Those were my first signs of MS and just thought it was strange crawling and slight numbness on my left thigh, happened on an off for a year then it went on my arms to my finger tips, 3 months later I was completely numb from my stomach to my tip toes and my hands with balance issues for a week later that next week I lost my ability to walk or control my bladder I went to the ER and I had my first MRI and was diagnosed with MS.
October 2
That intense tickling sensation traveling up and down the legs sounds like it could be paresthesia — a term for unusual or abnormal sensations caused by nerve damage in MS.
When MS damages the myelin (the protective coating around nerve cells), the nerves can send random, misfiring signals to the brain. The brain can't Show Full Answer
That intense tickling sensation traveling up and down the legs sounds like it could be paresthesia — a term for unusual or abnormal sensations caused by nerve damage in MS.
When MS damages the myelin (the protective coating around nerve cells), the nerves can send random, misfiring signals to the brain. The brain can't always tell the difference between these false signals and real sensations, which is why such strange feelings can occur without any obvious cause. Paresthesia in MS can feel very different from person to person. Common descriptions include:
- Tingling or pins and needles
- Itching or crawling sensations
- Burning or stabbing feelings
- A static electricity-like sensation
- Wetness or trickling
- Numbness
The traveling, up-and-down quality described is also something MyMSTeam members have noted, with one describing "weird sensations going up and down arms and legs."
It's always worth mentioning new or changing sensations to a neurologist or MS specialist, especially if they're intensifying or affecting daily life. Tracking triggers, duration, and patterns can also help when discussing it with a care team.
October 1
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