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Numb feet and legs

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Posted 5/27/2008 7:43 AM (GMT 0)
Numb feet and lower legs which alternate between burning and ice cold have so far been my most bothersome symptom and the first real symptom that prompted me to find out what was going on.

After my visit to the MS Clinic and meeting the neuro, I found out that this won't be going away :( I have learned to live with it but it frustrates the heck out of me. Does anybody else who suffers from this symptom have any tips on what makes this more comfortable to live with day to day?

Thanks

Posted 5/27/2008 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Calico, I have the numb feet, sometimes the burning sensations in both feet and fingers, fingertips, nailbeds etc... the ice cold I don't notice so much cos I think it's actually a relief (especially living here in Florida) but the only relief I've found when they get so numb they're in the pins and needles stages, is walking it off... if I can't walk, then it's the sitting dance... I move them, tap them, anything to get blood moving around to help carry off the sensations a little bit.

I've become really aware of it and sometimes when folks are asking me how I'm doing, and then telling me "oh I get that too!" ... I'll be standing there and comment, I don't think so, because as I stand here, my feet are going numb as we speak, it's like walking on a them when you've sat on them and they've fallen "asleep"... and they suddenly realize, oh, no I don't get that. My hands drive me the craziest with working on the keyboard... when my fingertips get all tingly... I have to shake them out trying to rearrange the tingles...

But so far for me, only moving and realigning my body positions has rearranged the sensations... it always only temporary though.

I'd love to hear anyone else's suggestions because this is a real nuisance symptom for me.

Posted 5/27/2008 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have been numb from mid-torso to toes for all the years (25+) that I've had MS. Sometimes the sensation increases in intensity, sometimes fades to a pretty low level, but is always there. My feet and legs are particularly numb and tingling, with the hot cold sensations; not so much anymore in my torso, at least not all the time. I've not ever tried to take anything for it, nor have I heard much from anyone about meds that will make it go away. You might try neurotonin, some folks have found some degree of relief from that.
Posted 5/27/2008 1:09 PM (GMT 0)

Hello everyone,

I have numb feet and I get the icy-hot sensation too.  My have been pretty much numb (in both feet) since last spring's flare.  I get the icy-hot sensation most afternoons after working on my feet all day.  I call it my bengay-boots lol.  I am aware of it and it can be quite prounounced but I just ignore it.  Walking or moving my feet does nothing for me.  It seems totally unrelated to circulation for me and purely a nerve sensation thing.  I have symptoms that bother me a lot more so this one is one I just ignore.

I too have heard that neurontin can help with this.  However, I have never tried it.  I hope you find some relief soon for this one.  I am sorry it causes you so much grief.  Believe it or not, I have also had some say that cymbalta helps with this one.  Good luck.

Love and prayers,

Posted 5/28/2008 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

I experience the numb feet as well as the sensory hot/cold stuff. The thing that helps me the most is stretching. I dont know if its all in my head or what, but i believe it helps me. I figure this much: the nerves innervate the muscles, so if the mucles are stiff and tight, you would think there might be pressure on the nerves running thru the muscles therefore creating the tingling and numbness maybe. This is my take on this and do believe in my mind that it relieves it, LOL .                                              Good Luck,

Lynn

Posted 5/28/2008 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your replies everyone. Sorry to hear you are suffering too. At the very least , it's comforting to know I am not alone with this symtom:) I am going to ask about Neurontin when I see the Doc again as it was prescribed to me last year when I first approached her about this and I do recall it helped some.

Thanks for the tips. I'm guessing it is just one of those things I'll have to learn to live with.
Posted 5/28/2008 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
HI everyone- I don't have too much trouble with my legs, but get the numbness and tingling in my arms and hands, like someone else mentioned. I have definitely found stretching to help mine. Rather regular stretching (a couple times a day) of the muscles seems to make the sensation happen less often. Once it starts I haven't found a good solution and have felt a bit desperate a few times. It can be maddening. Then I take a clonazepam (klonopin) and tell myself that it is working on the muscle spasms and that is helping. But it may just be making me less anxious about a symptom that I can't control. I get the icy hot thing in my head or on my scalp. Let us know if neurontin helps, my doc has suggested a couple times but I've not tried it and I can't recall what my hesitation was other than adding another med. Does anyone know do you take neurontin daily or as symptoms arise?
Posted 5/29/2008 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
I believe that when i was taking Neurontin, my neurologist said that it works best when it is at a constant level in your body. However i've read a few posts where i think folks take as needed, but i could b e mistaken. I had good results with it, however i started to get an allergic reaction to it. I broke out in red welts and i became very itchy. I was bummed out b/c it was really giving me some relief. It does work well for alot of people. I used to feel like you in that i didn't want to take another med, however, i got sick of being in annoying pain. I feel, if it helps keep taking it, if you dont, stop. Its worth a try. Good Luck to you!

Lynn
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