Treating Symptoms of MS

Muscle relaxants

Spasticity is a symptom of MS that can occur either as sustained stiffness caused by increased muscle tone or as spasms that come and go. Treatments include muscle relaxants and tranquilizers including: baclofen, tizanidine, diazepam, clonazepam and dantrolene.

Fatigue

Fatigue may be treated with rest, appropriate exercise, good nutrition, a cool environment and medications including Amantadine (Symmetrel), Pemoline (Cylert) and Modafanil (Alertec-Canada) (Provigil-US)

Urinary Tract Symptoms

Urinary tract symptoms in MS include infections, incontinence, frequency, urgency, hesitancy, and bladders spasms. A wide variety of medications are available to treat each of these symptoms. In addition excellent health care products to protect clothing are available through home health care suppliers to deal with the difficulties created by urinary tract symptoms.

Bowel Problems

Healthy nerve function is an important part of bowel function. Although most people experience bowel problems occasionally throughout life, some of the challenges associated with MS (lack of mobility, decreased nerve function etc.) can leave people with MS more prone to bowel problems. Eating a high fiber diet, drinking plenty of fluids, setting up regular toilet habits and regular exercise can help prevent constipation and bowel control problems. When healthy lifestyle changes are not enough medications that may be helpful include:

• bulk forming laxatives (psyllium containing products, i.e. Metamucil)
• stool softeners (ducosate calcium, ducosate sodium)
• glycerin suppositories
• stimulant laxatives (bisacodyl-when necessary)
• enemas and mini-enemas (Microlax)

Pain/ Altered Sensation

Aside from the typical pain relievers such as acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) and ibuprofen a number of antidepressants and anticonvulsants have been found to be effective pain relievers.

Antidepressants used for pain include desipramine, amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin and protriptyline.

Anticonvulsants used for pain include carbamazepine, gabapentin, topiramate, zonisamide and phentoin.

In addition cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids have been legalized for treatment of pain in a number of countries and has been found be effective in some people with MS.

Psychological Symptoms

Symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia frequently accompany MS. Supportive treatments offered by counselors, psychologists and/or psychiatrists can help people overcome a lot of these symptoms. In addition a wide variety of antidepressants, anti-anxiety and sleeping medications are available to supplement these strategies.

Erectile Dysfunction

A number of medications are available for erectile dysfunction in men with or without MS. They include: sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil hydrochloride (Levitra), alprostadil (urethral suppository) and papaverine (injection into the penis-frequently made in pharmacies that carry equipment for making sterile products)