Just wondering from those of you who have dealt with spasticity, how did it start? I have noticed over the past 2 weeks that each time I attempt to do my workouts, my calf muscles seem to be "freezing up" on me (for lack of a better way to describe it). Could this possibly be a sign of spasticity coming on?

Thanks for any input

Hi coplover:

One can only speak from personal experience. My spasticity started with pain in my groin area. My leg was stiff. Sometimes weakness made me fall even though the pain was still there. Finding a balance between treating the pain and stiffness and walking can be tricky.

Here is a good link to what spasticity feels like:

http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/spasticity.html

If you google spasticity you will get some helpful links.

Calf pain can be caused by exercise-related problems. Your doctor or physiotherapist might be the best one to help you with that.

Good luck - hope it resolves soon.

I'm not sure if what you are describing is considered spasticity but it could just be a difference in how your explaining it and what I know of spasticity

Spasticity = stiffness, pain, muscle spasms....here is a link about spasticity that might help you figure out if you have spasticity or not.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/sit...ook_spasticity

Thanks folks. I am aware of what spasticity is just not how it would start out and feel like. (Such as, is it a gradual thing or not, in the beginning) I have not changed my routine nor do I believe it to be an injury. Thank you very much for the link I will go check it out right now!

By the way excuse my poor manners. I have been lurking here about a year. I was diagnosed Nov. 2002, never went back (some for denial purposes then finances over medication). Now awaiting the pharmacy to get the first shipment of Copaxone sent, finally.

Hi Coplover,

Being an X-Policeman myself...............it's nice to know I'm loved!

I think your on your way to discovering just what spasticity is and how it can affect your workouts. It can bring you to a sudden stop of whatever activiting you're involved in while using the legs. Calve muscles will "lock up" on you and you will experience mild to severe pain. Stretching the muscle may bring some relief. I've learned to just suck it up and work through the pain until the muscles relax again.

BTW WELCOME to the Forum. As you have probably already learned, you can get a lot of support and input from all of the members here.

Again, welcome!

In the very beginning, my spasticity started as the uncontrollable mandate to stretch if I had been sitting still for several minutes, for instance, driving my car somewhere. I didn't have the pain -- but my daily job involved being on my feet all day doing manual labor. I was also much more physically fit then the average person in this day of sit down jobs. Even now, when my spasticity is much advanced, it's much more a matter of my muscles fighting back -- for instance, if someone else tries to lift one of my legs or open my fingers, the muscles resist. The sretch thing has now gone nuts, too. When I go to move now, my arms and legs will extend straight out, stretching until I can hear the joints cracking. In the mornings, all it takes to set this off is someone else touching one of my extremities.

Chris

Hi Chris, sorry I haven't been around for awhile, but I think about you often.

So sorry to hear about your advanced spasticity...darnit. I have much of what you described at first...the uncontrolable having to stretch thingy.

I try to do my stretches voluntarily, before I am forced...that seems to help some.

I hope you are doing ok and I hope to talk to you soon.

Hi Sally, great to see ya! My spasticity has now passed from the stage of seriously annoying to dangerous. I have to be really careful when I transfer; if I land on the edge of whatever I'm transfering to the stretch thing will slide me right off to the floor. This is now serious do-do, since these days when I fall, whoever helps me up has to lift me from the floor. I'm about two weeks away from getting a lift in my bathroom. After I have that, I'll get more serious about getting a Baclofen pump.

I've been dragging my heels about the pump. It's not just the high yuk factor involved in getting one, though I feel an overwhelming sense of ickiness whenever I think of it. It's also that I need the spasticity, since it's the only thing getting me to my feet, which I need to be able to do in the bathroom. I'm hoping the lift will help me out with that. Then I'll just have to bite the big one about the pump.

Ian's right about MS. It sucks!

Chris

Oh, Yuk, the evil pump. Have you talked with anyone who has one? I always like to get irst hand info, before I try anything like that.

You are right about the spasticity helping you to stand. Sometimes faster than you want..lol. Then if I'm not holding onto something sturdy, down I go..not so funny.

Are you living by yourself? I can still get myself up, eventually...after sitting there for awhile and relaxing my muscles. Not easy, but I can still do it.

I'm 67 years young, so I dont know how long that will last. Aging and MS make both worse!! I refuse to go to a nursing home, so, one of the Kids will have to take me in or shoot me, whichever they prefer.

Nice hearing from you again and let me know about the pump thingy. Baclofin always made me dizzy..er , but the pump would bypass the brain, so that wouldn't be a problem.....so thats good.

Love and Hugs,

Yes, living by myself -- but in a two-family house, with my best friend and her husband living in the other side of the house. It's a good deal for me. I get the illusion of independence since I'm living in a separate space, yet people are very close when I need help.

Yes, I've talked to people who have the pump. They like it, although there's no getting around the high ick factor of getting it. But I can't tolerate oral baclofen, and other oral meds just don't help much. Sigh. I'm a weenie, but I guess I'll do it.

Chris