This is exactly how it started for me. Numb and tingling thumb and index finger. Within 48, entire right side of body numb. I also thought it was a pinched nerve or other easily solved problem. Whodathunk?
Hi i am having numbness and tingling of left hand and pinky finger is constantly numb feeling especially on finger tip and ring finger and some of forearm. I have been feeling i call it shaky unsteady at times and my hands shake if i try to hold a book and try to thumb thru the pages. or try to pinch the hanger to put pants on i have not enough strength and getting hard to use it to tye shoes. yesterday my right hand started shaking so bad while i was holding glass ware my husband took it and said omg your shaking so bad. and just now my right hand and forearm started to get the tingling burning feeling and numbness. i am so scared i dont know what else to do i had a nerve test with needles and shocks doc said that was normal , mri showed spinal stenosis. nerve doc has me taking three pills a day to see if that helps only helps with neck pain arms still go to sleep while driving or now left partial of hand constantly numb any advice would help me.
he said if that didnt help to do a mri of the brain.
please help with advice and steps not sure what is wrong with me or where to or what to do next.
Hi Carmaleta,
I'm so sorry that you are having such trouble right now. Good news is that it sounds like your nerves are healthy (needle/shock test). But the spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal cord) can cause all sorts of problems. Pressure on the nerves can certainly cause the numbness, weakness, and shakiness you are experiencing. Besides medication, did your doctor suggest any physical therapy to try to help relieve some of the pressure?
I know how troubling and annoying it can be to have numbness fingers, hands, arms. It's not fun. Hang in there. Continue talking to your doctor and ask if there is anything else you can be doing to try to find relief.
I get that burning numbness feeling in certain parts of my body. I broke my left foot because my left leg fell asleep and while trying to wake it up I fell on it and it broke. I also got a 3 degree burn from a heating pad because I didn't feel how hot it was. Docotrs dismiss me as it's me! I have gone for a MRI of the brain and it was neg, I get labs drawn and all neg. I have syptoms but no DIagnosis. I would start at a Neurologist and maybe a pain doctor
Dear Carmela,
I emphatize with you because I feel the same way. This started early last year and I just ignored it thinking that it was because of the constant use of cellphone which caused the zapping of my index and ring fingers. My husband bought me a 25ml Rosemary essential oil and 200ml Sweet Almond Moisturizing Body Oil. He took 140ml of Sweet Almond Oil and mix with 30 drops of Rosemary oil,that is what I am massaging to my fingers before going to bed and or after I am done washing the dishes. Before that, i used hot and cold water but I guess this mixture that my husband did, helped me a lot for the circulation. Just try it!
Take care,
Judy
My diagnosis actually came from having numbness on the left side of my face. As I recall, I'd had the numbness for about 3 months before I actually went and saw a doctor. Even then I only went because I was so annoyed by it...if it was pain, I never would have gone because pain makes sense but NUMBNESS....this is just stupid lol. So I'm sure person to person it's different and they always say everywhere that every person's MS experience is different but yeah, mine was at least 3 months and I randomly have (like right now) slight numbness on my right cheek but it comes and goes so less annoying I guess. I stumbled on this site looking up MS related numbness in my left hand because that started up Monday and I'm annoyed lol. So, just thought I'd throw my two cents in.
You absolutely need a new doctor. I went to at least half a dozen doctors (heart, lung, etc.) and more than a dozen tests, trying to find out why my legs tired so easily. I did online research for a couple of years, and finally found some information about MS, and wondered if that might be it. I didn't get a proper diagnosis until I got to the 3rd neurologist (at a prominent medical school). I have a rare form of MS known as primary progressive. Thank God for the internet.
If YOU know something is wrong, keep pushing and going to new doctors until you feel that you have a proper diagnosis. Good luck with a diagnosis.
Having MS can also make you ignore stuff you chalk up to just par for the course in having this disease. I had a numb area on my right upper thigh that started about the size of a half-dollar area and towards the end was all the way down the side of my thigh almost to my knee and a couple of inches wide. I also had on/off tingling down that same leg, the numbness extended down that calf, and turned out I was numb on the bottom of that foot. I never thought twice about it until a routine MRI caught a very degenerated disc that was found to be ruptured and also included a torn ligament for that disc... I got yelled at by my neuro for not telling them about my "normal" MS stuff!!!
