Early multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms include strange numbness, tingling, and pins and needles. These symptoms are grouped and called paraesthesia. They result from your MS causing disruptions in the nerves of your brain or spinal cord.
You may not notice your numbness at first. You may just have less feeling when you’re touching or holding something. You could also feel like your arm or leg is “asleep,” and you start getting pins and needles or tingling. Numbness and tingling from MS can range from mild to severe. In mild cases, you may lose some feeling or have minor tingling. In extreme cases, you may not be able to walk, write, or chew, depending on the part of your body that’s affected.
Home Remedies for Numbness and Tingling
There are home remedies you can try to manage your numbness and tingling. Some people believe that thinking about the numbness can make it feel worse, so they’ll try to distract themselves. One way you can do this is through mindfulness exercises. Using this type of treatment, you can focus on your pain points and start diving into the sensations.
Most numbness and tingling from MS will come and go. If the feelings are becoming overwhelming, though, you can try the following home remedies:
- Try flexing and extending the part of your body that’s numb or tingling.
- Stretching your hands and wrists can help treat some of the numbness. You can do this with a partner or by yourself.
- Taking vitamin D for its anti-inflammatory benefits can help reduce pain from MS.
Avoid Numbing Triggers
If home remedies aren’t working for you, you can try avoiding things that bring out your numbness. By using a symptom tracker or MS journal, you may be able to see a pattern or trigger that makes your numbness or tingling worse.
For example, if getting overheated during exercise regularly causes your arm, leg, or face to go numb, you need to do lighter exercises. By noting your triggers, you can ideally manage what’s causing your numbness.
Corticosteroids for Numbness
If numbness and tingling are becoming overwhelming, you should talk to your doctor about short-term corticosteroids. They can help reduce inflammation in problem areas. Corticosteroids can be helpful when your lack of sensitivity is affecting your daily life.
Your doctor can help you decide which type of corticosteroid is right for you. They’ll most likely recommend as-needed doses of the following:
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Pregabalin (Lyrica)
- Amitriptyline
Numbness and tingling can often lead to an MS diagnosis, since it’s an early symptom. However, if you’re already diagnosed with MS, these symptoms don’t mean your MS is progressing.
