I get severe migraines, which can last for up to 11 days at the longest, but usually around 7. I have also noticed that while I have these migraines I have a strong localised burning pain in my left shoulder blade and in the middle of my head between maybe my ear and eye? But buried deep within.
I also notice that numbness is more apparent during these episodes, as well as a wierd limp that appears when I have them, that goes when I am headache free. It is also taking me four times as long to type this as I make so many typos when I am with headache,, and also have trouble speaking clearly as far as finding the right words.
I am wondering more and more if these are not migraines but a symptom of MS. I have had bouts with numbness, and blurry vision in the past which led to the MS diagnosis around 10 years ago. I feel lucky that I don't have more of the usual symptoms, especially fatigue which sounds so debilitating, but realise that these severe headaches maybe more part of the disease than I had previously thought.
What do you think? And what can I do to get rid of the pain, migraine meds don't always work and I laugh when I see Tylenol Migraine relief...boy do I ever wish!! lol
Thanks
Sez
Hi Sez,
I'm sorry to hear about your migraines. Lucky me, I have not experienced migraines so I don't know. However, I found some information that may help.
Mandy Crest wrote a nice piece on The Multiple Sclerosis/Migraine Connection right here on Health Central. She was lucky in that her migraines were not as painful once the MS took hold.
NMSS says there is evidence “there may be a common predisposing factor to both MS and migraine.”
Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D., one of my favorite sources, tells us people with MS are more likely to have migraines than the general population.She suggests a nap after the migrains to reduce residual effects. In addition, she links to her post about treatment for MS headaches. Be sure to scroll down to see several suggestions for migraines. I don't know if they are th same as you have been taking, but maybe there is something new.
It looks as if there is a relationship between headaches, including migraines, and MS. Is it a true symptom? It sounds close enough for me.
Good luck with your pain.
Vicki
Thanks so much for your great article. Seems I came across your site today. I was looking for connections between musculoskeletal pain and MS. As I read some of your articles, I was more convinced that I have MS and validated by the solid info you provided.
I'm a mid-30 year old mother, wife, teacher, friend and dealing with pain, both physical and mental for much of my life. Sometimes so severe and intense and just a few seconds long to dull aches and pains lasting days and most recently weeks. Don't get me wrong - I'm a happy person for sure, active, social, quite well rounded, excuse the modesty. But more has been happening that has made me realize these are not just independent symptoms.
Over the past couple of years, work has become a struggle for me. Nothing new to me; school was always struggle as well. I was always sick with something, though no doctors really understood it. Now I need a doctor to understand because I'm having trouble working. I need to work for the money and for intellectual stimulation and health insurance!. But the pain now coupled with blurry vision, weak knees, uncontrollable emotion, muscle spasticity (rigidity/muscle tone and spasm), a weird limp/gait, difficulty speaking, concentrating, with balance, thinking. Boy its a bunch. Even if its for 10 minutes or an hour.
Looking forward to reading more...
http://healingwithpeace.blogspot.com/
Hi I am 38 years old and was diagnosed 15 months ago with MS.
About 4 months ago I noticed when I used my hands to do daily tasks or during work that when i picked up items and applied pressure to the last joint of the pinky it would hurt and it hurt doing so with both pinkys. Within a months time knots were showing in the last joint of both pinkys..the joint closest to the end of the fingers. Both pinkys had visible knots and the pinkys are bent downward due to the knots in the joints. I am unable to bend these 2 fingers back to a normal look and unable to use them at all due to the pain.
Now, 4 months later when I use my arms to lift any object I have this terrible pain in both arms. Starting at the forearm above the elbow and when I lift the pain runs down both forearms and it runs down my arms. It feels as if my muscles are ripping apart when I lift anything of any weight.
Could either my fingers or my arms be possibly related to MS. It seemed to happen over night and I am wondering if it will progress and get worse. Wondering why it is only my pinkys and not my other fingers and now wondering what causes this much pain in my arms.
I hope this wasn't confusing it is def hard to describe it accurately.
Thank You,
Tammy Clements
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I was feeling a pressure sore in my right heel as I read this article. I manage it by moving my right leg, my weak one, to a different position that does not have my weight on it. The pain is minor, but I respect it rather than ignore it. It could become worse if I let it go.
Hi David,
I'm so sorry to hear about your pressure sore. The way I understand it, those are difficult to heal and take a long time to get better, and staying off the area is a major part of the recovery. When it's on your foot, it has to be pretty hard to stay off it. While I am sitting in my scooter, my foot still feels a lot of pressure.
Even a minor pressure sore demands respect. Funny how just a small sore affects our entire life. Please let me know when your heel is better.