Multiple Sclerosis is a disease in which the body immune system acts on the covering of the nerves and therefore disrupts the signal transmission through these nerves. It is a disease which usually manifests between the ages of 20 – 40 and the symptoms may come and go during its progression. Although it is slowly progressing, the nature of its progression could vary from one person to another. According to a survey, about 50% of all MS patients would be suffering from some sort of pain which would not be having a direct explanation as in the case of pain caused by a trauma, angina, inflamed pleura…etc. But, these facts may change and certain other researchers put the number of MS patients suffering from pain would be somewhere around 75%.
What can we do about multiple sclerosis associated pain?
Being a neuropathic pain it would differ from many other pains that we encounter in our life and it is understood that the pain would manifest due to intermittent firing of the nerve endings following losing its covering layer. Among these misfired nerve signals, some would be pain related signals which will create an illusion of pain in otherwise healthy areas in the body. Thus, following methods are recommended for relief from such neuropathic type pains.
- Over the counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen…etc
- Anti-depressant medications
- Anti-convulsion agents
- Occupational therapy
- Biofeedback
Except for the OTC medications, other medications and therapies needs to be prescribed by a doctor and at times there may be a necessity for altering a pain reliving method if it is found to be not so effective after a certain period.
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