Hi HollyAnn,
That is an EXCELLENT example of 'not everything is MS.' Wow, sorry to hear that it got to the point that your disk ruptured. You must have been in great pain eventually.
Just last summer all four limbs of mine were mostly numb which won me some steroids (being sarcastic here). But, seriously, I haven't graduated yet beyond the neuro appointments every 4-months. We're still keeping track of all the minor changes.
So glad that you made the point to not ignore all of the odd things we begin to take for granted after a while. How's your back now? Did you have to have spinal surgery to repair the damage?
I look forward to hearing more. Thanks for commenting.
I didn't get the "chew out " from MY doctor--I got it from the ER nurses/doctors. Being the ignorer/blame it on the MSer that I am (glad to see I'm not the only one...whew), I successfully ignored the fact that I was getting a blood clot until of course it popped up to my lung and then I couldn't breathe, hence the ER. It seems the idea is to be overly cautious with any symptoms of ANYTHING with this disease....then we get to sound like a bunch of hypochondriacs...lol. I guess it's better than the alternative though.
It is hard to know when to go to the doctor and especially with some of these come and go symptoms. I have had more of a tingly feeling in my toes...as though they were going to sleep. I thought I just had poor circulation. It is really good to know about all the tests too and what they might be looking for.
Hey Merely,
It's good to see you. True, the knowing when to call the doctor can be difficult, especially if the symptom seems trivial. For those who are not yet diagnosed and wondering if their numbness or tingling might be MS, it's good to know what other causes might be considered.
Not everything is MS, but sometimes it is. Hard to know the difference at times.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hi everyone. i have slight numbness and tingling in the tips of my fingers and in my big toes every day. I get these feelings like there is something going through me, like when you hear someone screech finger nails down a black board or when you see someone bight a chunk of metal or something on a phobia scale but these feelings feel atatched to my numbness feelings. Can anyone help? i gave up smoking years ago. i drink a couple of beers every week. and i eat pretty O.k. i exercise a little evry day and i'm 33 years old. i'm not over weight. any ideas????
Hi Barry,
Oh, don't you just hate that fingernails-on-the-chalkboard sensation?
I had not heard anyone describe the sensations you do in relation to numbness in the fingers and toes. That's very interesting.
Have you talked with your neurologist about the numbness and other experience? If you are experiencing a type of pain called paresthesias, then there is medication which may help.
Also, not many readers will come across your comment. You may want to ask your question in a Sharepost or in the Ask a Question section. Look above at the purple-colored drop-down menu which says ASK. Below that you can access the page to ask a question. The community members will be able to find you there.
Good luck.
I'm 31 and I have the tingling....wherever it chooses I guess. Before I was diagnosed I had tingling in my right hand but also had carpal tunnel so I just thought it was with that. It's lessened in the right but still there and then the left started up Monday. My toes are what I would call "mildly numb" like they are thinking about falling asleep (used to be worse)...lol. My doctor had put me on Lyrica but I went off of it because it wasn't helping at all with any tingling/numbness, just helped the "growing pains" feeling I'd had in my legs really bad but then I was getting so much edema in my legs I ditched it. It sounds ridiculous but those Skechers ShapeUps have REALLY helped with the pain AND the numbness/tingling in my toes. Don't get me wrong, I still have it but at a much lower degree and it doesn't make me so crazy. I work a professional dress job but I have a doctor's note saying I can basically wear whatever shoes I have to work so I've been wearing those for awhile now but then I get to thinking I'm 18 and have no problems and go out dancing (like last night) wearing different and shoes and HELLO! Left half of my foot on the bottom is numb while I'm dancing....so yeah. The shoes help!
Now that I read some of these posts, I realize I have been experienceing a lot of these symptoms for quite some time. Many times I've had numbness in my lower legs, and thighs, that I attributed to some bulging discs at L4 and L5. When the numbness spread to my hands, pinky first, I chalked it up to a possible pinched nerve in my neck. It wasn't until I had trouble playing ice hockey that I sought medical attention. Going from my PCP to an orthopedist (he said carple tunnel) to a neurologist, I found that I had lesions on the cervical spine and on my brain. I am 1 week into Copaxone shots, and the neurologist has scheduled a steroid infusion. So far, Ii have not experienced any pain, weakness, or fatigue. I can still walk a slackline, and run. I am hoping to reduce any further deterioration, but the symptoms and their progression are very stealthy. Is it pain from MS hurting my leg, or was it the spill I took on my bike. Am I experiencing double vision, or have I been staring at my computer for too long? I will say this. Once you've been told you have lesions on your brain and spine, it's good to finally have an answer on what is causing it. Something to fight...even if the fight is this hard.
