Freezing Sensations and Multiple Sclerosis

Question:
I have areas of my body that feel like ice, even when the environment is warm. It often is in the area above my waist band or below waist band of my slacks (not tight slacks), both ankles, & across my shoulders. The areas often feel normal to another person's touch (but sometimes do feel a little cool to them, too) and look normal. I have been to an RN and my circulation in these areas is good. Applying blankets/more clothes/heating pad & changing positions sometimes helps a little, but not much. This has gotten worse the last months. Is there any specific treatments that may help these sensory symptoms?

Answer:
One of the more common sensations in people with MS is the perception that a part of the body is freezing cold or burning or alternating between the two sensations. We call it, “Freeze/burn”, and it seems to be caused by MS involvement of the central part of the spinal cord. Medications used to treat these abnormal sensations are typically in the anti convulsant class and require a lot of trial and error. The medications most commonly used include gabapentin, lyrica, carbamezipine, and lamotrigine. Hopefully, many of the newer medications under development for neuropathic pain and abnormal sensations will be even more effective and get approved by the FDA in the next few years. Stay tuned

Revere (Rip) Kinkel MD
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program
Professor of Clinical Neurosciences
University of California San Diego