Just a bad back or MS related?

[readingteacher]

I strained a muscle in my back (and then strained it again) MONTHS ago. I am pretty sure that I was already having backaches because I had an MRI of my lower back done about a month or more before that.

So, why am I constantly waking around 4 or 5 (sometimes sooner) with a painful back and muscle spasms? It seems to start in my lower/mid part of my back and sort of wrap part of the way around towards the front. The latter part is where I begin to feel the spasms.

Any ideas? I think I will have to end here because my muscle relaxant is kicking in quickly.

Sherry

[Jules A]

Good timing. My back is acting up right now also.

I'm not sure what the actual cause but I have done physical work on my feet my whole life and have had on and off minor back pain with 2 incidents of severe spasms/pain in the past 10 years.

Personally I think mine is more likely age and activity related than MS but who knows for sure. I hope you feel better soon.

[Kimba22]

Hi Sherry,

Before I was dx'd, my lower back began hurting, a lot. This was the symptom that finally led to my dx. In my case, I had some real significant leg spasticity that was affecting how I walked. Gait disturbances will affect your back, so seeing a Physical therapist could help you. Besides addressing your gait, they can help you strengthen your back and core muscles, hopefully leading to a decrease in your pain.

I also have very significant back spasticity, which has become an even bigger contributor to my back pain. Unfortunately, I've never been able to effectively control it very well over the years. (High enough dose of muscle relaxant to make much of an impact for my back = too much for my legs). Have even tried Botox injections in my back. Through trial and error, I've found cold therapy helps relieve my pain a bit (more so than any oral medications).

I really hope you can get a handle on your back pain. I know how miserable it can be.

Good luck to you,

[zilphia01]

knives....

I went to a massage therapist cuz my back and "hug" were getting intrusive into my daily life. I told her I had knives that moved from day to day around my back. She found the knife right away and did get rid of them.

I also went to a chiropractor because the pain kept coming back, sooner and harder and more often. My pains stayed away for 4 months, and I am starting to feel it again.

I know part of the issue is I cannot exercise without tipping over and getting uber dizzy. Till I can figure that part out, I will go back to both of them.

good luck

karen

[MarkLavelle]

I actually mistook my first MS sx (pins & needles in my feet) as a back problem (which I have a history of), and it was my physiatrist who sent me to a neuro.

I think it would be well worth your time to see some kind of musculoskeletal specialist (physiatrist or orthopedist)...

[readingteacher]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice and for knowing/understanding. I can truly tell a difference between a backache from my legs acting up (weakness, spasticity) and the strange backaches I get without any explanation.

I have found that going to my chiropractor has been really helpful. Of course, I only get a certain amount of visits per year covered by my insurance. My physical therapy sessions in the past have dealt a lot with trying to work on my core muscles.
I am wary of seeing any new doctors right now, but maybe I will feel differently after the holidays are over.

I think I will also need to start going to the YMCA more often. We have a family membership and I try to make sure my daughter goes for swimming lessons (great for P.E. credits for homeschooling). I just hope that these backaches will not get worse over the Christmas break. After one evening spent shopping in a (whiplash machine) store scooter, last night, I was a complete mess when I woke this morning.

Otherwise, I guess I should be counting my blessings.

** Moderator's note - Post broken into paragraphs for easier reading. Many people with MS have visual difficulties that prevent them from reading large blocks of print. **