Pain

There is an old myth that Multiple sclerosis doesn’t cause pain. Actually, pain syndromes are quite common in MS. MS-related pain can be associated with faulty nerve signals in the brain and spinal cord. MS pain can also be attributed to daily living.

I experience a variety of MS-related pain every day:

• Lhermitte’s sign is a brief, stabbing, electric-shock-like sensation that runs from the back of the head down the spine, brought on by bending the neck forward. This is a classic symptom of MS
• Burning, aching, and prickling or “pins and needles.”  These are all neurologic in origin. These painful sensations typically affect my legs and feet, but also occasionally my arms and hands. They can be very uncomfortable -- even quite painful -- but are not dangerous or necessarily disabling unless they are severe enough to interfere with a person's activities.
• Pain from spasticity shows itself in muscle spasms or cramps. Tightness and aching in joints is another manifestation of spasticity.
• Back and other musculoskeletal pain. I’ve found that this can be caused by pressure on the body from immobility, incorrect use of mobility aids, or the struggle to compensate for gait and balance problems.

While it may be easiest to lie down and wait for the pain to pass, I’ve found that there are a few things you can do to help with pain. I take three drugs for pain management: Baclofen (a muscle relaxer that treats muscle spasms), Lyrica (treats neuropathic and muscle pain.), and plain ibuprofen. Make sure your doctor knows what medicines you are taking. Regular physical activity can help ease aches in your neck, back, and muscles - it can make you sleep better, too. Stretching for range of motion and flexibility is vital for pain management and basic living. Start slowly and work with a physical therapist to create a routine and/or list of activities you can do on your own and at your own pace. Remember, relaxation needs to be part of your schedule as well.

A good guide from the NMSS: Stretching for People with MS