Numb Hands
So I haven't really been doing much drawing the last few days as my hands have been going numb on and off everyday since Wednesday. Little frustrating when I want to draw and I have a few things left to finish up for college.
Now saying numb is not exactly right. I have feeling in my hands, but can't control where they go. So when my hands get like this, using a pencil is out since I can't have any type of detail and can't really control where a pencil/brush/etc lands. And because it can be pretty painful, burning,(but my hands will be freezing) plus a pins and needles feeling,(like having a foot that has fallen asleep but times the feeling by 10), I can't do things I normally could.
And the feeling can last for hours, or last for minutes. It took me 3 times as long to draw that fox line art then it normally would because I had to stop as I couldn't hold the pencil at all. Typing is fun :p My fingers miss keys all the time, and my hand just gets too tired to move.
This has happened before, went away last time, and its more of a flare up then a relapse, so should go away with time again, (hopefully).
A lot of people don't realize how unpredictable MS can be. One moment you could be fine, have energy, be able to walk, be "normal". And then in the next moment, you could stumble, have problems walking, lose your sight, have problems talking, the list is endless.You can't really predict when any of this can happen, you can sometimes try to avoid situations that might trigger a symptom, (I try to avoid really warm places, I can get to the point I can't move at all if I get too warm), but avoiding possible triggers is not always possible. Nothing triggered my numb hands, they just happened.
I have been thinking of talking more about how MS affects me in the blog, haven't really before since I don't want to come across as wanting sympathy. But I know there are some people that are curious about MS and how a person can deal with it, so might start talking about it more. And it gives me something to write about when I can't draw.
I have no idea what having MS is like but I worked with a gal that has MS and she described the areas attacked as being like a little pac-man and he just randomly chooses where to attack next. No rhyme or reason to it and no way to prepare for the next one.
ReplyDeleteI admire you Jennifer and will continue to pray for you!
nope, there isnt rhyme or reason for when or where an attack will hit :/ thank you :)
DeleteI'd never think of you as playing for the 'sympathy vote' Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteWe are friends with a local lady who has MS so know the 'ups and downs' - the constant trips to the loo (brain giving 'false alarm' signals) and battles with weight when she's been on steroids. Part of her 'medication' is a pint of Guinness every evening but not sure if that was prescribed the GP or something she introduced herself!
I hope you regain the use of your hands soon and look forward to seeing the fox take shape
i hate steroids, really mess you up :/ the Guinness might help with nerve pain, i know after i have had a drink or 2 i walk better:p
Deletereally want to work on the fox, was going to use cps, but might have to use pastels now if i dont get the full use of my hand. so not detailed, but would still be making art :)
You are an inspiration of endurance, Jen! :) And your fox is adorable.
ReplyDeletethanks sarah :)
DeleteI would never think you were asking for sympathy, you are a very independent and positive person in spite of it. It is an awful disease. WE have quite big TV campaigns here as we have such a high rate and at school there is the MS Readathon every year, has been for yonks. I hope the symptoms ebb away and you can draw in peace again.
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