Ever had a dead arm from sleeping on it put putting too much pressure on it? You know how it is when it's all numb and floppy. It doesn't work properly. Another effect is paresthesia, which seems to wear off quickly so you may not fully recognise this one, but it's the tingling sensation. It can also be a burning or icey sensation or a prickling, stabbing type sensation.
Besides being a side effect of prolonged pressure to an area, it can also be a side effect of drugs or a nervous system problem.
Since April now, I've been having this come and go, for no apparent reason. It was suspected it may be due to one drug I was given that works similar to Ketamine. I weaned myself off that and found after a month the symptoms were not daily but maybe a few hours every few days and slowly easing off until I thought I was free of it.
But about a month ago it came back. First in my left little finger, then over a few days spreading up to the shoulder, then in both arms and legs, then the torso and face, even the tongue. For 2 weeks I was bed bound with this getting worse and worse. After seeing my GP finally, I was given an urgent referral to my old neurologist (who I managed to see once =.=) and now I'm waiting.
After a beautiful week of no symptoms, it's back again...
One of the things I've been learning these last few years is pacing yourself is incredibly important. Especially with fluctuating conditions. And especially when it's not exactly understood what's going on with you.
For times like this, when my nervous system seems to be going haywire, I need to do two things.
I'll hopefully update a post on this method and my current conclusions, but for now typing is a bit of a pain.
In terms of learning to pace, I've found a fairly decisive method with this particular symptoms; The Water Test. For some reason water is very hard to process when this happens as it gets worse. If I have trouble feeling water, or processing it; if it feels painful, sharp and is distressing, I know going outside is a big no. It seems to mean I'm having trouble figuring out temperature, and feeling multiple sensations at once (which is going to be a big problem walking in crowds or being out in the cold, sitting in unfamiliar places or even walking).
If anything, I'm actually pretty proud I've figured out how to pace myself with this new confusing development so quickly. I hope the Drs can actually put their act together and look into this properly finally, instead of brushing it off but time will tell on that front.
I also am glad this experience has helped me understand some of the things other people have to go through, such as my sister, and other people who have disorders effecting their nervous system.
Peace and spoons to all~
Besides being a side effect of prolonged pressure to an area, it can also be a side effect of drugs or a nervous system problem.
Since April now, I've been having this come and go, for no apparent reason. It was suspected it may be due to one drug I was given that works similar to Ketamine. I weaned myself off that and found after a month the symptoms were not daily but maybe a few hours every few days and slowly easing off until I thought I was free of it.
But about a month ago it came back. First in my left little finger, then over a few days spreading up to the shoulder, then in both arms and legs, then the torso and face, even the tongue. For 2 weeks I was bed bound with this getting worse and worse. After seeing my GP finally, I was given an urgent referral to my old neurologist (who I managed to see once =.=) and now I'm waiting.
After a beautiful week of no symptoms, it's back again...
One of the things I've been learning these last few years is pacing yourself is incredibly important. Especially with fluctuating conditions. And especially when it's not exactly understood what's going on with you.
For times like this, when my nervous system seems to be going haywire, I need to do two things.
- Remain as relaxed as possible; Stress is a big contributor. It doesn't seem to cause it, but the amount I'm able to tolerate it when stressed is drastically educed and it can easily become a vicious circle.
- Experiment with textures. When your nervous system is in overdrive like this, it seems to have a lot of trouble processing any sensation; temperature, textures, pressure. It can be incredibly overwhelming and the brain seems to just interpret confusing sensations as painful. So instead I make it an aim to experiment with what I can and cannot touch during these times. Turning it into an experiment makes it less scary and more interesting and I'm learning more things about myself and how the brain may work from doing this.
I'll hopefully update a post on this method and my current conclusions, but for now typing is a bit of a pain.
In terms of learning to pace, I've found a fairly decisive method with this particular symptoms; The Water Test. For some reason water is very hard to process when this happens as it gets worse. If I have trouble feeling water, or processing it; if it feels painful, sharp and is distressing, I know going outside is a big no. It seems to mean I'm having trouble figuring out temperature, and feeling multiple sensations at once (which is going to be a big problem walking in crowds or being out in the cold, sitting in unfamiliar places or even walking).
If anything, I'm actually pretty proud I've figured out how to pace myself with this new confusing development so quickly. I hope the Drs can actually put their act together and look into this properly finally, instead of brushing it off but time will tell on that front.
I also am glad this experience has helped me understand some of the things other people have to go through, such as my sister, and other people who have disorders effecting their nervous system.
Peace and spoons to all~