[KittyLady]

Its normal for me to go totally limp and collapse when its too hot, and I get stiff when its cold. Im use to that, but lately my body has got things somewhat confused. In the horrible heat here lately, my legs decided to get extremely stiff and painful. Now that the heat has broke, my legs feel abit like jello but the spasms are even worse than when it was hot out! Just cant catch a break. I tried my exercise bike to loosen the muscles, Ive tried walks too, but that all just makes it worse. Im going to be in a baclofen coma soon if this doesnt let up. I dont like this "ride" and Id like my money back!!! I give back the MS I never wanted, and I get all my co-pays back that I never wanted to give. Win - win

[Judy2]

Awwww KL.....I'm so sorry you're having those spasticity problems. I can certainly empathize with you. The weather used to be a big factor in my case, but as the disease has progressed, any movement, anywhere, at all will send my legs, arms, back, etc., etc., etc., into crazy spasms. Of course I don't walk anymore, but those things are horrible....pain and more pain.

All I can offer is a big hug and to let you know you're not alone.

[Lynn]

So sorry that you are feeling like this....the only thing I can suggest to you, is that if you try to stretch the muscles out, don't stretch too far!!! I have torn muscles doing that....six months later, I am still in daily pain - so go gently.

Hugs

Lyn

[ANNagain]

Kitty Lady,

I have no idea what would help you. I hope that this doesn't last long, though.

I have been known to use a large heating pad in an air- conditioned room. Crazy.

ANN

[SallyC]

Stretching and get plenty of rest and water.

[EddieF]

I'm starting to think circulation (lack of) is playing a role, for me anyway.

We all know pain meds relax muscles. When I had colostomy created, my stomach would vibrate every time I tried to get up for therapy. I learned to have the nurse give me half dose of delotid/morphine type drug. They learned with me. Amazingly lt stopped them dead for hrs.

I currently take 7 20mg baclofen per day yet spasms won't quit, and yes I exercise swimming 300+ meters per day.

WHY did my leg spasms increase with MS when my spinal cord is clearly cut at C7???

HEAT - I was overheated to the max a few weeks ago. I hardly got any spasms in legs when getting out of car. Heat lowers thickness of motor oil, does it do the same to blood which would increase CIRCULATION??

[Debbie D]

Gentle stretching is so helpful for me when dealing with spasticity. Go onto the national multiple sclerosis society's website. There is a PDF with stretches that helped me so much...my neuro's nurse gave me a printout and I try to remember to do them as much as possible.
I also use a yoga strap to stretch my hamstrings. It's a gentle pull that really stretches them...

[Kitty]

My left leg has spasms every night. I can almost set my clock by the time they begin. I take 1 baclofen at bedtime otherwise I'd be moving around all night. Sometimes I get spasms during the day but I don't take baclofen then. I tend to tolerate them better during the day and my guess is it's because I'm not trying to get comfortable for sleep then. Moving around helps me work through them.