[Evon]

This past week I have been to a chriropractor 3 times for spinal adjustments. In the last 2 days my dystonia has become increasingly worse. I am having a hard time posting this message due to the muscular cramping down my left side. My meds don't seem to be able to stop this and it is becoming unbearable. I take Levo/Carbo 100/25 4 x a day and requip 2mgs. 4 x a day, Also Effexor 75 mgs a day Has anyone had this type of problem with chiropractic care. I have cancelled my appt. with chiropractor for tomorrow and called my MDS in Toronto but they have not got back to me yet. Any suggestions? On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the worst I am at about 9. Desperate for releif.

[libra]

I have been to chiro frequently in past 6 mos because of dystonia in my back. I also have added therapeutic massage. The combination of the 2 seems to help. But it always comes back unfortunatelly so I know what you are going thru. Is your pain the burning pins and needles kind? That is what I have. I have tried everything and the next thing on my list is acupuncture. Have you tried that yet?
I did try medicinal mj and amazingly that did help. It relaxed the muscles alot and took my mind of it. Here in Washington it is legal, but you need a prescription card. Is it legal where you are? If so, you might want to try that.
Good luck to you and let me know if you find something that works.

[reverett123]

You might google " Brain Wave Generator". It is shareware. Download and install. Put on headphones and select the default "Relaxation" track. Stops my foot cramps in less than five minutes.

[Judith]

Evon, you sound totally miserable. I have gone to a chiropractor for about 4 years now because I have scoliosis and muscle spasms from the PD pull my back out of whack. The chiro helps with the spine but not with muscles.

So my suggestion would be to try to find a good massage therapist. I have a deep tissue massage every two weeks. I do get dystonia (not related to chiropractic, but in neck/shoulder, and torso) and find that massage is the only thing that helps. It is painful, but usually the massage therapist is able to get those bound up muscles to release to some extent. I credit her with keeping me upright and ambulatory. She even uncurls my toes!

Good luck!

-J

[rosebud]

I have been lopsided for years.....misaligned ..whatever you choose to call it. Even in high school I had to adjust the hems on my skirts because one hip was lower than the other. It has never really been a bother. Not too long ago I went to a naturopath who sent me to a chiropractor. The naturopath said I needed to straighten my back out first so brain-body communication was efficient. I went for several treatments,and my left side (arm and shoulder area started to hurt...all was good supposedly.) To make a long story short I ran out of money to pursue this avenue and so quit going. That was back in May and now I still have muscle cramping in that area around my left shoulder /arm and my body seems to have found its way back to its original lopsided self. Maybe some things are just meant to be left alone. Socialized medical only pays a small portion of the speciality visits for up to 10 visits per year. (take note ye who are embarking on socialized medical in the States. It has it's limitations). Just thought I'd throw my little story in. I should have left well enough alone.

[Ibken]

Originally Posted by rosebud

I have been lopsided for years.....misaligned ..whatever you choose to call it. Even in high school I had to adjust the hems on my skirts because one hip was lower than the other. It has never really been a bother. Not too long ago I went to a naturopath who sent me to a chiropractor. The naturopath said I needed to straighten my back out first so brain-body communication was efficient. I went for several treatments,and my left side (arm and shoulder area started to hurt...all was good supposedly.) To make a long story short I ran out of money to pursue this avenue and so quit going. That was back in May and now I still have muscle cramping in that area around my left shoulder /arm and my body seems to have found its way back to its original lopsided self. Maybe some things are just meant to be left alone. Socialized medical only pays a small portion of the speciality visits for up to 10 visits per year. (take note ye who are embarking on socialized medical in the States. It has it's limitations). Just thought I'd throw my little story in. I should have left well enough alone.

I too am assymetrical and am becoming increasingly so. In fact I believe that everyone w/ PD is crooked and that in fact this is the root cause of PD. Everyone's bends and bumps will be different but they ALL require more energy than efficiently structured bodies do - and thus specifically create a relentless demand for dopamine (energy reserve) which eventually wears those little neurons out. Yes, I think lack of dopamine is initially caused by the kinky body and then makes it even more kinky by virtue of it's diminshing supply -and then later with the uneven, awkward intrusions of the l-dopa meds we dump in at intervals.
I have found chiropractic and massage to be VERY helpful -when it 'works' - to correct the body's loss of integrity (bio-tensegrity) However how to do this is a mystery to most body workers AND requires time and constant monitoring to right things...and keep them that way. As you pointed out this is not cheap - nor is it a quick fix. Often , it's guesswork and just hope. Still it is the only avenue that makes sense to me and I seem destined to pursue this type of therapy. ALways looking for the master bodyworker!

Ibby

[made it up]

My opinion on this is forget the Chiropractor and don't panic about not being able to contact the Neurologist.
Dystonia can be excruciatingly painful and for me before surgery to help PD the only thing that could definitely help was an increase in levodopa.
Upping your Sinemet dose either gradually on a daily basis or by just taking some when it starts (the dystonia) should help.

[rosebud]

It is known that the more symmetical your face is, the more sttractive you are. There has been quite q bit of research on what we find attractive in each other as humn beings. The BBC made a documentary with a name like "Faces" or something like that (6 parts with John Cleese as the Host) which dealt with this business of what we find attractive. Our irregularities are noted at a subconcious level except for the ones that are glaringly obvious. But my point is, being lopsided is a common human trait. It is normal to be abnormal.

[chasmo]

Originally Posted by made it up

My opinion on this is forget the Chiropractor and don't panic about not being able to contact the Neurologist.
Dystonia can be excruciatingly painful and for me before surgery to help PD the only thing that could definitely help was an increase in levodopa.
Upping your Sinemet dose either gradually on a daily basis or by just taking some when it starts (the dystonia) should help.

Lee knows what she is talking about, she is a retired nurse.
have fun in Europe !!!

Chas

[Evon]

Thanks to all for your replies. It has been a couple of days now, I cancelled my appt for Thursday and told them I would return for my appt. on Tuesday. Since then I had a good day Thursday and then today has been bad. I am not sure if the Chiropractor aggravated things or if I am just ready for more meds. Any of you who have dystonia know how uncomfortable it can be. Thanks for all your suggestions. As you say Rosebud, I can't really afford to keep going even if it is working so I might as well give it up now. Just another stab at finding relief, stay tuned.