HELP!!!

ok had this stiffeness in back for many years, and in ankles when waking. Eventually I after few years of getting up like age 99 and finally feeling my age after being up and about each day... but eventually in so pain waking to move in tears... finally let a neuro know..

he mentioned idea of it being spasticity, and put me on baclofen. (I am undx as many know here, although this neuro mentions the elephant in the room as we talked about my sxs and clear MRIs)

so once started months ago, it was wonderful, mornings I would wake and get up like I was 20 wow WOW!!! yeahhhh

but eventually some days would get worse, and if doing too much I notice it worse...

sorry long story, was upped the baclofen amounts once... hoping not to up it again..

so anyhow, I work full time on feet, and love to golf, if I do both in a day... or golf a lot...or any... I am back to pain.. but worse then ever, now it is dire pain like description of charlie horses in back.. and if stretch out, then it worsens up a dfifferent part of back

another description... I FEEL LIKE I AM IN LABOR FOR A BABY, BUT NOT IN THE ABS BUT THE BACK!!!!! helpppp

so my reg dr, gave me tramadol to take for this pain, helps some but I am not wanting to take it often but may need to... last few days took it at night when stuff stiffening was awful... but last two days I am in pain at work even...labor pain.. at its full course.. trust me that bad!!

so any suggestions?? do I try the tramadol three times a day as it says I can, any tips on this medicine?? do I call and up the muscle relaxant... help...

hugsss all, sarah (just in so much pain)

Sarah

I had back labor so I know what you mean. I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy!

Are you taking the Baclofen and the Tramadol or just the Tramadol? I believe I'd try the meds just like the doctor prescribed them and see if it helps. If it says 3Xday then just try that for a few days and see if it helps. I don't like taking meds any more than I have to, either, but sometimes it's necessary and they're there for us so we don't have to needlessly suffer.

I honestly don't know how you do it. Everytime you post about all that you do I'm just amazed. And you do it all so cheerfully, too. I'm not sure I could maintain such a god attitude through the pain.

I know how frustrating it must be to have all the sx and not have a name to put with it. I really do hope you can get some relief soon.

thanks Kitty, I try to stay cheerful... but that is what I am fighting at times, hard to keep up that ... thanks for the advice.. . I am on neurontin, the baclofen and have the tramadol.. took it once today and will take it tonight, and thinking of three times tomorrow and a few days. thanks again, hugss,sarah ( I did some yoga tonight to stretch out too, I read spasticity that stretching is one of the best things for it to keep from worse problems from spasticity)

I take Baclofen for spaticity. My sx is more like a tight nylon is gripping my abdomen.

I had back pain. It was not related to MS. I went to the doctor for Flexeril and Vicodin. Helped enormously and problem solved. Until my back acts up again.

Interesting experience. Long story short. I saw a new PCP. It was a very positive experience. Turns out her husband has MS. She was asking how I was doing on Baclofen. She said that after prolonged use, it may stop working. She recommended Requip. It was originally used for Parkenson's Disease. It takes only a small dose. It helps her husband.

I do not know if this is what you would need for your back pain. I just thought I would throw it in and you can do what you like with it.

Feel better ((((((((((Sarah))))))))))

another helpful drug is Zanaflex. its is meant for MS or spinal cord injured patients. when that nerve signal isnt getting through, or is interupted, the zanaflex helps. I had to go off it because of some side effects, but worked great for me.

hope you feel better.

See here's the thing I've learned about pain and the pills.


you finally get something that takes the edge off.

So then you do a little more.

But then, it hurts a little more.

Therefore, you need more pills.

But then, you feel a little better, so you keep it up, and maybe een do a little more still....


See, it's a vicious cycle.

I try to keep in mind these are the only meds I have (tramadol, muscle relaxers), and I cannot go higher. There isn't anything else that will help (not that my docs will give). I just need to do what I have to. If I'm okay enough to do more, i'll do it. and if it hurts, then it hurts.

Maybe a warm tub or a lay-down will help, even if not fix it. But for me it's all about not over doing, or if I do, making it worth paying for. I'm paying for painting -did the whole bedroom ceiling yesterday. Today if I can turn my head at all, gonna start on the walls.



Dej - I have zanaflex but never used it during the day - only at night. Never had any probs except odd dreams. But I always have that, so could not say it was the med. I use methocarbamol during the day. But don't use either often.

(((Sarah))) I am not a med person and react to many of the drugs they have tried with me. My only option is to just put up with it all. It takes A LOT of controlled breathing, focus, and relaxation to get through the more painful times. I posted some ideas/tips on the Insights thread the other day, may be yesterday, for you. I have tried all sorts of things and have come up with my own treatment for the pain/spasm.

Hang in there, Sarah. You will find something that works for you.

Brain - You are so right about that cycle. One of the reasons that I really don't want to take meds unless absolutely necessary. I don't want to take a med that makes me sleepy only to have to take one to keep me awake and then because I'm awake a bed time from the "wake up" drug have to take a drug to go to sleep, etc., etc. Not a cycle I want to be in at all.

sabi, have you had your B12 levels checked in the past year? Many people with MS also have low B12 levels. And, when the levels are low, you can get some painful muscles spasms, spasticity and cramping of muscles. They used to say 300 is normal, but the new standards (which many labs and docs do not seem to know about), say its way too low. For my money, I would want my levels above 500 (mine are 700-800)

Its a blood test. Ask for B12, folate and homocysteine and a "urine MMA". For the life of me I dont know why docs so quickly rx baclofen before testing for B12. Its one of the most missed diagnoses in medicine.

I read a Great book: "Could it be B12?"

thanks all,

My B12 has been checked many times over the years! But next checkup this fall I will ask for those to make sure they have done all of those in past.. thanks

Well back is feeling better, so I have not taken the tramadol in last few days,
I was dealing with my other issues with whatever I have... vertigo

Monday morning at work, hit like bad and fast.. balance off, dizzy, started vomitting even... got a few calls out to cover me...left work realizing I could not drive in this condition... all my eyes wanted to do was close.. I fell asleep in the van in parking lot. My assistant manager happened to be shopping there and seen my in my van, stopped and asked if I am ok.. and if she should call my hubby. I said no, I will call him soon. fell back asleep. Needless to say she called him a bit later and asked if I made it home.. he rushed over... to find me sleeping in the van..out of it badly.. he drove me home.

I slept then from 11am after sleeping in van 930am-11am... went home slept 11am-5pm straight...

I do not know this crap is a bothersome stuff...feeling much better since, my boss had covered me for Tuesday since I was sleeping when he tried me at 3pm... so he covered Tuesday, I took it easy all day... so back is better ...lol

thighs and hips are in pain lol...

anyhow I am like many of you , do not like to do the drugs so much...especially since in my baclofen and neurontin as it is.. hugss and thanks all, sarah