One common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) is feelings of numbness and tingling. Most often, this symptom affects the hands or feet. It makes everyday tasks more difficult. Holding a toothbrush or standing to cook is challenging when hands and feet go numb.
MultipleSclerosis.net recently shared an article on this topic. Many community members shared their experiences with these symptoms.
Arms and hands
Numbness in the arms and hands was a common struggle. Respondents opened up about when this symptom first started. They also shared how the numbness in their hands impacts daily tasks.
“I have permanent tingling in my hands.”
“I have had numbness for over 3 years in my arm and hand.”
“If I take a warm – not hot – shower, both hands start tingling and then go numb. Yesterday I was trying to put something away in the cabinet. I dropped it 3 times before I managed to hang on to it.”
Legs and feet
Numbness in the legs and feet is even more common within the community. Many respondents shared how much they struggle as a result. Walking, standing, and driving are all hard when you can’t feel your feet.
“This is how my MS started. My big toe was numb!”
“I had numbness in my feet, which caused me to be clumsy and trip easily. When I walked, especially on stairs, I needed to watch my feet with a death grip on the handrail.”
“There are times when trying to cook my whole body goes weird, where I need to lean against the counter to hold on because I cannot walk to a chair.”
“I have had numbness in my feet for a long time. I stopped driving when, one day, I was doing a 3-point turn in my driveway and couldn’t move my foot from the accelerator to the brake. I backed into our riding mower parked next to the garage.”
Impact on fine motor skills
Numbness in the hands impacts your ability to control small movements (fine motor skills). Respondents find it challenging to get their fingers to move how they want. It feels frustrating to struggle with tasks that once came easily.
“The lack of good motor skills is probably the most terrifying part of this. My brain concentrates on making my hands and fingers move a certain way to do a task that was once an automatic, simple thing to do. They simply won’t do what they are told. Nothing is easy anymore. Not brushing my teeth, not combing my hair…nothing.”
“Loss of fine motor skills is my most frustrating symptom!”
Stinging and burning sensation
Along with numbness, many respondents also shared experiencing a stinging or burning sensation in their bodies. Often, it feels like ants or bees crawling and stinging. The pain and discomfort is severe.
“I have what feels like 1000 fire ants running around in the veins in my legs, constantly biting and stinging.”
“I get paresthesia sometimes too, like ants crawling.”
“I had the burned-alive pain in my arm for a week, had to wrap it tight, or just the thought of a breeze on it was excruciating.”
“It has also become bouts with severe burning pain that nothing touches.”
“Literally feel like I have a cactus shirt on.”
