re-doctor visit

kristine1 · 11-09-2003, 09:49 PM

Hello all,
Lastramy, I mentioned that I would tell you how my Neuro visit went, so I am dropping a line to let you know. I gave him a detailed list of the things that are occuring as of late, including the latest being my toes curling as if in a death grip.(What's with that?) He feels that several things are likely occuring, including degenerative arthritis, and increased spastisity. He referred to the polio study done a while ago and felt that our experience paralled that study. Anyway, he talked about anti-spasticity combined with PT, but I decided to try PT first. My liver enzymes were slightly elevated so I need to do a complete liver funtion screen to determine if it is caused by the Avonex I take to slow the progress of ms. Avonex can adversely affect liver function. If the enzymes are still elevated, I will need to discontinue that therapy. I will also have another MRI in March to determine whether or not the Monster is awake and the underlying culprit of my current troubles. Having multiple dx's makes pinpointing origin of problem difficult. My neuro covers all the bases. So that is where things are for now. Thanks for your care and support.
Kristine

lastramy · 11-11-2003, 07:32 AM

Kris,

Thank you so very much for sharing with me. I saw your old post just the other day and was thinking about you.

PT was useful for me in that it loosened things up and made me feel better. I always liked going in for that. The stretches they give are important. It doesn't seem like they do anything sometimes but I am told that life would be worse if I didn't.

Well good luck with the MRI and the PT. You are more than welcome to look me up anytime if you have any questions or if you just want to talk.
Me, I am having a positive experience with my massages.
I go back to see my docs on the 18th for my hip. I sure do hope they can do something this time.

Well I gotta get to work. Thanks again for the post, it made my day to be remembered!

Have a good day yourself!

Lastramy

prisc1125 · 11-12-2003, 01:38 PM

Hi Kris
I just happened on your post and had to reply to your statement about the toes curling as if in a death grip. This has been my experience lately and I am not sure what the deal is. When it happened to me last night while driving, I really got nervous.

Briefly, I am 34 and have what some drs call mild spastic CP. That is totally subjective given how resistant my symptoms are to anything. This past Feb I had a fourth foot surgery to relengthen my FDL and re-release my claw toes in my R foot. (Had three surgeries prior starting in Oct 2000). Prior to this past surgery, I had calf pain and my toes were pulling down despite a botox injection in April 2002. Over the summer, I tried muscle stim and it did not work. Now I am going to a neuro to find out what might be next. My ortho is baffled because nothing is working on me and he really wants to avoid more surgeries if possible (a drastic one involving my nerves was briefly mentioned).

I am as active as I can be and used to be a marathon distance runner. That is no longer so I've substituted activities. It is harder now because my ROM in the ankle is limited, I tire more easily, and my hips are more involved. I am hoping to have a repeat gait test to see if there is something else causing these persistent spasms (never thought I'd ever want to go through that again; first time was traumatic!). If I am doing Pilates, where I point my toes, they seize and I have to manually release them. Sound familiar???

Sounds like you have a good treatment program going with your doc.

Cheers
Prisc1125

kristine1 · 11-12-2003, 09:18 PM

Prisc1125,
Thank you for your reply. My CP was considered mild when it was dxed around age one, I wore a brace and recieved PT for seven years and then had my achilles tendon stretched which seemed to help. I do hope the PT works as my confidence level with regard to walking has dropped tremendously. I often consider Lastramy's use of a brace for stability, but don't know if I am prepared to go that step just yet. Having MS and not so good recent labs is causing me added stress and I find lately that I feel very fatigued. I have so much going on just now that I feel entitled to a total and complete mental breakdown, but just can't find the time to fit one in. Perhaps after the holidays I will be able to have a proper meltdown.LOL Attitude is everthing, and mine is positive, so I think I will be okay and get the help I need. Thanks again for your support and as for the toe death grip, it just won't let up. Wonder if it is some sort of spasm?
Take care,
Kris

prisc1125 · 11-12-2003, 09:26 PM

Hi Kris,
I know what you mean about the meltdown part. Actually, I was only dx'd with CP three years ago when all this foot stuff got particularly difficult. Despite years of poor coordination, I felt I lived in bliss somewhat not struggling with a label. Now, I've had to learn to live with this dx as an adult and since there is so little information about this population w. respect to CP, it is hard to know what might lay ahead. I am doing what I can and trying not to let it consume me as I make my life as positive and happy for me my husband. I am determined not to let CP consume our relationship and so far we've kept the balance pretty well.

So you have CP AND MS? Wow, that has got to be really tough. What are the docs looking for in your blood work?

Hang in

Cheers
Prisc1125