Hi Bill,
I'm so glad that you have found some answers to the random symptoms you've had, including numbness. Getting an explanation really does help in facing the unknown.
I hope that the steroid infusions go well for you. Here is a post with some tips to make the experience somewhat easier - Beginner's Guide to MS: Solumedrol, It's All the Rage!
Good luck and stop by again anytime.
Interesting; I have had this "tingling" and numbness in my left fingers (all) for some time. Looking back---after reading here, it started just after I had neuro-zaping ( My name for the disapline where they zap the nerve ending going into your spinal chord) and somertimes is bothersome and scary and then it goes awqay. the zap on my spinal sure fixed the lower bck pain that I was having---it was awsome and really bad---could not get a nights rest. I had the procedure ---takes about three sessions and then a hour of finding and zaping the nerve ends and --VOILA!!! no more pain--really--absolute miracle and that was eight months ago. so, if this new "tingling fingers" is from the spinal zap--sao be it---believe me--its a very small trade-off.
I am curious about this zapping procedure? I have had several epidurals and shots in my back to try and relieve the pain and for 3 days I am miserable and then after it's about the same. I finally said NO MORE! WHat type of Doctor does theses Zapping of the nerves? I had surgery 15 years ago for a tumor in my right foot. The tumor kept on coming back and then it was scar tissue to be removed. the Doctor cut back my nerve in my right foot and that set off a bunch of no good symptoms that Doctors thought was in my head. THen Fibromyalgia came to be born. THEn those Doctors shut there mouths and it was a credible DIagnosis and Disease.
Try as I may, no luck finding the medical name for this procedure--its wasn't "laser surgery" or an abulation where they do cutting, etc. It just involved injecting the electronic probe into the spinal area and then giving the nerve end a "zap" to deaden it. I tried to google it with no luck. It was done at the Texas Spine clinic and the MD ( Neurologist) was Dr. Bill Murphy. Hope this helps. BTW, its been over a year now plus and no reoccurances. Good luck
THe funny thing is that I have numbeness in my hands and feet and also knee caps and hips. It is not just in one spot and it's like in patches. It feels weird when you feel your leg, and upper thigh but not your knee cap. I am exhausted telling my Doctor. I have gone to Neurologists and they think it is all in my head. I have seen Rheumatologists. I show no signs when I am in the office. I get that dull achy feeling and then sometimes I get a painful numbness. I just want to know what causes this. THey tend to relate everything to my back and the discs. THat is fine if that is what causes it. I am not scared of a diagnosis I just want to get one so I can treat or manage it.
Hi Monica,
Numbness is a tricky thing. There are so many possible causes. Anything which affects the nerves could cause numbness: disc compression in the spine, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc., etc. I'm sorry that you have had so much pain over the years. I hope that you are able to find some answers and effective treatment. In the meantime, you might want to check out ChronicPainConnection which is another website here at HealthCentral.
I know numbenss is a tricky thing. I have back problems and all they want to do is epidurals. THose hurt so much! I don't have Diabetes, as I check that quite often(I have a juvenile diabetic daughter). I hurt so bad in the winter months and I don't get much sleep. I feel like all I do is wine! I have been this way for many years and I pretty much don't say much to anyone about my health. I keep to myself. I have to raise my Gandson as my daughter left him at 3 weeks of age. I am 45 years old raising a 3 year old. I have already raised my kids and I can't get this child to do what she is supposed to do. I can't kick him to the curb as I am all he knows as far a parent figure. He goes to school already and they want me to get him on and off the bus everyday and I have to get my 19year old to do it and I can't get up and out in the cold every day. I have done the chronic pain thing before and its always the same thing as far was what you read. It gets depressing after awhile. I go for my yearly labs this week, to check my levels. I really wish they would find something so I can get on. Never so. I have high levels of things but no diagnosis. Thanks for responding to my post and I hope you have a good day. Monica
Hi my name is Brandi i am 21 yrs old and i was just wondering if it was common to have your entire right side of your body go numb and have that tingle feeling?..Its going on 4 days now and it doesnt hurt its just annoying to have to deal with it. this isnt the first time its happened i was in college and both my feet had gone numb or felt like tthey where asleep for like 2 weeks. then my eyesight had gotten worse. I just thought my eye doc had given me the wrong perscription but i went back and he said i need to get tested for diab. and so i did and i came out okay in that but then he said maybe MS but i never got tested for that. i hate going to the doctors and espcially going in and telling him my right side of my body from my forearm down to my toes are numb i feel dumb going in and saying that to him..should i be worried or just tough it out until it goes away?..is it something i need to get checked out?. i really dont know what to do can anybody help me out?
