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Tingling/Buzzing

Hello. I’ve been educating myself about MS. My primary doctor referred me to a neurologist but my appt isn’t until the end of May. She suggested MS.
What does MS tingling feel like? It started in Jan in my upper thigh, outside of thigh and back of calf. It feels like a buzzing sensation. After several visits to the chiro, it stopped for a short time. The tingling returned to the top of my thigh but the other 2 areas ceased. It’s mostly constant with an “on/off” pattern. Sometimes I feel the buzzing in my shin or knee and near the ankle or behind the knee of my other leg. Those sensations last 3-4 hrs and usually don’t return. It also follows an “on/off” patterns like someone is flipping a switch. Moving around and walking, changing positions sometimes helps. And putting pressure on the tingling with my hand will stop it for a bit. I’m not in any pain, just very anxious as I have some health anxiety from having breast cancer 10 years ago (my oncologist is not concerned about this being a symptom of recurrence).
I’m just curious to know if this sounds like MS? I currently don’t have any other symptoms, maybe some muscle twitching every once in awhile. I know anxiety isn’t helping but would love to hear from others.

  1. Hi ! I hope you hear from others in the community who have experienced the tingling sensation of MS. I just wanted to assure you that there are many other health conditions that might cause that sensation. MS is always a possibility, but there is also a good chance that it is something much more manageable. It is good that you are educating yourself so that you will be in a position to advocate for yourself if it is MS, but it might also be wise to keep yourself busy and distracted for these next couple of weeks. Keep a journal of your symptoms that you can take to the doctor, but do everything you can to avoid stress. Keep us posted if you feel comfortable doing so. I hope you get some answers and some relief. Best wishes! - Lori (Team Member)

    1. I have the same symptoms as you. Did you find out what was happening? Please feel free to message me.

      1. Hi Erin, I am experiencing symptoms like the ones VickE mentioned in her message. I don’t see very much online about a pulsating buzzing sensation. I have had an MRI that was clear and am trying to see a neurologist but that may take a while. Any information about buzzing would be great.

      2. , first, I am sorry you are experiencing these symptoms. Does your doctor have any ideas of what you might have? I think seeing a neurologist is a good idea on your part. Also, did you have an MRI on your spine and head? Because lesions can be present in either the brain or spinal column. Here's one of our contributor's thoughts on numbness and tingling (and buzzing) -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/numbness-tingling. When you do get to see a neurologist, you may want to ask for further testing, as MS is rarely diagnosed with only one test. Here's some information o the tests used to diagnose MS -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/diagnosis/tools-your-doctor-will-use-to-make-a-diagnosis. Particularly, if your MRI results were clear or inconclusive, a spinal tap can be used to check for MS. And lastly, MS shares quite a few symptoms with other health conditions that you can ask your physician to test for. Here's a list of some of those conditions -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/diagnosis/ruling-out-other-health-conditions.


        If you get a referral for a neurologist and the time to your initial appointment is especially long, you may want to call the office and be put on their cancellation list. That way, if someone cancels an appointment, you may be able to get in much sooner. I know a number of our community members have done this!


        I hope this helps and please don't hesitate to ask more questions, if you have them!


        Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.

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