tight muscles
 

Well I just returned from my neurologist for my MS and found I have a new active lesion on my brain in the area that causes muscles to tighten. I am sure this is not helping with the TOS. I can not get to neck muscles to loosen even with stretching every day. My doc is changing my meds, so hoping this will help. Changing from avonex to copaxone.

did he prescribe any kind of muscle relaxers like baclofen?

I was on baclofen for a while until I was switched to neurotin. I now take 900mg a day.

neurontin isnt a muscle relaxer. I took neurontin for awhile, but my neuro told me at the time it was for neurological pain, not for spasticity. (google has since told me it's Rx-ed for spasticity) I never noticed that neurontin did anything for any of my MS symptoms.

I take baclofen and the occasional valium for my spasticity now when I need to.

Neurontin hasn't done anything for my heavy limbs or any type of pain troubles; it is WONDERFUL for keeping the "pins & needles" & "itchy-crawly" symptoms at bay...even for the few hours. PT is the only thing that has done anything for the mucles stiffness. Can your doc prescribe you some PT visits?

@new2net98

I agree, PT works really well on spasticity. Any exercise seems to be great for spasticity.

The CCSVI procedure really really lessened my muscle tightness. The muscles had gotten so tight that I could not bend my knee enough to cross it and put on my slippers.

I now kneel on my bed and practice a yoga pose to help stretch the muscles. Before the procedure, I could not bend my knees enough to do this and for the first time in ages, I could side sit on the bed.

My neck is still stiff but not as much.

No pharma drugs worked nearly as well as one visit to have my jugular veins ballooned.

I almost believe in miracles...

Yes I have began going to PT for a month now. They massage my neck and shoulders for most of the time there. I am usually good for a day or two then it tightens right back up. I do gentle stretching several times a day as well. I told my wife that I think it is time to buy a hot tub.

PT does work for spasticity and tight muscles. Gentle yoga helps as well.

Regarding the massages, give it some time. After a nasty flare about a year ago, the dr recommended massages. At first, I was like you - they only lasted a few days. My massage therapist was coming once a week and I couldn't wait for her to come again. Some weeks she came twice. Eventually, the massages lasted all week. I now go longer between them and get them twice a month.

Epsom salt baths help with muscle tightness as well. Just be sure you are able to get in and out of the tub. I only take them when someone is around to help me if I get stuck. Also make sure the water is not too hot as heat can aggravate MS symptoms.

Neurontin isn't a muscle relaxer as Erin stated. It does, however, calm the nerves which does help spasticity.

Hope you start feeling better.

Better make it a luke warm tub for MS..:eek: