Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group
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For anyone who knows the background feel free to skip this paragraph. :-) I have spasticity in my right leg. It is always there when I walk, and occasionally when I'm sitting or lying down it starts to cramp up really badly. My neuro wrote me a script for a physical therapy evaluation. He said that if it doesn't work he wants to talk to me about Botox injections when I go back in 2 months.
I've been researching online the past few days and the information I've found has left me more and more confused. I read that there are quite a few medications that can be helpful for spasticity but my neurologist has not mentioned any of them to me. I don't understand why he has chosen to skip over them and move to, what I would think is a more drastic treatment. From what I've found Botox is used to treat upper limb spasticity not lower limb spasticity. Information from the National Institute of Health says "Botox injections work by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves. The effects last about three to four months." Doesn't that mean that it would weaken my leg muscles and make it harder to walk instead of easier? Is there anyone else that has had Botox injections or had it recommended as a treatment? I'm confused and would love any thoughts on this.
I've been researching online the past few days and the information I've found has left me more and more confused. I read that there are quite a few medications that can be helpful for spasticity but my neurologist has not mentioned any of them to me. I don't understand why he has chosen to skip over them and move to, what I would think is a more drastic treatment. From what I've found Botox is used to treat upper limb spasticity not lower limb spasticity. Information from the National Institute of Health says "Botox injections work by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves. The effects last about three to four months." Doesn't that mean that it would weaken my leg muscles and make it harder to walk instead of easier? Is there anyone else that has had Botox injections or had it recommended as a treatment? I'm confused and would love any thoughts on this.
I don't know this person but I did see it on medical mysteries on TLC. A man began with having spasms in his neck and then eventually his neck permanently bent and his head was stuck to his shoulder. It would relax when he was sleeping, just not when he was awake. The doctor injected botox into his neck and he was able to stand up straight again.
You should ask your doctor about medication, but botox could end up being what helps you out in the end.
Just letting you know....
Physical therapy has never been very helpful for me. My right leg is the worst, but my left leg also has problems unfortunately. The botox does not make your legs noticeably weak it just helps the spasms and spasticity. My neurologist is very careful with the dose and very knowledgeable about treating this condition.