A New Symptom: The Crow Claw

By Brooke Pelczynski

November 25, 2019

An MS comic below shows a woman describing a new symptom she is experiencing that comes out of nowhere and affects the right side of her body, her speech, and her hand. Brooke calls it: the crow claw. Have you ever experienced this symptom?

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By junaej
November 25, 2019
I’m experiencing the same thing but in my right foot. I have foot drop and it’s horrible.
1. By Janus Galante Moderator
 November 26, 2019
 Juneaj, what an exasperating symptom to have! Please know that you're not alone as many suffer with this same thing. You are absolutely right..it IS horrible! Thank you so much for your post, it is greatly appreciated! Janus
By jmswift
November 27, 2019
I also experienced this in March this year after being diagnosed in January. I had just had my first Tysabri infusion a few hours earlier, but mine is my right foot and hand causing me to collapse. Happened randomly for 4 more months, very scary but has now gone away for now keeping hydrated and muscles relaxed
By mlsk
December 4, 2019
As my ms has progressed the “crow claw” rears its ugly head when I am very fatigued, usually lasting an hour or so. Along with the claw, I also experience the same hand not being able to pick something up, or once in my hand, not being able to let go! A wonderful thing to happen while drinking coffee! LOL
1. By shon65
 December 6, 2019
 Same here! Claw is shorter duration, but thought I was the only one who couldn't let go.
By not found
December 6, 2019
Wow, those are terrible symptoms and as it happens, the two symptoms, the claw and issues with speech are also stroke symptoms so I hope that person was seen by a neurologist about them top rule out Stroke.
By not found
December 6, 2019
Wow, those are terrible symptoms and as it happens, those two symptomsare also stroke symptoms so I hope that person was seen by a neurologist about them to rule out stroke.
By suebob
December 22, 2019
I could have written this article. I experience the same thing but it’s not something that ever goes away. The claw is actually painful at times and I have to straighten my fingers out to get some relief.
By cwwithms
December 25, 2019
So how do you tell the difference between this and a stroke when it only affects one side? I've had it a long time, but now it's more frequent. I use ice to try to get it to go away. I put water in an old Gatorade bottle, let it freeze in the freezer. I roll it across my hand or foot, depending on which is cramping up. I also some times use a muscle relaxer to see if that will help. Is it from the MS or is it a form of dystonia or something else? No doctor, neuro or otherwise has been able to them me and they've seen it when it's happened.
By lparrish
February 6, 2020
I have this all the time in my left foot. I have foot drop and get severe muscle spasms in the foot. I call them my Spock toes. They spread out and cramp up. I have not been able to curl my toes on my left foot for at least four years now. I do get it from time to time in my left hand, but that has subsided once they adjusted my muscle relaxers. I know take two different muscle relaxers. One helps more with the upper extremities and the other with the lower extremities. Needless to say the the crow claw(my spock toes) can be very painful. I really can relate to this experience.