Hi Brandi,
First of all, it's not completely normal for parts of your body to go completely numb for an extended period of time. Don't be embarrassed to see the doctor about it.
And you have a history of this strange numbness (in a different part of your body) plus the blurry vision. Did your vision return to normal at some point?
If you have a primary care doctor, I would try to see him/her while this numbness is going on and definitely mention the same things you've told us here. Your doctor should order lots of bloodwork and an MRI of the brain and cervical spine (given with and without contrast) to get a good look at what might be going on in there.
I know it can be scary. One of our writers, Amy, was diagnosed with MS when she was just 21 years old. Between ages 20-40 is the prime time to get diagnosed with MS. But really it's better to know now than to put it off and find out later, and miss years of possible treatments.
Please come back and let us know how you are doing occasionally. We've got a supportive community here. I'm glad you found us.
I was diagnosised at 22 (4 yrs ago) and it feels lonely when the only people who respond to forums or whatnot are those who have been living with MS for 10, 20, 30 years. I think MS should stnad for Mainly Scary or, as Richar Pryor comedian who had MS, More Shit.
its not normal for any body part to just go numb or tingle consistantly/frequently or without trauma damage. Talk to your neurologist. I suggest finding one who is younger. my new neurologist is a 60 something old man who sees me, thinks about his daughters, wants me to go on a disease modifying treatment, and cant understnad why at 26 i dont want to committ to any life long treatment that costs thousands of $$$$ and isnt needed to keep me alive. I have been attempting to treat my MS symptomatically, which dr.doom (as i refer to him since he only focuses on the negative hurdles MS expects you to jump.
I have found that steriod treatment, oral or IV, work well for numbness and vision issues. well, at least in my case. I havent explored any holistic options except physical therapy for muscle weakness but acpuncture and acpressure are other possible options to control MS.
Dont feel alone because you're only 21 and have weird/crazy shit happening to your body that you cant explain, dont really know how to describe, and not physically apparent. MS may be Mainly Scary, Mostly Shitty but look at it from a different view and its also Making u Stronger. every bump, hurdle, mountain you climb in life, only gives you more experiences and appreciation of simple things like walking without having to think about each individual motion or seeing out of both eyes or being able to hold a spoon stead enough to get it in your mouth before its all been shaken out of it.
i have been having odd things for a few years i took bad vertigo a few years ago they did a mri said it wa fine went to ear nose thoat doc they did test with things on side of eye nerves said he was looking for m.s. but symtoms went away i have a twich in my finger in bath a lot and a tinging in my shoulder blade or neck a lot noticed losing my balance on and off also droping things phone keys and forgetting things as im taking about them.eye scary i feel it all the time does this sound like m.s also i have a bulging disk in lower back but i dont think that would cuase tinging in shoulder blade
Hi Anon,
Sorry that you have been experiencing so many varied and random problems without any answer as to what is causing them. I agree that the bulging disc in the lower spine is highly unlikely to be what is causing numbness/tingling in the shoulder blade area.
The criteria for being diagnosed with MS is rather detailed and strict. It can take years for some people to develop enough of the evidence to get that diagnosis. Then, it is more difficult also because so many other things can mimic the symptoms of MS.
I would recommend continuing to work with your doctors when symptoms arise. Make sure that you present your entire history of unexplained symptoms, including what tests were done with the results. Be patient but persistent. Not having answers I think is likely one of the most frustrating parts of getting diagnosed with any unpredictable disease.
I wish you well and please feel free to ask questions of the community here for additional support.
