Sensory symptoms--also called sensory disturbances--are often the first signs of multiple sclerosis. Some people with MS have described these sensations as "pins and needles," itching, burning, numbness or stabbing pains. One or several sensory symptoms of MS can appear in conjunction with other symptoms such as fatigue, muscle, bladder and bowel problems. MS is a neurological disease caused by demyelination, or damage to the myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds nerve fibers. Damage can also occur to the nerve fibers themselves. Damaged nerve fibers send erroneous signals between the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the body, and are the cause of sensory symptoms.
Optic Neuritis
Optic neuritis becomes apparent in the early stages of MS and affects about one-third of people who develop MS. Poor signals to the optic nerve can result in blurred or doubled vision, pain during eye movement, or the eye's inability to properly follow an object. Serious cases can result in partial or complete loss of vision, which might be reversible.
Neuralgia
Neuralgia, also called neuropathic pain, is pain without an apparent cause. Neuropathic pain can be a burning, itching or electrical shock sensation.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia refers to neuropathic pain occurring on facial nerves on the lower part of the face and is one of the most painful sensory symptoms. Sometimes triggered by chewing or other facial movements, it has been described as an electric shock or an intense jab of pain that can last for a few seconds to a few minutes.
Anaesthesia
Anaesthesia, another common symptom in MS, refers to numbness or a complete loss of sensation.
Paraesthesia
Paraesthesia refers to tingling, buzzing, burning, skin crawling, vibration sensations and partial numbness. Paraesthesia is one of the most common sensory symptoms in MS and can occur anywhere on the body.
L'Hermitte's
L'Hermitte's is a type of paraesthesia characterized by short-lasting sensations of electrical buzzing, tingling, partial numbness and electrical shocks. L'Hermitte's is sometimes triggered by movement of the neck.
Proprioceptive dysfunction
Proprioceptive dysfunction, also called sensory ataxia, is the loss of a sense of body awareness. This symptom can negatively affect an individual's balance.
Pruritis
Pruritis (itching), also called dysesthetic itching, is a sudden bout of intense itching sensations that generally goes away quickly. It is one of the least common among the MS sensory symptoms.
