Dear Forum, I recently had a diagnosis from an MRI scan that is possibly CSI and ’ possibly’ MS !! ( small lesions on scan)I have had various painful symptoms since August 2012 and was on a waiting list to see a consultant following scan and eventually saw one at the beginning of December. In consultation I was given the news that I would have to go back for an L.P and this should be early in the new year. I was given no guidance on how to manage my painful and sometimes strange symptoms. My Gp nurse had to chase the LP appointment after I continuosly contacted them…as I wasn’t on the list and now have an LP booked for the end on Jan!! I want to ask - I have not been given guidance on what to take for the pain- at present behind my right eye ( I did have it checked out at local eye hospital…bla bla h blah) . Until now I have constant pins and needles/ head ache/ buzzing in my head like a generator ? I am off work and have been for 5 weeks now , scared and feel lack of guidance …when I contacted the hospital they said go back to your Gp re painkillers then Gp said they didn’t want to give me anything until LP. What a terrible way to treat people. I have sent an e mail to complain to the consultant and have had no response! Any advise please- I feel like I am going to burst with frustration which I am sure is not going to help my symptoms…
There is nothing that the GP can prescribe that will affect the LP results. I can only assume that he/she is worried about prescribing something that will make things worse.
If it is CIS or MS, then you need a neuropathic painkiller, e.g. amitriptyline, gabapentin, pregabalin. These do have side effects in the short term, but they can be brilliant for getting rid of pins & needles, buzzing, burning, shooting pains, etc.
Amitriptyline is actually an anti-depressant that is used for all sorts of things and it is very cheap so your GP may give in to begging / pleading / an assertive request / a reasoned argument (delete as appropriate!) for it as it’s unlikely to be contraindicated for anything you might be diagnosed with and it won’t hurt his/her budget!
Btw, regular painkillers do not work for neuropathic pain so don’t be palmed off with cocodamol or anything like that.
Good luck.
Karen x
Hi, in my very early days with MS like problems, a locum GP prescribed amitrityline for me, as my nerve pains were excrutiating and they worked!
Maybe your GP feels your neuro should be prescribing for you. Do you have an MS nurse who could advise you on this?
luv Pollx
Hi Anon x I had the same problem with the doc being reluctant to prescribe
My GP was happy to first prescribe Amitriptyline but they and other anti depressants trigger agephalgic migraines and give me hives so I couldn’t tolerate them - unfortunately lot’s of drugs do this for me even painkillers like tramadol or cocodamol etc.
He was very reluctant to prescribe anything else during my last bad patch and yes it was very very frustrating!! You really do feel like you are just being left to suffer and get on with it!
However once most other things were ruled out the neurospinal consultant gave the go ahead for baclofen (this has helped) and pregabalin if I need it
Hopefully you will get there sooner rather than later xxxjenxxx
Thank you so much Karen, Jen and Poll…your responses have been a god send…as has this forum! Just an update- went back to the Gp , consultant and the patient complaints dept at the hospital and became a pain in the arse to them(thanks for the advice Karen - it worked)!! I was thrown around By them playing ‘hot potato’ ’ not my job to '…( metaphorically ) for a while then after they stopped blaming each other I was prescribed ‘neuropathic painkillers’ which I have started ( thanks again Karen - it really helped to know what to ask for ). I can’t believe how lost I felt and much as I am a feisty woman and know the system having worked in it …just how little I felt supported has made me clear I need to contribute more to the MS society when I am feeling well again. I have my lumbar puncture next week… Thank you again ladies …xxx Dee
P.s…sorry for the blocked out word .got carried away when I was typing…Dee x
Glad you’ve managed to get some help 
Don’t worry about the filtered word - it wasn’t exactly a bad one!
Kx