Spasticity - Neuromuscular Diseases Message Board

Wallis86 · 04-08-2008, 08:13 PM

How do you guys deal with lower limb spasticity? I don't have a diagnosis yet, just been told by the neurologist that I have leg spasticity and some spasticity in my shoulders. Any minor exercise causes my legs to freeze up for about half an hour and my ankles to draw up towards my knees. I go to PT 4x a week. I use forearm crutches and a wheelchair btw. Thanks in advance.

sunshine221 · 04-09-2008, 08:08 PM

Your thread caught my attention on my way to the spinal board.

I saw a physiatrist for spasticity after a cervical laminectomy and she prescribed Baclofen - it helped a bit, but slowed my body to a crawl. Everyone is different, but just giving a heads up.

I then saw a motion specialist (neurologist) who, after I got off the Baclofen, diagnosed Parkinson's (I'm 50) - I still think the problem is c-spine stenosis and not PD, but a PD drug, Requip, in a small dose - 1mg 3x/day has helped me quite a bit. The purpose of Requip is to help the body make more natural dopamine so it makes sense that it could help in either case.

-Sunshine

Wallis86 · 04-10-2008, 12:40 AM

Thanks for your reply! I'm waiting on an appointment for an MRI of my thoracic spine. My lumbar and cervical MRI, as well as my brain scan appear normal so far. My EMG was normal too. Hopefully something will show up on this MRI. I'm worried about an atypical case of MS without brain lesions since I have so many autoimmune conditions. I'm kind of nervous about bringing it up with my neuro.