What else causes spasticity besides MS???
 

Ok I had a brief dx of mild/benign MS then monitored, then other neuros for lesions and symptoms to be told no, you do not have MS.

BUT I have had spasticity as the longest, most consistent symptom that now I think has been in my back as well which I and others thought was the MS HUG.

When a Rheumy thought I had Sjogren's and put me on Methotrexate the spasticty was completely GONE!!! Its a cancer drug used for arthritis etc.

Any other causes of spasticity??

THanks
Jan

What is the sensation you have, Jan? Tightness? Tremor? Pulled tendon feeling? Spasms?



"Spasticity
An involuntary increase in muscle tone (tension) that occurs following injury to the brain or spinal cord, causing the muscles to resist being moved. Characteristics may include increase in deep tendon reflexes, resistance to passive stretch, clasp knife phenomenon, and clonus."

http://www.neuroskills.com/tbi/hdi/gls.shtml

"Spasticity is a condition in which certain muscles are continuously contracted. This contraction causes stiffness or tightness of the muscles and may interfere with movement, speech, and manner of walking. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to the portion of the brain or spinal cord that controls voluntary movement.

It may occur in association with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, damage to the brain because of lack of oxygen, brain trauma, severe head injury, and metabolic diseases such as adrenoleukodystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), and phenylketonuria.

Symptoms may include hypertonicity (increased muscle tone), clonus (a series of rapid muscle contractions), exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, muscle spasms, scissoring (involuntary crossing of the legs), and fixed joints. The degree of spasticity varies from mild muscle stiffness to severe, painful, and uncontrollable muscle spasms."

http://www.medications.com/doc/view/1567

Cherie

B12 deficiency. Have you had your serum B12 checked? I asked b/c when my B12 is low, my legs cramp more than usual. I know it's time for my shot.

Also, low potassium.

Niacin also can be related to spastic issues. It is B1.

i think also magnesium too when sean my son use to go to a specialist that would read seans mineral and heavy elements his mag was always low and he was always tense, i could be wrong it was many yrs ago

side note 5 kids can make you spastic :)

i also have fibromyalgia and have lots of issues with my muscles.
i've had some serious spasms and get a deep tissue massage every wk.

however, my neurologist finally decided that my muscle problems were due to MS.

This neuro-guy drones on a bit :p, but gives a very complete verbal explanation of cause, symptoms, etc. of spasticity.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=mQFm9zUi8QQ

Cherie

Also have you had your haemoglobin levels checked? stores as well as in blood? Iron deficiency is another one that cause spasms.