Absolutely not — numb feet are one of the most common and frustrating MS symptoms out there, and so many people get it. It's incredibly annoying, and the worst part is that it's hard to explain to people who don't have MS.
Here's how some MyMSTeam members have described it:
- "My feet go from numb to pins and needles to Show Full Answer
Absolutely not — numb feet are one of the most common and frustrating MS symptoms out there, and so many people get it. It's incredibly annoying, and the worst part is that it's hard to explain to people who don't have MS.
Here's how some MyMSTeam members have described it:
- "My feet go from numb to pins and needles to burning hot."
- "My feet and hands continue to be numb and have that horrible freezing, crawling feeling, even when wearing socks."
- "When I say that I am numb, that just sounds so comfy-cozy. What people don't understand is that it is NOT 100% 'numb.' Even with diminished 'feeling,' we most likely feel like we have heavy concrete slabs instead of limbs."
So yeah — people really do get it, even if it doesn't always feel that way. The numbness happens because MS damages the myelin (the protective coating around your nerves), which disrupts the signals your brain sends to your body. Up to 80% of people with MS experience these kinds of unusual sensations.
A few things that can make foot numbness worse include:
- Overheating — a rise in body temperature can trigger or worsen numbness
- Nerve damage — more damage can mean longer-lasting numbness
- Vitamin B12 deficiency — common in MS and linked to numbness
It's worth mentioning to your neurologist, especially if it's getting worse or affecting daily life like walking or driving. They may have options to help manage it.
September 20
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