Causes of spasticity

[Lulu54]

I posted the link to this paper from the MS consotium to a different thread yesterday, but think it might be worthwhile to put this out as a new. separate thread.  The paper is quite detailed and recommends that every MS patient be evaluated for spasticity, whether we complain to our neurologist or not.

Here is a list of spasticity causes that they reference - a couple of them really caught my attention.  Be sure to look at your antidepressants if you are on one - the serontonin uptake inhibitors (I hope I got thatright) are on the no-no list.



Table 5 - Precipatating factors associated with spascticity in MS
Exacerbation of MS
Progression of MS
Disease modifying therapy
Antidepressant therapy with SSRIs
Fracture
Skin lesion
Renal or bladder stones
Bladder or colon distension
Excessive fatigue
Extremes of ambient or body temperature
Psychological stress
Menses
Tight clothing
Other noxious stimuli


The whole report can be accessed at
http://www.mscare.org/cmsc/images/pdf/spasticityguidelines_2005.pdf

[jensequitur]

I think definitely, ess - I always have spasticity in the limb that has the injury.

[essdipity]

I don't see how MSers can avoid spasticity, given all these causes!

Not counting exacerbations or progression of the disease, I have SSRIs, fracture, bladder distension, excessive fatigue, and extreme trouble with heat.

I have been wondering if spasticity is going on in my right ankle, the one I fractured badly last fall. Or actually, not the ankle, which moves pretty normally, but the leg right above it, for maybe 6 inches. It feels very stiff, but when I palpate it, the muscles move well.

Am I totally barking up the wrong tree here? Someone knowledgeable, please clue me in.

Thanks,
ess

[Deb61]

Before my MS diagnosis, the pain from spasticity was what my rheumatologists thought was arthritis or fibromyalgia.  I always hurt worse when too hot or too cold, stressed out, fatigued, but never had joint swelling or the trigger points.  I don't know why no one ever directed me to a neurologist back then . . .

Not bitter, but just saying . . .

[RazCarver]

thanks for riposting this I can't get it to work here at home. probably because its my work computer. for some strange reason it's looking for the network when i open this. I'll try at work tomorrow.

[LisaJF]

Great information there. I bookmarked that baby.

I had a few things going on ie:constipation, urinary retention, questionable renal stone (doubt it though -- CT Scan would have picked up on that one unless I already passed it).  My truncal myoclonus is at its worse today than any other time I've had it.  I think with that too, the involuntary jerking can add to the back pain.