Another restless night for me....I have such bad joint pain in my arms and legs - especially my right knee joint. I take Neurontin and Baclofen (800 mg & 20 mg respectively) before I go to bed. My Neuro even called in a prescription for Darvocet for me which does absolutely nothing. Doesn't even make me drowsy. I've taken Ibuprofen and that doesn't help.

I hate to whine about it but I just need some consistent sleep!! I know I can up the amount of Neurontin I take and may have to do just that. I hesitate to call my Neuro again because I don't want him to think I'm on the hunt for stronger narcotic pain meds. I'm not. I'd love to take nothing!

OK - rant/whine over. I'm just tired and grumpy and sick of this pain.

I hear you, Kelly, and I'll pray that you find an answer soon. Whenever my doctors ask "How is your sleeping?" I tell them that most of the time I sleep FINE if I can get comfortable.

What if you asked if your doctor had any suggestions about sleeping positions or physical therapy or exercises before bedtime that might help, then tell him what excruciating pain you still have. Let HIM suggest stronger meds, if necessary.

I have muscle spasms, various pain from MS AND arthritis, and it's impossible to find a sleeping position where all my body parts are happy.

I'm so sorry you're in pain Kelly. There's nothing worse than pain, and especially at night when nothing will ease it. You end up feeling so sleep deprived.

I suppose you've tried rubbing with one of those Menthol Deep Heat creams, or an anti-inflammatory cream at bed time? I just wondered if they might be of some assistance. I daresay that by now you've tried everything on the market, but I thought I'd mention it just the same just in case.

Thanks for the replies, ya'll. Yes, I've tried the pain relief creams but they don't touch the pain. It's so frustrating! The only thing one cream did was send my cat into catnip like fits of energy!! I finally had to wash it off because I couldn't keep her off the bed and from trying to "knead" my leg... Actually, I probably should have let her - it would have been the closest thing to a massage I'd get!

Kelly I am sorry you are in so much pain. You really need to call the Neuro and let him know. I take Darvocet for a while and at first it did help but now it doesn't do anything for me and I have cut back on my Baclofen from 4x a day to just 2 since I lost my insurance. I am trying to save all I have. Makes for restless days and nights though..... I feel for you.

what about a sleeping pill at night?

Hi Char. I have some Trazodone and I take it from time to time but it makes my mouth so dry. When I wake up it's like someone has stuffed my mouth with cotton. Yuck! I'll probably end up taking some tonight, though.

You'd think I could lay down and go to sleep but I can't. I took my Neurontin and Baclofen this morning so maybe in a couple of hours I can take a nap.

I'm going to start LDN as soon as I get my prescription from the doctor and have it filled. I'm excited to begin that. Hope it works for me.

Sorry to hear you also had a restless night. Hope you got that nap in to help ya.

Morning Kelly, sorry you are hurting, I hope what ever that pill was traz?? hopefully it helps you get a good nights rest

I can totally relate with the calling of the neuro, but from my bad choices on calling, I am learning, call and explain what you said about not wanting him to think that, and explain how sore you are, its keeping you from sleeping. thats not cool. hope your day goes well Kelly

Stretching exercises, even though they hurt, are the best medicine for spasticity. A warm bath just before you go to bed can help too.

LDN helped a LOT with this spasticity too. I used to wear braces on most limbs when I went to bed, just to ensure I wasn't contorting my limbs when I slept (causing more stress on the spasticity). I have only worn a brace once since starting LDN (3 1/2 yrs).

I don't know what causes joint pain, for those with MS. Have you researched that? I know so few PwMS who have problems with their joints that I always suspected that might be caused by some other (combined) condition. Would spasticity cause joint pain, and if not, how would Neurontin or Baclofen be expected to help?

Wouldn't pain relievers help more? Could arthritic drugs help that?

Cherie

Kelly,
So sorry to hear you're in pain...wish you could find the reason for the pain...does your doc have any idea?

Not sleeping is so unhelpful when you're not well anyway...no recuperative time for the body...and the brain goes crazy thinking about not being able to sleep.

Take care of yourself...a warm bath, as suggested, might do some good...