The only way to live with Multiple Sclerosis without hurting all the time is through MS pain management. Plenty of medications have been developed to reduce an assortment of aches, pains, burning sensations, etc. that are associated with MS. Regular over-the-counter pain relievers don’t work well for acute MS pain because the pain is associated with the central nervous system and not with muscles or joints.
The alternatives to OTCs are often anticonvulsant meds, but the FDA hasn’t given their final approval of these drugs for pain relief. Tegretol and Neurontin are two common anticonvulsants used to treat pain, in fact; Neurontin is prescribed more for pain than for seizures. These drugs for MS pain provide much relief for most patients.
More than a dozen anticonvulsant medications exist, each one with different side effects and effectiveness on pain in MS patients. Some side effects of these meds include dry mouth, low blood pressure, the possibility of seizures, or weight gain. Finding the right med sometimes include a trial and error period as well. If one type doesn’t work, then one of a similar nature might not work either, so it takes time to find an anticonvulsant that is effective on Multiple Sclerosis pain. Despite the drawbacks of these meds, they have provided pain relief for a large number of Multiple Sclerosis patients; a relief they wouldn’t have felt otherwise.
MS Pain in Legs and Feet
Acute Multiple Sclerosis pain tends to come and go, but burning and aching pains, or stabbing pains resembling a shock of electricity through the body can become quite debilitating at times. MS pain in feet and legs can make it nearly impossible to be mobile comfortably. Pain in the feet and legs as a result of MS can also be treated with the same anticonvulsants. A number of people experience pain in these two areas before they are ever diagnosed with MS. The pain isn’t only when walking either, it can appear during the day while sitting down or standing, or even at night time when trying to get a peaceful night’s sleep.
Seeing a neurologist and having an MRI scan performed as soon as any shooting, stabbing, or burning pain is felt anywhere in the body is the best way to get an accurate diagnosis right away. Treatment for MS and the pain it instigates throughout the body is readily available. MS pain management is the only way to remain as mobile as possible to enjoy life to the fullest.
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