Jittery: Describing multiple sclerosis from A to Z

Multiple sclerosis can make people sort of jittery. It’s not like classic anxiety. It’s a collection of physical sensations that beset us periodically. And like most MS symptoms, this jittery thing comes along (All together now.) unpredictably.

You know that feeling you get, if you drink too many coffees? Have two or three more cups, and you will begin to sense something of the feeling MSers have when the neurological system goes into rebellion.

Sometimes we shudder or shiver, even when we’re not cold. We may feel suddenly overheated or frozen, regardless of what the actual temperature happens to be doing. We might break out in sweats and feel clammy all over, even while everyone around us seems to be complaining of cold. Or we may shrug into sweaters and bundle in blankets, when others nearby are fanning themselves in the heat. Most often, we’ll alternate between the two, almost moment by moment.

It’s like the whole midlife season of hot flashing, packed into long-term daily existence.

All of a sudden, we might tremble or quiver or shake. At first, we wonder if we might faint or fall, especially if MS vertigo kicks in. We could have tingles, weird pangs, or pins-and-needles pains. We might even feel sort of panicky, bewildered, confused, or disoriented – at least, until we gather our wits to battle the MS MonSter’s latest attack.

I suppose these MS moments must feel something like panic attacks. I’ve never had one of those, but I’ve heard people describe them. They can rock your world for a stretch. So can MS.

In-between such episodes, MSers may carry an ever-present anticipation of the next moment when such strange sensations may start or return. And we wonder, when they do show up, just how long they will linger and whether they will ever leave again or not.

That’s enough to make anybody a little jittery.

Image/s:

April A to Z Challenge 2016 logo – fair use

 Adapted from public domain artwork

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