A New Symptom: The Crow Claw

By Brooke Pelczynski

1 min read

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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junaej Member
I’m experiencing the same thing but in my right foot. I have foot drop and it’s horrible.
1. Janus Galante Moderator
 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
jmswift Member
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
mlsk Member
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. shon65 Member
 Same here! Claw is shorter duration, but thought I was the only one who couldn't let go.
not found
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.
not found
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.
suebob Member
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.
cwwithms Member
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.
lparrish Member
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.
Therry Neilsen Moderator & Contributor
Oh and I get this all the time too, except that it's in my left foot. Hmm! I use a roller with Camphor and CBD and that does help somewhat. Haven't noticed any speech difficulties, however. Best wishes as we all try to figure out what the hell we're dealing with!
Bumpy63 Member
Many years ago, I had these exact same symptoms. My husband took me to the ER thinking I was having TIA’s. My neurologist diagnosed me with paroxysmal symptoms. This happens when two demylinated nerves are next to each other, in the brain, and impulses jump from one to the other. He put me on tegretol because he said it was sort of like having a seizure. This made the episodes stop completely. I was on it for about 6 months until the episodes subsided on their own. I have not had this happen again, thank goodness.
1. Lori Foster Member
 I am so glad you have not experienced that since, <inline-mention username="Bumpy63" user-id="4533773"/>. That must have been frightening. Wishing you the best! - Lori (Team Member)
Warrior1 Member
These are the exact symptoms I experienced from my first recognizable clinical flare that led to my MS diagnosis last summer. I can't believe others have had the exact same symptoms!
1. Erin Rush Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Warrior1" user-id="4555122"/>, you're definitely not alone when it comes to experiencing 'weird' MS symptoms! How have you been doing since your diagnosis this summer? Best, Erin, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member. 
2. Warrior1 Member
 <inline-mention username="Erin Rush" user-id="3987334"/>, I started Ocrevus shortly after diagnosis and seem to be doing well so far, but only time will tell. This was the first noticeable exacerbation that I have had, but MRIs revealed quite a few old lesions that did not cause recognizable symptoms. My goal now is to make sure to prevent further damage and to hopefully continue an active lifestyle.