Does anyone have constant pain?

Maureen - posted on 03/14/2013

I also have constant pain and have just started using marijuana under the supervision of my family doctor.I am now in the process of getting off my narcotic that I have been taking for seven years and what a monster this has been for me.I am actually in the process of applying for a license to be able to have the marijuana in my possession without worrying about the authorities.

I hope you feel better.

Maureen

Jaime - posted on 03/04/2013

Hi everyone. I just joined this site. I was diagnosed with RRMS in 2008 @ the age of 31, but suspect my first symptom of MS occurred when I was 8 years old and had Bell's Palsy. Since before I was diagnosed, I was in constant pain: legs, back and headaches. After diagnosis, my neuro didn't really relate my pain to my MS, so I attributed it to my job as a pharmacy tech, being on my feet 8 hours a day, heavy lifting, etc. My pain continued to get worse, and neuro gave me Vicodin, which didn't really help. She then told me there was nothing else she could do for me pain-wise, so I found a new neurologist who eventually diagnosed me with Central Pain Syndrome in addition to my MS. Central Pain Syndrome is a neurological condition caused by dysfunction that specifically affects the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. This disorder occurs frequently in people with MS. Central Pain Syndrome is characterized by a mixture of pain sensations, the most prominent being a constant burning. The steady burning sensation is sometimes increased by light touch. Pain also increases in the presence of temperature changes, most often cold temperatures. Isn't that great? Heat exacerbates our MS, and if you have CPS, cold makes it worse! Anyway, I was referred to a pain management doctor, who threw opiates at me. I couldn't take long-acting opiates due to my gastric bypass in 2004, which prevents me from absorbing those types of meds(they don't dissolve in my pouch, so they're passed through my system completely). My pain doc was quite a jerk, and thought I was a drug seeker trying to get IR drugs, even after giving him literature from JAMA discussing the malabsorption of long-acting, or ER, SA drugs in g.b patients. I finally got tired of dealing with him and my PCP began prescribing my IR opiates; unfortunately, there wasn't the checks and balances ith her that there are in Pain Clinics, and I soon found myself over-medicating, and developing an extremely high tolerance. I decided it was time to get clean, and discussed it with my PCP after a year on Oxycodone, Dilaudid, Nucynta, you name it. She recommended me to a physiatrist-(an M.D. and also a Pharmacist) that specializes in obscure pain management treatments, especially ones that don't involve opiates. It really helped until I became pregnant with my first baby 3 months later. Anyway, she is now nearly 4 months old, and I haven't restarted any pain meds yet; I resigned from my job of 15 years and applied for SSDI. I still have pain, don't get me wrong, especially headaches, but I think not being on my feet 8 hours a day and being out of such a stressful environment has definitely helped me immensely. I don't want to get back on opiates; I'm hoping my state of Kansas will approve the Compassionate Cannabis/Medicinal Marijuana Bill that is in the House and Senate right now. I'm convinced that marijuana is the way to go, especially for spasticity. Not to make a joke of it, but I did smoke pot in high school and college, and for a time in my early 20's, and that seems to be the only time I didn't experience constant pain. Anyway, sorry this post has turned into a novel. Good luck to all!

Kim - posted on 03/12/2011

Hi to you sll so releved to hear all your replies. im in constant pain which switches from hands to legs to arms constantly. I have recently changed neurologists and he also seems to think its not caused by the ms. Had loads of tests done so lets see what comes back. wishing you all well

Kim - posted on 03/12/2011

Hi to you sll so releved to hear all your replies. im in constant pain which switches from hands to legs to arms constantly. I have recently changed neurologists and he also seems to think its not caused by the ms. Had loads of tests done so lets see what comes back. wishing you all well

Diana - posted on 09/04/2010

Hi Tonya, I am New to this MS circle but I am glad I just joined. I understand what you are going thru because I also go thru constant pain everyday to the point that i cannot get up. I recently started seeing a Pain Management Doctor and he has me on Neurontin 600mg, Xanaflex, Fentanyl Patch, and Klonopin...I used to be on Dilaudid or Percocet, Vicodin, u name i have been on...The ones now seem to help a little bit not that much. My neurologist also kept saying that MS does not cause pain at all and I was frustrated myself. I didnt know what to do! At least I know now that this does happen to other MS patients and that I am not going thru depression like my docs kept saying (that i was causing this pain in my head) ahhhhhh unbelievable. Lets see what happens with these meds now.

Lisa - posted on 09/27/2009

I deal with constant pain all the time as well.Anyone that tells you pain is not a part of MS is crazy! Hello!! open nerves, your body still atacking it!! Where would anyone get no pain!! I have tried so many pain killers and nerve blocks the only thing left to try is medical marijuana

Tonya - posted on 08/19/2009

Julee thank you so much for responding. I also have been on pain meds since my symptoms started. Sadly my symptoms started with severe pain on the total left side of my body and it never goes away. My new neurologist said that "MS is not painful at all". I am so frustrated !!! I have pain all over and it never stops. I know I can't give up because my family needs me. Please let me know what has helped you. Thank you

Julee - posted on 08/11/2009

Yes Tonya, I know all too well about constant pain. At one point they had me on so much Percoset and Vicodin that I was living in a cloud. At that time (about 7 years ago) pain was not considered a symptom of MS, however now thank God it is. My doctors then sent me to a pain specialist and he put me on Methadone and that worked wonders for me. I also started water walking which helped a lot also. I did a lot of other things. I am here if you want to know more just let me know.........Julee