Hello all, I’m new to this forum and thought I’d pop on to see if anyone can offer me some advice.
I was diagnosed with MS 6 months ago and the worst part for me is the pain and feeling there’s no hope I managing it.
I currently have the most horrific pain in my legs and feet, particularly my left side. I’m on pregabalin x3 daily (100mg) and duloxetine 60mg x1 daily. I feel like it isn’t even touching the sides, particularly when my job as a nurse is physically demanding (it’s unbearable after a shift). I use hot water bottles every night and also am prescribed melatonin to help me sleep.
Does anyone else suffer greatly from pain? If so, what analgesia are you prescribed and do you find it to be effective?
I feel like someone is crushing glass into my legs and that my feet are bruised (hard to describe). I’m demented with it!
Thank you all so kindly in advance.
Sarah
That sounds really horrid.
I have not had anything as bad - the closest I get s when I am tired and/or overheated my legs feel as if they’re overstuffed sausages under a hot grill - sausages encased in skins made for sausages half the size. It is just miserable. The only thing that relieves it is getting in the cool, resting and putting the feet up. Not much use when you’re in the middle of a busy shift, I’m afraid. I wish I had something useful to suggest to you but I don’t.
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Bless you for replying to me - thank you. Although both my sisters have MS too, I just find it to be quite a lonely illness. Those who don’t have it can’t understand how horrid and unpredictable it is. I have days where I’m full of energy (albiet in pain) and others where I’m completely flat. Today is one of those flat days. I can’t get moving at all, my body is like lead!
Thank you so much again for replying Alison, it was very sweet of you 
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Hi Sarah, I sympathise with you it sounds horrible. I’m lucky to have only suffered headaches although like yesterday they can be awful. The more painkillers I took over 20 years th worse and regular and long lasting they got. Totally stopping all painkillers was the only thing that helped. I still get them but the only last 8 hours instead of 4 days. Just a thought.
My problem is I can only stand for very short periods 10-15 mins.
Wishing you the best on your journey
Mark
hey sarah, I’m so sorry to hear this - it sounds a hellish experience and you must be made of strong stuff to deal with it. I’m glad you had a little vent on here and hope you have other avenues to do so. samaritans are always a good shout, and there is the MS society nurse helpline, too.
as for pain, I somewhat know how you feel. during heat spikes (like now, as it happens) my body temperature can soar, and with it, muscular pain, nerve pain, a heavy achey body, difficulties walking, and it is maddening, truly. it makes me want to scream, throw a chair throw a window…
as for managing it, pain I find can be managed in a number of ways: sometimes rest is the answer, sometimes a short, gentle walk can help. sometimes a shower can help sooth joints, and other times just paracetamol (and a strategic pint of guinness!) can be just the trick. hot water bottles can be a help too, and I’ve used (in small drops) ibuprofen gel for specific joints during a flare up, like today. at time of right, left leg is very sore and a little locked up, and my back and shoulders are heavy, achey… it is frustrating, to say the least.
this is probably an obvious suggestion, but perhaps discuss with your GP/MS nurse - they may well have something extra to help alleviate the pain