Results found an overall prevalence of chronic pain of 52.1, most frequently affecting the lower limbs. Neuropathic pain, which refers to pain resulting from a lesion or disease impacting the sensory nervous system, was the most frequent type of chronic pain, affecting 23.7 percent of the patients analyzed (89 people).
Pain intensity was also found to be significantly higher in patients with neuropathic pain compared to those with non-neuropathic pain.
Researchers measured patients’ disability using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). They determined that patients with chronic pain, and especially those with chronic neuropathic pain, had significantly higher EDSS scores (meaning greater disability) than those without such pain.
Both these patient groups were also more likely to be on long-term pain medications: 33 percent of MS patients with neuropathic pain, and 24 percent of those with chronic pain.
These results indicate that pain is underdiagnosed and undertreated in MS patients, and a factor that may contribute to increased disability.
“Our results suggest that clinical disability is higher in MS patients with chronic pain and, in particular, in those with neuropathic pain,” the researchers concluded. “The present study supports the routine assessment of neuropathic pain in MS patients.”
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!!!!!