Coping with Numbness, Tingling and Sensory Overload with MS

Understanding Sensory Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. One of the most common symptoms people with MS experience is disrupted nerve sensations, including numbness, prickling, crawling, or burning.

These odd and often uncomfortable sensations result from damaged myelin, the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibers. When myelin is attacked by the immune system, nerve impulses slow down or misfire causing abnormal sensory feedback.

Common Sensory Symptoms

MS sensory symptoms generally fall into a few main categories:

• Numbness or tingling
• Pins-and-needles sensation
• Pain, burning or itching
• Feeling of limb weakness
• Lhermitte's sign (electric shock sensation down the spine)
• Dizziness or loss of balance

These symptoms may be mild or severe depending on the level of inflammation and nerve damage. They can occur in various parts of the body or affect all limbs.

Triggers for Sensory Flare-Ups

Certain triggers can make sensory symptoms flare up temporarily:

• Heat exposure
• Stress or fatigue
• Common illnesses like cold, flu or infections
• Exercising in high temperatures

MS numbness or tingling often gets worse at the end of the day when energy levels deplete. Symptoms may also increase along with disease progression over time.

Coping Strategies for Sensory Overload with MS

Living with odd nerve sensations daily can negatively impact mental health and quality of life. Having tools to minimize the discomfort can help prevent feeling emotionally and physically overwhelmed.

Understand Your Sensory Symptoms

Pay attention to your own common nerve symptom patterns. Keep a journal tracking when and where sensations occur, what makes them better or worse. This helps you identify helpful adaptations.

Control Your Body Temperature

Overheating commonly exacerbates MS odd nerve sensations. Useful cooling strategies include:

• Wearing breathable clothing, hats and sunglasses outdoors
• Using personal fans, cooling vests or bandanas
• Applying cold packs or ice wrapped in cloth to the neck and wrists
• Drinking cold beverages
• Resting in the shade or an air-conditioned spot at early signs of overheating

Pace Your Energy Output

Balancing rest and activity is essential to minimize MS fatigue exacerbating sensory symptoms. Helpful tips include:

• Planning daily schedules with built-in breaks
• Alternating effortful tasks with lighter activities
• Listening to your body's signals about when to rest
• Taking short daytime naps or breaks when needed
• Going to bed early to avoid extreme fatigue

Practice Stress Management

Anxiety often intensifies uncomfortable nerve sensations. Relaxation techniques to counter stress include:

• Deep breathing exercises
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Meditation or mindfulness practices
• Gentle stretches like yoga or tai chi
• Listening to soothing music

Apply Vibration/Pressure

Using mechanical stimulation to override nerve signals sometimes provides symptom relief. Methods to try:

• Massagers or vibration therapy devices
• Acupuncture
• Warm baths or showers
• Gentle rubbing/pressure on affected limbs
• Wearing tight socks, sleeves or gloves

Medical Management for MS Sensory Issues

While self-care habits can help minimize uncomfortable sensations from MS, medication therapies also play a key role managing nerve inflammation and damage.

Disease-Modifying Therapies

MS medications used to modify disease progression may reduce frequency and severity of sensory flare-ups over the long-term. Commonly used DMTs include:

• Interferon betas
• Glatiramer acetate
• Natalizumab
• Fingolimod
• Ocrelizumab

Talk to your neurologist about which DMT offers the best balance of efficacy, safety and tolerability for your MS.

Corticosteroids

Powerful corticosteroid anti-inflammatories often rapidly reduce acute MS sensory symptom flare-ups. Steroids can be given by IV infusion or orally for short bursts lasting days to weeks depending on response. Side effects include elevated blood sugar, mood changes and higher infection risk.

Neuropathic Pain Medications

Nerve pain is a common MS sensory complaint. Medications that alter neurological signaling pathways being explored to treat nerve-related pain include:

• Antiseizure drugs like gabapentin
• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline
• Topical creams containing analgesics
• Medical marijuana in some states

These agents may reduce burning, tingling or electric shock-like pain, although results vary greatly by individual.

Muscle Relaxants

Spasticity and muscle stiffness that sometimes accompany MS sensory issues can be relieved using medications like:

• Baclofen
• Tizanidine
• Benzodiazepines

Improving mobility and reducing tremors or cramping may alleviate uncomfortable nerve sensations indirectly.

Complementary Health Approaches

Some patients also report symptom relief from holistic health tactics like:

• Acupuncture
• Reflexology
• Nutritional supplements (magnesium, vitamin B12, alpha lipoic acid)
• Cannabidiol (CBD) oil

Be sure to consult your doctor before adding any new therapies alongside prescribed MS medications.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Occasionally, people with MS develop dangerously extreme nerve pain and sensory disturbances requiring prompt medical intervention. Seek emergency care for:

• Sudden loss of vision, double vision, or eye pain
• Uncontrolled jerking movements or tremors
• Difficulty walking or loss of balance
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Rapid worsening of sensory or motor symptoms can signal a severely inflammatory MS attack requiring high-dose IV corticosteroids to prevent further neural damage. Being evaluated quickly maximizes the chance of reversing disabling symptoms and preventing relapse.

Improving Quality of Life with MS Neuropathy

Although MS often causes frustrating tingling, numbness and nerve pain, taking proactive steps minimizes the life disruption. Tracking your personal symptom patterns, avoiding triggers, learning anxiety reduction skills and using medications appropriately keeps discomfort manageable.

Open communication with your medical providers ensures you have support customizing an MS wellness plan that addresses sensory challenges while still enjoying everyday activities.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.