[legzzalot]

At night every night it feels like my joints are turning to stone, which only gets worse after I go to bed. I went to bed at 11 last night... it was some time after 1 when I fell asleep, and it was 4:30 on the dot when I woke up in extreme pain!

This has become a pretty typical night for me lately. I know that my back and both of my knees have arthritis (amazing at the age of 29) but it is killing me! I know I should stop complaining and call the doc who always tries to put my on pain killers, but I hate taking those things, they do nothing for the pain, just make me sleepy and make my tummy hurt.


Judging by the cold rainy weather, it looks like I may have another week of yuck.

Does anyone else treat these pains with a more natural approach? Are there vitamins I don't know about?

[soxmom]

I hear you. I was up at 4:30 this a.m. not able to sleep because of
back and hip pain. I put a hot pack on my back and another on my hip.
Its the only thing that helps. Good luck, Im sorry you are in so much pain.

[mrsD]

Lidoderm patches work well for localized pain issues. I've been using them for years now.

1/2 patch on each knee in the right spot (some experimentation needed) can be as effective as oral NSAIDs.

There are also OTC Salonpas which work well too.

[Dejibo]

I have been using biofreeze. My muscles, and joints are so stiff. Im tired and just want to sleep!

I hope you feel better.

[barb02]

I couldn't get to sleep last night because my knee and hip were aching and burning so much. And I take ambien and baclofen. I haven't slept well for days either. So after three hours, I got up and took three advil. I do not like to take it because it also upsets my tummy and I had ulcers in the past. So eventually, I manged to fall asleep and woke up a few hours later with a charlie horse in my calve. I haven't found the salonpas to be very effective. I may ask my pcp about the lidoderm patches.

[Erin524]

I've been taking baclofen for mine. I dont take that during the day (makes me sleepy) and I can tell during the day that things are stiff, especially in my feet.

[legzzalot]

LOL well let's see.... I called the ortho, who pulled my files from my visit a year ago and he says well, yes you have arthritis in both knees, the severe ankle sprain is indeed your culprit on that pain, and your mri did show arthritis in your spine. Seeing as you are 29 yrs old, and not in bad shape overall (except for the MS of course), I am beginning to suspect RA which is another autoimmune issue. I would consult with your neurologist, and see if she agrees. In the mean time, I would recommend you get the cortisone shots that you have been refusing for the last 10 years....

EXCEPT.... I am on Tysabri and my neuro says absolutely NO steroids.... so the cortisone is still out. Not that it matters I did that shot in the knee once and it hurt worse than the pain I went in for.

Neuro is calling me in more Ambien and something for the pain and most likely a refill on the NSAIDs. The chiro (who I LOVE!), used to be a phys therapist. Today I was telling him of the aches and pains, as I was there a day early for the back pain... he decided to work on my hips, knees and ankles too while he was at it. Felt great for an hour! Then it got cold again....

[Debbie D]

Leggs, so sorry you're having so much trouble with pain...hope the docs can help you

[legzzalot]

I love it when they tell you they are going to call you in something to help you sleep and to help with the pain... and as I sit here at 12:30 in the morning because it hurts too bad to lay down.... because they forgot to call in my prescriptions....

But such is life. I will deal with it in a couple of hours when they open.

[Judy2]

leggz: I'm so sorry to hear of the pain you're experiencing, but I know exactly where you're coming from. In my 20's I was thought to have RA also......I think it was a precurser to the MS. I have osteo-inflammatory-degenerative arthritis now which started in my 40's, so age doesn't really seem to play a part. Tried all the NSAIDS including the shots in my hips, but nothing seems to work and the narcotics just put me in a "stupor". Not wanting to go through life like a zombie, I just take two Aleve when I first get up to help take the edge off, and just deal with the pain.

As far as sleeping, this is why I sleep in my recliner. It's a lift chair which makes getting up a little easier, but the back and hip pain is alot less than lying in bed!!! I don't sleep soundly for long periods at a time anyway, so I put in some quiet movies for that constant background noise -- it seems to help my little yappy dog sleep better too as she doesn't hear every little noise. Her crate/bed is next to my recliner. Of course if she does bark -- WHOA -- a rude awakening! lol!!

From what I've read, some of us with MS cite pain as our worst symptom. Guess we're just a couple of the "lucky" ones. NOT!! I'm waiting for medical MJ to become legal in PA as it's supposed to work wonders for pain.

Good luck and here's wishing less pain for us all....