Powered By
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Numbness is one of the most common early symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), and it can affect your life just as much as other symptoms, such as fatigue or muscle weakness. Just ask members of MyMSTeam, who often discuss their long-lasting numbness and tingling. Many wonder how long the numbness will last or whether it’s permanent.
“I have been numb on my left side from my chest down, front and back, for eight months. Will this come back if MS?” asked one MyMSTeam member. Another explained, “Many people with MS notice that numbness can fluctuate and become more intense on certain days.”
How long MS numbness lasts and when it happens can vary based on several factors. In this article, we’ll talk about how long MS numbness usually lasts and the factors that affect it.
Numbness in MS can involve a few unusual sensations, and not everyone experiences it in the same way. You might think of numbness as a total lack of feeling, but for most people with MS, this isn’t an accurate description.
MS numbness can affect almost any part of your body. It can be widespread or limited to a single area. In most cases, MS numbness affects only one side of your face or lower body.
Some people with MS describe their numbness as a tingling or “pins-and-needles” sensation. Others describe a burning feeling or increased sensitivity to pain or discomfort.
“My feet go from numb to pins and needles to burning hot.”
“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.”
“My feet and hands continue to be numb and have that horrible freezing, crawling feeling, even when wearing socks.”
“Pins and needles. It feels like I have gloves on when I do not.”
Some people experience numbness in short spurts for a few minutes at a time before it goes away on its own. Others experience numbness for longer periods. In some cases, numbness and related sensations don’t improve with treatment.
Yes, numbness in MS can sometimes appear and other times be completely absent. In fact, this is the case for most people. Numbness can be a sign of an MS relapse or it can appear for other reasons.
MS numbness can last much longer than the pins and needles people sometimes feel when their feet fall asleep – sometimes for months. While MS numbness usually only lasts for a short time, it can sometimes last longer.
Some MyMSTeam members have described prolonged numbness from MS. “My stomach went numb when I was first diagnosed, and it persisted for months,” said one member.
Others have described numbness that lasted for years or even decades. “I have been numb since I was 24. I am 62 now. I got used to it after years of being numb.”
If your numbness lasts for weeks or months at a time, tell your neurologist — especially if it comes with new or worsening pain or weakness.
Numbness in MS usually gets better with time. It isn’t often permanent, though sometimes it may return after going away for a while. However, in rare cases, numbness can progress, resist treatment, and become permanent.
Some factors can trigger numbness in MS or affect how long the numbness lasts. Doctors don’t usually prescribe direct treatment for the numbness unless it becomes painful, but you might find certain home care strategies that help soothe it.
In MS, the immune system attacks and damages the myelin, the insulating layer around your nerve cells. This causes inflammation in the affected area, which can lead to numbness when it interferes with nerve signals.
During a relapse, more severe inflammation can affect nearby nerves for longer than milder inflammation. As the inflammation fades, the numbness may subside.
For some people, MS-related numbness can become a long-term or residual problem. If MS inflammation significantly damages nerves, or if your body doesn’t repair the myelin well enough over time, numbness can persist between MS relapses. This numbness can fluctuate in severity but may not fully go away.
Body temperature can affect how long MS symptoms like numbness last. Overheating can worsen or prolong your numbness.
When numbness happens in MS in response to a quick rise in body temperature, it’s called Uhthoff’s phenomenon. Some people find that ice packs, cold baths, or cold drinking water can reduce MS numbness by helping to regulate their body temperature.
Certain nutrient deficiencies that are common in MS are also linked to numbness. A vitamin B12 deficiency, for example, may cause or prolong a numb or tingling sensation. If your numbness lasts a long time, your doctor may test you for a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Some people with MS notice that focusing on their numbness makes it last longer. Staying distracted may help. That said, some mindfulness exercises take the opposite approach, encouraging you to focus on the sensations rather than ignore them, which some people find helpful.
How well your MS is managed can also affect how long symptoms like numbness last. If your doctor determines that your numbness is caused by an MS relapse, they may prescribe a course of corticosteroids to treat the relapse and resulting symptoms of MS. Standard treatments for MS may also help improve numbness or prevent it from lingering.
Stress is a common MS trigger that may intensify chronic numbness, even between MS flare-ups. Your doctor may encourage you to explore stress management strategies like meditation or yoga.
Fatigue is both a common MS symptom and a trigger for sensory symptoms like numbness in MS. Work with your healthcare provider to find ways of managing your fatigue so it doesn’t make numbness worse or last longer.
Numbness is often one of the first signs of an MS relapse. It can also be brought on by infections or illnesses. Let your doctor know if you experience numbness along with a respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, or fever.
Movement and exercise can cause a temporary increase in pins and needles and other sensations linked to MS numbness. Exercise-related numbness is usually short-lived and tends to settle once you cool down.
If you want to be more active but are worried about MS tingling or discomfort, try easing into exercise routines gradually. Start slow, and reduce the intensity or length of your sessions as needed. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
On MyMSTeam, people share their experiences with multiple sclerosis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
How long does your MS numbness typically last? Let others know in the comments below.
Get updates directly to your inbox.
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Become a member to get even more
Join
Your Privacy Choices
This is a member-feature!
Sign up for free to view article comments.
Is a cup of coffee good for you with m.s.
We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.
You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.