Hello. I have this tingling numbness/weakness in my left foot and left hand. This has happened a couple times in the past 2 years, but never lasted very long. The first episode I had the numbness lasted for about 3 days. I couldn't figure out why this was happening because I didn't remember any trauma or accidents happening to myself. However I'm young, I exercise and thought maybe I landed wrong when running (although I never remember it happening). Also being young I sometimes drink alcohol and thought maybe while drunk I hurt my foot (however, again I do not remember that happening and I was never drunk to the point of blacking out). Anyways, the point is, now these symptoms have come back and this time they are not going away. Weird crazy things have been happening to me lately. It started off with severe ear pain. I made an appt. with an ENT, but by the time my appt was approaching (2 week wait) the pain went away, so I canceled. Now the numbness weakness that won't go away, balance problems, feeling confused, migraines, feeling depressed, vision problems (I went to an opthalmologist recently and he said I have 20/20 vision). The numbess is not painful, but very annoying. Every night I go to sleep hoping I will wake up and feel "normal" but I always wake up and immediately feel the numbness. I am finally going to make an appointment on Monday. Do I need to see a neurologist?
Hi Pinky,
It does sound like a good idea to visit your doctor, however I would start with your primary care doctor. Before you go, write down the various symptoms you have experienced in the past couple years....things which you now think might be related to your concern of MS. Be upfront and clear about what's going on.
Your doctor will be able to examine you and order some basic tests, including lots of blood work to try to see if there are other causes of your symptoms. Even something as simple as a vitamin B12 deficiency shares many of the same symptoms as MS.
I certainly hope that you don't have MS, but it is much better to make that determination earlier rather than later. A diagnosis can take years for some.
Good luck, and let us know what your doctor says.
Thanks for the reply! Actually I was given the referral paper to go to the lab and give blood to do an all around blood test, and I have yet to go because I can't eat past midnight and every time I say I'm going to go..I always mess up and eat (I work the night shift and I'm awake past midnight, so it can be hard to resist) However I am going to take that step and go tomorrow AM! Then when the results come in I will have an appointment to go over the results and tell him about my symptoms..because on top of the numbness in my foot, hand, I also have a small lump on the back of my head that hurts when I touch it and is throbbing at times, so now I'm scared..what if I have a brain tumor or something..but my symtoms are getting baad so yes I can't wait until tomorrow to make an appointment! At times the migraines in my head are so bad I almost want to go to the hospital :(
I honestly am not too sure what's going on. About a year ago, my left eye starting aching like I was getting sick. The next few days, my vision in that eye became blurry and colors were not as clear as they use to be. Finally, after two weeks of dealing with this, I decided to vist my doctor who sent me to an Opthamologist. After extensive eye tests, and going from 20/20 vision to 20/80, they determined I had Optic Neuritis.
The Opthamolgist determined it was most likely MS but said there was no way to be sure unless I got a Spinal Tap. I had an MRI done and they found two tiny spots on my brain. By this time (6 weeks from initial symptoms), my vision was starting to go back to normal and my Opthamologist said that I should have another MRI in a year and see him sooner if I have other symtoms.
We are now a year later. The left side of my face has suddently become slightly numb. It feels odd to wash my face and put makeup on. The tip of my right thumb is also tingly and numb. Needless to say, I have gone back to the doctor -- a new Opthamologist since my old one is no longer under my medical plan. The new doctor is not convinced that I have MS and is having a bunch of eye tests done to see if they can figure this out.
This is all very confusing. Do I have MS? Don't I?
Hi Jennifer,
I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing this stuff right now. Optic neuritis is commonly the first symptom (attack) of MS, even before it has officially developed into MS. This is how my diagnosis evolved.
Since you had two small spots last year when you had the MRI and optic neuritis, you were considered at much higher risk of developing MS. The reason your opthalmologist said to get another MRI in a year is so that any new lesions would be seen on the scan. If there are new lesions, then you would be diagnosed with MS.
Sometimes a spinal tap is used to back up the gathering evidence of an MS diagnosis. It is not the definitive test for MS; it is just one of several used to collect evidence of demyelination.
Your current opthalmologist may just want to be cautious in considering an MS diagnosis. And.....folks can experience optic neuritis without it ever developing into MS. However, you are also experiencing other neurological symptoms now.
