This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

What do you call that feeling that is like numbness, but where it feels like your skin has cling-film around it... it's not like it's asleep or tingling... it's like the skin is 50% less sensitive...

I'm just wondering if there's an official term for this kind of numbness that is so hard to describe.

Hi there,

I had the exactly same sensation on my legs 3 weeks ago. My neuro said it is called paresthesia and he wasn't sure if it was due to an attack or not. I am scheduled for an MRI to figure that out.

Do you have this sensation all the time or it comes and goes?

I call that loss of sensation when explaining it.
Numbness i describe as like a local anastetic

That's similar to how I describe my paresthesia (the official word). Being an engineer I always think of it as a signal-to-noise ratio problem, like hiss on an old cassette tape. The music is still there, but the hiss makes it hard to hear the quieter parts. So if the 'hiss' volume level is 50%, any quieter/weaker sensation is either distorted or not perceived at all.

I don't call it numbness or "pins & needles" but I am constantly (24/7) aware of the 'noise' in my skin nerves...

"Paresthesia" is a pretty general term, by the way (http://www.iasp-pain.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Pain_Defi...isplay.cfm&ContentID=1728). I don't think there's any specific term for the specific varieties we experience.

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RRMS dx 3/3/11; Copaxone since 12/1/11

>>"Do you have this sensation all the time or it comes and goes?"<<

I had it for 2 and a half months over my entire body. During that time I could not taste anything (ageusia).

I've had lots of symptoms over the past year and a half and been tested for various things. Right now my doctor is testing for porphyria and then an MRI for MS. I don't think it's porphyria.

IceSkate, what tests is your doctor running to rule out porphyria?

Vitamin B12 (came back normal)
B1 (Thiamin)
Vitamin B6, P/S
Copper, Serum
Heavy Metals Scrn Bld (I don't know that Scrn Bld means)
Ceruloplasim

and a 24 hour Urine test for Porphyrins.

I had never heard of porphyria before, but he just kind of quickly suggested it.

I'm just really worried right now because I have no idea what's wrong with me or what it will mean for my future... I wish these tests would just hurry up and get back to me... so confused about everything right now.

Interesting, thanks. I do understand your frustration, I've got a ton of symptoms and no diagnosis myself. This has been going on a long time for me.

I hope your doctor is able to find something so you will know what it is you're dealing with. It's hard to make a plan if you don't.
Hang in there!

That's how I describe mine, too. Like the way your face feels if you scratch it after it being numbed at the dentist.