Hi, my only dx. so far is Fibromyalgia , but I hang out here because I have so many things going on that don't seem to fit FM and sound a lot like MS.
This probably won't help you a bit sinceI have no MS diagnoses, but I am experiencing exactly what you describe.
I have had numbness in the soles of my feet, as well as partial numbness in my toes since October - and just in the past week I started getting painfull shocks in my toes when I try to wear shoes with even a little bit of a heel. They are so painfull that it's impossible for me to walk with the elevated heel (only about 1").
My PF didn't comment to much when I told him about this last week, so I would be interested to hear if you find out if it is your MS that is causing these symptoms.
Hope you are doing ok - I'm off to go shoe shopping tomorrow - fun! : )
Julia
Yes, I have numbness in my feet, mostly the soles of my feet, some days the intensity is worse then others. That first step out of bed makes every morning very interesting. I should add at this time no MS DX though. Walking up and down stairs is quite the chore as well.
Quix,
I know that during things like waxing, they do things to "confuse" the nerves. After pulling off the waxing strip, they will often (if they are good) apply pressure to the area they just ripped off the strip from, to ease the pain (and it works).
I don't know if the brain can only process the 1 sensation or not, but I know that "nerve distraction" seems to work wonders for a lot of people. I use it to counteract "pinpokes" when I get them.
Hope that helps a little?
Christine
(un-dx)
The wrapping of the tingly part with a light compression bandage is a great idea as long as you have normal circulation. Careful with this for diabetics.
The increased pressure does sned an overwhelming signal to the brain so that the light, diffuse pressure is what is sensed, not the burning or tingling. I read somewhere (this is not known to be true) that the brain can only be aware of one sensory discomfort at a time. Though it may cycle rapidly between different painful sites. That is supposedly why distraction is a good method to include in dealing with pain.
Anyone with more knowledge on this?
Quix
ps: even though my foot feels tight, I find by wrapping it in a compression bandage (snug but not tight), it seems to make the weird sensation go away; probably just by distracting me with a different sensation. I am doing the same thing with my left arm too, which is not numb now so much as hypersensitive skin / nerve pain.
I recently developed numbnss in both feet during my current relapse. Left came first, and is worse than right. I currently have entire left side numbness from my shoulder to my foot. However on the right side, only numb on foot.
It is on the bottom of both feet, namely the arch and ball area. Heel and toes and top of feet are ok. I do not currently have tingling in toes.
The way I described my left foot is that if feels as though it has been wrapped in saran wrap, then I'm walking on marbles, in thick socks that feel bunched up on the bottom. This is how it feels when I walk barefoot. However my actual walking is fine. It has not affected my gait or balance.
It has improved mildy since getting IV steroids about 10 days ago.
It is not disabling me, but simple physical tasks do wear me out somewhat quicker. It is more of an unpleasant feeling than painful. Since it feels so yucky, I have avoided the treadmill during this relapse. Will hop on again once it feels a little better, and I regain a bit more energy. I am keeping on with the stretching including stretching out my feet. It feels ok when I do this.
db1
Hi LA,
Craig has spasms and pain on the soles of his feet. the top of his one foot and toes used to cause him to trip and the physiatirst actually wrote to fit him for a brace. however, in physical therapy, the therapist figured out that his toes were dragging from spasticity. And by stretching the legs and ankles (he had clonus), he can now avoid a brace. that is a relief as he is not even diagnosed yet!!
So maybe the neuro will order physical therapy if you request it??
Good Luck,
Elaine
I have a terrible time in the morning also. Things just do not want to work for a while and I understanding needing to hold on to things.
My numbness does come and go. The shocking in my toes is an odd thing. That is why I decided to ask. Oh, that tripping can be a real problem. It is my right foot.
That is the leg I have clonus in. I am going to ask my MS doctor about it next time I see her.
LA
I don't have the shock so much in my toes, but have problems with the soles of my feet. Mostly, I have lots of pain in the bottoms of my feet--so much that I'm falling in the mornings (the unsteadiness doesn't help at all) when I get up and need to grab on to things to get to the bathroom. The tops of my feet are numb, though.
The toe hanging up on the floor happens to me, sometimes. I'll trip over my feet because of it--but it's not a huge problem. Sometimes I have to deliberately lift up my feet to prevent tripping over the effected foot. Do be careful!!!!!
Deb
I should have included I feel the shocks in my toes when I am walking or going down the steps. I think, as near as I can, that it happens when I am walking and looking down.
I generally always look down when I walk to make sure I am clearing things. My toe tends to get hung up on the floor some times.
LA