New Symptom?

[Lindz28]

Hello, I got dx last year and it has been a wild ride. I finally got to a place where I thought I was doing okay and all of the sudden I started getting weird pain symptoms. I thought it was from the Prozac I had just started so I got off of that and the pain still persisted. I am not even sure how to describe it. Sometimes it is bad and sometimes it is just an annoyance and sometimes it isn't even there.

I get sharp shooting pain that only lasts a second and sometimes I just get a dull sharp pain in my joints and limbs. I called the Dr. and she prescribed Vicodin but that doesn't seem to be working and I can only take it at night as I can't really function while on it.

I am scared my MS is getting worse, I do have an MRI coming up within the next few months but I am kind of freaking out until then. It was just all the sudden I woke up with this. I don't know what to make of it. I have been on injections since February, could it just mean the meds aren't working?

If anybody has any input I would greatly appreciate it. I am only 28 and really hope this is not a sign that it is progressing. Oh and this has been ongoing for about 2 months or so, I just called my Dr. about it because I thought it could have been from the unusually heat this summer and would go away.

[pennstater]

Hi Lindz28,

I have recently started similar symptom. But I am on Tysabri and had recent infections which required steroids and for me to miss 2 infusions in 2 months. To me, it is not joints, but feels like bone pain.
I saw neuro yesterday, but said with all the variables can't tell what is cause. So will see as time goes on. Frustrating not having answers.

I wouldn't think the type of pain you describe would mean you are progressing or meds not working. With joint pain, sometimes it can be caused by not moving as much as we did before or other factors.

Hope you get answers soon.

[Dale76]

Hello, I got dx last year and it has been a wild ride. I finally got to a place where I thought I was doing okay and all of the sudden I started getting weird pain symptoms. I thought it was from the Prozac I had just started so I got off of that and the pain still persisted. I am not even sure how to describe it. Sometimes it is bad and sometimes it is just an annoyance and sometimes it isn't even there.

I get sharp shooting pain that only lasts a second and sometimes I just get a dull sharp pain in my joints and limbs. I called the Dr. and she prescribed Vicodin but that doesn't seem to be working and I can only take it at night as I can't really function while on it.

I am scared my MS is getting worse, I do have an MRI coming up within the next few months but I am kind of freaking out until then. It was just all the sudden I woke up with this. I don't know what to make of it. I have been on injections since February, could it just mean the meds aren't working?

If anybody has any input I would greatly appreciate it. I am only 28 and really hope this is not a sign that it is progressing. Oh and this has been ongoing for about 2 months or so, I just called my Dr. about it because I thought it could have been from the unusually heat this summer and would go away.

I 'm 28 as well and I have had pain as a symptom since the beginning. It started in my lower back but now is all over.

I would not recommend long term use of vicodin or any of the other similar pain killers like T3's, Tramadol etc. Trust me I spent many years on them and all they did is add to my list of symptoms.

I now use MMJ and rarely anything else. For this kind of nerve pain nothing I have trieded works faster or better and with fewer side effects and no chance of drug interactions.

[Lindz28]

Thank you guys for your input. It definitely put my mind at ease. Up until I got dx almost a year ago I was very active and between school, work, and the diagnosis I was overwhelmed and I stopped going to the gym. I think you are right pennstater that it has a lot to do with not moving as much. I got another gym membership at a better gym with better air conditioning and the ability to go at night when it isn't so hot as it is open 24/7.

Dale79 what is MMJ? I am on Gabapentin and my neuro increased it from 600 to 900. I hope that works. I am only taking the Vicodin at night because I would be worthless during the day if I took it. Going to call and ask for something else.

But thank you both for putting my mind at ease. I am having my 2nd MRI's coming up in December and am very nervous about the results.

[hunterd]

MMJ=medical marijuana
"Hello, I got dx last year and it has been a wild ride. I finally got to a place where I thought I was doing okay and all of the sudden I started getting weird pain symptoms. I thought it was from the Prozac I had just started so I got off of that and the pain still persisted. I am not even sure how to describe it. Sometimes it is bad and sometimes it is just an annoyance and sometimes it isn't even there.

I get sharp shooting pain that only lasts a second and sometimes I just get a dull sharp pain in my joints and limbs. I called the Dr. and she prescribed Vicodin but that doesn't seem to be working and I can only take it at night as I can't really function while on it.

I am scared my MS is getting worse, I do have an MRI coming up within the next few months but I am kind of freaking out until then. It was just all the sudden I woke up with this. I don't know what to make of it. I have been on injections since February, could it just mean the meds aren't working?"
if you did not want to try the medical marijuana, you could always explain to your neurologist what is going on, and they can refer you to a pain management Dr. I am going through this same things right now and I have an appointment with the pain management Dr. on October 10 ( I hope something gets resolved). Another issue that many overlook is that it could be increased spasticity, you may want to talk to your doctor about this also.

[palmtree]

A pain management doctor is the answer. They know how to get the right combination of medications to address your specific pain. They use time release medications. I was afraid to go on narcotics because of the stigma and fear they would cut me off if I got dependent.

But they don't do that. They keep you on a steady course. I understand why you don't want to take Vicodin during the day. But the time release narcotics don't impair your function unless, maybe, you are an airline pilot.

It was such a relief to be free from that terrible pain.

The only other thing you might consider is if your pain is caused by cramping and spasticity. It that case, Baclofen might help. It could also be a muscular skeletal problem, in which case, it is not MS at all.

[Lindz28]

Thank you hunterd for clearing up what MMJ is. I had been thinking about asking my Dr. about that but I do not really know how to bring it up or if there is certain criteria a person has to meet?

I had never thought about a pain management specialist. I am not sure if my insurance would cover that and if my pain is severe enough. I would say it ranges from a 5 to an 8. It is hard to put a number on it though and it is also very hard to describe.

Just seems like a never ending battle sometimes. I am curious if most people with RRMS get some relief? I haven't had relief from fatigue even before I was dx so at least 3 years and it is just getting worse. Today I woke up and just fell back to sleep and was a sloth all day. Couldn't do my homework or anything. Now it is almost 2:30 am and I can't sleep. I do not get it.

Also, I started getting numbness in more places and feel weak a lot more and now these weird pains. I am still trying to understand it all. I feel like I start to get a grip on everything and then something new happens. I definitely have more bad days than good it seems like lately.

Anyways thank you all for your input and suggestions, it was all very helpful!