Is Numbness and Paralysis the Same Thing?

[Jen's Solitude]

I have been wondering about how best to describe my June relapse. I described what happened as having numbness in my right leg from the waist down. I overheard my husband describing what happened as my being paralyzed from the waist down. I remember thinking to myself that seemed a bit of an overstatement of my attack.

Since then I have been trying to decide if both terms are technically correct. So I thought I would ask you all for your opinion.

I considered it just numbness because the exam by my neurologist and PT indicated I still had function in my right leg although the leg was obviously weaker. Since I couldn't walk for a time I guess that would seem like I was paralyzed.

Still I have always thought of paralysis as a total inability to move or feel a limb, am I correct? If you regain function were you ever paralyzed? Maybe it is a question of degrees?

I would be very interested in what you think so thank you in advance if you decide to give your opinion.

[Gary]

Interesting question. I have areas with no feeling. I can feel pressure (have to push harder) but no surface feeling. Just pain and intense itching.

There is a lot of weakness in the affected area too.

[funnylegs4]

I know someone who has numbness from brain damage. He can move, but can't feel certain things so I would say the 2 are very different. He's definitely not paralyzed because movement still happens, albeit he's weaker and movement is difficult. Paralyzed is when no signal for movement gets through at all. At least that's what I was taught. I do not know much about MS so it could be totally not what I am thinking of. Maybe its partial paralysis? Excellent question though. I often ask myself similar questions.

[Jen's Solitude]

Thanks funneylegs4. It is amazing that I never thought about this before. Had my husband not described it that way, I don't think I ever would have thought differently. Now though I am curious about the difference between being numb and being partially paralyzed. Is it six of one, half-dozen of the other? Looking forward to seeing what others think.

[Catdancer]

To me, numbness and paralysis are quite different. A limb can be numb, but still function as it should- support weight, bend, hands can hold onto things, etc. I experienced numbness and tingling in my legs long before they became paralyzed: not able to support weight, not move freely, not bend, etc.I had to be careful: I'd watch to be sure both legs were completely under me, ankles straight, before I'd try to stand; make sure my hands were grasping the cup, muscles contracting, holding it. And I had to be careful about wounding my body, as I had so little sensation. But I could move the limbs; they were functional.

Paralysis, on the other hand, poo resents itself like this with MS: in total paralysis, the signals from the brain to the muscles fail altogether, so the limb stops working. Nothing you can do to voluntary move the leg, bend the ankle, lift the foot, whatever. The legs cannot support you, the arms cannot move, etc. If you experience partial paralysis, you can move a little, bear some weight, bend the ankle, etc.

In my case, I've had MS for nearly 35 years. I work really hard at physical therapy to be able to slide my left foot forward and backward 5 times in a row; lift it maybe a half inch off the ground, kick up two or three times. My right side works somewhat better. Since they both move, and, with great effort, I can stand for a few seconds. So I am partially paralyzed.

I also experience numbness from mid chest to toes, mild in the torso, very numb close to the toes.

But someone can be numb without being paralysed, either partially or totally. And one can be numb without experiencing paralysis. So indeed not the same.

[agate]

You're right, Dar. Numbness isn't paralysis.

There's paresis = slight or partial paralysis, which is what Cat is talking about, I think.

Numbness can be part of paresis but if you're paralyzed you won't be able to move the paralyzed part--and you may not know that it's there, in a way.

There was a time when my right arm must have been partly paretic. I could move my hand to write line after line but it would stop in the middle of every line and move on to the next line. I couldn't get it to behave in any other way.

Another time my left upper quadrant may have been paralyzed. I couldn't move any part of it, and when I looked at my left arm, it seemed as if it didn't belong to me.

Once when both legs were paralyzed it was the same odd notion that those legs I was looking at weren't mine.

The mind sometimes refuses to accept things.

On the other hand, the outer part of my left leg often becomes numb (less sensation) but there's a hot burning sensation inside, not near the surface at all.

[Sunshine]

there's degrees of numbness. Some of my skin has lost sensation completely. But my feet have the sensation of going numb, less sensitive to cold, but still can feel the floor, scratching and other sensations.

It seems like paralysis might come in a continuum too. The best form is heaviness in the limbs. The worst form is inability to move the limb at all.

[Cherie]

Two totally different things. Numbness is a loss of or altering of sensation. Paralysis is an inability to voluntarily move a limb or area of the body.

[SalpalSally]

Thanks thanks for this thread Jen. I've had MS since 1964 n never was sure,
although Cherie's is probably the definitive answer? I like all of your answers
though.

[Cherie]

You would never make it though a diagnostic visit saying you were paralyzed when your reflexes were intact and you could move a limb by trying to do so. Numbness, paresthesias, altered sensation....are NOT paralysis. Check out Wikipedia, Tabor's Medical Cyclopedia, even WebMD.

[Gary]

So what can you do about it? Besides waiting it out. The intense itching in the numb areas are pretty miserable.

[Catdancer]

So what can you do about it? Besides waiting it out. The intense itching in the numb areas are pretty miserable.

Fortunately I don't experience the itching in the numb areas. Good thing, as I've been numb from mid chest down since diagnosis, 30+ years,ago. The numbness increases in intensity the lower towards my toes... but no itching. Wish I could say the same for my left shoulder, which is still suffering from the shingles attack, over two years ago....

[Jen's Solitude]

Thank you all so very much for your helpful answers and observations. Gary I wish I could offer some advice but I have never experienced the itching you describe and cannot imagine what it is like for you. I hope a solution is forthcoming soon. I wonder if the MS Society webpage can offer any help.

As regards my situation, your replies helped me to realize I did experience a very brief period where I couldn't move or feel my leg. It quickly improved and when I was examined by my neuro, I was able to weakly push-off as he urged me to do. As the steroids got in my system every thing improved. Currently I am still not fully recovered and I think my present state will be more or less my new normal. I have come to terms with that and have stopped worrying about getting back to where I was. I am walking again and that will have to do for now.

I think I will share this info with my hubby and hopefully it will encourage him to know I wasn't paralyzed by the June attack. You guys are great! Thanks so much for your help!

[Cat Dancer]

Well, if you "did experience a very brief period where I couldn't move or feel my leg"...then you did experience partial paralysis. I'm glad the 'roids worked for you.

[SalpalSally]

Never thought of mine as paralysis even tho at times I couldn't feel,
because, I could still move a bit.