[AynaDee]

Hey there! First time post! I am 22 diagnosed with MS last year. For the past few days I have been experiencing a massive amount of pain in my back. My muscles in my ENTIRE back are very stiff, sore and uncomfortable. The only relief I get is when I lay all the way down. It feels like they're too weak to support my body weight. I'm only 5'4 and 127lbs. I feel like my muscles are really tired and over-worked in my back. I have been sure not to over do myself the past few days and it hasn't got any better. What are your opinions on what this could be.... I'm thinkin it's a new lesion in my spinal cord but I am still really new to the MS game....


Thanks!

Ana

[barb02]

Hey Ayna, I do think you should let your neuro know about this new symptom if it lasts for more than a few days. I have a lesion in the thoracic area of my spine that causes a lot of pain and muscle spasticity in my back and rib cage.

[Kitty]

I agree with Barb that you should let your Neuro know about it.

I've found it helpful to keep a journal of all my symptoms and medications. It sure does help when the doctor asks what new problems you're experiencing and what meds you're taking. Plus, you can read back through it and get a better feel for what's improved and what's not.

With MS, I've discovered I have different aches and pains in different parts of my body quite frequently. Most of the time (for me, anyway) it's the weather and its changes causing my body to rebel. Summer to Fall to Winter is the worst time for me "aches and pains"-wise. Winter to Spring to Summer is the worst allergy-wise.

[NurseNancy]

i agree with the others ana.
any new, different, painful sx (symptom) that hangs on over 72 hrs you should call your neuro about.

he might be able to prescribe something to break up the spasm.
it doesn't necessarily mean lesions but it's best to let the dr figure it out.

have you tried a heating pad. lay down and use it on low heat. on 20 min and off 20 min. you can also try cold and decide which gives you more relief.
don't use heat too long as it can dry the muscle out.

please keep in touch with us.
feel better.

[AynaDee]

Thank you all for your responses. I had an appointment with my neuro yesterday, but I canceled because I have no money for the $100 co-pay and no insurance so I didn't want to rack up a bill. My mom heard about the problem I have been having and is insisting I get in and she'll pay for it. So I called and left a message to schedule an appointment ASAP as I am having these problems, so I will keep you posted once I hear from the doc. Again, Thank you all!

Sincerely,
Ana D

[ewizabeth]

Hi Ana,

With one of my worst MS relapses I had really bad back symptoms much like what you describe. My back was very stiff with pain that would only subside by laying down to rest. I also had what I call "noodle spine" and weak legs. It was in August 2002 and the first time I suspected anything was wrong.

I hope you'll call your doctor just to let him or her know what's going on. Take care...

[wkikta]

Originally Posted by AynaDee

... My muscles in my ENTIRE back are very stiff, sore and uncomfortable. The only relief I get is when I lay all the way down. It feels like they're too weak to support my body weight...

... I feel like my muscles are really tired and over-worked in my back...
Ana

The pain/stiffness in your back could be from you working very hard to maintain your balance. The laying down to get relief is a good indication of this. What is easy for others can be quite difficult for us.

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by wkikta

The pain/stiffness in your back could be from you working very hard to maintain your balance. The laying down to get relief is a good indication of this. What is easy for others can be quite difficult for us.

Bill's right. I was having leg and hip pain and it was all because of the way I walked! We tend to tense up when we feel off balance or feel like we're walking on uneven ground. It can make a real difference in other parts of your body!

[AynaDee]

Thanks for the new responses! What you are saying makes sense. I already have balance problems but for the last few days I've noticed my gait is slightly worse than the norm so maybe me being so unbalanced lately is why these back muscles are suffering. How do you try to tell your body NOT to over compensate when it's constantly trying to balance itself? I do think my muscle spasms in my sleep have something to do with this. What I don't understand is why my back muscle spasms only occur in my sleep, when the spasms in my arms, legs, face, abdomen and feet occur while I am awake and functioning for the day? Still waiting to hear back from my neuro.....

[Lady]

Hi Ana,
Let's think about this. You said your back spasms are worse when laying down and sleeping. You are not a large person. You said 127 lbs and 5'4".

Could it be your mattress? Maybe some extra padding, better support, or a Memory foam topper? Just a thought. When I lay down I wake to these pains too.

Since I bought the foam, 2 inch topper, the bones that stick out on my back get relief. I have large bones, but I am thin too.

Just thinking of other ideas. I hope you feel better soon.