Nerve pain

[Paula9]

Hi,
I have MS and was diagnosed 8 years ago.  Lately I have been experiencing pain from my shoulder down to my elbow.  It comes without warning and it is excruciating.  It seems to last about 45 minutes, it feels like a knife is jabbed into my skin and someone is twisting it.  Touching the area brings no relief, I think that it makes it worse.  I might have 5 attacks a day, then none for a day or two.  Nighttime seems to be the worse.  I am on Neurontin and my neurologist just put me on Cymbalta to see if that helps.  Unfortunately, I am still experencing pain.  Does any have any similar pain?  I am open to ideas as to how to deal with the pain. Thanks....Paula

[Momzilla]

Hi, Paula, and welcome!

I'm glad you found us, too, and have already gotten some good responses.  We look forward to getting to know you!

I'm sorry about your diagnosis, but here we can hopefully steer you toward some good information when you need it and I know we can offer some great support and friendship.

I am not diagnosed, but do have stabbing pains in the back of my calf.  It feels exactly like a knife is being twisted in my muscle.  Well, I have never, ever had a knife twisted in my calf muscle, so I really do not KNOW that it's exactly how it feels, but it's exactly how I've described it to my doctor!  I can say that!

I think that what you may be feeling is pain caused by spasticity.  I think that although you do need to tackle the pain, the first line of defense may be to treat the spasticity.  Have you ever been on Baclofen or anything to treat spasms?  Try talking to your doc about what you are experiencing and perhaps s/he will have an idea of what to prescribe.

In the mean time, you may want to try something like magnesium orotate at the health food store.  It helps a lot of us here with spasms.  But, please be sure to let your doc know about the pain.  There is no need for you to suffer with it.

Please let us know more about yourself.  We're eager to hear more from you!

Take care, and feel well!

Momzilla*

[Rena705]

Hey Paula and welcome to the MS Forum.  In response to your post I would like to say that the Cymbalta may take a bit of time to start showing you any relief.  Many of us here suffer from this "Nerve Pain" and it is not pleasant but you may have to try a few different meds before you find the one that will work for that pain.  I have tried topamax, neurontin, lyrica, tegretol and finally they tried elavil (amitriptyline) for the pain in my legs and it seems to have helped.  Apparently it works by leveling off your sleep pattern and in turn that seems to alleviate the pain.  Elavil used to be used as an anti-depressant but they find it works better for pain.  

Personally I found that heat and massage didn't help me at all...in fact, the heat seems to exacerbate my symptoms and I think it is due to the fact that any heat applied will increase my core temperature and in turn cause further spasms in my legs.  However, if it works for you I say go for it but please be careful.  Raising that core temp in you CNS can cause a relapse and possible damage that can't be reversed.  Wobbly was right that some meds just don't help some of us but that doesn't mean that you can't try something else...but give the Cymbalta a couple of weeks to work...it needs to build up in your body before you may notice any relief.  If then you have found you are getting no relief, don't hesitate to return to the neuro and get something else...there are options, sometimes we just have to dig for them a little.

Lots of Hugs,
Rena

[sllowe]

Thanks Wobbly!

Hi Paula  -

I have daily pain in my left arm.  Sometimes worse than others, but always there, and I can relate to the stabbing twisting feeling.

I always figured it was coming from my neck.  As I have things going on in there w/spurring, and have had HNP in the past, etc. When it's herniated, I sure know it.  But, no-one seemed to think it was a big deal but me.  I was dx'd w/MS last year. I wonder if this is from MS or from my neck.  I have a large lesion in my C-spine at about the same level.

I only take naproxen, that doesn't work very well.  I just read a post from Amyloo about the Cymbolta that sounds promising.

I'm glad you have come our way.  As you see we have undiagnosed, diagnosed, and some who have been diagnosed w/other conditions, but we are quite the family.  We learn a lot w/each other and hold each other up no matter what.

Are you on DMDs?
HOpe to see you around,
shell

[Wobbly]

"bump"

[Paula9]

Yes I'm new to this forum.  Thanks for your reply.  I'll try the heat. And my husband is a saint also!

When I get a spasm I try to work through the pain because I've heard that if you dwell on pain, it just makes it worse.  But lately, I've been failing. I feel so frustrated, nothing I do
makes the pain lessen.....Oh well.........

Thanks and have a nice day!

Paula

[Wobbly]

are you new to the forum...if so..Welcome .. I'm not yet Dx and it's been a few years waiting and tetsting..

I have simular pain in my left thigh Leg... sometimes behind my leg...it will feel like a vise grip is on there...and twisting it...I take Neurontin...just started a week ago.. no help with this type of pain though.... I will try a heating bead pad...that you put in the micro wave...and warm it up..it helps temp... and my hubby will massage my legs for me..

sorry, my Dr says he doesn't know what else to try... Tyl 3s don't seem to help...but they do put me to sleep easier..

take care and let us know how your doing.

wobbly
undx