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5509293 tn?1428531475

What does your numbness feel like?

My left leg has been numb from ankle down all day yesterday and today. It doesn't feel numb to touch, and it doesn't feel tingling or burning (experienced both of those, so I can tell what those feel like), but it feels as if I've been sitting on foot, or as I'd imagine a bloodclot to feel. I am waiting on second brain mri in 6 months, although my neuro doesn't think this is ms based on the 4 white matter spots I have, and that so far my paresthesias have come and gone. This is the second longest lasting paresthesia I've had so far - the other was a feeling of squeezing in upper outer right arm, which last for 3 days, so I am really interested to know if this is something that will "count" in the eyes of the neuro. Is there anything else that could cause this kind of numbness? What does MS numbness feel like? Thanks, in advance, for any insight.
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5509293 tn?1428531475
I have also had the experience of cljdb where it feels as if my legs are not there. That has been lying down though so makes me wonder if it's a spinal alignment thingy. Although I should also say I have never had back pain or problems other than tingling and suction feelings under right shoulder blade.
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5509293 tn?1428531475
I am not sure if you are asking me as original poster but I can give you my update if it helps. I do not have a diagnosis but the neurologist is still following me at year long intervals. My primary physician wants me to keep note of symptoms, and the opthamologist is checking my eyes every year now after 6 month appointments.  The consensus seems to be no MS but there is no explanation offered for symptoms so I just ignore them as best I can and pretend they do not happen.
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Avatar universal
I am having the same symptoms. It started on my scalp and moves all around my body. Some days it is tolerable and other days it's worse. It feels tingle numb and ice cold. It will move from one area to another. I had blood work done and will find out this week if it's Lupus.
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1889242 tn?1321354938
Sometimes I have the prickly tingly sensation but sometimes I have something I didn't see anyone else mention. At times I feel as though my feet or legs below the knees just aren't there. I know that sounds crazy and may not make sense but I lose the sensation of where they are unless I move them. If I touch them or move them they are not numb but when sit still with them propped up in a recliner for example, I can't feel the chair under them or if they are touching each other.
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4446427 tn?1371214718
I think it might depend on what your doc considers bilateral. I have it on both feet, but not in the exact same position, and not both 'entire' feet. I think symmetrical symptoms are very rare in MS. It's mentioned in a Health Page here somewhere but I can't quite recall which one.

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5509293 tn?1428531475
Thanks so much everyone, this is all very helpful. Dennis your experience with bilateral symptoms is interesting. One of the reasons my neuro is sceptical is because I've had bilateral foot tingling. This new numbness is just on left though and is now going on 5 days. Not sure whether to call in or not . I can locate it now precisely to top part of left foot.
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2 Comments
I am interested to hear how you went? Im awaiting initial neuro app with similar symptoms
Sorry just seeing this. No dx for me yet. Various sx off and on - nothing big bang so although all neurological no smoking gun apparently.
645800 tn?1466860955
So far it looks like everyone has described a different type of feeling when they get areas that are numb. So why should I be different?

I get numbness in both feet. At first it came and went on no perceivable schedule that I could see. But over the last few years it has been constant with the right side worse than the left. It is actually the bottom and toes of both feet that are numb. When ever a doctor does the sticks you with a sharp object it feels more like having the tip of a pen pressed against the foot. very dull!

As far as how it feels the best way I have found to explain it is that it feels like when you have been outside standing in a snow bank for several hours. Not cold, just the lack of feeling part. Kind of like they are swollen.

Dennis
Helpful - 0
4446427 tn?1371214718
I have two types of numbness. Some areas are truly numb, although those are all quite small... mostly patches about an inch or so in diameter. Then I get the "not quite numb" which I describe as feeling like I'm wearing a layer of latex over the affected area and while I can feel touch it feels more rubbery on the skin and not quite 100% "real". Then I get something else that's not numb in any sense, but feels kind of cold and prickly/sensitive like you get on your face when dental anaesthetic is wearing off.
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5265383 tn?1669040108
It's hard to put into words.  My major stuff seems to be done, but if I heat up (exercise, fever, whatever) first my foot will go numb, then it will crawl up my leg.  At this point it only lasts a few hours but during the actual "exacerbation" (although I don't have ms, apparently) it came on and off for about 8 weeks, and if I used the leg (or arm) I lose mobility.  For instance, I took notes when my arm was in this weird numb state and ended up having to put it in a sling and ice it up for two days -- a lot of trouble with my rotator cuff.

I don't understand either, because I can feel pressure on my skin.  It's inside.

I've been doing physio and my arm is almost back to normal strength -- went back this week and now have a boatload of exercises to restrengthen my glutes/hamstring/calf on the right side because THEY have some atrophy.  Sigh.  What is very weird -- I can do the exercises fine ... but the next day only my left leg muscles hurt.  I KNOW my right muscles should be hurting -- they are weaker and I worked them just as hard.  But I have absolutely no pain in my right leg muscles.

I wish someone could explain this ... :-).

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Avatar universal
Hi, I get areas of numbness but its strange and hard to put into words. If I touch the area, there is feeling, but its diminished, not quite right. The area of numbness i get on my scalp feels almost numb to touch but there is a very odd cold sort of sensation that alarms me that somethings going on!!! Does your neuro think that its not MS? Hope this helps :)
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