I have struggled with pelvic pain for years. Beginning last summer, I started having problems if I walked too much. I would be able to walk with no pain, but four or five hours later I would get severe, raging muscle pain in the muscles at the front of my hips, my groin, and pelvic pain as well. For months I took prescription opioids and baclofen at the full dose I was allowed, 24/7.
My pain doctor said I needed a baclofen pump for that and tight muscles in my neck area. I had that put in last fall, but it was largely unsuccessful because it made my legs so weak I could barely walk, even at the "low" starting dose. After several months of not walking, the pain finally calmed down. I know it's not good to stop walking except around the house, and it did concern me at the time, but not having that pain was my all-consuming worry.
I did pelvic floor physical therapy for twelve weeks. I told the therapist I what was happening with the hip flexors, but she said not to worry because they're connected to the pelvic muscles. We did pelvic exercises and when working on me she just worked around the hip muscles. By then I could only walk six minutes on a treadmill, without causing myself pain and I was supposed to keep doing that.
Then in the spring I had what for me was a terrible relapse. Shooting electric shock sensations in my legs, feeling like I had to sit down before I fell down, etc. So I did what I always do for a relapse; I rested until I felt better. Unfortunately, that took months.
Since the summer, I have not been able to walk farther than my mailbox because of this pain. I waited months to see an MS specialist, who didn't seem to have any ideas. Then I waited months to see a rehab doctor, who thinks it's nerve pain and said I should take gabapentin (which does not agree with me) and walk as much as I can. Can muscle pain be nerve pain? In any case, just getting the exam made the pain come back! I have now been on opioids for years and they are not working as well as they used to, but my pain doctor has made it clear he won't be increasing my dose because he feels it would be dangerous.
My mental health has really suffered because of this situation. I have developed a lot of anxiety, which I know can actually make the pain worse. I also have anger issues that make the pain worse when something upsets me. Unfortunately, I can't tolerate antidepressants. I do have clonazepam I can take if I need too, but then I'm not good for anything for eight hours. Meditation and deep breathing seem to help with the pain and anxiety, but only for a short time. I am seeing a therapist.
I'm sorry this post is so long. I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar?
Hello, I’m new to this community as my husband was recently diagnosed with MS.
FUBAR.
