Pain in MS--true or not?

[Guest guest]

Dear :Like Jackie said, please don't take the results of our little poll as the absolute truth. Out of all of the members of both groups combined only 17 votes were cast. There is NO way that is accurate of people with MS.I took part in a teleconference last year with Dr. Vollmer who is a well-known researcher, MS specialist and the former head of the NARCOMS study at Yale. He moved from Yale to Barrows Neurological Institute in Phoenix several years ago. Dr. Vollmer said 40% of MSers. And here below the NMSS says "almost half (48%)" had chronic pain. Have you ever done a web search with the terms "MS pain"? Here are some links you can look at along with a small clip (in parentheses) of the percentage they report re: pain in

MS.http://www.friendswithms.com/pain_and_ms.htm(Pain is a common occurrence in MS, with 30-50%)http://www.msakc.org/Articles/MSPain.htm(Most of the recent studies show that neuropathic pain... experienced by 50% or more of MS

patients) http://www.mslifelines.com/understanding-ms/symptoms-of-ms/pain.jsp(More than half of the people with MS find that pain is a problem.)http://www.msakc.org/Articles/MSPain.htm(50% or more)And this is a really good one and I recommend it for anyone with MS and pain:http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/features/pain-multiple-sclerosis?src=rss_homecareIn a national survey of more than 7,000 MS patients, 70%

of them had experienced some kind of pain, and at least 50% were experiencing

some kind of pain at the time of the survey," Bethoux says.MS pain differs from the kind of pain you might get with a

headache, a joint injury, or muscle strain. "It's often more diffuse,

affecting several areas of the body at a time. It often changes over time,

getting worse or better for no apparent reason. It tends to fluctuate a

lot," says Bethoux. "People often find it hard to describe: It's

sometimes described as like a toothache, other times like a burning pain, and

sometimes as a very intense sensation of pressure. It's very distressing for

patients because they have a hard time explaining what their pain experience

is."hugs)))SharonPlease read this from the National MS Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/symptoms/pain/index.aspxPain syndromes are common in MS. In one study, 55% of people with MS

had “clinically significant pain” at some time. Almost half (48%) were

troubled by chronic pain. This study suggested that factors such as age

at onset, length of time with MS, or degree of disability played no

part in distinguishing the people with pain from the people who were

pain free. The study also indicated that twice as many women as men

experienced pain as part of their MS.

Several Sources and Types of Pain in MS

Acute Pain

Trigeminal neuralgia is a stabbing pain in the

face. It can occur as an initial symptom of MS. While it can be

confused with dental pain, this pain is neuropathic (caused by damage

to the trigeminal nerve) in origin. It can usually be treated with

medications such as the anticonvulsants carbamazepine (Tegretol®) or phenytoin®). (Dilantin

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. Medications,

including anticonvulsants, may be used to prevent the pain, or a soft

collar may be used to limit neck flexion.

Burning, aching or “girdling” around the body are all neurologic in origin. The technical name for them is dysesthesias. These pains are often treated with the anticonvulsant medication gabapentin (Neurontin®). Dysesthesias may also be treated with an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil®),

which modifies how the central nervous system reacts to pain. Other

treatments include wearing a pressure stocking or glove, which can

convert the sensation of pain to one of pressure; warm compresses to

the skin, which may convert the sensation of pain to one of warmth; and

over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol® and others) which may be taken daily, under a physician’s supervision.

Duloxetine hydrochloride

(Cymbalta®) was approved by the FDA in 2004 for treatment of depression

and treatment of pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Cymbalta® belongs to the group of medications known as selective

serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Although not

specifically approved for use in MS, its effectiveness in diabetic

neuropathy makes it a suitable candidate for the treatment of

neuropathic pain in MS, and MS specialists consider it a good treatment

option for people with MS.

Pregabalin (Lyrica®), also approved by the FDA in 2004, is

recommended for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with

diabetes, fibromyalgia and certain types of seizures. Although not

specifically approved for use in MS, it is also considered a good

treatment option for people with MS.

Chronic Pain

Burning, aching, prickling or “pins and needles” may be chronic rather than acute. The treatments are the same as for the acute dysesthesias described above.

Pain of spasticity has its own subcategories. Muscle spasms or cramps, called flexor spasms, may occur. Treatments include medication with baclofen (Lioresal®) or tizanidine (Zanaflex®),

ibuprofen, or other prescription strength anti-inflammatory agents.

Treatment also includes regular stretching exercises and balancing

water intake with adequate sodium and potassium, as shortages in either

of these can cause muscle cramps. Tightness and aching in joints is

another manifestation of spasticity, and generally responds well to the

treatments described above.

Back and other musculoskeletal pain in MS can have

many causes, including spasticity. Pressure on the body caused by

immobility, incorrect use of mobility aids, or the struggle to

compensate for gait and balance problems may all contribute. An

evaluation to pinpoint the source of the pain is essential. Treatments

may include heat, massage, ultrasound, physical therapy and treatment

for spasticity.

Pain and the Emotions

Most pain in MS can be treated. But not all pain a person with MS

has is due to MS. Whatever the source, pain is a complex problem that

should not be ignored. Many factors may contribute, including fear and

worry. A multidisciplinary pain clinic

may be able to treat chronic disabling pain with medication in

combination with such alternative therapies as biofeedback, hypnosis,

yoga, meditation or acupuncture. Self-help may also play an important

role in pain control. People who stay active and maintain positive

attitudes are often able to reduce the impact of pain on their quality

of life.

This email is a natural hand made product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects. [MSersHEALTH] Re: Poll results for MSersHEALTH

So it definitely does seem to me that most people do not have pain

with MS. So since pain is one of my most debilitating issues, it

speaks against MS being the reason doesn't it?

>

>

> The following MSersHEALTH poll is now closed. Here are the

> final results:

>

>

> POLL QUESTION: This poll is about pain. A group member has recently

been told by a specialist that there is no pain with MS. I'm going to

run this poll on both MSersHEALTH and MSersLIFE so please only answer

one poll. Thank you for participating! I welcome you to send you

comments and experiences in regular emails to the group.

>

> CHOICES AND RESULTS

> - Do you have pain with your MS or possible MS?, 17 votes, 16.83%

> - If so, is the pain from spasticity?, 12 votes, 11.88%

> - If so, is the pain nerve pain? , 13 votes, 12.87%

> - Or is the pain unexplained? , 7 votes, 6.93%

> - Do you take prescription pain medication?, 10 votes, 9.90%

> - If so, does the pain medication help?, 8 votes, 7.92%

> - Do you use narcotic pain medication?, 6 votes, 5.94%

> - If so, does the narcotic pain medication help?, 5 votes, 4.95%

> - After using medication do you have breakthrough pain?, 8 votes,

7.92%

> - Does your pain keep you from doing things you want or need to

do?Does your pain keep you from doing things you want or need to do?,

15 votes, 14.85%

>

>

>

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