Pain, what to do?
 

Hi All,

Be forewarned, this is a whine thread. ;)

Pain is starting to reallly get to me. Starting at about 2pm on work days I start to ache. I stretch and reposition in my chair as much as I can. When I get home it's in full swing. My lower legs, back and arms ache.

I have a couple of glasses of wine at night. That helps me to mask the pain somewhat.

What's worse, wine or meds? If I take the meds it makes it harder for me to think and concentrate. Most of them are hard on the liver or kidneys or both.

Should I stick with the wine? I don't know. It happens regardless of my day's activities.

I can sit at my desk, read a book or do housework. I still get the pain. I suppose it's spasticity or nerve pain.

What a pain! :rolleyes: Soooo.... whadya all think?

Wiz, I don't have any solid answers for you. But you know I think the whine and the wine are okay right now. Don't beat yourself up. Have you checked in with the neurologist lately for alternatives to the meds you have now? I don't know exactly what you've been prescribed but I know how much those pain meds can make you feel brain dead. I'm sending you pain-free vibes. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

the best think you can do is consult a doctor. if you feel something bad you must see a doctor right away. this will solve the problem you have.

I'm so sorry, Wiz. :( I don't blame you for complaining!

Please feel better soon! :hug::hug::hug:

Bless Your Heart...
 

You just whine all you want. It may not help your physical state, but it sure can give you some relief on your mental state. What are friends for..... whine away. I hope you feel better soon! :hug:

Personally, if 2 glasses of wine helped, I'd stick with that. Pain meds turn me into such a zombie and rarely help much with pain, they don't seem worth it..
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this :hug:...

Cathy I dont know, the side effects have played a part in my med treatment, i let nero the neuro have 18 months his way then about same my way. i agree with the small glass of vino to ease things and if it works then more power to it, am in a mixed part of things new meds? perhaps eager in some ways yes but dreading what their sideeffects may be... but for the pain i soak in warm water whirlpool use aspercream, a spacisity blend of smoke:rolleyes: and ice helps me too, its cold but it does help a lot of times, and rest, and yeah i know the rest part may not be an option for many still working, sorry about that:hug:have u talked to your doc maybe something subtle to help ease the pains not a larger dose? let him know your feelings about the meds and effects, maybe he has or she has an idea

hoping you feel better:hug:

What kind of wine is it? I've heard that red wine is good for the heart (in moderation). So, I would think that two glasses (as long as they aren't the 64 oz. big gulp cups ;)) would be just fine....and maybe give your heart some benefit, too!

I have the same problem with spasticity. I always thought that a desk job would be good for MS, but now that spasticity is so bad, I have trouble sitting. I reposition constantly, get up and stretch, take more Baclofen, etc. There are days when all of that works, but more often than not, it isn't enough anymore.

I recently found that adding in Klonipin helps, too, though. I got the rx for the balance / dizziness, but found that when I take it when the Baclofen isn't enough, the Klonipin seems to kick it up. Now, I have to talk to the neuro about giving me a new rx for that because I only got 2 months worth initially.

I don't know what drugs you take presently that make you a zombie, but I found that Baclofen really helps and I got used to it. The Klonipin doesn't seem to make me groggy, either, but I take a tiny dose.

When my spasticity ramps up a lot, I have also indulged in Swedish Massages. They are really wonderful and I find that they do a lot to help for a good period of time. Maybe give that a try. I don't know why I didn't think of that for helping me right now!!

I also believe in wine for medicinal purposes.

sorry you are feeling so much pain wiz.....I say drink the wine AND take
the meds:hug::hug::hug:

My thoughts exactly...

Unfortunately, all I got are 1 litre beer mugs so my 2 glasses of wine a day REALLY helps with the pain. Add a Lyrica and voila! I get a good night's sleep!

Tom

Thanks everybody, :grouphug:

I knew you'd all understand. It's a chardonnay and has some heart benefits. I'm allergic to red wine. Even it makes me feel a wee bit loopy but not as much as the meds seem to.

I have some leftover baclofen I could take, but it took so long to get off of it. If I stretch and exercise each day it's not quite as bad but sometimes I just don't have the energy to do that.

I used to take a headache med each day that made me almost a zombie, and I need to think at work.

Right now I take Cymbalta and Provigil in the morning and Trazodone at night. I guess I can try doubling up the Cymbalta for awhile, at least until springtime because that can help with pain too.

Tom and Kelly,

They're just six ounce glasses. :D We have some goblets though.... :cool:

Ok, I just switched to the 60 mg Cymbalta, I had some leftover from last winter.