If your new MRI shows new lesions, then the diagnosis should be easy to make. If your MRI just continues to show the original two lesions and nothing more, then you may not get an MS diagnosis. Since you are having symptoms in a new area (the face), then a neurologist may lean towards making a clinical diagnosis of MS.
No matter what, you should be seeing a neurologist. Better yet, find a neurologist in your area who specializes in MS. He/she would be the best person to help you find some answers.
I hope that your symptoms lessen quickly and you are not left in limbo for a lengthy period of time. Please feel free to reach out again if you have any questions or concerns. It can be very frustrating not knowing if it is MS or not.
Also, it could just be a pinched nerve right in the middle of your back (the bra strap area), which means that a visit to the chiropractor is warranted. They can get rid of that "tingling sensation" with no problem. Don't knock chiropractic. It works. I know. I get numb arms, hands, and fingers very rarely, now that I know what causes it. Not all numbness is related to MS.
I agree that not all numbness is MS. That is one of the strong points of my post. There are so many potential causes of simple symptoms that it is important to look into those possibilities. If the cause is something such as a pinched nerve, then attend to the pinched nerve. If the cause is a degenerative disease of the spine, then attend to that disease in an attempt to prevent further damage. If the cause is a disease such as MS which affects how the nerves respond, then it is time to focus the attentions on controlling the subsequent pain or disability.
Or maybe you have most likely just pinched a nerve along your elbow or arm or you have carpal tunnel -- all these things listed here telling you that you have a disease or something really bad, and the most likely and common reasons left completely out. A bad website if this is the kind of diagnoses they are arriving at.
Hi BB,
There are no suggestions nor diagnoses being made here other than to investigate the cause of symptoms. I agree that not all numbness is MS. That is one of the strong points of my post.
There are so many potential causes of simple symptoms that it is important to look into those possibilities. If the cause is something such as a pinched nerve, then attend to the pinched nerve. If the cause is a degenerative disease of the spine, then attend to that disease in an attempt to prevent further damage. If the cause is a disease such as MS which affects how the nerves respond, then it is time to focus the attentions on controlling the subsequent pain or disability.
It is interesting that I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome at one point and it turned out to be rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to seek professional help in any questionable situation, even ones which are "simple." And, never attempt to diagnose yourself with information on the internet.
I also had a numbing sensation on my pinkie and index fingers on my left hand. Come to find out, I had cubital tunnel syndrome. It started to spread and eventually I lost all feeling on the left side of my hand. After the surgery, it quickly healed and everything was back to normal.
Robert,
That's great to hear that surgery was successful for you. When it was first suspected that I had carpal tunnel syndrome, I was terrified of the surgery. For me, though, it was rheumatoid arthritis which was causing the problems.
So many potential causes of numbness. Very important that we find out what's going on so that something can be done about it.
Thanks for sharing your story.
I started out with a numb feeling in my left hand after a bicycle vs car accident in 2008. after a couple of surguries and endless physical therapy, a bad spot developed in my left hand. It was debrided a half-dozen times, but continued to spread. I started getting numbness in my right hand, with corrsponding sores, every where that blood was drawn, or any trauma to the hand (evan a little bruise). 8 surguries later, I lost all the fingers on my left hand, from gangrene contracted while I was in the hospital, have no feeling in two fingers on my right, got kidney failure from an overdose of Vanomyacin, lost an eye due to too much blood thinner, have two bad hips from excess prednisone, and still have no diagnosis. Never should have gone to see a doctor about the numbness. It did not end well for me.
My younger brother was diagnosed with M.S. in his early 30's. He is now 47 years of age. He has been unemployed now for over 3 years and he has no health insurance and his physicians at Vanderbilt have told him he would not qualify for disability. His hands shake and he takes meds but is now not able to afford them due to costs and no income. His employer admitted that he was "let go" due to the strain he put on the group of employees and their insurance plan. His medicine copays were over $1,000. a month. He does not feel safe driving anymore and has problems with vertigo and the meds cause him to be drowsy and another med helps him to stay awake. He has trouble with concentration and memory. I think his doctors at Vanderbilt are not right and even went as far to tell him he would have to be in a wheelchair before he could get disability. What would be your advice in a situation like this? Where can we go for advice on what we can do as his family to help? This seems like a case of discrimination. Why would someone do this to someone that is clearly suffering is beyond me. Any advice, would really be appreciated. Thank you for reading my post. --Patricia in Florida
Hi Patricia,
You may want to contact your local chapter of the National MS Society (nmss.org) to inquire about lawyers who might be able to advise your brother. I know that beign in a wheelchair is NOT a requirement for disability. Depending upon which medications your brother needs to take, there may be assistance programs offered by the drug companies. Check out the websites for each drug to see what is available.
