Spasticity - ouch!

[jensequitur]

So I'm getting some spasticity in my right calf.  This is the most intense pain I've had yet.  I've had mild spasticity in my arms and hands, but this is a bit harder to ignore.

I know other people have asked this question, but is there anything that you guys can recommend to ease the pain?  As you probably know, I use herbal alternatives, but I'm out now - and I don't know when I'm going to get some more.  The last little bit really helped this morning, but it seems to have worn off.

When I get home from work, I plan on wrapping it with a hot pad and blast the consequences - the pain is radiating up into my knee and inner thigh.

[Sarahsmom46]

I'm having probelms with spascticity right now too.  I'm pulling out all the tricks I can in my little bag, but the only thing that is working is the baclofen.  I've used a heating pad to help with the pain, which is also in my legs.  

The pain is really making me miserable as it is probably making you as well.  I hope the heat works, and like you said you'll just have to deal with the consequences but it shouldn't cause other problems hopefully.  

Otherwise, I don't have a natural or herbal remedy to give you, but I'd be interested in hearing more about what you are using herbal-wise.  I want to be on as few drugs as possible right now until I know how my body will tolerate them.  

Hope you find some respite from the pain.  Take good care.

Julie

[mokibear]

I get the spasticity really bad at times too and although I am on Baclofen often it doesn't help when it's that bad. I have used a poultice of fresh thyme and comfrey last year a couple of times and it did seem to help. I haven't tried it this year yet as the herbs are just starting to come up now. Hope that helps you.

Moki

[Guitar_grrrl]

I'm loving all these suggestions.  Do make sure you can stretch as much as you can to keep these muscles supple.  Calf stretches, ham stretches, quad stretches may help relieve some of the pain, as well as the remedies you're used to using.

Namaste,
Guitar_grrrl

[jensequitur]

Phew!  Yup, it seems to be spasticity, and not my wonky toe, that's causing all the problems.  A calf stretch is the only way I can get some relief - I tried heat, but the only thing it did was keep it from getting any tighter.  Problem is, I can't work while doing a calf stretch...  people would stair.

So for those of you on Baclofen, does it make your muscle weakness worse?

[roncart]

hi, I had the same problems with spasms. Most of mine occurred at night. the doctor put me on zanaflex which helped but I found not taking my cholestrol pills helped to lessen the spasms. I wrote about this on this forum because I think that any of you that are suffering with these spasms and are on cholestrol pills should try not taking the pills for about 10 days and see if your spasms decrease. Now maybe you don't take cholestrol pills but if you do just try it. I know that is what helped me and knowing how debilatating and painful these spasms are made me want to spread the word. Someone even responded to my post that the docor told him because he had ms he would only use a statin drug as a last resort!.........I hope this helps others as much as it helped me......... best wishes. roncart

[jensequitur]

Yeah, my cholesterol has always been good, so I have nothing to worry about there.

[jensequitur]

Sorry, for those of you wondering about my 'herbal supplements,' it's definitely an off-label use of what is currently an illegal drug.  I seem to have the worst spasticity when I've been out for a while - and I've been out for a week or so.

[Khiba]

Magnesium citrate or Magnesium glycinate works very well for spasticity and for cramping.

Most of us are likely deficient in magnesium and its fairly harmless to try it. I take 600 mg of magnesium glycinate a day to go along with 1200 mg calcium.

I read that drugs like Lyrica, which I am taking, or its generic predecessor, Neurontin or gabapentin, deplete the body's magnesium so supplementing should help for sure in this case. Just don't take the Lyrica at the same time as magnesium.

Avoid Magnesium Oxide as its not very bio-available.

Jessica

[rendean]

Sorry about the spasticity. I know how much it can hurt. Mine occurs mostly in my calves. Tried Bacolfen and it didn't do squat. Changed to Klonopin at night and haven't really been bothered with it since (knock on wood).

Good luck,
Ren

[Quixotic1]

Frequent stretching is the basis of all the therapies for spasticity.  The stretches should be long enough to cause lingering discomfort in the muscle for upwards of 30 minutes.  You need to stretch several times a day.

This isn't the kind of stretching that you do before exercise.  You really are trying to relengthen shortened muscles that have an ongoing force to keep them tight and shortened.

There is a device that Elaine was telling me about - a little slanted board - that can be place under a desk to work at stretching feet and calves.  I'll ask her about it.  This may be a good time to get another round of PT.

Quix

[jensequitur]

Phew!

I may have been going through a little pseudo-flare... I dunno.  The calf was pretty bad Saturday and Sunday.  Checked my temp Monday, and it was a little above normal (99.5) when I'm normally 97.6 or so.  But the spasticity in the calf is new as of a few days ago, and I've got a whole new crop of paresthesia, so maybe it is a real relapse.

This is the first day that it hasn't been screaming with pain... and I'm not running a temperature... so of course, I'm at work.  

I've been trying lots of things to get the cramps to let up.  Stretching seemed to help, but it also seemed to set off the cramping, so I've had to be careful.  Something I found helped was to rotate my foot quickly, pointing and lifting the toes.

I haven't been stretching as much as you recommend, Quix - it's definitely been several times a day, but since the muscle is in a constant state of discomfort, it's hard to tell when to let up.  But stretching is the only way to get the leg to work, sometimes.

Any weight on the leg starts it back up again, even just sitting on the couch, so mostly I sit with it underneath my butt.  I'm sure this isn't good for the leg, but it keeps me from hollering!  I also wrap a hot pad around it - while the heat doesn't make it better, it does stop the cramping.

Magnesium citrate, huh?  Worth a try - I should be taking a multivitamin anyway.  I'm always trying just to eat the foods that contain the nutrients, rather than taking a pill.

[BOK2Bjan]

Hi jen,
I just posted about the same problem basically.  I have foot drop and my increase in muscle spasticity has been rapid, severe, and very YUCKY.  I have a massaging "wand" that I use to rub the muscles.  It hurts, but it's a good hurt.  Also, my kids had been helping (a little bit) with stretching.  I have one place in my right hip area that I can't get to.  It is driving me bats!!! I want to cut and reach my hands in there but I guess that wouldn't exactly help!

It's so weird to have muscles sore when I've been lying in bed!  One thing I've never had trouble with is my muscles - tendons yes - but muscles no.  And now I don't think there are ANY body "parts" left that aren't effected by a disease.  I take zanaflex, but it only helps some.  The physical things help more.

I wish you well.  Blessings, Jan