I already spoke to the neuro last Wednesday and he said I could increase that if necessary.

On a bright note, it's 49 degrees and sunny here so I better get outside for a bit. :)

So sorry you're hurting, sweetie...hope the Cymbalta helps. Just watch out mixing it with alcohol...:hug:

:circlelove: (((((((((((((Wiz))))))))))))) :circlelove:

Cheers http://home.earthlink.net/~sal.pal/s...ures/wine3.gif http://home.earthlink.net/~sal.pal/s...ures/wine3.gif ..oops all I had was red.:D

Maybe I'll give up the wine for Lent. :confused: I'll make the final decision at about 8pm tonight. :rolleyes: :cool:

Thanks again everybody... :hug::hug::hug:

hi wiz. i'm sorry you're hurting so much. i can relate.
i'd be very careful about drinking and taking medication. you might ask your pharmacist about it. if 1 or 2 glasses is ok. that can put a tax on the liver as alcohol is metabolized in the liver.

i know there's several types of MS pain. mine is mostly muscle.
i take ultram with tylenol. it's non narcotic and doesn't make me sleepy.
it takes the edge off and really helps me cope.

hope you feel better soon.

hiya wizbethcathy:Wave-Hello: feeling any better i hope so. :hug: sure wish i had a wonderful answer, I do have an extra :hug: and soon can give you a real one deb and me been busy un fortunately not with the trees so hopefully by mid march we can hook up hug and snack or vino or all three woooooowhooooo :)

Dear Sweet Ewizabeth,

First of all, do not chanfe your siggy picture! Those daisies and the message that Spring is coming has really been helping me the last month.

Secondly, do not give up wine for Lent. Please. If it helps you at all, then it is a necessity, not a luxury. A need, not a want.

Have you tried Tramadol? It does not make you drowsy or mess up your thinking. It has side effects that some people experience at first-GI symptoms usually, I think-but if you start out real slow with tiny doses, it is easier to avoid the side effects. Once I got up to 8 tablets a day-I have found some relief. Not enough, but at least more than all of the Narcotic combos I tried at very high doses through a pain specialist.

A lady I know uses a Lafuma chair at work, since you can change the pressure ponts and muscle tension a lot by slightly changing the position of the chair. I can sit in one of them outside when I am huting too bad to use a regular lawn chair.

Here is an article about pain in an office setting at work-it is for Fibromites, but has some good info about ergonomics in the workplace, etc.:

http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-...kplace-job.htm

Your employer is obligated by law to help evaluate and make needed accomodations in your work environment.

Here is a link for Lafuma chairs. There are also a lot of similar chairs now at discount stores, big box stores, etc.

http://www.lafumafurniture.com/

If you are feeling very agitated toward the pain in the evening, join us in chat for a few minutes in chat. I always feel more equipped to handle the pain after I have visited chat. There are some really cool people that are regulars there.

Hugs and more hugs, Grandma Sue.

Thanks for the tips Judy. :hug: I don't usually go over two glasses so I think my liver is ok. I get the liver panel every three months and it always checks ok.

GMASue,

You're right. It is a necessity and the neuro has said it's ok. I think instead I should do one form of exercise or stretching each day for Lent. It helps with the pain a lot when I keep up with it. I don't like to add more pills and I'm trying to avoid that. :hug:

I'm so glad you're out of the hospital Frank. When you're all better we need to have lunch. It will be good to see you guys. :hug:

I feel better tonight since I slept almost twelve hours last night. It helps when I can do that on my days off. It was nice outside too so I went out with my shirtsleeves rolled up to get some vitamin D. :)

Our son made the most delicious gourmet meal tonight too. :) I don't ever want him to move out. :circlelove:

Hey, Wiz, I'm sorry you're hurting, this year has been my real introduction into serious spaz related pain and I feel for you.

I'd want to know the source of the pain and where to buy TH Chardonnay wholesale cases. ;) Some would argue for FB, but I'll stick with the TH. Feel better my friend, better days are calling our names.:hug:

Hi Wiz,

I guess my ONLY concern with alcohol is that it generally acts as a "depressant".

You don't seem to be feeling too well these days; kinda' stressed/down, pain, etc. I am concerned about that too, but that's another subject. :) :hug:

Cherie

There is a rule of twos necessary.

Speaking as Dr. Sam... I recommend two glasses of wine (Even though I prefer tequilla), two squares of the giant hershey bar you have stashed away somewhere (Mine lives above the stove in the locked cabinet with my meds), and two good friends..one to listen and one to bring you more wine and chocolate!
:hug:
I hope your pain lets up soon.