Hi,

I've was dx with MS last year and I was symptom free for about 7-8 months. My first two initial issues last year were leg weakness and double vision. Anyway, I've noticed that the muscles in my legs are really tight feeling on and off...somedays the muscles feel very tight..some days it's not so bad. Also, over the past few weeks I've had increasing muscle aches/pains.

For those that have had MS for awhile now, is this common in MS? I'm new to all this so it's hard for me to figure out why is attributable to the MS and what's not.

Thanks!
Betsy

For alot of us this is normal. Its called spasticity. Muscles tighten but dont relax. There are meds out there to help. I take baclofen, others take different meds. Stretching helps some too. For me stretching makes it worse. Keeping active is a good way to help with spasticity. I do a stationary bike to help. I also try to walk, but my legs dont work well anymore so walking is limited for me. Keep hydrated with water and try to exercise as best you can

I take valium, which isnt really helping me this week.

My low back is the worst right now. I feel like all my muscles in my back are curling up into a ball of tightness and pain right now.

Seriously considering going up to Massage Envy and seeing how much it costs for a back massage. (if that would help)

Welcome Betsy..

Spasticity could sure explain your aches and pains. Tight muscles hurt darn it! I would suggest a mild relaxant to start. I used Robaxin with some success, in the early years. Valium is a heavy hitter and can be addictive.

I hope you stick around and get to know us. We make nice friends..

If you take valium correctly and responsibly, chances are you wont become addicted. (according to the doctor that Rx-ed it to me)

I dont take it full strength (full strength for me is 5mg.) I've only ever taken it full strength last winter when I had a panic attack over the flare I was having and my dad and my aunt, (dad's a nurse anesthetist, aunt is a nurse practitioner) decided that I needed to calm down. For spasticity, I break the pills into 1/4ths and just take a 1/4th. I also dont take it every day. Maybe a few times a month every few months when I cant get stretching and exercise to work for my spasticity.

I prefer exercising and doing the stretches that I learned in PT to taking something that knocks me out and makes me have weird dreams. (had a really really bizarre valium dream last night. I think I'll be skipping the valium tonight)

It's not tylenol. Valium is for special occasions.

Spactisity(SP?)

I haven't had that issue yet, but have some pain in my legs...most notably right now, but I think it's the weather not MS....I did a lot of activity in very humid conditions so I'll blame it on that.

And hello there

Ah yes, one of my traveling companions on this MS journey is the wonderful reminder that my muscles are never at rest...I stretch (when I remember)...I was taking a lot of zanaflex, a muscle relaxer, but now have heart beat irregularities. So I only take one occasionally...I might have to try Botox, which is used to relax muscles in MS patients. my neuro & I have discussed this in the past and it might now be time to try it...