Hey guys
I have been having some numbness in my right leg and I coudl see my foot on the floor but when I wanted to walk on it my leg was like jelly. Didnt like it one bit.
After a short while my arm went the same and with pins and needles. very scary
has anyone else had this and what did you do to ease it. Finding it scary now all the new tings not sure wather I want to do things on my own
Clare xx
Hi Clare,
Weakness and numbness - anywhere - are very common (I would say almost universal) symptoms of MS.
From the forum you’ve chosen to post in, I’m assuming you don’t yet have an MS diagnosis, so this symptom, alone, cannot prove what it is.
I’m afraid I don’t know of any prescription or DIY remedy that helps with numbness. It’s usually caused by damage to the nerve pathways stopping signals getting through, so unless or until the damage repairs itself, allowing signals to pass again, there’s probably nothing you can do to restore “normal” sensation.
The good news is that, for most people with MS, the damage does eventually repair itself - though not always perfectly - so there is a good chance of regaining most of the sensation. Repairs are slow though, so you might just have to live with it in the meantime.
If an attack is very severe, steroids are sometimes offered to speed up the repairs, but they have risks and side-effects of their own, so sometimes it’s better to be patient, and leave nature to do the work.
Although numbness can’t usually be cured, some people find it’s possible to temporarily distract from it, by applying heat or cold. If the numbness takes the form of feeling as if a tight garment is on the affected part, it can help to put a tight garment on it for real! I know this sounds mad, but your brain won’t find the numbness so uncomfortable if it thinks there is a valid explanation - e.g. example that you are wearing tight clothing.
Weakness can sometimes be addressed by specialist physiotherapy. Ideally, you need a neuro-physio, not just any physio, because they will understand the problems that can be caused when your brain sometimes can’t get signals to your muscles properly.
Hope this helps,
Tina
Hi, It is scary! What you describe is how my relapse that led to diagnosis started. Not being able to feel yourself walking is frightening as you find you stumble without realising if that makes sense. I also know what you mean by the ‘jelly’ feeling. I felt my side was really weak and walked with a limp. My neuro said weakness and strength not that bad its just I couldn’t feel it which made sense when I thought about it! Has your MS nurse been out to see you yet? If not maybe ask them about it as when everything is new it’s hard to know what to do for the best. That’s what I’m struggling with the most…don’t want to do more harm than good. Look after yourself as was it you who had a fall last week? Carolyne. X
Just another quick question! Did you find the MS nurse helpful? Only ask because we were diagnosed same time. I am waiting for referral to MS specialist for meds advice and nurse. I think my pain seems to be getting worse even though feel like I am finally over last relapse. I am a wuss and co codomol used to make the room swim and are now like smarties! Plenty of rest for you, your body will be getting over the shock and pain of falling as well as numbness. Take care. X
Hi,
Sorry - I didn’t mean to imply you shouldn’t be posting here. I just meant I didn’t know your situation, so was purely guessing from the choice of board that you might not be diagnosed yet. I didn’t want to answer as if it was definitely MS, when it might not be.
The rest of my post still holds, though.
Tina