Hi everyone, I haven't received my official dx yet, because my doctor wanted to exclude some other diseases first (all have been negative), but he strongly feels I have MS based on my exam and MRIs.
I have a symptom, which is my very least favorite, and I was wondering if anyone else has anything similar.
I find this symptom very, very alienating, because I don't know anyone with anything like it, and because it just feels so terrible.
Anyway, my neuro says I have spasticity. It is mostly my right side, but I do have it somewhat on the left as well. My upper back, neck, arm, and trapezius are rock hard. You can visibly see and feel the muscle, as it is just completely tensed and does not go down. It is NOT the same as tension or a muscle knot and does not go away with relaxation. It is complete rigidity of my muscles.
But the worst part is if anything touches that area for any period of time - even something pretty light - it sets off excruciating shooting pains that move from my trapezius area into my face. I can't even carry a purse on my shoulder anymore, and I can't carry a shopping basket because it "pulls" on that muscle and sets the pain off.
The shooting pains that go up my back, the side of my neck, and into my face are so debilitating that I am completely incapacitated when this happens. And it has suddenly started to happen super frequently.
The spasticity is bad enough on its own and makes me ache, but this nerve pain is terrible.
Anyone else?
I have a symptom, which is my very least favorite, and I was wondering if anyone else has anything similar.
I find this symptom very, very alienating, because I don't know anyone with anything like it, and because it just feels so terrible.
Anyway, my neuro says I have spasticity. It is mostly my right side, but I do have it somewhat on the left as well. My upper back, neck, arm, and trapezius are rock hard. You can visibly see and feel the muscle, as it is just completely tensed and does not go down. It is NOT the same as tension or a muscle knot and does not go away with relaxation. It is complete rigidity of my muscles.
But the worst part is if anything touches that area for any period of time - even something pretty light - it sets off excruciating shooting pains that move from my trapezius area into my face. I can't even carry a purse on my shoulder anymore, and I can't carry a shopping basket because it "pulls" on that muscle and sets the pain off.
The shooting pains that go up my back, the side of my neck, and into my face are so debilitating that I am completely incapacitated when this happens. And it has suddenly started to happen super frequently.
The spasticity is bad enough on its own and makes me ache, but this nerve pain is terrible.
Anyone else?
Spasticity is a common symptom in MS. Since you didn't mention it already, are you taking any medication for it, such as Baclofen? (You don't need an MS diagnosis for symptom management medications.). Here's some information about spasticity: 
Have you mentioned this to your neurologist? It sounds like it could be allodynia, which is a painful response to a stimuli that shouldn't produce pain, like touch. Here's a link where allodynia is discussed: 
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