hlm286 wrote: Every time I get even a little stressed out I start to feel my hand go number and my back burn (my most regular symptoms since my attack).
This is a topic that came up someplace else entirely, and I wanted to address it since you mentioned it:
Be aware that panic (stress) symptoms can mimic MS symptoms. (They can also mimic GI problems, heart problems, etc.). I had the very confusing experience of my first (and, really, last) panic attack during the same time I was experiencing my 'real' neurological symptoms for the first time. Luckily I had a neurologist who was able to very easily tell the difference between the two. Basically, stress-induced symptoms come and go with the stress. Other stuff comes and goes otherwise.
--> That doesn't mean that, if say, because you are under pressure to finish up work and pack for a vacation that you won't wear yourself down and sure enough catch a nasty cold just in time for your flight -- chronic stress, not enough sleep, not eating well, etc. can certainly open you up to other illnesses.
But if you are experiencing an episode of that burning sensation in the back and numbness in your hands that *always coincides* with being stressed, then probably is kinda separate from your MS.
(Just like you can have both a GI bug that makes your stomach gurgle, and a speech to give that also makes your stomach gurgle -- same symptoms, two different causes. The one goes away if you give the speech, the other, well, we wish . . .)
In my limited experience, the overlap is not 100%. For example, panic made *both* my hands numb, but my 'real' neuro numbness only affected my right hand. So that can sometimes be a helpful way to distinguish the two, for people who are trying to tease apart different symptoms.
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Anyway, that may or may not be your case. But I thought I'd toss it out there in case it is helpful for anyone.
Jen.