Itching and spasms

[kim0301]

My mom was diagnosed with MS in 1981 and her condition is getting worse (she cannot walk anymore). Recently she has been getting intense spasms in the right side of her head/neck (she says it's her scalp and the base of her neck). The spasms keep coming for periods of anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes at a time. Usually they happen in the morning, when she first wakes up and we transfer her from the bed to the bathroom to her chair, and at night when we do the reverse. We originally thought it could just be the change of position, but lately the spasms have been coming at random times too, like in the middle of the night when she should be sleeping and in the middle of the afternoon when she's just watching TV or eating a snack. To top it all off, the area of her neck that is having the spasms gets very itchy during the spasms, to the point where she is starting to scratch her skin raw.

She has great doctors, but none of them seem to be able to explain what is causing the spasms and what the correlation is with the spasms and the itching. She has been giving Lidocaine cream and patches to use on her neck, but it barely helps. She also uses antihistamines to help the itching, but they only offer some relief and always make her fall asleep. Her doctor also prescribed her muscle relaxers and pain killers, but they don't seem to do the trick.

We are encouraging her to get an MRI to see what could be wrong, but it's hard for her to sit with her head in one position for a long time (it causes her too much pain), and she's not sure she'll be able to get through it. Does anyone have any suggestions of what could be causing it and/or ways to help her manage the spasms and itching? We have tried things such as heat, ice, creams, massages, physical therapy, etc.

Thanks! Any help would be appreciated!

[Quixotic1]

Hi, welcome to the forum!  We have several caretakers here and are glad to see another.

I agree with Doni and Jen.  The spasms are a well-known paroxysmal problem and should be treated aggressively.  Insist on some antispasmodic meds for her or an increase or additional one if she already is on one.  There are several types, like baclofen, muscle relaxants like Flexiril, or meds like Ativan or clonazepam..

Jen is totally correct that the itching is a "paresthesia."  This is an erroneous message being sent to the brain.  It has nothing to do with the state of her skin.  That is why the creams and anti-itch meds are ineffective.  Her neurologist should know this!  This would be treated with the same kinds of meds used to treat nerve pain.

I recommend that you read the three Health Pages we have that deal with abnormal nerve sensations.

"Paresthesias - Things that Go BUZZ in the Night"

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple%20Sclerosis/Paresthesias---Things-That-Go-BUZZ-in-the-Night/show/378?cid=36

"Nerve (Neuropathic) Pain - A Primer"

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple%20Sclerosis/Nerve-Neuropathic-Pain---A-Primer/show/371?cid=36

"General Principles of Treating Nerve Pain"

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple%20Sclerosis/General-Principles-of-Treating-Neuropathic-Nerve-Pain/show/452?cid=36

These articles will allow you to understand the problem and to talk to her doctors knowledgeably.  These are common problems in MS.  There are ways to help them.  I don't know that the MRI is so important.  The problem IS being caused by a lesion.  We know that with good certainty.  It is really not so important to "see" it.  She needs aggressive 'symptomatic" treatment for her quality of life!

I hope you stay around.

Quix, MD

[jensequitur]

Hi, Kim!

Unfortunately, the spasms are caused by a problem with the nerves leading to the head.  It sounds like your mom has a new lesion or two in the cranial nerves leading to the scalp.  Muscle spasm is usually treated with Baclofen, but too much can cause problems with muscle weakness.

The itchiness is paresthesia.  I'm not sure what drugs will help with extreme itching, but they have several to deal with neuropathic pain, and itching is basically light pain.

Sorry to hear your mom is having so much trouble!  

[doni54]

Hi Kim, and welcome to the forum!!  We are all glad that you found us, this is a great place with wonderful people.

I'm sorry your mother is going through this, but it sounds like she has a great daughter who is there to support her.

I am undx, and don't have an answer for your question, but I'm sure others will be on here soon to try and help you out.

I hope you will come back here often and that we can help by giving you some support.

Take care,
doni