[Bevan-L]

Hey everyone, i'm a t4 complete para who had his accident 4 months ago.. got blown off the road on my motorcycle by a gust of wind. hit an embankment at around 90 odd km/h.

this was me before my accident... yup thats really how i rode around



what i wanted to ask tho is about spasms.... I've seen other patients in the same sort of situation that have massive leg spasms etc etc but for some reason i dont get it? i'll get one or 2 small ones gettin into bed and thats it. not on baclofen or any other spasm meds.

just wondering why i dont get em... dont get me wrong im happy as it looks pretty intense when i see it happen in others, im just trying to understand sci a bit better.

Cheers!!

[jaquie_farmer]

i rarely get them either and when i do i can stop them. everyone's different.

oh cute suit. ;]

[cubanito_016]

sometimes after a couple of moths of years some people start getting them in one way spasams are good cause they keep your muscle working so your legs wont get skinny cause some people that dont have spasam there legs sometimes get really skinny.

[cali1426]

hey there. i was in a car accident about 4 months ago. i really wasn't having problems with spasms at all, an occasional one here or there but all my doctors insisted that i start taking baclofen before they get worse. i stood my ground for a while but finally gave in once my mom got on me. big mistake, my tone and spasms are horrible now, i can barely break the spasm when it happens. i have the hardest time trying to position my legs; they truly have a mind of their own. be glad yours aren't bad, it makes everything so much more difficult.

[Rjeez]

The spasms get worse as time goes on.I only had my injury 13 months ago,and it was about 3 months before my legs started to get stiff,and "bounce".I usually get them in bed,or when I am sitting in the chair,and it can make things awkward.They don't kick out fast,but they are strong.If I am sat close to a wall,my leg will straighten itself out strong enough to force my foot against the wall and push me back in my chair.Or,when transferring into bed,my bottom 2/3 of my body will go rigid,and I have to wait 30 seconds for my body to relax again.I just hope that they wont get any worse,and really start disrupting daily life.

[kajael]

I believe I am the senior citizen of those with spinal injuries. My injury was a result of an MVA in 1974.

In the early years, the muscle spasms were intense. It was impeding my ability to wheel ahead. I was always putting my feet back on the peddles. In 1974 there were very few medications to ease spasm, but what I was given was Valium . As soon as I could take it and stay awake it was quite effective, but the amount had to be increased as I became immune(that's not the right word, but the right word has slipped my mind). I did try another drug for a few months, but when I became pregnant in 1976 my doctor was horrified, not because of the drug so much, but he couldn't find any literature about the drug anywhere, so he put me back on the valium. I then read some article about the affects of valium on the fetus, so I took myself and my little fetus to an OB/GYN. He assured me it (valium) was no problem. "Women have taken valium during pregnancy for years". The fact was, EVERYONE was taking valium for years.

Thirty-three years later, I'm still taking the valium. The spasms are still there, though they aren't the kicking and thrashing kind. It's more like little ripples going up my legs, tightening the muscles and making it more difficult to transfer. My legs wouldn't relax from the sitting position.

BTW my little valium baby boy was just fine, as was his sister three years later. They're both now 33 and 30 years old and parents themselves....which makes me a grrrraaam.m.m. ie

[photoman]

Well I am 11 months in. The spasms started at about 5 months, and now they are not good, they restrict transfers, they kick in bed and the chair. I am increasing amounts of baclofen so we will see how they go. But Yes the legs are still looking fine. Dont wish for them to appear.

[fatcrx]

i am now 6 months after my accident and im flat out on tablets for my spasms,i resisted taking baclafen for as long as i could but when i was getting into a manual chair i decided i had to take it,i started off on the minimum dose but it wasnt long before i was on the full dose and then full dose plus 2 tizanadine 3 times a day and i still get spasms.I mainly get them when transfering, moving around or wheeling over rough surfaces,i recently got mysel some frogs legs front suspension which is a great job for reducing vibrations therefore reducing spasms.

[Denny]

I am t4 and my spasms start only after 4 months. Like others said, it is good and bad. Try to understand the pattern/timing of spasm, so that you can use it or be aware to avoid accidents. Spasm helps me slide in to car seat, but at same time make transfer difficult when transferring to bed. Spasms increase/change when you are not well or any pain below your injury level. 6 years since my injury, spasms kept my legs in good shape .

[pistol_pete]

I'm 16 months post injury (T4/6 complete). Spasms didn't kick in ('scuse the pun) until around 6 months after. The guy next to me in hospital,( same age,weight,build,injury level) had excruciating spasms from day one. Point is I think everyone is different. I didn't start Baclofen until sleeping became a problem. I'nm lucky I am on a low dose. Got a new chair cushion (J2 Deep contour) and that helped, so does stretching and keeping active.
I was told that the spasms would eventually settle down and disappear altogether. After reading this forum I think i may have been misinformed. Looks like i may have to get used to them.
If your spasms aren't affecting your sleep, transferring, sanity then embrace them as they do keep your muscles toned ready for the day you will walk once more

[Manda]

My accident was 2 years ago to the day,
My spasms were pretty intense,
I'm on baclofen,but I also take 2mg.valium 3 times
a day,for anyone who could use that piece of info,
I'm glad u dont have them
~M