just looking for some advice/experience. been diagnosed for about 5 years - generally had sensory type symptoms, nystagmus and l’hermittes sign. I take rebiff 44.
So for the past few days I’ve had this awful leg pain, down the backs of both legs - I haven’t done anything strenuous that I could put it down to. It’s CONSTANT! Doesn’t matter if I sit, stand, lie down, its just the same. I’ve tried the usual, paracetamol and ibuprofen to no avail! I was up for half the night last night as I just couldn’t get comfortable with the pain.
I spoke to ms nurse first thing who advised me to go to GP for amitripylene (sp). When I got to GP’s she examined me thoroughly - no loss of function in legs, and decided that the pain was related to my back. I have had a bulging disc in the thoracic region identified on an MRI. However I have experienced no back pain whatsoever and whats more, I’ve read that a bulging disc in this area generally produces pain the the chest and gastrointestinal area. She prescribed me naproxen for the pain.
What do I do??? I’m in so much pain - obviously I’d rather it weren’t MS related (I havent had a relapse for 2 years) but if it is i’d rather get the right treatment.
I’m just finding it hard to believe that i have a problem with my back when i havent experienced any back pain at all. I understand though that disc problems generally cause pain in other regions, since it is the disc pressing on the nerve, but everything i’ve read says that this is usuall following an episode of back pain??
Any other thoughts/experience please. Took the naproxen this morning which has had no effect whatsoever! I’m really in pain - wondering whether to call gp again? Don’t want to pester anyone tho Katie x
People are trying to help but if they haven’t had the same experience as you that help will be limited.
Problems with the back do not always cause pain in the back. The pain you describe sounds like sciatica. This can be caused by disc problems just a bit lower than where you have had issues before. I have had this problem.
My advice, given that I am not medically qualified, is to take the naproxen and amitripyline - also paracetamol - and apply heat to your lower back [not right at the bottom, just above]. Hot water bottles are good but I prefer the sticky patches you can apply straight to the skin.
Be aware that Naproxen can cause stomach problems so don’t take them on an empty stomach.
Try this for a week and if no relief go back to GP.
ONLY BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR A WEEK AND EVEN I’VE WORKED OUT EVERYONE’S DIFFERENT. SHOULDN’T REALLY BE RUDE WHEN PEOPLE WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT YOU TRY TO HELP!!
I have debilitaring problems with pain/sensory stuff in left leg only as a result of spinal lesions, but also slipped a disc yrs ago. However, even then the pain was in one leg only. I would takes the naproxen to the max dose prescribed, together with heat pad/deep heat etc. If no improvement this would be reason enough to return to GP & request amytriptyline or gabapentin. In my experience, loss of function does not necessarily go hand in hand with sensory/pain issues. Not sure how it is generally. I take gabapentin & tramadol (as required) but tbh it doesn’t sort the pain out
I have had back problems in the past and experienced sciatic pain in both legs and now I have MS.
I would go back to GP and ask for re- assessment not everything has to be MS related, however no one should just be left in pain to struggle on with it the best they can.
There are a lot of choices for pain relief that your GP can prescribe you some are for nerve pain some are anti-inflammatories and usually these work well together if you get the right combination.
If things don’t settle down then severe pain should warrant further investigation like an x-ray / mri to see whats going on and get the correct diagnosis of the root of the problem.
I am a nurse myself and I have had to fight my corner already about not everything is MS related and I was only diagnosed in July 2012.
Good luck hope things get sorted out for you soon. Juanle x
You all have to gt back in touch with your gp, I suffer terrible pain from both,the ms and cervical spondylosis, I take Pregabalin for nerve pain, Bu Trans Morphine patches and also an anti inflammatory in addition to up to 8 co codamol 30/500, In addition to this,I use a TENS machine, could you possibly try one as I find,them excellent. Sorry I know your frustrated but as someone has already said no one may suffer similar pain, however this is what I use but you need professional help of a gp or ms nurse.
Katie, I hope you’re ok? I think you were desperate for answers for your pain. Have you been to your GP and got help since you posted? Please let us know. There are lots of answers for you today, I hope they’re helpful - Saturday is much easier for people to respond than Friday when at work for example.
I have had a similar pain in the past. I started in my buttocks and went down my legs. It was sciatic pain caused by the ms. Gabapentin and Amitriptyline did the trick.
So sorry everyone, I really didn’t mean to offend. I was just so frustrated and tired and in pain - hadn’t slept for two nights! I just wanted some answers that I could possibly relate to! I have three young children (one only 9 months) and am currently doing a degree in geology at Durham university. Got so much on my plate and I just can’t do with these damn interruptions, lol! I’m still undecided what the pain actually relates to; the leg pain seems to have eased with a few days use of the naproxen and a few paracetamol thrown in for good measure, however my arms feel funny now! Like shoots of pins and needles whenever I move a certain way. Thanks so much for your experiences/ advice - think i’ll have to pay my gp another visit on monday and again apologies for my earlier comment - really not like me. Katie xxx
Lots of good advice above - don’t allow your specialists to assume that everything is related to your MS. Just because you have MS doesn’t mean you may have other skeletal or physical issues.
My wife suffered horrendous neuralgia. Hers became so severe that the only treatment she could be offered was Lidocaine patches (these do help ask your doc for them) and when it became too intense she took valium to sedate her.
In my wife’s case this pain was almost completely erradicated by TMJ treatment.
If your GP is reluctant to prescribe the amytriptiline can you ask your MS Nurse to phone or fax the request through to him? I have found that works for me quite often. GPs aren’t always that clued up about neuropathic pain and a gentle nudge from your MS Nurse might get the ball rolling for you.
Also let your MS Nurse know about the new pins and needles in your arm.
Hope things settle quickly. It is tough when things are going wrong and you don’t seem to be getting the right help
Hang in there…
