Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients should be routinely assessed for chronic and, especially, neuropathic pain in order to properly diagnose and treat this condition, which appears to directly affect the degree of a patient’s disability, a new study reports.
The study, “Systematic assessment and characterization of chronic pain in multiple sclerosis patients,” was published in the journal Neurological Sciences.
Pain is one of the most disabling clinical symptoms of MS, associated with suffering, distress, and lower quality of life. Many studies have investigated the prevalence of chronic pain in MS patients but with highly varying results: estimates range from 29 percent up to 92 percent.
This disparity is likely due to methodological differences between the studies, as well as differences in the studied population. The result is the prevalence of pain in MS is still unclear, and underdiagnoses of pain in this patient population likely.
Researchers in Italy conducted a single-center study to determine the prevalence and characteristics of chronic pain, defined as constant pain for more than three months, in a population of MS patients.
Pain was evaluated using validated tools, and the results were analyzed in relation to clinical features such as disease duration and disability.
In total, 374 MS patients with different disease severities were assessed for pain.
I had the most shocking stabbing pain in both wrists. The Rhumatologist said he couldn’t help me except sent me home with splints to both very painful wrists oh and take paracetamol and get a bag of peas out the freezer that will help. So my husband kept having to get me peas every half he. It was terrible. I would shout out loud when at the Supermarket till when putting shopping in bags, people looked at me.
Then at a different hospital the Rhumatologist suggested fusion. Putting metal plates in wrists. So now it works but not got full function of wrists.
Also it was suggested I have a Nerve Conduction Test. When the Nurse had put these electrodes on my fingers and started machine up I pushed the trolley far away Nurse jumped suggested I try again the same thing happened. No more tries.
Ha, my neurologist did not believe that a person with MS had any pain. My pain is not neuropathic, but muscular. I have had MS for over 20 years, and I have never been treated for pain. I guess I am just expected to live with it.
How is pain usually treated and managed
I AM HAVING NEUROPATHIC PAIN OVER ENTIRE BODY MUSCLES JUST ACHE I AM ON 25mg twice a day of Lyrica seem to be helping only on it about 3 weeks.
Our current political leaders and new doctor zealots who are advocates of “living with pain” for their patients instead of prescribing long term pain medication (opiates) have to be made to realize that they are dooming MS patients to sooner disability and a life of torture.
Neurologists don’t care if you’re living in horrible 10+ pain. It’s not them….they say that MS does NOT cause pain. Wish they could feel 1 day of it!!!!!