Spasticity......It Hurts! Wah!!!!!
 

I am having the worst time with spasticity in my lower legs. The muscle in my calf feels like it's about 2 inches long....and supposed to be about 12 inches long!! :( I'm having to use my cane in the house because I'm limping so badly and my balance is so bad. I usually only use it when I'm out and about. I wall walk and use furniture to help me at home. I've nearly fallen a couple of times but thankfully the wall was there to catch me! :o I'm taking my Baclofen but even 20 mg 3X a day isn't touching it.

Sorry.....just had to whine a little. I know it will pass. Just not soon enough for me!

Just wanted to give some :hug::hug:. Sorry to hear that you're in so much pain today.

kelly, Whine away. It sounds pretty painful.:hug:

Hope the spasticity lightens up soon, Kell! I know your'e having some ins problems, so hope you can get some relief like NOW. My back has been spazzing like crazy lately, so sympathize w/ya. Take care Kell!!!

Sending healing thoughts your way.

That stinks! Hope you are feeling better soon.

Quick someone bring Kitty some chocolate and a pitcher of margaritas! (I'm telling you it cures everything!, except a cold for that you need honey and Jack)

Awww, sorry Kitty. Hope you get some relief soon. :hug::hug::hug:

Gosh, I do feel for you! Those cramps hurt like nothing else I can describe! Most definitely in the not nice category. :eek:

I find Magnesium fixes mine when I get them. My doctor told me to buy plain Magnesium, not a brand that had anything else mixed in with it, so that's what I did and for me it works.

Hoping you don't suffer again tonight with those horrible cramps, but just in case, I'm sending you some hugs........ :hug:

Plain magnesium, really? I'll have to keep that in mind ~ Thanks!

Kitty, sorry you are having spasticity in your legs. Sending hugs your way. :hug:

Sorry you are in so much pain
 

Oh Kelly, I am SO sorrry to hear that you are in so much pain right now!!:hug: I really hope that you can get some relief from your symptoms and start feeling better real soon!

Have you spoken to your Neurologist/Doctor about the Spasticity? Maybe they could up your baclofen dosage? Just a thought as you shouldn't have to deal with any more pain or issues than you do already!

I'm thinking about you and sending many pain-free hugs your way!!!:hug:

Koala,
Magnesium is on my list of sfuff to get. Maybr that and the Baclofen together......

(((((((((((((((Kelly)))))))))))))))

(((((((Kelly)))))))

Would epson salt help? I know getting in and out a tub is out of the question, but you can soak a small hand towel in a bowl with warm water and espon salt. Apply it to your legs.

You'll absorb the magnesium and help you muscles loosen up.

I hope today is better. :hug:

I know money is tight for you, but can you afford a massage? That really helps me when the Baclofen is not enough. I usually get a relief for weeks from just one Swedish massage.

You might try calling around for deals. A very high end spa I have gone to using gift certificates is e-mailing me right now offering deals on massage (40% off on Wednesdays). I think business is off because of the economy. I'm making an appt for myself because my pain level the last few weeks is off the charts, too. I have a couple of saved up gift certificates and so all I have to pay for is the tip.

I get gift certs from using my debit card as a credit card and earning points. When I get enough points, I cash them in for a Spa Finder gift cert that is redeemable at spas all over the country.

I hope you're feeling some relief today Kitty! :hug:

I can not get in and out of a tub. I never thought of soaking a hand towel in epson salts and water. Thanks for the idea!

Started taking Prednisone Medpack yesterday and it has helped tremendously. I feel much better today. Not sure if I was going to anyway because I haven't had that much of a dose of the roids yet but I truly do feel better. Walking is much easier and I don't have that crampy feeling in my legs today. I'll take whatever relief I can get! :D Hope it lasts!

((( HUGS KITTY ))) and all my friends here~!!!

Yes I too forget that magnesium helps with pain.

Wishing you well...glad the steriods are helping so quickly.

