Spasticity??

[Aquarianisces]

I am reading about spasticity right now and I am wondering if the following symtpoms of mine conform to that or not?

First of all, I have very tight ham strings and have for years. They make certain movements difficult.  But that's not spasticity, right?  I don't know.  I just read on http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/symptoms/spasticity/index.aspx that this is a possible sign.  My legs are hard to straighten.

In a similiar vein (or rather tendon, har har)

The ortho said that my left hip and leg would only rotate so far out and then it was impossible to move.  He didn't seem to care or know why.

I get extreme tightness in my legs and in my hands.  My hands sometimes claw up and feel like I am wearing gloves (sense dulled).  

I also have muscle hardening in my shoulders and cannot move my neck, but I have not had a neck injury.

The more I read the more I think if the MRI is negative I should share this additional info with the neuro and get more tests.  He seems to want to do more anyway.

But, I would love opinions on this.

Thank you!

[Lulu54]

Hi A- I would definitely share this with the neuro.  It sure sounds like spasticity is part of the picture here.

be well,
Lulu

[Aquarianisces]

Thanks Lulu.  I guess the more symptoms pop up the more I worry I'll sound like a crazy person.  It's a long list, but I guess that sort of thing really happens to people.  ;/

[supermum_ms]

Hi,

I can understand your confusion regarding spasticity, its one of those things that easily get confused with spasms and cramping. I have calf cramping which is painful, my hands or i should say pinky or thumbs lock in a painful position every now and again but my feet cramp the worst though.

I suppose the difference with spasticity for me is that it doesn't hurt, exhausting to deal with but not painful whilst it's happening, my legs have spasticity from hips to toes. Uncontrollable jerking that doesn't reduce when your weight has shifted to the intended leg, even when you've made the step the jerking continues as your trying to make a step with the other leg. Walking becomes exstreemly difficult because there is no control, ryme or reason to the spastic jerking of your limbs. Muscle ache when resting but not pain as such.

Spasms or twitching range from no pain to unmeasurable pain if its a bad Hug, my leg muscles spasm and twitch with out pain, little pulses that your aware of like the one right now thats happening near my right eye or the baby Hugs in my left rib cage. I know they are there but if there no pain as such i have to try and ignore them.

Hmmmm, i think i've slotted things into pain or no pain and i cant say thats the same for everyone, i've been weird for years :)

cheers........JJ

PS. Always write down things for the neurologist, what you might dismiss they might have a aha moment.

[Deb61]

I have little flexibility as well.  I have had (and still do have) painful episodes--especially at night--when the spasticity is at its worst.  Spasticity can be very painful.

Deb

[Aquarianisces]

Deb and supermum (i could use a supermum right now, lol! crazy to be almost 30 and think that)

Thanks for the input.

Yes, I sometimes wake up with excruciatingly painful leg episodes, like screaming.  The legs twitch, but it's rare.  It'll happen every few months for awhile and then go away.  It seems like all this stuff happens for a few days or weeks then disappears and reappears.  Some of it is almost constant, like the tightness.

I also get a tightness around my middle and stabbing pains in my left side that keep me from moving or breathing too much.  I've had an episode of tight stabbing pains in my chest that lasted more than a day and I went to the doctor for it when I was much, much younger and they thought it was asthma.

Ugh.  Typing this right now the top of all the words look crazy and wiggly.  Argh!

Thanks for the advice.  I am going to call the neuro after the MRI and let him know this stuff too.