the pain is so bad!!!!

[mercadies25]

I was just wondering if anyone stops walking because it is just too painful?

As I continue to try my legs hurt so bad I just want to stop. I asked my DH if he thought people stop walking cause of pain and he said yes.

So I put the question out to you all.

I still can but it's so excruciating I want to cry. Is it worth the effort?

[SNOOPY]

Hello mercadies25,

If you haven't discussed this problem with your Neurologist I would suggest doing so.

Many times leg pain can be treated. If left untreated, yes it is possible for the pain to make walking difficult and decrease your Quality of Life. There are medications that could be helpful depending on type of pain.

[Waydwnsouth1]

I agree with Snoopy. The intense pain in my legs was one of my first symptoms. Fortunately I do have medication to help with the pain but I still have days where the pain caused from spasticity makes it extremely difficult to walk.

I started with one cane then moved to two canes. Now I use a rollator and also have a wheelchair for long distance walks.

Good luck to you as I hate to see anyone go through this.

[mjan]

Sorry you are having such a difficult time with pain. Enuff!!
Know that MDs, dentists, are obliged to reconcile pain issues.
So let your Neuro know.

BUT I wonder if you could be having disc issues too?

I have both, due to spasticity and spinal stenosis.

I go to see my orthopedic doc first to rule in/out disc issues.
They are very aware that I have MS pain issues too.

Again, not everything is MS .. OR at least let your Neuro know.

Let us know how you are doing,
Hugs, Jan

[bluegiraffe]

Hi Mercadies,
Definitely worth finding out why and to keep moving.
Doctors should be able to find the cause and treatment options.

You don't want to develop contractures or lose your ability to walk, if there are avoidable options.

[hunterd]

"Again, not everything is MS .. OR at least let your Neuro know. " mjan
I was having leg pains and my neuro ordered an EMG (nerve conducting test) to make sure that the correct medication was prescribed. Like mjan said "not everything is MS". I would also let your GP know about this, they can also order that test done. You may get an appointment quicker than scheduling to see your neurologist.
Best of luck to you.

[mercadies25]

Thank you all for your thoughts.

I do have an appointment with my neuro next monday.

Th pain is excruciating. Worse than I have ever had.

I do have degenerative disc disorder, RA, bulging disc but the pain is mostly in my legs. I already take gabapentin, cymbalta for pain. I have very active muscle spasms take tizanidine for that.

😢

[hunterd]

forgot to say that i was rx`ed lyrica. talk to the dr about this, it was a life saver for me!

[SNOOPY]

Hi mercadies25,

I do have degenerative disc disorder, RA, bulging disc but the pain is mostly in my legs. I already take gabapentin, cymbalta for pain. I have very active muscle spasms take tizanidine for that.

Your bulging disc and DDD is a very real possibility. This possibility should be evaluated by a Neurosurgeon. Since your current medications are not helping I suspect the mechanical back problems are very possibly the cause of your pain.

I do hope you get some relief from the pain

[pennstater]

Thank you all for your thoughts.

I do have an appointment with my neuro next monday.

Th pain is excruciating. Worse than I have ever had.

I do have degenerative disc disorder, RA, bulging disc but the pain is mostly in my legs. I already take gabapentin, cymbalta for pain. I have very active muscle spasms take tizanidine for that.

😢

Good luck. I pray you get some relief. Please keep us in the loop.

[mercadies25]

what happen at doc office

So basically nothing. 2nd time to new neuro. He did not address anything. So aggravating.

He did NO exam, I didn't have to walk anywhere, no reflex check, no eye check, didn't even move from chair that nurse took b/p.

This getting a new neuro is not working for me. AGGRAVATING!

So still in excruciating pain, ordered blood work and MRI come back in 3 months.😠😢

[mjan]

So basically nothing. 2nd time to new neuro. He did not address anything. So aggravating.

He did NO exam, I didn't have to walk anywhere, no reflex check, no eye check, didn't even move from chair that nurse took b/p.

This getting a new neuro is not working for me. AGGRAVATING!

So still in excruciating pain, ordered blood work and MRI come back in 3 months.😠😢

GET to an orthopedic doc first. They'll do xrays, then probably order an MRI. Yes, it gets confusing which is which MS or ORtho. You don't have to have BACK pain to have it be ortho. I had PT, refusing surgery at this time and now they are doing "dry needle" therapy which really helps. It is painless, more like acupuncture. My back issues are felt in my legs, mostly my hamstrings and hip.

Let us know what you find out. There are good muscle relaxants and RX Diclofenac is a good 12 hour slow release anti-inflammatory that helps with pain. Ask your ortho doc about Diclofenac.
Helped me a lot with both MS and Ortho issues.

hugs, Jan

[palmtree]

It breaks my heart that so many people with MS are enduring brutal pain because they are led to believe that narcotics are not an option. To have to stop walking because of pain is a very high price to pay.

I, too, have leg pain. It's a throbbing that won't leave me alone. Water retention and swelling make it worse along with the muscle cramping from spasticity. I take Lyrica and Baclofen which help. Lasix helps with the water retention.

But in many cases the only solution is narcotics. If they are monitored by a reputable pain specialist they work and do not lead to addiction (dependence, yes but no psychological addiction or abuse). There are many people who are against this so it would be a major uphill battle for you to get a referral to a pain specialist but, if you are not adverse to this approach, you might try.

Whatever happens, I hope you find a solution. Whether it's massage, water aerobics, heat, ice or medications. 🙏
.

[scraphappy]

What worked for me....

See if you can locate a Pain Management Doctor; the ones that don't just hand out pills.

Before MS, I had chronic back pain for many years from a car accident. I went to Pain Management here in Lewistown, PA. The Doctor that does the procedures is an anesthesiologist. First, she did a test injection with inflammatory and pain medicine. It worked great. That was only temporary to make sure the right nerve was pinpointed. The procedures are x-ray guided.

I went back and she burned the nerve. W-O-W.....I felt great. I went to work full time as a Personal Home Care Aide. Not easy work. I worked for a year and a have............it probably would have been longer but I was suddenly knocked off my feet (literally) with MS.

I have been living with sciatica for more than 3 years. Physical therapy made my pain worse. I also have arthritis and stenosis and bulging discs, etc, etc. and of course MS. In December 2015, she did another test injection in 3 spots. I have not used my cane since she did that.

I see her tomorrow for follow up. I believe the plan is to burn the nerves that she injected. I cannot wait. I still have many other pains on a daily basis, but when I am not afraid to stand up or leave the house on my own...................PRICELESS.

I will be making plans to go back to work. I still have limitations. I can get used to this.
Just PRICELESS to be able to walk again. Thank God.

[mercadies25]

update

So the conclusion is that muscle spasms are so bad that they are the cause of the pain.
Added baclofen and a pain killer. Has helped quite a bit. Going to stick with this for now. MRI scheduled and then ............?
Thanks again for your input and suggestions.