M.S. symptoms, how do i cope?

so many new experiences...i have been in so much back pain.mostly upper/neck and lower back. i have knotts glore. anxiety has been increasing and i have trouble sleeping. how does everyone deal with this? help!

[RedFlame]

Eventually you will probably end up on some type of pain killers, neuropatic pain and drugs for spasticity.  It's a process though---at least it has been for me.  Perhaps you can ask for something for anxiety.  It know it's tough in the beginning but hang in there.

Take it one day at a time.

Red

[HVAC]

I do not think we have met, Welcome. I do not know your story. Sounds like you may need to talk to your Doctor. I mostly deal with my Primary Care and Psychiatrist since mt MS Specialist is both busy and expensive.  

For back and neck pain I first of went to Physical Therapy and got exercises to do which help. I have to keep as active as possible. I also take baclofen, oxycoden on a small scale when needed. I take several anti seizure medicines as well for pain.

For sleep I exercise more, go to bed and get up at the same time, do not nap in the day. I take a cocktail of medications my Psychiatrist came up with over the years of trial and error. I tried ambien and the like but I had bad experiences.

The same drugs that help for pain and sleep help with anxiety as does diet and exercise.

I also go to a therapist for all your complaints. I vent, she teaches me strategies to deal with all the above. She also is licensed in hypnosis. I have learned self hypnosis. I can put myself to sleep, I can use it when in acute spasm. I use it to bring my anxiety down. I use lots lower doses of medication because of it which is good for my liver.

I also have changed my diet gradually since 2007. My over all health is better which help the MS.

Up until 2007 I had terrible insomnia which led to more pain anxiety. In the last three years I have had little trouble with sleep.

My pain with MS is pretty bad but I manage it really well with all the above.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Alex

[babbs620]

Hi My name is Barbara and I havent been dx with ms Neruo still doing test, but I understand the pain and the stress and the fear. I never been one to go to the dr and express emotions or ask for pain pills. But last week I did, It was really difficult to ask the doc for help when you dont have a dx.

  But he was more understanding then i expected he gave me pain meds and provigil for the exhausion, not having the bad pain in my back has made my movements so much better and helped with the tremors and that seems to also help with the exhaustion and the anixity, i know its a temp fix but the break has helped me cope.

  Dont be afraid to reach out and ask for help remember you are worth it and you deserve to be pain free.

    God bless good luck Barbara

[Sumanadevii]

Is the anxiety caused from not having a diagnosis or from pain?  Either way, both need to be treated.  There is no reason for us to be in pain with the medications out there to help us.  Now I am not speaking about pain "free".  With chronic pain if we can just get some control over it so it doesn't spin out of control.  The anxiety needs treatment too.  It really is a personal choice if done by meditation, hypnosis, prayer or drugs.  If mine doesn't get out of control, I do well with meditation.  Then there are times....medication is necessary to calm me.