Spasticity

[Deb61]

Is it better to take medicine for spasticity or get used to the pain?  I've been dealing with spasticity for years and try to deal with the pain  Is there a negative other than having pain?  Should I be taking medicine?  

I may be asking for another prescription for Baclofen, anyway, because the pain has been worse in my legs than usual and I have a constant spasm going on in my right upper arm that is painless but driving me crazy.  I hate almost as much as the pain waking up groggy and having less cognitive abilities than I already have.  So, is it better to tough it out or get the medicine?

Another question. Does your spasticity get worse thinking about it?  When I try to calm my muscles the more tight they seem to get . . .

Thanks, Deb

[Deb61]

I will talk with my neuro in October because I do deal with spasticity constantly.  It really is getting bad in my legs.  I think the lower back and neck pain has to deal with long term spasticity.  Having had MS symptoms for years, I have a lot of it.  I've learned to deal with the pain, but it does often keep me up at night--especially when I'm too hot or too cold.  

I don't have much flexibility at all--especially in my back and neck. I wonder if it was the cause of the problems with the bulging discs in my neck . . .

[Sidesteps]

PS - yes, on the disability for sure.

[Sidesteps]

Deb,

I have heard of spasticity causing deformities, yes. I am not sure where I read it but I did some where. I had a severe case of cramping in my left foot at the beginning of a "flare" in June.

I was under some pressue to get a garage sale going and my foot cramped up so badly that all my toes twisted together. It stayed that way for awhile but I put pressure and forced the foot to stretch.

I would talk to you doctor about this. I think treatment does have benefits of preventing long term issues like deformity and/or further injury. I think you can google spasticity and deformities to get a lot of information. I can't link them where I am right now.

[COBOB]

Are the medications absolutely necessary for preventing long term disability?  

I guess that depends on the degree and type of spasricity.  I have seen people bent and doubled over with spsticity.  In my case, I walk a bit "scissor legged." but the main issue is pain and sleep interruption (it is 2:40 AM here now.)

So the drugs have more to do with my being able to sleep so I can function at work, than any body bending disability, at this point.

Bob

[Deb61]

Thanks for the replies.

Are the medications absolutely necessary for preventing long term disability?  

I do make myself move, regardless of how bad I feel.  

[COBOB]

I take the medications.  I stretch. I work the muscles.  When they wake me up at night I get out of bed and move.  As I said in the other thread, that is what I do for my MS, since I really have very few motor issues, it seems that the movement calms down the spasticity for a while.

Bob

[Sumanadevii]

There is another thread about spasticity started by Sidesteps recently.  It has some good information that may interest you.

I take the medicine but it doesn't work magic.  I have found that exercise has to be incorperated into my day.  Together I do get some relief.