes, I ended up having physio to try and restore some normal feeling, it worked and it took about 3 months. I only occasionally get some numbness in my toes but doesn’t last long at all.

I have had a numbness feeling down my left arm since March which has never really gone, some days I feel it more than others. My MS nurse has confirmed it is a re-lapse, but I haven’t had a relapse last this long in 4 years. She said this could last a year or may never go away. Again I was offered steroids but I would prefer not to, it doesn’t cause me any bother just very odd sensation.

I started Co-paxone in December, I was previously taking Tecfidera but my body started to reject this.

It is re-assuring to read other people’s experiences, sometimes I just think I’m imagining it and its all in my head!

I have had a feeling like when the feeling’s just coming back if, you’d for example you’d lost it after putting pressure on your feet such as kneeling with your feet bent under you, slight pins and needles (that’s as close to the feeling I can describe). I’ve had that feeling for many years.

I asked my neurologist if there was anything I could take to help or even make it go away, his reply was yes but, there are drawbacks i.e. finding the correct strength as if too high as dose was taken you could temporarily lose complete control in your muscles. That was the deciding factor for me - I decided not to take anything and just put up with it.

Jacqueline.