I figured I might have damaged my kidneys with too many meds, my lower back has been hurting so bad, but my lab work last week came up good for everything. That makes happy to be sure, but I can't figure out what's going on. It really, really aches. I'm limping around like an old(er) man and stretching, exercise, etc hasn't made it any better.

Anybody else have issues with the muscles in their lower back that can't be explained by anything other than the MS? I've also considered that it might be joint pain from the copaxone.

I've tried zanaflex and that doesn't seem to make any difference. I can take the vicidins and it's sufferable then, but I don't want to keep that up for long.

Hi Keith,

I had upper back pain for several months, on two occasions last year. The pain coincided with a flare up of my C-spine lesion(s), and was combined with other MS symptoms.

I was checked for everything under the sun, including osteoperosis. I went for MANY massages . . . to no avail. It wasn't until the pain went away, BOTH TIMES when the flares let up, that I was convinced it was related to the MS.

The location in the spinal cord that can affect the lower back is L-3. Have you ever had a T spine MRI (which would show a L spine lesion)? If it is not a lesion that is causing this, it may be that you are compensating for other muscle weakness, ie. foot, legs, etc., by straining the muscles in your lower back. This is common cause of many upper and lower back problems with MS actually.

If I were you, I'd check out physiotheraphy to see if they can see a structural, muscle, or gait issue that could be causing this. I would also consider massages by someone who is very experienced in treating MS patients (both physio and massuese should be).

My doc gave me some great exercises to tighten my tummy muscles when I was having lower back pain, and in that case it wasn't related to the MS. If you save this on your comp, you can print it so it is legible.



Cherie

Thanks Cherie. I'll give them a shot. I have had a MRI of my neck and it came back clean though it was about a year ago. I don't think I've had an attack since my last one in May and that was ON. Mayo in Scottsdale is in my plans for October (can't go to Phoenix in the summer anymore...way toooo hot) so I'll get the once over there but that's a while to suffer.

If it doesn't get any better I guess it's another round of testing here. I'm getting awful sick of doctor's offices. Awful sick.

meeeh, what are you gonna do.

...i deal with that pain too....it hurts to sit..stand...walk and lay down....

basically everything hurts....all the time...no fun....hope you find relief

I have MS and only MS...that's where my back pain started. My neuro put me on 10mg Baclofen 3x daily and it made the world a difference. Stretching certainly helps but I do need the Baclofen too.

Later, I tried Zanaflex and instead of it making me tired it kept me awake for 3 days. Baclofen does not make me tired or weak in the least. Slowly over time my Baclofen dosage has been increased.

Take care.

I suffer miserably with mid and lower back pain!!!

Exercise and stretching doesn't help me. (I do have lesions in my spine).

Mine is muscle pain not joint pain.

I think alot of my pain is due to my gait. Hope you find something that calms it.

If ya do let me know. I'm working with my doc with medicine combinations. No luck so far.

Hi Kao, Lower back pain is usually caused by weak muscles that will then, spasm. I've lived with it all my adult life, but since I discovered the stretching legs out and then bringing knees up to chest and holding there for a minute....repeat a few times, I haven't had the the back spasms, in a long time.

I believe it's shown above, in Cherie's illustration. The back and hip strengthening exercises are also very good. I hope it works as well for you.

It sounds like he gave you a C-spine (neck) MRI, not a T-spine (mid-back) MRI. It is the T-spine that "houses" the part of the cord (Lumbar) that may have lesions causing this type of pain.

Lesions in the L-spine are not that common actually, so it is more likely related to muscles, gait, etc. causing this pain. If the stretching exercises are helping slightly, keep with them if you can as they will further strengthen and relax muscles the more you do them.

I get lazy on doing them sometimes, but always go back to them when things get difficult again.

Cherie