nerve pain - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

gally123 · 04-26-2007, 12:22 PM

hi just wondering if anyone else has had shooting nerve like pains i have been experiencing shooting pain in one leg and in my neck down into my shoulder

MSNik · 04-26-2007, 03:38 PM

HI there. Bet you get an overwhelming response to this post and also betting that almost everyone knows what you are describing! I have MS, and yes, I get those shooting pains. Hurts like heck, doesnt it? It also comes at the most inoppotune times, while your trying to relax, or drift off to sleep..or worse yet, sitting in front of your boss and you try not to jump and scream!

It is nerve pain, and it is real. The good news is that many times this is a symtom which comes and goes. I know I get it worse during "that time of the month" then any other time..sometimes I dont get these pains for weeks/ months at a time, and then it seems I have them cronically for a few days or a week. I have found that muscle relaxers help, although I use them as little as possible. Sometimes even a Tylenol PM is enough to get my body to relax enough to stop. ITs not muscle, it IS nerve, however with MS, one seems to affect the other...try to stretch- but not over-do it. Try NOT to massage it too much, as stimulation sometimes makes it worse...most of all, ask your doctor is there is something he/she can do for you. Im told many MANY people have good luck with Neurontin or LYrica, two meds specifically used for nerve pain. They didnt work for me, but they work for millions of other people.
Sorry to hear you are having this, but please know you are not alone!
Nikki

Stotz814 · 05-01-2007, 09:11 AM

i know exactly what you are talking about, had it the other day and boy did it hurt. I get all types of pain, achey, stabbing, gnawing, constant cronic pain my legs, i have pain sometimes which feels like a burning sensation on my back and it always seems to happen when i am taking a shower and my husband can always tell when i am hurting cause i scream in the shower and get out as quickly as possible. i get the shooting pain down my spine when i rest my chin on my chest..that hurts and then i get the pain in my sholder which goes down my arm and i can say i think nerve pain is the worst pain to have and it is hard to get relife from it. i do take pain medication as well as muscle relaxers and nerve meds such as lyrica which works pretty well. i have tried other nerve pain meds and they didnt work that well. like MSNik said, try to take it easy and stretch but not too much. How long does your pain last? Do you ahve it everyday? or everyother or ever few hours???