Cerebral Palsy Support Group

Welcome, Justanothervictim!

I bought some surgical tubing through Jaegersports.com, meant for baaseball pitchers to increase their upper body strength; especially, to prevent rotator cuff problems; which, works just fine for me. Since I use crutches, I was beginning to get a left rotator problem with pain and crepitus; and, not wanting to have to end up with surgery or a severely damaged or destroyed rotator cuff/arm joint, started using it. I comes with 2 wrist bands and a clip at the midpoint one can attach to a chainlink fence or other such small, sturdy thing, is portable which I can carry in my backpack; and, very effective. Also bought the 'Throwing' DVD which shows how to use it and explains why it is effective to extend the playing lives of pitchers [not having to retire early due to damage to their playing arms]. Also can be used for abductor/adductor strenthening, upper and lower lats and abs strengthening, quads and hamstrings strengthening, etc. The only thing you have to be concerned about is making sure the clip [like on a dog's leash] is positioned in such a way that if it lets loose, it won't hit you [especially in the head or face] which could cause serious damage; and, constantly check the tubing, wrist bands and clip attachment for signs of wear/damage; at which point you should buy another one. It costs round $35.00. Although it is meant for pitchers, I find it a marvelous rehabilitation aid as I had incipient rotator cuff pain and crepitus. That and going to Fetterman's LiteStix Custom Titanium Forearm crutches. Within 4 days, my left rotator cuff pain and crepitus disappeared [was hammering down with the left ole cheapos adujustible forearm crutches, since my left leg goes on a frolic of its own a lot more than my right one—never know when it is going to happen and was tired of falling as result. Hope this helps

kinda was wanting to know about the drug itself...

I did't answer that question since I use no meds—not even for pain, spasms, cramps, etc. Only med I use is Pilocarpine !% eye drops in my right eye just to keep the pupil closed [permanently dilated from a neurological cause called Adie's Tonic Pupil] so that the lights don't bother me so much, which lights cause headaches and stomach pain for me.

Hope you find your answer.

Hey just,

I was recently put on this for my spasticity and anxiety. I can say even though I'm on a low dose and have only been on it about a week my spasticity has decreased and my anxiety especially when in public places like a restaurant has decreased a lot.

So I can say at least for myself its been working great! Also I don't seem to have any side effects from it except perhaps being a bit more tired. But I also get up at 5:30 for work lol, so I don't really see that as a side effect.

I'd say try it out as a low dose first, then my doc said it can be increased later. But so far so good.

what possitive effects have you noticed?

Well I'm not near as jumpy, before I'd jump at every little noise and be very tense. I've noticed I don't that much now. Also in a social setting I'm a lot less anxious and relaxed. I guess my muscles are a little looser too.

i jsut read up on it... it can take 2 months before full effect is seen...

I use Baclofen for spasticity in my right arm and leg. It helps quite a bit. I actually used to get Botox injections in my right arm to reduce the spasms. But I decided to stop those treatments. I also changed neurologists. She increased my dosage of Baclofen and we spread it out throughout the day. It does the job. I have to be careful of when I take it, because it does tend to be sedating. I take 20mg three times a day. The only difference in symmetry I have is my right arm is a bit shorter than my left arm. Although, after I had my right shoulder joint replacement, I have noticed a little increase in length. I hope this helps.

rose... im asking about muscular symmetry ... do you hit the gym? im wondering if this would be good to hit the gym with. spastic cp muscles dont work out as well as non spastic muscles.

we're*