Blasted Spasms

[Raven]

I have been dealing with these worsening spasms on my legs. I can't sit up without them pulling me forward, tightening my stomach muscles and just about making me go crazy. They are so bad that when they tighten my belly muscles, they pull me forward and I have to hold on to either my armrests or whatever might be in front of me. Have had the PT come in and do ROM on my legs for about a year now without relief. On the contrary, they are getting worse. He has stopped doing the ROM exercises too because my leg muscles seem to be getting tighter on my left leg. When he bends, raises or moves it towards the outside part of my body, it makes me feel something awful. I get this feeling in the groin area up to my hip and belly direction like I need to go pee and it also very uncomfortable. I guess you could say that it is pain since it also provokes me to get goosebumps on my arms and the hairs on my arm stand up too. I asked him if I might have hurt or dislocated my hip bone and he checked the area but could not say for certain. He told me to see the ortho doctor and have some x-rays done to make certain that wasn't the case. I called the doctor and have an appointment for tomorrow morning and am hoping that it is not something serious or bad.

Oh, something else these spasms are causing; sweating. They are so strong I guess, that they are making me sweat when I sit up. Even if the air is blowing where I may be, I will be sweating.

Has anyone ever had this problem? Dr. Young, Sci Nurse, any idea what is going on? This is driving me nuts.

Raven

[SCI-Nurse]

I agree with your PT. Your hips should be checked with Xrays. You may have a chronic condition such as a Charcot hip or chronic hip dislocation, or even an undetected and unhealed fracture.

What are you taking for spasticity? Can you prone (lay on your stomach) at all? Do you stand? Are you interested in a baclofen pump?

(KLD)

[Sue Pendleton]

After you get your bones checked you might try getting on all 4s, if you can, and walk yourself back with your arms (or help) until you are on your knees sitting back on your feet, toes and feet pointed out! If that position gives you the same tight, something is making me want to pee feeling, well, I think it's tendons. I was real limber but when I got to that point every place where the ileo psoas (?) muscles attached was feeling seriously strained. I gave that particular idea of my PT's the heave ho after several tries. She was into yoga and she tried it and then headed for the bathroom. LOL

Only good stretch I know for the stomach (I've been nose in keyboard, knees into the bottom side of my desk many times) is to lay on your stomach and have someone else bend a leg at the knee and then lift the leg up at the front of the thigh. You're stretching the hip flexor along with the stomach when you do this one so easy if you don't use a stander or sleep on your stomach. Good luck. Stomach spasms are the worst.

[Raven]

Thank you KLD and Sue for your replies. I will be brief with this reply since my legs are dealing with these spasms and won't let me be. The discomfort and shaking is horrible.

I did get an X-ray done and he said it did not show any broken bones, only some arthritis. He ordered an MRI done on the same day. Was given the CD to take to him on my next appointment which is on this coming Monday. Will see what they show then.

As to the Baclofen, can't take it. Have had sides to it and they are not nice. Gastro says it affects my cirrhotic liver. Will have to see what else we can do for this since we are also waiting for results on Liver MRI. He wants to see if there is tumor there or not.

Will post more as my leg spasms and other things allow.

Raven

[makoman]

Raven,

Good luck with the MRI's hopefully its not a tumor.

I found rolling onto my stomach while in bed and slowly stretching my stomach muscles, getting to my elbows then doing a semi push-ups really helps. The standing frame also helps.


mako

[Raven]

Had an appointment with the orthopedic doctor today. We are still at a loss as to what is causing these spasms and the frequency they are bothering me. I asked him if lowered potassium level could be cause them. He said it may be a possibility. I will have to ask my internist to order blood test on that tomorrow.

The orthopedic dr said that there is some arthritis on the hip but that there is also some fluid too. The following is a part of what was on the results. I understand a bit of them but would like it clarified more to me if possible by Wise or SCI nurse. Also, would like to have some input or suggestions since I have decided to wait for a week or so before I go ahead with their suggestion of getting another MRI done of my spine.

Protocol: Coronal T1 and STIR sequences axial T1 and SP echo T2 as well as thin oblique coronal T1 weighted images at 3mm thick sections through the left hip and sagittal STIR images through the left hip.

Findings: There is evidence of a Foley catheter with inflated balloon in place within the urinary bladder. There is adequate conjugation of both femoral heads within the acetabular fossa. No fracture or subluxation is seen. The femoral head shows a smooth contour without evidence of AVN. No occult fracture or subluxation is seen. No abnormal bone marrow signal is seen through the pelvis, ischium, symphysis pubis or S1 joints. There is a small left hip joint effusion. No fluid is seen withing the bursa of the greater or lesser trochanter.

Incidently noted is marked abnormal signal of fluid at the level of L5-S1 disc space. Unfortunately, this is only seen on the coronal images and very limited and evaluation.

Impression:

1. Small left hip joint effusion. Which could be the basis of mild synovitis. No occult fracture or subluxation is seen.

2. Defused atrophy of the muscles of the pelvis and proximal thigh in this patient with known parapalegia and this is an expected finding.

3. Incidently noted is marked abnormal signal with fluid at the level of the L5-S1 disc space. Unfortunately this is only seen on the coronal images and very limited in evaluation. MRI of the lumar spine with and without contrast is recommended for further assessment.

If it is possible, I would also like to know how or why fluid would be where cited in the report. Will probably have more questions later one.

Thank you for your help and/or suggestions on this. The other MRI done on my abdomen and liver has yet to be discussed on my August 6th appointment with the Gastroenterologist. Since he has not changed or called me to change it to an earler date, I am assuming it is not bad news in it.

Raven