My neurologist (Dr. Bruce Lipsius, of Cherry Hill, NJ. I recommend him!) explained MS symptoms like this: it's like a movie/moving picture. Lesions come and go, bringing new symptoms. One day, your hand might be tingles and the next week, your legs feel asleep.
Here are other symptoms/sensations:
- the "MS Hug": feels like a corset or wearing Spanx. A tingling sensation from your belly button to your upper chest area, with a tightness with a pins and needles feeling.
- Eye sight: though it doesn't last long, eye sight might get blurry, usually only in one eye. It's like wearing glasses that haven't been cleaned in years.
- Legs: Not only can your legs feel asleep, you feel as if you were walking through wet sand on the beach with ten pound ankle weights attached. Legs might feel heavy as you drag them and this will lead to a whole lot of clumsiness.
- Feet: you'll find that moving your toes is easy, but you have absolutely no idea which toe you are moving. Finding your step will also be difficult! Be careful!
- Mouth: this is the most unfortunate and worst symptom I have ever experienced. Do you know that feeling after going to the dentist? After an injection of Novocaine? Personally, I was unable to eat solid foods in fear I would choke. Swallowing is difficult and usually takes two to three gulps to get anything (even liquid) down! Speech is also slurred. It feels like you have peanut butter stuck on your tongue. Once, I was accused of being drunk when in reality, I was having speech problems at the time. However, I was bad enough that I needed to see a speech therapist to learn to speak and eat for a month.
What can you do to help it?
1. Stay out of the heat!
2. Avoid stress
3. Your muscles will feel like you are experiencing "growing pains" so try yoga or stretching.
4. Do not over exercise. You WILL know when your body is telling you enough is enough.
5. Most important: try to be active. Sitting around for days can actually exacerbate symptoms.
2. Avoid stress
3. Your muscles will feel like you are experiencing "growing pains" so try yoga or stretching.
4. Do not over exercise. You WILL know when your body is telling you enough is enough.
5. Most important: try to be active. Sitting around for days can actually exacerbate symptoms.
