Dealing With Multiple Sclerosis Pain
Multiple sclerosis pain can adversely affect the way a patient lives. These debilitating pains can come on unexpectedly, and leave the patient completely drained. Although scientists have not yet found a cure for multiple sclerosis, there have been significant advances in MS treatment and pain management. In this article, we’ll explore the painful reality of living with MS and some innovative new ideas that may bring relief to sufferers.
MS pain can affect several areas of the body at a time and get worse or better for no apparent reason. Because MS attacks the body’s central nervous system, messages from the brain can become skewed. With MS, the nerves are too active and send pain signals without reason. There are different types of MS pain. Acute MS pain can come on suddenly and disappear just as quickly. While intense, these attacks are usually brief in duration. Trigeminal neuralgia or “tic doloureux” is a stabbing pain in the face that can be brought on by facial movements like chewing, yawning, sneezing, or washing your face. People with MS typically confuse it with dental pain. Most people can get sudden attacks of pain that can be triggered by touch, chewing, or even brushing the teeth. 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.
Some MS pain can be chronic. Spasticity can lead to muscle cramps, tight and aching joints, and back or musculoskeletal pain. These chronic pain syndromes can often be relieved by anti-inflammatory drugs, massage and physical therapy. For the most part, however, MS pain can’t be effectively treated with aspirin, ibuprofen, or other common over the counter pain reliever medications or treatments. In many cases, the treatment of choice is one of a range of anticonvulsant medications, such as Neurontin and Tegretol. The side effects of these drugs can also include low blood pressure, possible seizures and dry mouth. They can also cause some weight gain.
A new treatment for multiple sclerosis related pain may come from an unexpected source. Botox, the wonder drug for people who want to turn back time, may be able to help multiple sclerosis pain. The toxin is injected into the area where the patient is experiencing pain and the nerve or muscle becomes paralyzed. This is only a short term solution that is limited to a small area of the body, but some MS clinics are already using the technique to treat patients.
Finding a treatment for multiple sclerosis related pain can involve some trial and error. Patients should remember that they must be active in the process. If patients follow a proper diet, exercise regularly and monitor their symptoms, then doctors can prescribe a treatment regimen that will relieve the multiple sclerosis pain and help them to live a normal life.
By Health Editor
