MS, THE CANE, and SORENESS
Hello, I am new to this site. I was diagnosed in 2006 with RRMS. I will be 60yrs the end of this month. I have severe chronic pain with my MS - my sister was diagnosed with MS 23 years ago at the age of 31 and has never had any pain. She can no longer walk or use her arms/hands at this point in her life, but our symptoms are so completely different.
I have so MANY aches and pains that it is hard to ascertain what is MS and what is not. I am having a terrible time walking and have been for about 3mths so I have been using my cane. I have soreness in my right breast, under my arm, all along my upper abdomen under my breast. Is this common to anyone else? Seemed to just happen overnight, but so typical of MS...
Thank you!
Hi Cecily,
MS is such an odd disease where we can have so many of the same symptoms, but yet our experiences can be so different from one another.
Doctors used to say that MS did not have pain associated with it. But that thinking has changed (thank goodness) because pain is definitely caused by MS in some people. For instance, I have nerve pain which is controlled by medication and physical therapy.
Have you had physical therapy or gait training in how to use a cane properly? Using a cane, or walking in an unbalanced manner, can also cause pain too. It's just a thought.
Regarding the pain under your breast. Do you have any itching or red bumps? If so, please go see the doctor immediately. It just might be a case of shingles and starting anti-virals meds within 72 hours of the appearance of redbumps will make the experience much less painful (and shorter).
Pain was my first symptom of shingles as it was for my mother. Shingles will usually break out on only one side of the body, along a nerve either around the torso (under the breast) or on the face. Mine was on the face.
Or, if the pain is all the way around your torso, consider that it could be a case of the MS Hug or MS Girdle which can cause pain and difficulty breathing. Some people describe it as having a boa constrictor wrapped around the body. This is because the muscles which hold the ribs together go into spasm or get stiff. I've not experienced this but understand that it's rather unpleasant.
Basically, the best answer can be found from your physician. If there is itching and bumps, please go in sooner rather than later. If the pain subsides on it's own, make a note of it to tell your doctor next time, or call the office and discuss it to ask whether to come in.
In either case, I hope that you are feeling much better soon.
Lisa
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