numbness and exercise

[poohb3ar]

does anyone else have problems while exercising (inside) and body parts start going tingly numb?

i had a relapse in sept that numbed my left side even worse than before (my main sx is all over skin/ body numbness- even eyeballs, tongue, throat, etc)
roids helped but not totally.
but when i'm exercising the numbness seems to get worse and then after a few hours returns to 'normal'

just wondering if anyone elses' sx worsened when they exercised?
this is especially bothersome since i'm addicted to exercise and also head up the 'Wii & Exercise Checkin ' thread. i've not found any answers for this.
thanks ahead of time for any advice!

[akafearless]

I've noticed my symptoms get worse as I heat up during exercise. Is this maybe the cause of some of yours?
I try to use a "chilly pad", etc to keep cool.

Overheating causes pseudo exacerbations. That's probably what you're experiencing. It's called Uthoff's sign.

[twisterred]

Yes!!
That is exactly what happens to me.

Sustained periods of getting extremely heated regularly brings on tingling and numbness and eventually flares for me.

I get that you don't want to stop exercising.
Can you do an easier version of the exercise?
Maybe don't use the wii as often as you are now.

There are many you can do that won't get you overly heated.
I've figured that's the secret for me.

Tell your DR about what's happening.
Maybe you can still exercise intensely, but just not for as long and frequently.

I had to go to Physical Therapy for my MS in the past.
THe PT told me I was NOT to get overly heated.

I was given floor exercises (similar to a gentle Pilates).
The PT told me to rest for a couple of minutes between reps so I would not get hot.
So, I was resting for a full minute after exercising intensely for about 5-7 minutes.

I've added weights to my workout as well as my version of power walking.
After walking for 15-20 minutes, I make myself rest for at least 10 (usually and especially when it is summer time)

My MS specialist insisted that whatever exercises I do, I had to make sure I would not get hot and tingly.

It seemed crazy at first, but it has helped me.

Glad you posted this question.

[tellnhelen]

can't really give "advice" but I do empathisize with thwe numbness and exercise..over the years have had to adjust the exercises I do as well as length of time....can't even think about getting on the floor and getting UP ....must consider personal "safety issues" in my decisions about exercises....now doing 10 mins on recumbent bike....and 3 reps of 10 table top exercises for crunches etc.(had to bring floor up to level I can deal with) on a good day I can exercise in am and pm

As far as the tingling/numbness. I continue to exercise despite the numbness....I'm so afraid of not being able to move at all that I can't stop. Perhaps you may consider adjusting your routine. Maybe you should slow down or do a little less until you can exercise without so much side-effect. (had to laugh about Wii...can't do that stuff at all.)

Good luck...that's my two cents

[seeuinct]

me too

I'm over my last exacerbation by several months but when I do any stenuous work with my arms legs or i excercise the numbness and tingling comes back, even if I am not heated up. I think it's just the movement that makes it tingle. I kept moving and worked through it and now it is barely noticeable- but still there a little. Good luck!

[SNOOPY]

but when i'm exercising the numbness seems to get worse and then after a few hours returns to 'normal'

just wondering if anyone elses' sx worsened when they exercised?

Yes. It can be common for MS symptoms to increase when exercising, this is usually due to an increase to your core body temp.

After exercising try taking a cool shower. This will bring your core temp down quicker and your symptoms will return to what is normal for you.

[Redwings]

Hi poohb3ar:
The pseudoexacerbation of numbness that you might experience during exercise does not make your MS worse. It might take a lot of reading to confirm this, but (perhaps a lot of) research will confirm the benefits of exercise and the status/meaninglessness of false exacerbations. The benefit of exercise outweighs any temporary symptoms you might have, so keep up with the exercise as long as the numbness doesn't lead you to overdo or do something that isn't physically safe.

[BigA]

I used to tingle like mad after exercising. I'd exercise 1 day and buzz for 3. Then gradually, it got better. Keep it up. Exercise may be the most beneficial thing you can do - but be gentle yet persistent. And keep cool if it helps. It may take a year to get to a moderate amount, but it is worth it. Exercise protects your brain, fights depression and builds strength and stamina. Just be patient with yourself.

[lemstar]

I agree with Redwings, and my doc confirmed this--tingling and numbness upon exercise or overheating is not the MS getting worse, and when you return to normal activity, that should resolve. Its just the short circuiting manifesting itself.
My first symptoms, some 31 years ago, were numbness and buzzing and tingling after walking any distance. That has never gone away, and is worse sometimes than others. The doc told me not to worry about it, and as long as I wasn't too numb to exercise (aware of where my body is, and not falling down), it's okay to tingle after walking (like I have a choice...lol).

[jsage]

My first symptoms, some 31 years ago, were numbness and buzzing and tingling after walking any distance. That has never gone away, and is worse sometimes than others.

lemstar, wow - that's how I first noticed my symptoms. My wife and I would go for early morning Sunday walks. I'd get four blocks and the pins-and-needles would start in my feet. After a few months, they would progress up my leg into my thighs and waist, then my hands. Our walks are generally about twenty blocks, and I still have those symptoms.

What poohb3ar's experiencing is also true for me. I used to do my morning exercises before showering. But after exercise and a shower, my hands and face would be so tingly / numb that I couldn't shave without cutting myself. I do not like to be unshaven

Now I exercise after shaving, no more cuts

have fun,
- john

[Bob698]

I'd still be careful exercising if its causing numbness.
If you push it too hard while you don't feel pain, you could cause damage that has nothing to do with MS.
There's also a possibility your workout is causing inflammation near a joint but the core temp issue sounds more plausable.
Maybe try working a different area or try a different type of exercise?

[ActiveMSers]

Redwings is absolutely right. I regularly post MS exercise study results in the ActiveMSers' Fitness forum, and every one—there are dozens, from strength to aerobic to kick boxing—has shown some level of benefit with this disease, in particular with fatigue, mobility and quality of life.

http://activemsers.wssnoc.net/forumdisplay.php?f=3

I've also put together a list of the top exercise tips for MS with the advice of one of the leading PTs specializing in MS, including ways to keep your core cool (drink slushies!).

http://www.activemsers.org/exercises...ingwithms.html

Hope this helps, and keep it up!

Dave, ActiveMSers.org

[poohb3ar]

wow!
thanks for all the replies, they're very useful. overheated core may be the problem since heat is now on. wasn't before relapse. think i'll start closing vent in the room i exercise in and turn on fan.
i used to exercise to dripping sweat and then cooling off with shower. haven't done that much since before relapse.
i'm now not exercising as hard, not up to it yet. but good suggestion.
thought it funny today when my lips went totally numb, like they were really exercising!
i will keep up the exercise and watch core heat.
thanks also for the sites to look up, will definitely check them out.
thanks for all the help!
have a wonderful new year!!!

[Thinkimjob]

Years before the limp etc made itself apparent, I would get tingles, stiffness and numbness in my legs if I overdid it.

It was definitely a sign something was going on, even though I'd never had a flare anything like it, and it always went away after I rested for a minute.

Then years later, I had a full blown flare involving the exact areas affected by the pseudo exacerbations. The damage hasn't gone away.