back muscle spams

[JB74]

hey guys,

I know the spams are normal for MS. I was diagnosed just a month or so ago. Known since Oct but you know how it is, you have to wait a while for them to say yes it is MS. Anyway, i always had muscle spams. Nothing i couldnt handle. I was given pills (flexeril 10 mg) and they used to work. But lately...no matter what i take the pain is overwelming. I cant even walk! idk if my mind is playing tricks on me. If im making it worse than it really is. Dont take me wrong, i believe i can take the pain (hey i had 3 kids...yeah i can take pain LOL) but i dont think this is right.

Basically...what can i take or do to prevent or ease the pain. I already try to swim, pills of course, walk (which made it worse) lay in bed...hot/ice and heating pads. Nothing works. Now i am at work and its not easy sitting here trying to make it seems like im fine. Another question...could it NOT be due to MS this pain?

ohh forgot top mention...i am in such a bad mood. i want to think its because i am in pain. But i dont like this. Too many things too quickly. Once i posted a question on "how do i know if this is an episode" i think i know now. ;-(

[tripnstumble]

I spoke way to soon earlier. Mine got so bad I just got back from the ER ughh A shot of tramadol didn't help so they sent me home with none other then flexeril, percocet and motrin ughhh. They took back x-rays and he said my spasms are straightening my upper back. Then said I should follow up with my doctor... really? :)

I hope your Dr. gives you something more then Flexeril and it eases your pain.

[JB74]

Thx so much for the info. I will call my doctor to see if he can give me something stronger than flexeril. I tell you this much, pain is not going away. Glad to see i am not alone on this, and this is "normal" for us.

[Sumanadevii]

Baclofen is the only medicine that works on spasticity  for me.  It does dry my mouth out.  I suck on hard candies or a small pebble to keep things moist.  No other medicine works as well for me.  I have also been known to take a pain pill and just crash due to the pain level.

[tripnstumble]

I'm still in limbo. but this was my first symptom something was wrong which I of course ignored until the legs went. Anyhow, I still get it, right now as a matter of fact (upper back) but right now It's tolerable. I tried flexril with no luck, Soma which just made me goofy sorta helped. Even tried a chiropractor with no luck but more pain. I know for awhile between the fatigue and the back pain I was constantly sleeping on the floor with a heating pad. For some reason the hard floor felt much better then my bed.

As for the tens unit. OMG never again... My hubby had back surgery and insisted I try it, it would help. lol WOW no way! I felt like I was being electrocuted by the darn thing. I don't know if it's me or that's a normal feeling but it's one feeling I did not like and really had my muscles jumping.

[bairdy]

hi
i can so relate to back spasms upper and lower !!
i have had them for years that come and go for no raeson my pt said its spasticity i get it more if i over do it ie standing for to long walking or just being busy its so not nice when it grips ya . i used to use a mixture of things . ice pack heat pack, pain killers nothing worked. i tried a tens macine once for it but never again boy did it make it worse !!!
now days i have been given baclofen 10mg 3x daily and gabapentin and its the only thing that has ever worked for me. and yes the spasms made me so grumpy its only natural .
hope you get some relief soon !!!!!!
regards bairdy

[RazCarver]

sounds like maybe you need to see your doctor. I take flexerile 2 times a day ( well I'm suppose to) but when the back spasms are bad it don't stop the pain. normally i get put on predisone, flexerile 3x and hydros 3x.  then again I tend to keep going until I can't and am down a week at lest.

heat sometimes helps the pain. sometimes ice. never anything that works all the time. yes it could be you pulled a muscle too. or not. I always have to check my attitude when I'm in pain. way to easy to snap or fly off.

sorry I can't help you. other then the doctor. just wanted you to know you are heard and not alone. bet there will be others along with better info.
Raz

[COBOB]

This sounds more like the spasticity I get than simple muscle spasms.  It is commonly treated with Baclofen or Zanaflex.  I have been forced to use Vicodin on top of the antispasmodic if the pain gets too ridiculous.  When that happens, I'm curled up in bed anyhow, so it's not like the narcotics are any danger at that point.

Bob