Take good care...cuz...WE care!!

Jan

P.S. Wiz.. I LOVE your spring flowers!! thanks

Spasticity is so painful.....:hug:I hope your legs are still feeling better today.:hug:

Baclofen + Daily Stretching helps me...
 

Go to the National MS Society's main page and search their stretching exercises. I printed out only the pages that show the exercises put together by therapists. I try to do them daily.

If you live in the US, check your NMSS's local meetings for they often have free swimming classes run by therapists too. This is an excellent way to exercise. They make the pool water slightly cooler when those with MS are in the pool.

Take care.

hugggss kitty,
I am doing the tightness and stuff in legs and back...I wanted to give you hugssssss as you always take good care of me!! with tips and caring!!

hugsss and the stretching ideas sound good, thinking I better get on that right away, or some light yoga..get me back into yoga...might help!! huggss,sarah

I'm late, sorry! Yep, the spazzes have really been beating me up this year. My doc now has me on an alternating schedule of Zanaflex and Baclofen and it's helping.

Agreed, stretching does make a difference for me too. Moist heat is also my new best friend. Massage helps but tends to last me only a few hours; I'll take a few painless hours!

Anne's magnesium suggestion is new to me and when I get home, I'm going to add it to my arsenal. :)

Hopefully, the roids will continue to relax that bugger!

How are you doing today, my spastic friend? :p

Just getting caught up on your thread and I see lots of great suggestions! I don't have spasticity as yet, but wonder if the Mods could Sticky these remedies for future reference?

Feel better, Kelly. :hug:

How are you feeling today Kelly????? I hope it is letting up. just wanted
to leave some gentle hugs for you!!!!:hug::hug:

:D :D I'm much better, thanks! I had a Prednisone Medpack left over from a previous flare up and decided to start taking it. It's helped tremendously. I hate taking steroids but I hate feeling like I was feeling more!!

You're lucky that the spasticity hasn't started with you yet. Baclofen helps but it doesn't take away all the sx of it.

Kelly, have you tried the Magnesium yet? I'd be interested to know if it really does cut down on the spasticity. I've heard that it does....just haven't tried it yet. I wonder how much your supposed to take?

Feel Better..:hug:

I haven't tried it yet but plan on asking the pharmacist about it next time I'm in the drug store. I'll let you know if it works for me!

kitty hugss again, sarah

(((((Kitty)))))

Kelly I am a little late responding, sorry!

Sorry to hear about your cramping! I have been trying to come to grips with it myself. I have never had that symptom before and it is kind of freaking me out. I read all the responses for you and will try them.

Good luck to you :hug::hug::hug:

I have tried magnesium. My neuro gave me the ok, but I could not handle it. It seemed to cause IBS for me.

kitty, I am in soo much pain overnights especially...stiffness makes me pain all night. Not sure what to do either, try to call tomorrow to neuro office, not sure if up teh baclofen is ok, or again try prednisone as in case this is a flare of whatever I am undx with hehe but was on pred January and February, was hoping not to do again in March here so quick.

hoping you are feeling much better with the prednisone, and hoping you will feel much more relief after done with it too.hugs,sarah

Sarah, have you tried OTC pain relievers like Aleve? Aleve works wonders for me.

I increased my Baclofen on my own. I take 20 mg. at a time. There for a while I was taking it 4X a day. The Prednisone did help a lot. I hadn't taken any for a very long time so I didn't feel too guilty taking it! I just hate the side effects of it. Plus it's not good for your bones to take it too often.

I sure do hope you can get some relief. Everytime I read one of your posts about all the hours you work I wonder how on earth you do it. I keep you in my prayers, Sarah, hoping that the docs will uncover something that will give you some answers. :hug:

hugss TY kitty
yes I have done ibuprophen and aleve all those types..even extra with food.

anyhow, I will call neuro tomorrow..hugss and thanks,sarah