Hi, I have had the tingling and numbness in both feet (from the lower calf, down to tip of the toes), for about 4yrs. At first, it would come and go, but for the last year or so, it's an everyday problem. I can't sit or stand longer than 5 min. in any position, because, if i do, my feet and toes start turning purplish blue along with the numbness and tingling, also, my legs (the lower calf to the ankles), is a very visable reddish color(looks like a sunburn). Within the last year, the numbness and tingling has started in my fingers, hands and up to the middle of my arms, this is neverending. It's happening right now as I'm typing. I wake up with it happening. I don't have any, medical coverage, but my fiance has paid cash the 3 times I've seen a doctor (two different doctors and an ER visit). Each time I was told the same thing, they don't know, it's a mystery. The ER ran blood tests, nothing, the last doctor ordered blood tests, i have to go somewhere else to get those done. He also gave me water pills because i looked swollen from head to toes. those helped a little bit with the swolleness.
I'm still waiting for my guy to take me to get the blood work done, he works, so, it's hard for him to find the time. we live in a rural area, i don't have a car anymore, so it's difficult to get where I need to go. The numbing and tingling have been getting worse in both hands, fingers, wrists, the last few months. I can't even finish doing the dishes without it happening. I'm glad I saw your article today and that I'm not a medical mystery oddball. I am really scared about the possiblities of what I could have. I take care of my 2yr. old grandson, he and his father live with us (his father works from 1pm till 11pm, 5days a week). I was hoping that being a lot more active with my grandson would elleviate my symptoms, but it didn't. I don't know what to do. thank you
As a massage therapist, I see a lot of people for pain issues, especially the upper extremity. Numbness in the fingers/hands is common in people with jobs where their arms are out in front of them for most of the day. Many assume it is carpal tunnel syndrome. What I find more often than not is brachial plexus impingement by the pectoralis minor muscle at the shoulder. This is the scenario: Holding your arms out to type on that keyboard for hours at a time for years on end does some pretty nasty things to your pec minors, anterior head of the deltoid, lateral head of the pec major, etc. Add to that your sleeping posture...side sleeping or sleeping on your stomach does almost the exact same thing to the same muscles. Adaptive shortening of those muscles takes place after years of holding that position on the keyboard or when you assume certain sleeping positions. Adaptive shortening is when the natural resting length of a muscle is reduced due to continual flexion of the muscles involved. The brachial plexus, which supplies nerves to the upper extremity, runs right under the attachment point for the pec minors. Sufficient constriction of the pec minors will not only cause numbness in the hand/fingers, but will gradually move up the arm to the elbow. How do I know? This was my condition 10 years ago before I became a massage therapist. No feeling from the elbows down. Sure, it started as numbness in the fingers, but after a while (I was waiting for it to just "go away") is just kept moving up my arm. I went to a chiropractor, and although it took several months of work, I made a complete recovery. Upon entering school for massage therapy I met an instructor who was a neuromuscular therapist. From him I learned that how we work, play, and even sleep, can have a great effect on our bodies. Assuming certain postures will definitely set you up for failure down the road if you aren't careful. Have you ever noticed that sleeping on your side in fetal position and sitting in a chair at a desk is the exact same position? Keep these things in mind the next time you get that "mystery numbness".
Ryan,
This is an excellent contribution to the discussion. Thank you! Sometimes I do think that we get stuck in a rut, so to speak, not using our bodies to their full capacity. As a pianist, my teachers taught me years ago to keep my arms, wrists, palms, shoulders, chest, etc elongated, strong, and flexible. It has served me well.
I imagine that your massage clients benefit from your first-hand knowledge of what it takes to recover and protect yourself. Even something as simple as a numb finger can be an early warning alert for many problems.
It could also be a pinched nerve in the neck or the spinal column. I have had spinal stenosis and thats what happened to me. At first I had a doctor "guessing" that I had carpal tunnel syndrome or something.... but it was my left hand and I am right handed and never use left hand...
