Touching...

After a rough night from my injection I woke up with more than my usual degree of parathesia. 

I know it's normal because of my fatigue. It also increases with the cold and today is certainly a cold day. 

I googled what I'm struggling today. I did it because I feel less alone when I read the words that someone else wrote and it so accurately describes what I'm living. 

Parathesia

Changes in the sense of touch called paresthesia are seen with MS and are experienced as a sensation of tingling, numbness, deadness, itching, burning, etc.

■Numbness can be the inability to notice a light touch, pinches or feel heat and cold. Due to the fact that numbness can result in a reduction in sensitivity, the chances that a patient could accidentally injure a numb hand or foot are increased. Precautions must be taken to protect the area from receiving cuts, blows, bruises, burns or any other kind of injury.

■Itching is a feeling of tickling or irritation in the skin that makes you want to scratch the area. Itching (also called pruritus) can appear suddenly and be quite intense, although it usually does not last very long. It can appear on any part of the body and the face. The itching associated with MS is different from regular itching because there is no irritation or rash on the skin.

■Tingling is a bothersome, tickling feeling in any part of the body and is not cause by an external stimulus (skin irritation) or a lack of circulation (leg "fell asleep").

■Burning is a feeling of sunburn. These changes in sensitivity can occur in any area of the skin, but it is usually felt in the fingers, hands, feet, arms or legs.

I remember early on in my MS my goal was to be normal again, lose all signs of MS. No more parathesia. Somewhere along the way that stopped being my goal. I think that's because it's no longer realistic. Instead I need to focus on a goal that is attainable and not set myself up to fail.  

Today my MS is worse than yesterday, but my goal is that tomorrow will be a better day.