Spasticity, what a pain -- literally. Mine started in the legs with that uncontrollable urge to stretch too. At first it felt pretty good, like a 'normal' stretch, but as time passed it became too much of a good thing. Like Chris and Sally said, some is necessary to hold us up, but it's getting to the point now of not being able to bend my knees to stand up. It takes a few minutes of concentrated effort to relax enough, the same with getting in and out of bed. It's amazing how much we take for granted like doing the simplest things. What muscle relaxers have you all tried other than Baclofen? That didn't agree with me.

And would you mind filling me in on the yuck part of the pump!?! I'm not at all familiar with it.

Yes, this living alone as the disease progresses is really a challenge. Starting later today, a physical therapist is coming to my home, don't know what she'll do. Also other home health people now since I've developed this lymph oedema in my feet/ankles/legs. Have to watch it doesn't turn into cellulitis. Never a dull moment!!

The pain factor has been out of control lately too. Weather change probably. Did I mention here that both the RN and Occupational Therapist that came here said if they were in my position, they'd do everything possible to get to a teaching hospital? As I've mentioned before, this is a rural area with no ms specialists around so who knows?? Seems like I've got many things going on at once. Such is life!

Take care!

The first stage of getting the pump happens in the neurologist's office. There an epidural is done, using baclofen instead of the pain med normally used for laboring women. This is done to make sure there are no allergic reactions, to see if the baclofen actually helps the spasticity, and to determine dosage and placement (low for legs, high for upper body, middle for both). The neuro I'll be using does these at 6 AM. Apart from the fact that I can't wait to have a spinal , this timing is a logistical nightmare for me.

The second stage happens in the hospital on an in-patient basis since it's a surgical procedure. A neurosurgeon implants the pump in the spine. The delivery tube passes from the pump to the baclofen resevoir, which is implanted under the skin of the diaphragm. The resevoir is generally filled every six months, using a hypo through the skin of the diaphragm directly into the resevoir.

The oral meds I'm currently taking are neurontin (which I also take for break through TN pain), zanaflex, and dantrolene. None of them work very well.

Chris