Muscle Spasticity Question

[gwcurt]

One of my Dx is Primary Idiopathic Perepherial Autonomic Neuropathy. One of my biggest problems is muscle spasticity in legs, arms, back, and abdomen. I can stretch most muscles, but can't manage to stretch abdomen muscles to help them. Ab muscles wake me up every night with terrible muscle tightness and pain.  Only solution I've found is drinking a couple of cups of hot coffee. Tried Ben Gay, heat blankets, massage etc.  I've found reference in MS to MS Hug which sounds the same and they have the same solution to the pain, but is supposedly rare in MS. Muscles in body exercise themselves, especially if I use or exercise those muscles in the day.   Does anyone else have this problem, and if so what solutions have you found.

[tonyad]

   Hey there,
that is a good thing that you get copies of "ALL" your medical records and keep them. I too very much, agree w/ you in that doctors tend to leave / mention things on "YOUR health that you have the right to know.

   So, In my Opinion, it is not being Paranoid, rather... just taking charge of your own health  :)   how did your doctors appt go today?  i hope it was good.  And I soooo know what you mean about neing exhausted.  This hampers a lot in  my life....No Fun!

~Tonya

[gwcurt]

thank you for explaining MRI artifacts. I believe that I get too paranoid of doctors not telling me everything because I catch them leaving things out too often or not explaining things.  So I have a tendancy to review every report to make sure that I get all of the information.  I keep trying to work on this problem, but have difficulty overcoming.

Having some problems this week, will see dr today. I'm really too tired to see him, but I don't think I have a choice.  Take care and good luck. gwcurt

[tonyad]

  Hey there. hope your week as been good so far :)

Artifacts can show up on MRI's for various reasons.

       An image artifact is a structure not normally present but visible as a result of a limitation or malfunction in the hardware or software of the MRI device, or in other cases a consequence of environmental influences as heat or humidity or it can be caused by the human body (blood flow, implants etc.). The knowledge of MRI artifacts (brit. artefacts) and noise producing factors is important for continuing maintenance of high image quality. Artifacts may be very noticeable or just a few pixels out of balance but can give confusing artifactual appearances with pathology that may be misdiagnosed.
Changes in patient position, different pulse sequences, metallic artifacts, or other imaging variables can cause image distortions, which can be reduced by the operator; artifacts due to the MR system may require a service engineer.
Many types of artifacts may occur in magnetic resonance imaging. Artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging are typically classified as to their basic principles, e.g.:  
Physiologic (motion, flow)
Hardware (electromagnetic spikes, ringing)  
Inherent physics (chemical shift, susceptibility, metal)


Here is a web site you can check out......
http://www.mritutor.org/mritutor/artifact.htm

  How are you feeling today......?
Take Care,
~Tonya

[gwcurt]

Your description of the MS hug was very good, it was surprising how many people deal with this. My ab muscles stay tight all day long, but become so tight at night that they are painful.  I've been on Neurontin for years, thigh muscles started my taking Neurontin. It helped for thighs, but hasn't helped any on abdominal muscle pain. Took up to 900mg 3 times daily which is over recommended doseage. I did a stretch similar to what you discussed with an exercise ball, but didn't seem to help the way stretching my thighs does. I would describe mine as crushing or constricting.

I had an MRI of brain several weeks ago. It said no active restriction, but it did mention an artifact, which to me is evidence of something in the past. I asked Doctor about and he said it is most important to pay attention to the conclusion which did not talk about artifact. Have you ever seen or heard of MRI report mentioning an artifact, and if so what does it mean?  Thank you for your input.

[auntissie]

My suggestion was similar.  I've found that a muscle relaxer is helpful for my spasms.  I use Bentyl.  It has very little side effects and really helps.

[tonyad]

  Hello,
    Sorry you are dealing with the spasticity problems.  I have Multiple Sclerosis and actually the "MS HUG" is what we call it..(Lol)  Is really NOT uncommon for us.

     How Common is the "MS Hug?"
This is hard to say. Up to 75% of people with MS will experience this pain as a symptom.

     What Causes the "MS Hug?"
It is caused by a lesion on the spinal cord and is technically classified as a neuropathic pain called a “paresthesia,” which refers to any abormal sensation. The sensation itself is the result of tiny muscles between each rib (intercostal muscles) going into spasm. These muscles have the job of holding our ribs together, as well as keeping them flexible and aiding in movement, like forced expiration.

     What Does It Feel Like?
Like many MS symptoms, the “MS hug” feels different for different people – it also feels different in the same people on different days or at different times of day. It can be:
As low as the waist or as high as the chest; rarely it can be felt as high as the shoulders and neck
Focused in one small area (usually on one side or in the back) or go all the way around the torso
Worse when fatigued or stressed
Present in “waves” lasting seconds, minutes or hours or can be steady for longer periods of time
Described as sharp pain, dull pain, burning pain, tickling, tingling, a crushing or constricting sensation or intense pressure

      Have you been givin any medication for this? MS'ers usually are RX'd Baclofen and/ or Gabapentin (neurontin). there are a couple other things out there. So, does this sound like what you are having??  

     you could try lying on your back (flat on floor) arms out to the sides (palms up), bend and raise legs up towards chest, then with shoulders staying flat as possible on floor, bend legs (togather) to one side, then back to starting point then to the other.

     I hope that make s sense...It does help a bit sometimes.....I wish you luck and relief from your pain.

Take Care,
~Tonya