Frankenstein, Ginger, and Me

Thanks for the comment Rich,

Spasticity has not always been the most prominent symptom for me, but now it ranks up there with fatigue as 1st and 2nd.

I've always had very strong, firm calves.  Comes from my German/English stout heritage I suppose.  But when those hamstrings and calves get so tight that they don't give, and when they pull so hard that I wonder if my arthritis has really moved into my knees, it's time to take action.

I start PT this week.  We'll see how it goes.

 I just last week started experiencing spasticity.  To me it would feel like worms wriggling through my calfs, then out of the blue they would take a bite. then back to the wriggling.   I called my doc.  after making sure it wasn't a blood clot, he put me on baclofen.  I think it is scary that you ween yourself on and have to ween yourself off, but u do what you have to get by.  To soon in the medicine to know if it's working, but for some reason having my feet hanging over the bed seem to help at nite time.

From The Monster Mash (verse 2) -
From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes

Jolts and electrodes have a different connotation when you start thinking about MS.  This just gave me a smile. 

Denise,

Thanks for the information about the intrathecal pump.  No, it's never been mentioned.  I suppose that if/when I work up to 120mg of Baclofen daily that it would be the next consideration.

Actually the thought of have an implant of a device which has access to my spinal cord scares me at this time.  Even this week, the spasticity is better than it was last week.  But I'm still starting PT this week.  I'm hoping that she will help to kick my butt into exercising a bit as well.

I will keep a link to medtronics and consult it more thoroughly.  I'm so glad that it's worked out for you so very well.  That's great.  You keep it up, ya here?

Lisa

I realize that what works for one person doesn't always work for another, but I feel it is important to share information and ideas with each other. I like to know what others are doing and experiencing and I learn much from each of you who are so wonderful at communicating what your symptoms are and what impact they have on you, as well as what you do to treat or manage them. Thank you for sharing.  

Charlie Chaplin - I like that one.  I'll keep it in mind. 

Ahhh Ginger....

My sister in law's name is Ginger, and guess what?  She hates anything with ginger in it, especially gingerbread.  Then my brother hates cinnamon.  Can't stand even the smell.

These guys are missing out on some good stuff.  I always think of that when the holidays start rolling around.

Me.  Never been a dancer, but in my dreams.

Curt,

Thank you so much for your encouraging words.  It's nice to know that I might actually be helping a fellow MSer.

I remember you asking about Baclofen and spasticity.  I hope that's all going well for you.  In the meantime, I guess I'll keep writing and sending out information and good thoughts into the cyberworld.

Lisa