Cerebral Palsy Support Group
Cerebral palsy or CP is the most common childhood physical disability. It is a permanent physical condition that affects movement. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but various forms of therapy can help a person with the disorder to function more effectively. If you or a loved one has cerebral palsy, join the group to share your experience or get advice from others.
I just wanted to share something I've been trying for about the past week or two. I was doing some research on the internet for treatments that help CP.
First off, I came across Argireline. It comes in a skin cream form and is supposed to be mainly for the face. It works like botox, but not as strong, it only penetrates the first few layers of the skin, unlike botox which goes deeper. (I've tried botox BTW and the results were pretty good, but I just didn't like the treatment process)
Well as it is a muscle relaxer I got to thinking maybe it might work on my left CP hand. Because I noticed my left thumb is very wrinkled compared to my right (non CP) thumb, and I'm only 32! I look like an old man lol! Meaning my hand is not relaxed as much as my right.
I got to say after about a week of using it in the morning and at bedtime the wrinkles are less noticeable, my hand isn't really any more relaxed, maybe a little bit, but I can't believe the difference in the wrinkles, I should take pictures and start tracking the results...
Second, I was reading about GABA, or Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid. According to many sources if you have CP your body cannot produce GABA naturally due to the brain damage. And that is huge, because GABA is what regulates your body's nervous system, and relaxes you if you're over anxious or stressed. It explains why I get the shakes and tremors, especially when I'm nervous.
And I have to say again, after just a week I'm feeling calmer. I'm taking one at night and one in the morning, around 8am and 8pm.
For example, I get social anxiety very bad, I usually just start shaking or jumping at loud noises if I'm in a big crowd or at a party. Well today at work was the first test, I was at a work party and it was a crowded room at a table. I was still a bit nervous, but not anywhere near the last party I was at prior to taking GABA. I also wasn't shaky at all, I might have jumped just a bit a few times if someone coughed too loud.
But I was much more relaxed and talkative, and my mind wasn't thinking about being shaky or jumpy. And I took the GABA pill at 8am and the party was at 1pm! So it stays with you for a good part of the day! It felt pretty good for a change.
Sorry to ramble, but I just had to share this information with anybody else with CP. I can keep you guys updated maybe a month or so down the road because I read to really see great results from GABA it can take a couple months. But so far it seems to be working, I can't wait to see what it does in a month or two!
First off, I came across Argireline. It comes in a skin cream form and is supposed to be mainly for the face. It works like botox, but not as strong, it only penetrates the first few layers of the skin, unlike botox which goes deeper. (I've tried botox BTW and the results were pretty good, but I just didn't like the treatment process)
Well as it is a muscle relaxer I got to thinking maybe it might work on my left CP hand. Because I noticed my left thumb is very wrinkled compared to my right (non CP) thumb, and I'm only 32! I look like an old man lol! Meaning my hand is not relaxed as much as my right.
I got to say after about a week of using it in the morning and at bedtime the wrinkles are less noticeable, my hand isn't really any more relaxed, maybe a little bit, but I can't believe the difference in the wrinkles, I should take pictures and start tracking the results...
Second, I was reading about GABA, or Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid. According to many sources if you have CP your body cannot produce GABA naturally due to the brain damage. And that is huge, because GABA is what regulates your body's nervous system, and relaxes you if you're over anxious or stressed. It explains why I get the shakes and tremors, especially when I'm nervous.
And I have to say again, after just a week I'm feeling calmer. I'm taking one at night and one in the morning, around 8am and 8pm.
For example, I get social anxiety very bad, I usually just start shaking or jumping at loud noises if I'm in a big crowd or at a party. Well today at work was the first test, I was at a work party and it was a crowded room at a table. I was still a bit nervous, but not anywhere near the last party I was at prior to taking GABA. I also wasn't shaky at all, I might have jumped just a bit a few times if someone coughed too loud.
But I was much more relaxed and talkative, and my mind wasn't thinking about being shaky or jumpy. And I took the GABA pill at 8am and the party was at 1pm! So it stays with you for a good part of the day! It felt pretty good for a change.
Sorry to ramble, but I just had to share this information with anybody else with CP. I can keep you guys updated maybe a month or so down the road because I read to really see great results from GABA it can take a couple months. But so far it seems to be working, I can't wait to see what it does in a month or two!
I'm still taking GABA and its working great so far. After doing a bit more research I've cut back to only taking one 750mg dose a day, usually in the morning before work. The suggested daily dosage by doctors is no more than 800mg, unless you have severe anxiety or such.
There's nothing wrong with taking more, but it might calm you too much. :)
I started back on it today again and didn't notice a big difference yet, but its only one day. I'm only going to take it every other day or when I'm feeling anxious, or if I have a social event, etc., just because I don't want to get addicted.
I've also read its a downer, so you can't use it a lot or you could get depressed, but I haven't had any side effects as of yet. I'm just amazed at how much less jumpy I am and nervous. But with CP if we cannot produce GABA naturally that might explain my anxiety. Without GABA there's no "stop sign" so to speak to calm your brain down. Explains why I've been this way most of my life.