Is Numbness and Paralysis the Same Thing?

[Sunshine]

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

I wonder if a Lidocaine patch can help. My BIL has horrible stabbing pain neuropathy in his feet from Diabetes. The patch helps substantially.

[Gary]

I think that some of MS pains and problem are not due to a physical problem, rather the miswired/cross wired nerves sees a problem that isnt there. Believe me it doesn't help how much it hurts. I wouldn't dare ever say this anywhere other than here. Because people would jump on this saying "see you don't have anything wrong you just think you do!"

[funnylegs4]

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.

You're welcome! I remember seeing a documentary movie called "When I walk" where the guy Jason Desliva had tingling and numbness that eventually progressed into paralysis where he had no movement at all what so ever because of primary progressive MS so I couldn't help but think of him when reading your question. I think partial paralysis is when one small portion of a limb receives no signal but the other areas are fine.

I think that some of MS pains and problem are not due to a physical problem, rather the miswired/cross wired nerves sees a problem that isnt there. Believe me it doesn't help how much it hurts. I wouldn't dare ever say this anywhere other than here. Because people would jump on this saying "see you don't have anything wrong you just think you do!"

I have this kind of thing but in my brain from Cerebral Palsy. My brain constantly over reacts when every other part of my body is perfectly fine and functioning normally and nothing is wrong. Misfiring all the way. That's the tricky thing about neurologic issues in general. The body is normal. The brain and/or nerves are not. I know how you feel because I do not feel I can control my crossed wires like "I swear I can't control this!" and many people do not realize this.

[Mike Weins]

Very interesting thread.

[Gary]

Very interesting thread.

I think so too, Mike. I suddenly realize that I have been confusing the 2 for a long time.

[Jen's Solitude]

I read a long time ago that when the brain can't figure out what to do it will translate a problem as a pain sensation. I have found that to be the case many times. Feeling pain when there is no reason for it is weird. I would not be surprised if itching sensations occur in the same way. I just wish there was something that could be done for you Gary.

[funnylegs4]

I read a long time ago that when the brain can't figure out what to do it will translate a problem as a pain sensation. I have found that to be the case many times. Feeling pain when there is no reason for it is weird. I would not be surprised if itching sensations occur in the same way. I just wish there was something that could be done for you Gary.

Yes I recently read about something called "Thalamic Pain Syndrome" where damage to the thalamus via stroke etc causes severe pain sensations even though the body is fine. They also have numbness and tingling. To be in pain or have itching for basically no reason sounds HORRIBLE! :(

[Jen's Solitude]

I have experimented with trying to redirect my brain. I was told warmth helps with nerve pain so I tried it and found that it worked. Other times something cool may cause sensations to cease. I think it works just enough to keep me from taking extra Lyrica for my nerve pain. Of course putting on a heating pad in the dead of summer when it is boiling hot is not something I look forward to doing. I am glad I don't have to resort to that tactic very often.

I have tried starring down goofy sensations to see if my mind would reset and admit there is nothing crawling on me. Not so successful with that tactic though. I still end up having to scratch or rub the area to get the sensation to stop. The brain is amazing and baffling all at the same time. :)

[Howie]

You go DAR.

[funnylegs4]

I have experimented with trying to redirect my brain. I was told warmth helps with nerve pain so I tried it and found that it worked. Other times something cool may cause sensations to cease. I think it works just enough to keep me from taking extra Lyrica for my nerve pain. Of course putting on a heating pad in the dead of summer when it is boiling hot is not something I look forward to doing. I am glad I don't have to resort to that tactic very often.

I have tried starring down goofy sensations to see if my mind would reset and admit there is nothing crawling on me. Not so successful with that tactic though. I still end up having to scratch or rub the area to get the sensation to stop. The brain is amazing and baffling all at the same time. :)

I was taught how to control some of what my brain does with my mind and touch can be a big part of that. It can soothe the brain and/or slow down the over reactions if done correctly in the right situation.

[SalpalSally]

Sounds like what I do with self hypnosis!
Our own brain power is or can be amazing.

[Jen's Solitude]

There is one sensation I wish I could get rid of and it is the tight banding feeling around my rib cage area. I keep reaching for a belt that doesn't exist in order to loosen it. I have to laugh because this has been going on for months and I still can't seem to remember I'm not wearing a belt and there is nothing to loosen. MS you gotta love it sometimes. At least it is not a continual feeling as it seems to bother me mostly at night as I try to wind down for the night.

[Catdancer]

There is one sensation I wish I could get rid of and it is the tight banding feeling around my rib cage area. I keep reaching for a belt that doesn't exist in order to loosen it. I have to laugh because this has been going on for months and I still can't seem to remember I'm not wearing a belt and there is nothing to loosen. MS you gotta love it sometimes. At least it is not a continual feeling as it seems to bother me mostly at night as I try to wind down for the night.

You're describing what is sometimes called the "MS hug"..The muscles go around the torso, so it results in the binding sensation you describe.

[agate]

I wonder if it's the same as the breath-holding I have. I'll find that my chest stays tensed up and it's as if I'm holding my breath, forgetting to breathe. Been going on for years and I'm so used to it I don't usually notice it, but every now and then it occurs to me that it probably shouldn't be like that.

I look paler than usual when that's been going on.

Maybe this and the MS hug are all part of spasticity?

[Catdancer]

Yes, both are forms of spasticity.