No trick on my end, but I've more just gotten used to the various feelings and know how to interpret them.

For me, sharp sudden pains are from the disc issues. "Back burn" as I call it which is when my lower back "locks up" and hurts like hell if I lay down, I have to curl up in a ball or stretch to get it to stop and that's spasticity from the MS. Dull ache when walking I also associate with MS/spasticity. General aches and pains in my back, I assume, are normal.

Back pain really can be awful, so I wish you well.

Could be ms....or not. Sometimes I forget what I used to do before ms dx - just take some ibuprofen and see what happens.

I've started having more back pain than normal. Its awful. Take some pain meds and try not to think about it is my solution.

Best wishes :)

The problem is that it is making walking difficult and sitting for more than 5 minutes excruciating and I cannnot take any pain meds. I have pancreatitis and codiene sets it off.

Still waiting to hear back from neuro.

Hi Tara,
Back pain is a hard thing to figure out, I had back pain for years and had a MRI of my Lumbar, I have 4 bulged disc's (L1-4) and spinal Stenosis. I've had increased back pain and it goes across my buttocks and extreme amount of leg pain and it has been getting harder and harder to walk without pain. The longer I stand the worse the pain gets, it seems to get better when I sit and lean forward a bit and it seems I have to sleep in a slightly curled position. I just don't know anymore what is MS related or what is, back or MS. My PCP suggested I look into surgery for my low back but when wheel chair came up I said no. So who knows what is what is it MS or back problems. Usually when they do the MRI's for MS they don't do the lumbar as you don't have lesions there, but it is worth the look at. I wish you luck in finding out what is wrong, myself the next MRI I have I want the lumbar included if nothing else to rule out MS and if it is my low back I'm so sick of the pain meds I would really consider back surgery just to rule out the MS and take the chance on a W/C just to rid at least some of the pain.
Take Care
Dave

Hi Tara-

I had back problems a while ago...it was muscular so I went to PT and strengthened my back muscles and have had no issues since...and this was 17 years ago! It wasn't pleasant working through the pain in the begining, but it paid off in the end! Hopefully this is something that can be easily corrected and not permanent! I had problems sitting, getting up, walking, pretty much everything I did hurt...so I feel your pain!

Hang in there!

:D

Jamie

back pains are tricky and not necessarily related to MS. Im not sure that xrays are enough. Maybe you should get MRIs done to be sure you don't have a slipped disk. I had a slipped disk and had to have surgery several years ago and it's been fine since. The MS attacks do trigger flare-ups and the pain makes it unbearable for me to stand or sit. Sorry for your pains! Also, try stretching every morning but be careful in case it's a bulged disk.

Hi Gang,
I am new to this forum.
Inflammation is without question the fundamental source of whats causing a number of various health conditions. Inflammation also causes back pain,neck and also joint pain.

For more info you may visit, www.stopmypain.tv

Tara,

I have been seeing a chiropractor for almost 30 years. I believe that is the different between night and day. IF they are GOOD, they can help you. Chiros are covered by Medicare and most insurance, so it is relatively cheap. It costs me a little over $6/visit after Medicare pays their portion.

You can have lower back pain from strain, from spasms, or from sitting in the wrong chair or from being sedentary. So you can either see a chiropractor or a physical therapist or both. But the PT won't help the pain, just prevent the pain in the future.

I only get lower back pain when I do things sitting down or when I sleep on a hard bed. What helps my lower back is to sleep with a pillow under your knees.

I have lots of pain with my MS. Recently I had a bout of severe (unbearable) arm pain. My neuro did everything he could at first to determine if it was something not related to MS (ortho specialist, MRI of neck, pain meds). None pointed to anything other than MS. Eventually, there were some clues that pointed directly to MS. The pains were worse on my injection days. The pain was worse with heat. The pain did not respond AT ALL to normal pain meds (asprin, ibuprofen, naproxen), it felt as if I did not take anything at all.

The pain eventually (took 6 weeks) did respond to drugs that treat nerve pain. Nortriptylene and Carbamezapene are what eventually worked.
But during the bout of pain, the rest of my muscles did spasm because of the pain. My entire upper back and neck muscles spasmed and eventually it felt as if my entire body was in pain. Once I started the right meds though my entire body did calm down quickly.

Pain sucks and I hope they quickly find what it is in your case.