Dysesthesia

Last night was a toss and turning night with all sorts of zingers, itching, and pain. Nothing really helps calm the nerves when they want to go dancing. With MS, inflammation can cause damage to sensory nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Sensory symptoms are real. These include the feelings of pins and needles, crawling or itching sensations, tingling, burning, a tightening of the abdomen, or painful feelings like shooting pains, vibrations, electric shocks, or burning sensations, which are like electric shocks or zingers. Imagine an army of ants crawling and biting up your legs!

Most people have no idea that this is part of the MS story. No anti-itch cream or medication really does an adequate job of relieving this discomfort. One just has to control the situations that bring these sensations on or exacerbate them.

I have found that keeping my room cool, meditating, careful breathing, and pure distraction are the only ways through these symptoms. Eventually, the sensations go away or move to another part of my body. These are other factors for our fatigue and anxiety, but we have no choice other than to accept the roaming and painful sensations. The best we can do some days is continue to exercise, take a walk, play in the garden, and enjoy the times when you are not focused on these sensations.

When people tell me I look fine, I am reminded of how many MS symptoms are invisible, omni-present, and ever-changing. Resilience is key to coping.