Tenseness in the Body All the Time
 

One thing that I've noticed all my life is how much my body is always in tense mode. It doesn't matter rather I am resting or trying to be active, even before I was diagnosed with MS, It felt like my muscles were just tensed all the time. I think I had mentioned in one other post that I also have this thing where if one hand does one thing, the other mirrors it and I cannot control it. My body I believe has become so use to the tenseness now, that it doesn't phase me most of the time, sometimes I wish i would ease away so I could relax. Does anyone know if this is related to MS itself? Or have I just been dealing with stress all of my life? To me, I don't think it's normal for my muscles to be so tense like they are even when I'm relaxed and calm. Would like some advice, thanks. :)

Tight muscles can be caused by MS. I get spasticity off and on, and when I used to have a desk job it was at its worst and was in my neck and spine and shoulders. That was also a stressful job. I still get it in my feet and legs even when I'm relaxing and it can be painful. My toes will go in different directions sometimes and it hurts! If you do long, gentle stretching of your muscles it helps a lot.

I know the feeling well. i have always been tense too. I only wish
they had invented Anti Anxiety/depression pills, in my younger,
bringing up Family years.:eek: I think/know it triggered my MS.

Muscle relaxants could help too, and stretching is like a
prayer to me.:)

You may be experiencing anxiety or spasticity. Medication for depression/anxiety was a real eye opener for me. For the first time in my life I felt like the "small stuff" finally just rolled off my back. I fought taking the stuff for years but I'm really glad I tried it. Currently I take Celexa which treats depression, OCD, anxiety etc. Plus I dropped 12 lbs on it!:p

Spasticity is stiff muscles which can be relieved by baclofen or simular drugs. I get it bad in my neck and shoulders. I also go into bouts of twisted fingers and toes. Cold air makes it worse. Sometimes even the muscles in my jaw go tight and feels like TMJ.

Look into getting a stretching DVD and try the exercises. Jane Fonda makes a good one for "older folks" which works well when you have a health issue. You have to focus on stretching and not so much "exercising". When I tense my muscles (like in a sit up) my muscles go right into a cramp!

MS and your symptoms will be a learning process. Hang in there :hug:

Well at the moment, I'm 24 years old and along with Rebif (im on 22mcg now), I take Topamax 25mg for depression and Klonopin .5mg for sleep. Should I ask my doctor to maybe prescribe something different and perhaps stronger?

Klonopin is a heavy hitter drug and I believe addictive.
I would just have a conversation with your doc about anitidepessants that contain ingredients for anxiety.
You are pretty young and doctors may be concerned about antidepressant and your age. These drugs can cause suicidal thoughts in the younger population.

Like I said, maybe a frank conversation about the "tense" feeling and see if its anxiety or spasticity. Then go from there. You need to know what you are treating due to the amount of years you will be treated. I like to keep the drugs to a minimum due to side affects and the fact that I have a lot of years left to bombard my body with drugs!

Find out from your doc if you suffer from spasticity or anxiety or both. Klonopin is great for anxiety but addictive and in time you may need higher doses to do the job.
Personally I like my antidepressant with the anti anxiety properties built in. But it may not be right for everyone.

I'm not a big fan of chronic use of benzodiazepines in genearal although there are a few appropriate indications.

Topamax when prescribed for psychiatric reasons is usually more of a mood stabilizer rather than antidepressant. :confused: SSRIs are often the initial go-to for depression/anxiety in my experience.

Good luck, it sounds likely a combination between mood and physical manifestations of MS. :(

There could be a whole host of other reasons but age really shouldn't be the case as there is a SSRI that is FDA approved for pediatric use in kids as young as 8yo. The thing about that black box warning, in my understanding, is some SSRIs were shown to increase suicidal thoughts but not suicidal gestures or suicide itself.

It is something everyone considering a SSRI should be educated on but I wonder if there might be an increased risk with people who have depression so severe that they aren't getting out of bed, performing hygiene, etc so once they start to perk up a bit they actually have the energy to consider suicide. I'm not certain just a loose theory. :)