All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Multiple sclerosis pain.
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
Pain occurs in 56% of patients with multiple sclerosis, and in almost a third of cases it is of a neuropathic nature. In 87% of cases, pain is localized in the lower limbs, in 31% - affects the arms. Bilateral pain is observed in 76% of cases. In 88%, the pain is constant, painful paroxysms are noted only in 2% of cases. The most typical are sharp, burning, stabbing pains, usually quite intense. In 98% of cases, pain is combined with other sensitivity disorders (increased sensitivity to mechanical and temperature stimuli). Trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis is observed in 4-5% of cases (usually associated with demyelination of the trigeminal nerve roots). Dysesthesia is very typical for multiple sclerosis. In general, a third of patients call pain the most severe symptom of their disease, significantly worsening the quality of life.
Neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis is associated with damage to the spinothalamic tracts, deafferentation, and impaired descending pain control.
Treatment of pain in multiple sclerosis. Amitriptyline, lamotrigine, carbamazepine, gabapentin, lopiramate are used to relieve neuropathic pain syndrome in multiple sclerosis, although large-scale evidence-based studies of the effectiveness of these drugs have not been conducted. All researchers unanimously recognize the need for well-organized controlled studies of pharmacological drugs for the treatment of pain in these patients.
[ What do need to examine?