Chronic pain can affect your quality of life, making it hard to complete everyday tasks.
It may also affect your mental health.
Living with chronic pain can be difficult since it is invisible and often hard to explain to others.
Illustration by Jessica Olah for Verywell Health
Everyone with MS experiences pain differently.
There are three types of MS pain: neuropathic, musculoskeletal, and pain due to spasticity.
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic painrefers to pain brought on by changes to the nervous system.
Neuropathic pain can be one of the most difficult to treat.
Experiencing neuropathic pain can also lead to other symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and difficulty sleeping.
Carrying out physical or mental tasks can become more difficult as well.
Spasticity Pain
Spasticityis a tightening of the muscles that interferes with movement.
With spasticity, the legs, arms, or back may stiffen or become tight.
You may feel cramping as well.
Prescription Pain Management
Prescription pain medications can be used to treat all types of MS pain.
These medications include muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and antiepileptics.
Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline are often the first choice for treating neuropathic pain.
Taking an antidepressant can help with both symptoms.
MS and Depression
Research has found that pain and depression can amplify one another.
So, if you are in pain, your chances of having depression symptoms increase, and vice versa.
Treating them both at once can help with the pain cycle.
It is common for people with MS to be prescribed five or more medications at a time.
If there is anything you dont understand about your treatment plan, it’s essential that you ask questions.
Also, talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any negative side effects that affect your daily life.
Long-term use of NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
In some areas,cannabishas been approved to treat pain and spasticity in MS.
When the pain intensifies, so does the fatigue and depression, and youre less motivated to remain active.
This may make it difficult for you to start or continue healthy habits like eating well and exercising.
Create a plan with your healthcare provider to stay active while managing MS pain.
However, understanding your pain management options ahead of time can help you prepare for when the pain recurs.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment options for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
MS pain varies for everyone.
Muscle tightness, or spasticity, can also cause pain that makes it difficult to move.
Prescription and OTC medications can help with MS pain.
Prescription medications include antidepressants, antiepileptics, and muscle relaxants.
OTC medications include pain relievers like NSAIDs.
Alternative treatments such as acupuncture and massage may also help.
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