This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Oh my, please help.

Newly diagnosed. I've been told I am in yet my 3rd relapse of this year.

My current issue is a really annoying pins & needles sensation that is literally crawling all over EVERY part of my body. I'm never without the sensation in at least 1 body part. It's been in my butt, eye lids, legs, head, nose, fingers...you name it, the pins will go there. It's crawling across the top of my head as I type this.

This has been going on for 2 weeks straight. Neuro started me on Lyrica, but that knocked me out, so he started me on Provigil, but that made my extremeties jerk- I stopped them both.

Anyone else get this sensation constantly & chronically? Any tips on low side effect meds that may help?

Thanks!

Oh dear growing2boys, that is awful for you.
I have had this itch sometimes, it gets worse when I'm in a relapse or have exhausted myself.
I take amitriptyline 25mg in the evening but I won't lie to you - it does have side effects, but for me, weighing up living with nerve pain vs. no meds I'd prefer to take the amitriptyline.
It really helped this kind of pain.
If you do decide to try it, I think allow for about a month of feeling quite exhausted on it. Then you do adjust to it. You also really can't drink alcohol on it (no more than 1 unit) otherwise you'll be completely exhausted the next day. I take my tablet about 8pm, and then I get up at 8am, and most of the effects have worn off. I sleep very well with it, and it does help the nerve pain.
Might be worth a try for you?
Hope things improve soon.
x

Thanks Wonderfulworld,

Does it improve the symptoms during the day too if you take it at night? Does it make you just a bit tired or really zoned out?
My problem is I still work on weekends as a nurse, so I can't be unclear (well any more then normal that is

thanks again

Sorry to hear about your current challenges. I swear by steroids. An oral course with a taper may do the trick and I don't get any of the side effects. You will have to ask your doctor. I remember having a tingling episode that made it feel like I constantly had a wedgie. The steroids fixed that one.

I hope you find something that works.



Ann

Steroids, as Ann suggested, sound like a good idea to try to calm down the relapse. Your symptoms are the same as my first MS symptoms. For me, the pins and needles eventually went away after a couple of months with no treatment of any kind.

Thanks everyone,
Ok- I will try the steroids next week on Monday. My doc said I can do them at home with home health over 3 days, but I have to work this weekend.

It's encouraging to know they may go away. I thought I was going to be getting stuck with pins forever.....

When I had this symptom (it was the first, I no longer have it) the neuro prescribed Neurontin. It helped quite a bit.

is your doc talking IV steroids??? I have done those twice also and they helped but I did have to deal with moon face and lack of sleep the first night, fortunately nothing I would not be willing to do again. I am surprised he is going straight to those. My symptoms were much more severe before we went there.

Let me know how it goes.

To echo your copaxone post, it's not that bad. they put an IV in and after they get you all set, you can do everything yourself. If I remember correctly your kids are pretty small though, which may make it harder. I haven't had to do IV steroids since I had kids.

Sending you positive vibes.



Ann

Does it improve the symptoms during the day too if you take it at night? Does it make you just a bit tired or really zoned out?

Growing2boys, yes it does help symptoms during the day too even if taken at night.

Unfortunately it does make you a bit zoned at first but honestly, this does lessen as your body adjusts to it. If the course of steroids don't work well, maybe you could try it at a low dose of 10mg at first, maybe when you've a few days annual leave, and adjust during that time before you're back at work. I'm on 25mg because I'd a lot of nerve pain, but perhaps at 10mg you don't get zoned out at all.

Some of the 'side effects' actually were very positive for me because before I went on it I was up most night 2-3+ times to the toilet, whereas on it, I don't get up at all as it gives you a deeper sleep and inhibits the bladder.

Good luck with the course of steroids. I don't take them at all because I didn't sleep on them, I get a false 'high' of energy, and I get fine downy facial hair and my skin thins. Hopefully you will get on better with them than me. Good luck with everything.