To help with MS joint pain, combine physical therapies like PT, yoga, and stretching with hot/cold packs, massage, and light exercise, while also managing stress through meditation and rest; medications (NSAIDs or nerve pain drugs) and potentially lifestyle changes like weight management can also provide relief, with a doctor guiding the best approach.
1800 mg of Gabapentin a day is a common dose to help neuropathic pain. The FDA has approved PreGabalin and Cymbalta for treatment of diabetic related peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, but we also use these medications for MS neuropathic pain in an off label fashion.
People with MS can experience many kinds of pain. MS tends to cause neuropathic (nerve) pain and/or musculoskeletal (muscle/bone) pain. Neuropathic pain is directly caused by MS. A lesion in the brain or spinal cord can cause nerves to fire inappropriately.
To help relieve the symptoms of MS, try to:
Common Supplements Used by People With MS
Treatments for MS pain
There are lots of different ways to help treat and manage pain and unusual sensations. For example, a combination of drug treatment, physiotherapy, and complementary therapies might all help. Health professionals can work with you to find what works best for you.
Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce many of the inflammatory chemicals found in multiple sclerosis, and have been shown to reduce inflammation in those patients currently on interferon-beta therapy.
Key Points. Acute pain in multiple joints is most often due to inflammation, gout, or the beginning or flare up of a chronic joint disorder. Chronic pain in multiple joints is usually due to osteoarthritis or an inflammatory disorder (such as rheumatoid arthritis) or, in children, juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
To stop nerve pain immediately, topical lidocaine or capsaicin creams/patches can provide quick numbing relief, while prescription options like anti-seizure drugs (gabapentin) or strong painkillers (tramadol) offer faster but not always instant relief; gentle stretches, TENS, and relaxation techniques can also help manage acute flare-ups by blocking pain signals or relaxing muscles.
The NICE guideline for MS recommends that baclofen should be the first drug used when treating MS spasticity (muscle stiffness). Baclofen is also sometimes used in combination with other medication to treat trigeminal neuralgia. It can help to relax the muscles and ease the pain.
Evening primrose oil, which contains omega-6 fatty acids, is the most widely used herbal supplement in people who have MS. Vitamin B12 has been proposed as a key substance that should be injected (intravenously or intramuscularly) in very large doses. Magnesium supplements are believed to reduce spasticity.
Treatment depends on the type of pain. Muscular or joint pain can be treated with painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. The drugs used for nerve pain include amitriptyline (Triptafen), gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica). Physiotherapy can help some pain.
There is some evidence that taking magnesium for muscle pain may be effective. This may be due to the fact that magnesium, an essential mineral and nutrient, plays a crucial role in maintaining nerve and cell function.
You may experience musculoskeletal pain as a result of a change in your gait. You can also feel it because you are compensating for a weakness in your arms or legs. You may also experience nerve pain in your arms and legs resulting from nerve damage in your spine. This can cause weakness and numbness.
Optimal pain management requires key vitamins and minerals. vitamin D aids in bone health, while magnesium and potassium alleviate muscle tension. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, and B vitamins like B12 support nerve function. Consult your healthcare provider to ensure your regimen meets your specific needs.
However, triggers that may provoke or worsen a multiple sclerosis attack include:
Researchers in this latest study found that the vitamin D receptor interacts with RXR gamma receptor, a protein that has been shown in previous research to be involved in the repair of myelin. Myelin is the protective covering for nerve cells that is damaged and destroyed in people who have MS.
Top Beverages for MS Symptom Management
There's some evidence that lower levels of vitamin D are associated with higher relapse rates in MS. One study found that people with higher levels of vitamin D (above 50 nmol/l) were less likely to have relapses or new MRI lesions after five years.
Some relapses are mild and don't interfere with daily life. They often improve on their own over time. For more severe relapses, like those that cause vision loss or balance problems, I often recommend a short course of corticosteroids. These medicines reduce inflammation and can speed recovery from the flare-up.
Nerve pain happens because of MS damage to the covering of nerves (myelin) in the brain and spinal cord. Nerve pain can occur anywhere in your body, but pain in the limbs is very common. Altered sensations, trigeminal neuralgia, Lhermitte's sign, optic neuritis, and the MS hug are types of nerve pain.
For those with MS, avoiding too much exercise is a big concern. Too much activity can cause fatigue and worsen symptoms. It's important to listen to your body and know when you've done too much. Pacing activities and taking breaks helps manage energy.