I've been having numbness on my left finger tips, first one was middle finger, then 4th finger and now thumb sometime. But, also if I bend my hand back or carry something that puts pressure on the palm of my hand I get a zinging feeling or electrical shot run from my hand up my arm, and it seems that the nerve or whatever goes from the middle finger up. I do not have MS, but I do have muscle weakness at times particularly shoulders (have hypermoble joints) and they will just pop out and are difficult to lift up, and then it starts to hurt because I am forcing them to move. I have had complications from a hysterectomy several yrs ago, and the nerves in the pelvic in general, but pain in vagina and rectum. Am on pain meds. I have had a lot of symptoms similar to autoimmune conditions, and have Raynauds syndrome, my father had vascular disease died at the age of 47 massive blood clots, but had legs amputated at age 40. I eat healthy and try to excercise. All my tests come back normal for autoimmune conditions, my RA test was positive, but not at a high level, so they don't really consider I have RA. I do have a lot of joint pain in hips, legs and feet.
To whom it may concern;
I too had numbness in my fingers (and up to the elbow), (also left leg up to the knee, and also starting to get numb in my right leg)
I imediately asked to be taken to the emergency room. after undergoing almost every test. They could think of. The Doctors were stumped.
I thought about everything I had had to eat and drink that day.
I remembered that I had a Root Beer that day, it turns out that every time I have high-fructose corn syrup, (most sweetened soft drinks have HFCS)
If I avoid HFCS I'm fine, if I have a soda with HFCS, I get an immediate numbness in my right foot.
Maybe if you avoid HFCS. this will help you with your problem. Drink a lot of filtered tap water, or clean bottled water.
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Who hasn't had that odd tingly sensation from time to time? Everyone does, so we tend to dismiss it, not realizing that our tingling is not the result of just an arm falling asleep.
Even when my right arm had almost total lack of feeling, I was quick to blame it on my new desk job with a funky computer mouse that I had to use constantly. It's got to be carpel tunnel syndrome, a pinched nerve... maybe an ergonomic mouse will do the trick.
It took a worried husband (son of a doctor) to push me to call the doctor! Funny thing is, within a couple of weeks, a full-blown MS attack knocked me right off me feet. Live and learn.
I'd say that prolonged numbness and that odd tingling sensation should be checked out. Even with no diagnosis, it begins the medical record that may become important later.
Love this "MS for Beginners" series of articles, Lisa.
It is amazing what we learn to ignore about our bodies. I also ignored pain in my left arm for quite awhile because that's the arm in which I'd had a hairline fracture years before. Also, ignoring any discomfort because, well, musicians are required to use their bodies in awkward ways which certainly causes some troubles.
It's easy to look past symptoms until they put you flat on your butt. Good thing that your doctor's son of a husband insisted that you consult a doctor yourself.
Lets date myself, 1978 why am i dropping my keys as i head to the garage, ignore it.
Holding that fork, cutting food, zipping zippers. buttons a challange, what kind of change is in my hand, what is in my pocket, and the story goes on, 32 years of this stuff. At present I am typing to you left hand knows where the keys are, right hand is still a mystery sensations lost, eyes tell my fingers where the keys are all the keys feel the same. Have I been to doctors? their conclusions are MS everything else is normal I am doing what they say to do. One nuerologist is amazed I did all that I did. I have kept working till now maybe the age? The MS jumps up and says remember me, don,t think I want to remember, so I am going to keep on fighting.
Nice to be able to talk to you guys
Hi David,
Keep on fighting - that's wonderful advice for all of us.
The body is able to make up for deficiencies in so many ways. Just like your eyes make up for what your right hand cannot feel. It's wonderful that you've stood strong against your MS for so many years. Keep it up!!
Thank for commenting and we're certainly here to talk.
Its great that you had a doctor's son for a husband. I do think I know why some people get to ignorning what their body tells them when their doctors so flipantly dismiss something without even checking it out.
Sometimes a patient could say, "Hey I think I got this because I got all the symtoms." A doctor could easily respond, "Nah, its just a mild case of this." Then the patient a week and a half later comes down with something three times as worse as what they thought they had which could have easily been diagnosed the first time around had the doctor actaully checked instead of so easily dismissing without doing any tests whatsoever.
Your fight is what keeps you moving. Continue it.