spasticity

Ooooooh Elizabeth!!

This is a bad one!!  I have not had this since being diagnosed, but when I was in college I cracked two molars from grinding!  Get a mouth guard.  They are expensive from the dentist as insurance doesn't usually cover it.  You might try the over the counter type.  I have no idea how well those work.  As for relieving the spasticity, I can't really help there.  I just take baclofen and that works for me. 

I hope you get that taken care of soon.................(smiling to show off my two gold crowns to repair those molars)

I go through periods of grinding.....I am not good about using my mouth guard all the time.  I use it when I grind.  I should use it all the time but I don't.  My worst period of grinding was in college...despite loving it, it seems that stress must have been the culprit. 

Yes, baclofen can make your legs "weak".  You need a certain amount of spasticity to walk (that ability to keep a muscle tense to bear weight).  There does seem to be a fine line between reducing spasticity but not so much as to make it difficult to walk.  It seems that some have to really work on tweaking meds and dosages to find that right balance.  I actually have very strong legs (thanks to some very specific PT ) and don't have that problem.  I have pain from spasticity in my left leg.  I have some nerve problems, again that left leg doesn't always do what it is told.  It likes to trip the right leg and it likes to just give out.........crash!! 

I only use baclofen as needed.  I don't always need it.  So, I am no expert there.  I am sorry.....I don't think this was much help.

Hi hot woman,

I have a baclofen pump for intense pain due to spasticity. Yes, the baclofen does make my legs weaker. My left side is worst affected by MS so is the weakest. If I stand on my left leg I shake a lot. If I stand on my right leg I hardly shake at all. I could not tolerate oral baclofen as it made 9 nerves in my face jump. The pump has been miraculous for me because for the first time in 12 years I have no pain & also am back to my easy going self with no irritable flares. So I accept the shakiness - its worth it to have no pain & less spasticity.

I am on a complex continuous dose - very low during the day (to minimise the shakiness) but a lot higher from 8.00pm-8am because thats when I have the worst spasticity/pain. Since the pump I always use a walker at home which I have grown to like because I hardly ever fall now & I can carry things (like piles of washing or plates or tools & plants if I am out in the garden) & I can sit down when I need to

Love & Light
Speedy

Hi "Hot" woman,
Good luck with the baclofen I hope it allows you to do some "cool" dance moves.

I was wondering if you have ever tried Progurt? I found it gave more dexterity in the hands. It is a yogurt you make at home - is easy to eat as it just slips down your throat. Said to also boost the circulation. If you are interested you will find it on the internet. I eat a cup a day and do feel good & have much less fatigue. I just spent the morning in the garden

Love, light & rapid acceleration. Vrooooom!!!
Speedy

Hot woman,

Sorry about the nerve twitches I had the same reaction. I desensed with kineaseology or I don't think I could be managing with the pump now. Have you tried magnesium?? Also good for the grinding - my husband has nearly ground his teeth away & always wakes with a headache (for last 30 years!!) now he listens to me & says the magnesium is definitely helping!!

Its hot here so the faster we go, the harder the tyres get (my husband is always deflating them to try & slow me down, the sneaky fellow) and the faster we go. Hang on!! Yipppeeeeeeeeeee!!

Speedy

Hot woman,

I was thinking about the magnesium and thought you would need to max the dose to help such strong spasticity. We have natropaths in all the health shops here & they advise on how much you can take.

The other thing that I find has really helped with the allergies is Theta Healing. I have done 2 courses but think all the info is in Vianna Stibal's book - I only suggest this because I know that (like me) drugs are a problem for you and I think you might like this.

We are in autumn & weather is fantastic - mild and sunny - I love it. Its only the tires that get hot with the speed!!!!!

Speedy

Hey Hot Woman & BBB husband (beautiful, big, brute),

What a dynamic duo you two must be! Autumn & spring are the best times. I fill my walker with my tools, plants etc & spend happy hours in the garden.

Wondered if you had ever tried hyperbaric pure oxygen therapy? I am having success with Pranayama yoga breathing (it has the same effect without the price tag). When my voice gets weak I do it and the voice gets powerful again. Exciting!

Speedy

Hot woman,

I would love to do more yoga but it is one of the things that I cannot much do now I have a pump - too much movement of the spine, repetitive bending or twisting can dislodge or kink the catheter which would mean another operation to replace it, and they leave the old catheter inside, just thread a new tube instead. Are any of your exercises more static? I also have trouble holding a posture (lack of strength) and have very poor balance though I was able to do some exercises as long as I could hold on to something,

If you get your SW("super, wonderful") BBB husband to type "The-Magic-Of-Yoga: Hyperbaric Pure Oxygen Therapy and Yoga" into the net you will find this site where she talks of the success she has had curing her Auto Immune Disorder which she had had for the last 11 years. I am now looking for a master who will instruct me in the specific exercises she mentions. She is at the top of the page & about 5 sites down the page you will find one about the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen and MS.

I got to it in a roundabout way because I first saw a DVD about yoga breathing where he mentioned that you could create this hyperbaric oxygen effect. So I devised my own exercise and had this remarkable response. So I went looking on the net for someone who could teach me properly and found this site.

I have not done much vegetable growing yet but plan to grow vegs amongst flowers when we remodel the backyard with some raised flower beds that I can garden.

Happy days
Speedy

Hey Hot Woman aka SWBBB,

Thanks for the info about the yoga. I too had that sort of encounter with yoga and Tai Chi. They were both meant to be tailored to MSers but weren't & the Tai Chi was particularly impossible. I am impressed that you are doing it. Your balance must be good!!

I am looking for someone good to make me a personalised programme like yours it definitely sounds the way to go.

Speedy

Hi Gretchen,

I would like to post the subjects discussed in case there is anyone else interested but do not know how without starting a new thread each time
For example I would like it to read - spasticity, yoga, Tai Chi, progurt, hyperbaric breathing

Thanks

Hey Speedy,
Yes, the specialized, individual program is definitely the way to go!!!! Yes, for the most part my balance is pretty good. I am impressed with all that you can do...stair stepper, cross trainer, etc. It just continues to show the further complexity and individuality of this illness. Keep me posted on your search for help with your own personal program. I am going to switch over to that new thread that you and Gretchen talked about...hi Gretchen ...glad you are enjoying this...I am super psyched about that. See you guys over there!!!!!

Take care,
Hot Woman