Managing pain in multiple sclerosis

When you think about multiple sclerosis symptoms, pain isn't the first thing that comes to mind. From the outside you can't see it, those who know the person may not even realize the amount of pain they experience But, it's there.

The pain associated with multiple sclerosis comes in many forms. Stabbing pains, muscle spasms, pins and needles, or little twinges that seemed to come from nowhere are all common. They are all caused by the same thing -nerve damage.

Pain associated with multiple sclerosis is classified in two types, acute pain and chronic pain. The acute pain of multiple sclerosis is sharp and brief. It seems to come and go randomly.

Trigeminal Neuralgia – this is a stabbing pain in the face. It may feel like someone stabbing you in the face with a needle. Many people say that it sometimes feels like a toothache however, it is caused by damage to the trigeminal nerve. Most of the time, this type of pain can be treated successfully with medications such as carbamazepine or phenytoin.

Lhermitte's Sign is a very common symptom in multiple sclerosis. When I the person ends their head forward there is a stabbing feeling similar to being shocked with an electrical wire. Anticonvulsant medications may be prescribed to prevent this sensation, or the person may choose to wear a soft collar to keep them from bending the neck forward.

For burning or aching your doctor may prescribe and anticonvulsant medication called gabapentin (Neurontin) or an antidepressant medication called amitriptyline (Elavil). Both of these medications modify the way the central nervous system reacts to pain. When a compression stocking or glove might help by converting the sensation to pay into a pressure. Placing a warm compress on the area might help convert this pain sensation to warmth.

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