Can anyone tell me the type of pain associated with ms. I’m confused doesn’t take much, I have nerve pain on my left side. But the pain that’s worse is like a deep pain in my bones and muscles. Is this normal.
Hi Em,
There’s not just one type of pain associated with MS. There’s nerve pain, but many people also have musculoskeletal pain: the types of aches and pains people without MS may also be familiar with, but may only get it if they have an injury, or have overdone it at the gym, whereas for us, it can be a regular feature of everyday life.
Nerve pain typically won’t respond to ordinary over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen, paracetamol or codeine, whereas musculoskeletal pain might.
I’m not particularly affected by nerve pain. I do get pins and needles, but only really find that an annoyance, rather than a proper pain, so I don’t want medication for it. I DO take medication for the musculoskeletal stuff, which, like you, I find much worse.
Does yours respond to, say, cocodamol? If it does, then it’s probably musculoskeletal - i.e. bones and muscles, as you say.
MS can alter gait, posture and muscle tone, which can all put abnormal strain on bones and muscles, causing pain.
I’m not sure anything’s “normal” with MS, but if you mean: “Do a lot of people get it?”, then yes. Unfortunately, my neuro tends to be more focused on nerve pain, which I don’t believe I really have, to any significant extent, and keeps trying to push drugs for that on me. He’s not very interested or knowledgeable about musculoskeletal pain, and doesn’t even think it’s caused by the MS. However, I’m sure, from many reports of it here, that others suffer the same thing. Also musculoskeletal pain is recognized by many reputable sources (including here on this site) as associated with MS:
If it doesn’t go there automatically, you want the “Causes” tab, which talks about nerve (neuropathic) pain AND musculoskeletal.
Tina
Hi Em, don’t forget you may have had ADEM to begin with, to me it sounds like you might have and your nervous system has carried on being active thats why you were later diagnosed with MS. I get nerve pain on my back both deep nasty stinging/ prickling and also sunburnt back. I’ve had aching muscles in legs and cramp in calfs.
I forgot to ask Em at any point did you loose conciousness or have any seizure type episodes?
Hi anon Not that I’m aware of. I can’t remember much during my first big relapse there lots of blanks can’t really remember where I lived how I managed etc it’s just a blur Em x
Hi I get very bizarre bone pain. Doesn’t make sense to me how a bone can be painful - but there’s the mystery of MS. Bones affected are lower leg and collar bone. Also worst is pain in one of my toes which affects my walking. Keep strong Min xx