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Chloeghirl123 posted:
I have noticed the last couple of weeks that I am really getting cramps oon my lower back, middle back and even in my neck. Pretty severe, have to move quickly or readjust so they will go away. Anyone else? And what do you suggest beside drinking water. If water could help MS symptoms, I would have been cured years ago
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:crampsI have noticed the last couple of weeks that I am really getting cramps oon my lower back, middle back and even in my neck. Pretty severe, have to move quickly or readjust so they will go away. Anyone else? And what do you suggest beside drinking water. If water could help MS symptoms, I would have been cured years ago
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hackwriter responded:
Chloe,

Sounds like it might be disc problems or an arthritic spine, or even MS-related muscle spasticity.

I did have increased pain in those areas starting a few months ago. Since I already know I have a herniated cervical disc and an arthritic lumbar spine, as well as bulging and dessicated discs all the way down the spine, I could attribute the neck and lower back pain to those spine problems, so the pain wasn't new, just worse. All my old tricks for relieving this pain over the years stopped working. And sitting at the computer for long periods of time just worsened my neck and shoulder pain.

I have muscle spasticity in other areas which also worsened and I increased my baclofen dosage. I started taking Lyrica for neuropathic pain as well.

Unfortunately, the neck and lumbar pain haven't responded to these drugs so I'll need to pursue another avenue. Physical therapy or just being more active is what's recommended for this--but PT didn't help me and I'm unable to do activity that would target these areas. So a cortisone shot might be on the agenda. Complicated, huh?

If you haven't already, you should mention your spine pain to your doc. If you have no history of spine problems, your doc might want to order an MRI to check for bad discs. Doc might also want to prescribe a muscle relaxer to see whether it helps you, too, since your back spasms could very well be from MS-related spasticity.

Hope you can find some relief soon.

Kim
Report This| Share this:crampsChloe,<br /><br />Sounds like it might be disc problems or an arthritic spine, or even MS-related muscle spasticity. <br /> <br />I did have increased pain in those areas starting a few months ago. Since I already know I have a herniated cervical disc and an arthritic lumbar spine, as well as bulging and dessicated discs all the way down the spine, I could attribute the neck and lower back pain to those spine problems, so the pain wasn't new, just worse. All my old tricks for relieving this pain over the years stopped working. And sitting at the computer for long periods of time just worsened my neck and shoulder pain.<br /><br />I have muscle spasticity in other areas which also worsened and I increased my baclofen dosage. I started taking Lyrica for neuropathic pain as well. <br /><br />Unfortunately, the neck and lumbar pain haven't responded to these drugs so I'll need to pursue another avenue. Physical therapy or just being more active is what's recommended for this--but PT didn't help me and I'm unable to do activity that would target these areas. So a cortisone shot might be on the agenda. Complicated, huh?<br /><br />If you haven't already, you should mention your spine pain to your doc. If you have no history of spine problems, your doc might want to order an MRI to check for bad discs. Doc might also want to prescribe a muscle relaxer to see whether it helps you, too, since your back spasms could very well be from MS-related spasticity.<br /><br />Hope you can find some relief soon.<br /><br />Kim
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