3 replies to this topic

[Tracy Todd]

Hi Everyone

I have been a quad (C4) for 13 years. Two months ago I started getting spasms in the right-hand side of my body for no apparent reason. They seemed to begin in the right leg and right-hand side of my abdomen.

Previously, I only ever got spasms if there was something wrong somewhere in my body (UTI, severe constipation, pressure sore etc.). It was never necessary for me to be on medication to control the spasms as they were not severe, usually only temporary and once the problem was sorted out, they disappeared. Thankfully.

But, my spasms in my abdomen and both legs have become more severe, deteriorating to the point where I am now unable to sit in my wheelchair or on my commode without falling over continuously. I also spasm, relentlessly, at night making it almost impossible to sleep. The spasms are accompanied by long bouts of autonomic dysreflexia which I find very worrying. I am physically and emotionally exhausted.

My doctors have done many diagnostic tests including urine tests, blood tests, abdominal x-ray and sonar, MRI of cervical spine and CT scan of entire abdomen and can find nothing wrong, for which I am grateful. My bowel never seems to empty completely but this is not something new. I have always suffered from constipation but, I am not impacted or obstructed at present. I find that when taking more laxatives to clear the bowel, my autonomic dysreflexia gets worse and my spasms are not alleviated even once I've had a bowel movement. So, I'm doubting whether the two are related.

I tried taking Baclofen and it made absolutely no difference to the spasms.

I feel as if my body is in pain and is crying out for help. But, I have no idea how to help it. And now it is affecting my quality of life which is extremely frustrating. I'm confused as to why I would suddenly start having spasms after living for 13 years without them?

Any ideas or suggestions or advice would be most welcome. Please.

[Tetracyclone]

My first thought is that just because doctors cannot find anything wrong does not mean there is nothing.

[pinkcloud]

hi

I too am started to experience extreme spasms a year after surgery - two years after me intital inury (took them 2 years to find it).

I am already on a big amount of medication and cant see adding more will stop it. What I will say is that Botox injections helped me so much. Thing is, one can only have a limited amount, and so you would have to choose what parts are worse.

Because I am on medication I think this has reduced the ability to recognise early signs of pain (including me neuropathic bladder and bowel) I used to get and thus it now takes spasms to make me aware somewhere is injured. Also I have Browns sequard syndrome, the right side is the side with loss of sensation. And its this side that now has major spasms.

Scans are normally taken lying down. If you get worse spasms sitting, constipated etc and you didnt experience this at the time of the scan - the reasons for the spasms wouldnt be picked up (because if you was spasming they wouldnt have been able to get an mri picture taken)

Pain relief with medications come at a price. Spasms are what I have to pay with I think

[Tracy Todd]

Thank you for sharing your story. I'll keep looking for the reason for my spasms. :-)