Similar stories of MS sensitivity abound on various online MS bulletin boards. One woman described a sensitivity to the sheets in her bed. The sensation caused by the top sheet rustling against her feet causes her so much discomfort that she has to wear cotton socks to bed to alleviate the unpleasant feeling.
Sensitive Eyes
Optic neuritis--a condition in which the optic nerve that connects the eye and brain loses its protective myelin coating and becomes inflamed--is characteristically responsible for vision difficulties in MS.
The website, Help4MS.com, reports that optic neuritis "results in a variety of symptoms, including dimmed or blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision in one eye. Sensitivity to light, or "holes" in the visual field can also occur."
In addition, there can be pain, loss of eye coordination, a distortion of red and green colors, glare sensitivity, and difficulties with night vision. Thankfully, these problems tend to be "temporary and normal vision returns within a few weeks."
Solutions for Strange Sensations
For many patients, paresthesias may be mild, occur infrequently, and/or simply end spontaneously. It may also "diminish in severity and, on occasion, disappear completely" according to the Colorado Health Site.
If, however, these symptoms persist indefinitely there are currently several treatments available to patients under a physician's care. "The paresthesias and dysesthesias...can be treated with Neurontin® and/or Dilantin®, Tegretol®, tricyclic antidepressants, or Lioresal® (baclofen)." In some cases, warm compresses to the skin may relieve unpleasant sensations, and aspirin or Tylenol ® (acetaminophen) taken daily may help.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society brochure, "On Pain" advises that "MS pain may be due to spasticity (stiffness) which can be aided by appropriate stretching exercises, or it may be caused by a faulty walking pattern which can be helped by using a proper assistive device." For example, pressure on the body that is caused by decreased mobility can be helped by changing the body's position frequently, or possibly by swinging the legs in a back-and-forth walking motion.
In general, the prevailing wisdom is that if MS pain can be treated at the source then the problems may be better alleviated. However, if MS pain and sensitivity do not respond to exercises or assistive devices, then medications can also be helpful. "The most effective medicines for MS pain work on the nerves to stabilize them. These agents are also used in epilepsy to stabilize nerves; they include Tegretol® (carbamazepine), Dilantin® (diphenylhydantoin), Depakote® (divalproex sodium), and Neurontin® (gabapentin)."
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