Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of MS PainPrescriptionsInteractionsOTC MedicationsNon-Drug OptionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of MS Pain
Prescriptions
Interactions
OTC Medications
Non-Drug Options
Frequently Asked Questions
Chronic pain is one of the most common symptoms ofmultiple sclerosis(MS), an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers called the myelin sheath. Chronic pain can affect your quality of life, making it hard to complete everyday tasks. It may also affect your mental health. Living with chronic pain can be difficult since it is invisible and often hard to explain to others. Everyone with MS experiences pain differently.
This article will discuss the various treatment options for managingMS pain, including prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and non-drug pain management options such as physical therapy, exercise, and alternative medicine.
There are many types of MS pain. Understanding how the disease causes pain and the ways to treat it can help you manage symptoms of the disease.
Neuropathic Pain
With neuropathic pain, you may experience:
Experiencing neuropathic pain can also lead to other symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and difficulty sleeping. Carrying out physical or mental tasks can become more difficult as well.
Musculoskeletal Pain
Musculoskeletalpain refers to pain that occurs in the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. In MS, this type of pain usually occurs in the neck, wrists, andknees, but it can also manifest asback painor pain in the elbows, shoulders, hips, or ankles.
Spasticity Pain
Spasticityis a tightening of the muscles that interferes with movement. With spasticity, the legs, arms, or back may stiffen or become tight. You may feel cramping as well. This can make it difficult to move around, and it causes pain not only in the area that is experiencing spasticity but in adjacent areas as well.
Prescription Pain Management
Prescription pain medications can be used to treat all types of MS pain. These medications include muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and antiepileptics.
Muscle Relaxants
Muscle relaxants are used to treat spasticity and the pain surrounding the tightening of the muscles.
These include but are not limited to:
Side effects of muscle relaxants like baclofen can include dizziness, weakness, headache, confusion, nausea, tiredness, and constipation.Talk to your healthcare provider if any of these interfere with your daily life.
Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline are often the first choice for treating neuropathic pain.
While antidepressants can help treat neuropathic pain, they can also treat depression associated with MS at the same time. Taking an antidepressant can help with both symptoms.
The side effects for antidepressants include drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, low blood pressure, and difficulty fully emptying your bladder.
MS and DepressionResearch has found that pain and depression can amplify one another. So, if you are in pain, your chances of having depression symptoms increase, and vice versa. Treating them both at once can help with the pain cycle.
MS and Depression
Research has found that pain and depression can amplify one another. So, if you are in pain, your chances of having depression symptoms increase, and vice versa. Treating them both at once can help with the pain cycle.
Antiepileptics
Antiepileptics, sometimes known as anticonvulsants, can help with certain types of neuropathic pain, like that which occurs with trigeminal neuralgia and Lhermitte’s sign.
Side effects of antiepileptics like gabapentin include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, increased appetite, weight gain, and tiredness.
If you are taking an antiepileptic, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about possible side effects.
Warnings and Interactions
While some of these medications may safely be prescribed at the same time, it’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan to avoid any adverse reactions from the combination of drugs.
It is common for people with MS to be prescribed five or more medications at a time. In addition to treating your MS pain, you may also be on disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and other medications for symptom management.
If there is anything you don’t understand about your treatment plan, it’s essential that you ask questions. Also, talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any negative side effects that affect your daily life.
How Multiple Sclerosis Is Treated
OTC Pain Management
Over-the-counter pain relievers such asnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), like Aleve (naproxen) and Advil (ibuprofen), can treat musculoskeletal pain and headaches common with MS.
These medications can relieve pain and lower inflammation in the body, which can also help with the pain associated with MS.
If you are using NSAIDs on a frequent basis, you should talk to your healthcare provider to make sure that you are not causing damage to your body.
Non-Drug Pain Management
In addition to medication, there are other steps you can take to help manage the pain from MS.
Many people turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices, such asacupunctureandmassage, to help relieve symptoms.
In some areas,cannabishas been approved to treat pain and spasticity in MS. However, there is no scientific evidence that using cannabis helps people with MS. Due to restrictive laws, studies on cannabis have not been extensive.
One study did find that people who remained active and at a healthy weight experienced less pain from their MS.If you are having difficulty starting or returning to an exercise regimen, a physical therapist can help you manage movement in a way that makes sense for your body and your course of MS.
Living with MS requires a fine balance between engaging in activities that make you feel better, such as exercise, stretching, and eating healthy, and finding the motivation to do those things when you’re in pain.
Managing the Fine Line of PainLiving with pain can cause other symptoms, such as fatigue and depression, which can in turn make the pain worse.This can cause a cycle in which, because you’re in pain, you develop fatigue or depression, and because you’re depressed, your pain intensifies. When the pain intensifies, so does the fatigue and depression, and you’re less motivated to remain active.This may make it difficult for you to start or continue healthy habits like eating well and exercising. Create a plan with your healthcare provider to stay active while managing MS pain.
Managing the Fine Line of Pain
Living with pain can cause other symptoms, such as fatigue and depression, which can in turn make the pain worse.This can cause a cycle in which, because you’re in pain, you develop fatigue or depression, and because you’re depressed, your pain intensifies. When the pain intensifies, so does the fatigue and depression, and you’re less motivated to remain active.This may make it difficult for you to start or continue healthy habits like eating well and exercising. Create a plan with your healthcare provider to stay active while managing MS pain.
Living with pain can cause other symptoms, such as fatigue and depression, which can in turn make the pain worse.This can cause a cycle in which, because you’re in pain, you develop fatigue or depression, and because you’re depressed, your pain intensifies. When the pain intensifies, so does the fatigue and depression, and you’re less motivated to remain active.
This may make it difficult for you to start or continue healthy habits like eating well and exercising. Create a plan with your healthcare provider to stay active while managing MS pain.
A Word From Verywell
Living with the unpredictability of MS can be difficult, but knowing your treatment options can help you manage your condition. When you’re in the middle of a painful flare, you might not be able to see your way out of it. However, understanding your pain management options ahead of time can help you prepare for when the pain recurs. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment options for you.
Prescription and OTC medications can help with MS pain. Prescription medications include antidepressants, antiepileptics, and muscle relaxants. OTC medications include pain relievers like NSAIDs.
16 Sources
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