Reflex questions

[Sunnytoday]

MS= hyper or non exist reflexes, yes or no? I'm confused!

on the first visit to NYU my reflexes were very hyper. And then last month Dr. H noted that they weren't that bad, they were still hyper but getting weaker.

Why is this? Is this consistent with MS or just consistent with being weird?  I think they are getting worse again  but I believe that is because I have been exercising a LOT more this month in my legs for PT.... my leg muscles are stronger.... for example of the hyper reflexes that I used to have and am now having again: if I drop my hand on my legs, my legs jump like crazy, it kinda weird.

So, in MS do you have hyper reflexes or dead ones? It seemed that Dr.'s K. and H. could understand why I had hyper reflexes, drop foot, and poor strength. Does that not mesh?

~Sunnytoday~

[Sunnytoday]

Thanks to all who commented. I feel much clearer about this. Our bodies and our Dr.'s can be rather confusing at times. So, if I get this right, hyper-reflexes can be seen in MS, and can be seen in combo with my foot drop and weakness.  Also, with me excericising more, that could cause my already hyper muscles to be more hyper?

Thanks again everyone, and Quix for breaking it down clearly. :)
~Sunnytoday~

[LATW]

PT is amazingly difficult.  I can not believe how movements I once took for granted and were so easy, are so difficult now.

I am working with the yellow bands right now.  I am so close to being told I can not drive any more. :(  

The PT mentions it when I see her. I am afraid she is going to say something to my MS doctor about it.

I am going to PT every 2 weeks for now but that was so the doctor can determine what is going on.  The PT thinks I need to be going in once a week. I see my doctor soon and should know what is next.  

How about you?  How is PT for you? I get muscle fatigue and tremors in my legs now. That is very new for me.  Not only that but doing the exercises kicks up my vision problems.  

We live in a quad level house.  I am in trouble if I need wheel chair anytime soon.

LA

[young at heart]

LA,

YA GOTTA LOVE THE CANE AND ROLLATOR,I CAN THROW IN MY WHEELCHAIR AND YA CAN HAVE A 3 SOME.(LOL)

WITH ME I HAVE ABSENT REFLEXES,BUT THE CHRONIC SPASTICITY,ALSO DROP TOE AND FOOT BILATERIALLY.

THIS IS DO TO MY MS AND A SPINAL NERVE DISEASE.

HOW IS PT GOING?

HUGS

T-LYNN

[LATW]

Thank you for asking this question. This is exactly what I am having trouble with, just as Quix described .

Hyper reflexes, foot drop, muscle weakness, cramping, spasticity, spasms.

I am managing all of this with PT, medication, a cane, and rollator.  Isn't getting older fun! :(

Well, ok, it is the MS but the cane and rollator make me feel old.


LA

[Quixotic1]

1) in MS the most common finding is hyperreflexia.  However, uncommonly reflexes can also be absent.

2) Reflexes can change in their response over time.

3) Hyperreflexia is NOT the same as spasticity, though they are related.  And the two things often occur together.

4) Hyper reflexes and spasticity can occur (and often occur) along with weakness.

5) Foot Drop can occur with weakness of the muscle in the front of the shin (tibialis anterior) that pulls the foot up.  Foot Drop can also be a result of spasticity of the muscles that pull the foot and toes downward (maily the calf).

Quix

[Deb61]

I have hyper reflexes in my legs.  When the hammer comes out and the neuro taps my knee, my knee jerks way out there.  It's hard for me to believe my legs do this when I have such limited flexibility in them.  My neuro tells me I have spasticity in my legs.  

A more knowledgeable person than myself may be able to tell you if the increased reflexes means spasticity.  Most all my reflexes are hyper.  If you find out what this means, be sure to let us know!

Deb

[JulesL5S1]

I have hyper reflexes.  These hyper reflexes are why my neurosurgeon believes I have MS (and other reflex issues).  I have bulging disks in my lumbar region and at C6 however my knee reflexes are hyper which does not mesh.  And I "developed" hyper reflexes after the serious viral illness March 1999 followed by the possible "MS Hug" in May 1999.  My reflexes have been hyper ever since.  

[wishforchange]

You've almost shaken off my sleepiness, thanks!  Need some intellectual musings to take my mind off the fact it's an hour before I can take more pain relief, and your question has my brain reeling.  It's great that not being a doctor I can theorize as I like and claim ignorance if it's rubbish!  Will open my shiny new clinical books in a bit, they are really good - if I find anything will tell you.

Anyway, this is what dumbo is thinking:

Anything that strengthens the muscles is going to help the nerves, so that may explain the better reflexes, not so outrageous...

More odd.  I wonder, if a reflex is too strong in one area, could that lead to the area next along from it away from the CNS having a reduced reflex, as the nerve interruption is kind of flipped down the pathway.  For example, a hyper knee reflex and a deadened ankle one would be in line with that.  Absolutely no clinical reasoning behind it, or evidence, just some half remembered training in reflex arcs from years back and a bit of creative thinking.  If Quix reads your post and my blubblering, I expect her to put me right, or declare me a genius, or just ignore me :((

Well, you asked.  Can't control how silly the responses might be.  But all that aside am really pleased you are getting stronger.

I expect you to be all better in a few years or less and running your own rehab programs (american spelling notice, I am thoughtful).  If you're not better, you will be wiser anyway.  Part of me is glad you don't have a firm diagnosis, leaves the door open for possibilites to recover.  But it also leaves you with all this doubt and med expenses I know.  I am always optimistic for everyone else, save all the doom and gloom for myself.  Keep strengthening those muscles, is obviously helping.  Slowly but surely.

wish

[jensequitur]

Hyper and hypo reflexes are a result of damage to the nerve.  I think you're correct - your hyper reflexes are due to your increased exercise.  I seem to have both!  So I would say it's not an exclusion of MS as a diagnosis, if that's what you're asking.