[Queeny]

My fiance has a pump and has had it for almost two years. He has told me that his spasms are so much better now, as they should be. However, he has recently acquired a kidney stone, which he is waiting to have removed through Lithotripsy and is starting to have reocurrance of sever spasms once again. He just had him pump refilled in April. Has anyone heard or experienced this at all?

Thanks, Queeny

[Lillehammer94]

I've never had a kidney stone but I do know that any problems with the kidney's or urinary tract can cause a large increase in spasms.

[Apparelyzed]

Lillehammer94, on Jul 8 2006, 12:24 PM, said:

I've never had a kidney stone but I do know that any problems with the kidney's or urinary tract can cause a large increase in spasms.

Yes, any pain stimulus will increase spasticity, Kidney Stones especially, as they can be very painfull.

Other reasons for increased spasticity are:

Bladder - from overstretch or irritation of bladder wall
Urinary tract infection
Urinary retention
Blocked catheter
Kidney Stones
Overfilled collection bag

Bowel - over distention or irritation
Constipation / impaction
Distention during bowel program (digital stimulation)
Hemorrhoids or anal fissures
Infection or irritation (eg. appendicitis)

Skin-related Disorders
Any direct irritant below the level of injury (eg. - prolonged pressure by object in shoe or chair, cut, bruise, abrasion)
Pressure sores (decubitus ulcer)
Ingrown toenails
Burns (eg. - sunburn, burns from using hot water)
Tight or restrictive clothing or pressure to skin from sitting on wrinkled clothing

Sexual Activity
Over stimulation during sexual activity [stimuli to the pelvic region which would ordinarily be painful if sensation were present]
Menstrual cramps
Labor and delivery

Other
Heterotopic ossification ("Myositis ossificans", "Heterotopic bone")
Acute abdominal conditions (gastric ulcer, colitis, peritonitis)
Skeletal fractures

It's unlikely that the increase in spasticity is related to the refill, unless the increase in spasticity occured within a week of the refill. One problem which can happen with the Medtronic pumps, is that during the refill, an air bubble will enter the pump, and you will get an air lock in the pump mechanism. This scenario is very rare though.

I would bet the increased spasticity is due to the Kidney Stone.

Hope this helps

Simon.

[Queeny]

Thank you for your replies. I love this site. It is so educational and inspirational. He has an appointment next week for Lithotripsy and I hope he only has to have one treatment. It is so hard to coordinate doctor's visits with his family being so busy. I live 1,000 miles away can not be there to take him.

Soon...very soon!

I'll give an update once he has his appointment next week.

Thanks again!