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1251333 tn?1445218215

Is this also Allodynia? Your thoughts?

Hello!

2 questions...

I ran across a post where someone described "pain from a stimulus that shouldn't cause pain"  and it was referred to as Allodynia.

I was just trying to figure out how to describe what's going on with me to my neuro and WOW.  That was perfect.  NOW I have a name that resembles what's going on with me.

I have a known new and currently enhancing spinal lesion.  I have been having pain in my leg for about the past 2 weeks.  The pain is when something touches my skin.  Some examples: Pain when I put my socks or pants on, pain when the dog brushes against my lower leg, pain when I dry my lower leg after I get out of the shower...

I've actually had the pain when I walk.  (It seems to generate from the top of my foot?)

So, along with this pain, I have an "icy hot" sensation.  Like my foot/lower leg is immersed in a bucket of ice water.

My questions:

I also have pain when anything COLD touches my skin.  Like, when I get out of the shower and my foot touches the floor.  Pain.  When I'm at the bathroom counter and lean forward and my lower leg touches the cold cabinet knobs. Pain.  

Does pain in relation to COLD fall into the same category Allodynia?

I've tried to describe the pain as an "ice cream" headache...or that icky feeling some people get when nails are scratched down a chalkboard, or that shocking shooting sensation you get after getting an electric shock that makes you feel weak...

Does any of that make sense to anyone that also has this?  How would you describe HOW the pain feels...cause it's not like "normal" pain.  I have totally been struggling with this.  I want to be able to describe it to the neuro at my appointment next week.

Thanks for any input
3 Responses
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739070 tn?1338603402
Hi Jifr,

The first symptoms you describe i.e. the pain when you are putting socks on or getting out of the shower and drying your leg are alloydynia. I have experienced this and know how painful and aggravating it can be.

The "icy hot" sensation sounds more like a paraesthesia. I've had this as well. Mine is ice water running down my thigh and some times I actual have a change in temperature in one particular spot in this line of cold sensation.

Good luck with your upcoming appointment!

Ren

The pain occurring on contact with cold is a new on e to me. It could be alloydynia or a paraesthesia. I'm not an expert on any of this  except by personal experience. I agree with Shell that what you wrote describes your symptoms perfectly.

Let the doc decide what to name it. After all he is charging you for his expertise :-). Also, a good many doctors become offended when a patient self diagnoses, especially on the Internet ,in a chat room or on a forum.  My advice is don't tell him  what you think it is , just tell him what you feel and see what he tells you.
Helpful - 0
1936411 tn?1333831849
Hi Jifr. I don't know whether it's "technically" called allodynia or not, but just wanted to let you know that you are not alone with the strange reactions to cold things touching you. My right leg, hip, and backside has been involved ever since my last flare, and for some reason when I touch something cold with it, it feels way colder than it should. I don't experience pain with this - it just feels abnormal. I notice it in the morning when I'm getting ready for work and my bare leg touches the porcelain sink in my bathroom.

I also seem to be hyper-reflexive on that side, so when anything touches my right leg, I ever-so-slightly unintentionally pull away. Sometimes I have to concentrate really hard not to make my hubby feel bad when he touches me and my reaction is to jump :/

It's all so strange in this world of MS...
Helpful - 0
198419 tn?1360242356
Jifr,

You described what you are feeling perfect. And, the doc will put the right name to it for sure. It's hard to describe this c ra p isn't it? I remember being afraid to tell the neuro my butt (right in the middle) buzzed when I looked down. Talk about embarrassing.

Describe it just as you did here ;) Well done.
Helpful - 0
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