Hello Jimen,
Here are some pain relieving solutions for MS, if over the counter
Advil (Ibuprofen) or Aleve (Naproxen) no longer help. Please check
with your neurologist to be sure these, including the oils I mention,
are safe to take with any MS therapies you are using. (Ex. Copaxone,
Avonex, Interferon, etc.)
All medications, even over the counter ones, run the risk of side
effects, I'm afraid. The trick is to select the one with the fewest!
Have you tried alternating over the counter analgesics? For example,
taking Advil one day, aspirin the next, Aleve the next? This can help!
Neurontin (Gabapentin)
======================
?Pain is a frequent and distressing complaint in patients with
multiple sclerosis (MS) and may present a difficult therapeutic
problem. Conventional therapy is moderately effective and includes,
among others, a variety of anticonvulsant medications. Gabapentin
(Neurontin) is a new generation antiepileptic drug which appears to be
advantageous in treatment of intractable pain of reflex sympathetic
dystrophy. This study investigates the benefits of open-label
treatment with gabapentin for pain control in 25 patients with MS.
Excellent to moderate pain relief was obtained in a substantial number
of patients. Throbbing pains and needles, and cramping pains responded
best, and dull aching pains responded least to the medication?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9372509&dopt=Citation
?The preferred drug for treating acute pain syndromes in MS is
anticonvulsant medication. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is the drug of
choice. Gabapentin (Neurontin) and phenytoin (Dilantin) are also used.
These medications block abnormal nerve conduction at the demyelinated
site. These drugs can have side effects, and may also cause the
worsening of other MS symptoms such as weakness or tremor because they
block nerve conduction. Capsaicin, a topical cream made from hot chili
peppers, is also used to treat Trigeminal Neuralgia.?
?In addition to the drug therapies, other therapies such as
physiotherapy, relaxation, meditation, deep breathing, yoga, chi gung,
biofeedback, massage, chiropractic, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, etc.
can help to alleviate and control chronic pain. Transcutaneous nerve
stimulation (TENS) which is actually a variant of acupuncture, is also
sometimes used to provide relief.?
?Back pain can be treated with non-steriodal anti-inflammatory
medication (NSAIDS), physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage, yoga and
other stretching and strengthening exercises. Treatment for spasms is
generally anti-spasticity medication such as baclofen
(Lioresal).Tizanidine (Zanaflex), diazepam (Valium) and dantrolene
(Dantrium) are also used. This treatment is combined with
physiotherapy - stretching and strengthening exercises, which should
be done on a daily basis.?
http://www.msakc.org/Articles/MSPain.htm
Mobic
=====
Mobic: While primarily an NSAID anti-inflammatory, Mobic can be
used in MS patients.
?Who should not take Mobic?
You should not take Mobic if you have experienced asthma, hives, or
allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A few examples of other NSAIDs are
ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, nabumetone, and ketoprofen.?
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/mobic.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2005-03-23-drug-winners-usat_x.htm
This page from the MS Society has a list of drugs for MS pain:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/spotlight-pain.asp
More about pain and MS
http://www.msif.org/en/symptoms_treatments/ms_by_topic/pain/
Massage & Multiple Sclerosis
=============================
?A report of a small pilot study has indicated that massage therapy
offers appreciable benefits for MS patients. Twelve patients (8 female
and 4 male) all with diagnosed MS participated in the study in which
participants were given a 25 minute back and leg oil massage given by
qualified massage therapists. Each treatment began with effleurage
(rhythmic stroking) which was followed by petrissage (kneading) and
then ended with light effleurage.?
?The results showed that significant beneficial changes occurred in
the patients mood states after massage therapy, and more
interestingly, patients with negative mood states prior to treatment
showed noticeable improvements in their immune functioning after the
massage treatment.
The researchers noted that their results support their hypothesis that
massage "would produce a more positive mood state with MS sufferers"
and that it "would promote positive immune modulation in those
clients".
http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Health-problems/Multiple%20Sclerosis%20-%20researchAltTherapies(incomp).htm
Get a massage!
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sourcebook-Massage.asp
I purchased a fiberbed bed topper for my daughter with MS, a
percussion massager, as well as a massaging cushion for her neck, her
office chair, and her home office chair (She often uses it for long
drives in her car). These have helped her alleviate much of her pain,
at least for a time. A ?Chillow? is useful in warm weather too!
Percussion massager:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sourcebook-Massage.asp
Featherbed toppers (Shop around)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index%3Dblended%26field-keywords%3Dfiberbed%26results-process%3Ddefault%26dispatch%3Dsearch/ref%3Dpd%5Fsl%5Faw%5Ftops-1%5Fblended%5F10281969%5F2/103-7188164-6323821
Massaging cushion (Shop around for size and type of massage you would prefer)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AKT6Q/103-7188164-6323821?v=glance&s=hpc&n=507846
Neck Massagers:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search.html/103-7188164-6323821?me=&node=3760931&keywords=neck%20massage
Chillow:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/103-7188164-6323821?url=index%3Dblended&search-option=search-amazon&field-keywords=chillow&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go
Contact the MS Society for information on obtaining assistive devices!
http://www.nmss.org/
I recommended that my daughter take a borage oil/flax oil/fish oil
supplement daily and her neurologist concurred. This may help you as
well. Shop around!
http://www.zuckermanpharmacy.com/product.cfm/801548.html
I hope this answer provides you with some relief!
Please request an Answer Clarification if anything is unclear. I will
be happy to assist you further, before you rate.
Sincerely, Crabcakes
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Pain + MS
Massage + MS
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