spasm/pain neuro wont help

Question

So I just finished ivsm I don't know if its a side effect but my muscles always do crazy things afterwards. Normally its the worst Charlie horses ever.
 This time my back is locking up cramping something awful especially when I lie down. I was desparate and trying not to bother my neuro. I have balcofen and it wasn't helping I went to the Dr. And they took xrays of my spine. They said it was curved a bit but as bad if spasms I'm having I'm not suprised I'm pulled one way or another. She gave me a tegretol injection it was supposed to last for 5 days. It didn't last til 6pm.
 The pcp said I could take up to 80 mg of balcofen. So I started taking more I took up to 50mg and it did nothing and I didn't like the way it made me feel. Plus I ran out and had to wait the weekend for the neuro to ok a refill.
 
My boyfriend can feel the knots in my back, I was dying in pain through the weekend cause I can't afford to go to the ER. 

I called the neuro Monday told them how much I had taken and that it didn't do anything and I don't like the way it makes me feel. 

Finally heard back today but wasn't able to talk to them. They said that that was way to much that I should take 10 mg three times daily at the most. THAT DOEES NOTHING! The injection didnt last. Nothing is helping! And no one will do anything. The stupid Dr's office called in some tramadol but I can still feel my back locking up in horrible spasms. With this tramadol and balcofen. Tramadol makes the pain less but my back is still locking up and its still painful.

 I am thinking about going to a pain Dr now but I'm scared. And desperate! I don't want more pain meds I want something that will make my muscles relax so they won't cause pain.

Does this sound logical? What do I do? I give up on my neuro and pcp. communication is too difficult.

kwarendorf · Answer

Hi Alex - Just an FYI, tis thread is aa year old. Some of the original posters may no longer be here. Feel free to tell us about yourself in a new "question".

Kyle

alexpmgr8 · Answer

heat pads are a great idea too, they give me some relief if i use five hand size pads at the same time, but, a tennis ball between your back and the wall will push these lumps away.

alexpmgr8 · Answer

hi, alex here, i am 42. i have primary proggressive m.s.. I also have this back problem from time to time.  My beloved finds these lumps caused by spasms, and with two thumbs steadily increasses pressure untill they deflate. This will take two or three days of one pressing per day per lump , in conjuction with tramadol, they may re-inflate each day deepending on severity . This really helps me release that locked thing. Like you say the tramadol doesn''t do much. Valium are bad too at relaxing the muscles as nightmares are the side affect. This isn't treated well by drugs. Sativa weed, THC pills or sativex will really keep this at bay however. good luck, hope it goes away sooon !! My beloved is an LPN taking her RN.

HoustonDogLove · Answer

Yes, the other night I used a heating pad and it helped! 

I don't know why I didn't think of it.... I guess cause some people heat makes things worse. And partially I guess cause a while ago a Dr told me cooling works better than heating. 

 Today i went to the chiropractor thinking alternative medicine may help, and he did an adjustment and used a laser on my knees that have been bothering me and along my spine and and I think it's helping, my knees felt almost immediately better. 

I'm still having some issues still but it's not agony anymore. :-)

I guess I'm cold backed like some horses.

Sumanadevii · Answer

I wouldn't be afraid of going to a doctor that specializes in pain.  They have many things at hand to help ease the pain.  Narcotics are the last on the list.  Neuro's just don't have the time to tweak the meds to be of much help.  It may take the pain clinic a month or more to get you into a comfort zone.  

Also, I think we have to be aware that the medications available only take the edge of serious pain but enough for us to continue enjoying life.

I would give it a try.

sarahw244 · Answer

I really have nothing to offer you already that what you are doing, but I feel your pain.  I have been going through something similiar for the last few months with these muscle spasms that no one will treat.

Have you tried a heating pad?  Moist heat?  That is about the only thing that seems to bring me the slightest bit of relief.  I have a neck pillow that has rice in it (or something like rice) and I warm it up in the microwave.  Don't leave it on for more that 20 mins at a time if you do.

When I had PT yesterday I asked them if a TENS unit would help me and they said 'no' but they let me try one anyways while I was sitting there.  It DID help a lot!  I am not sure why, but it did.  Maybe it would help you?

Anyways, I really do hope you feel better soon!  Muscle spasms are horrible!  Especially when they are really painful!
Sarah

HoustonDogLove · Answer

I'm also taking magnesium, soaking in epson salts, eating bananas, using bengay cooling/liniment type things just about anything I can think of to help. but the other day I did adaptive yoga and i could do almost anything except lay in the corpse pose. I had a massage when all this started too.