Need help defining spasticity

[LoveMyBostons]

Hi everyone! I'm wondering if when I'm dealing with lately could be spasticity. Often everything from the waist down hurts. I am diagnosed (exactly one year ago as a matter of fact) but I'm not sure if this is MS-related or just "bad" muscles. I often feel like I can't bend or flex my feet/ankles around. I think I walk around very flat-footed because of this, I feel sort of like Frankenstein. It sometimes feels like I'm walking around on marbles. It doesn't matter what kind of shoes I'm wearing or if I'm barefoot. I have involuntary movements only sometimes, like my leg will twitch or I all of a sudden will have to like pull my foot in one direction. My legs get SO tired. Sometimes I get so tired just from getting up and repeatedly walking short distances (maybe 20 ft) that I have to leave work early. What can I do to help this? (short of going home and getting into bed because that isn't always an option)

[anon07072023]

I have spasticity in my legs (mostly left) and it does cause severe pain in the back of my thigh. I think I have said on here before that it feels like someone is trying to rip the back part of my leg off.  

I also get stiffness in my knee and my ankle on the same side.

Sometimes I feel like I'm walking like Frankenstein, too - especially going uphills because my ankle/foot area doesn't want to bend upwards.

My legs tire easily and feel weak. And after I walk for a while (15 minutes), they feel like they're shaking on the inside.

I take Baclofen for my spasticity. Are you taking anything for your symptoms?
You probably should call your neuro to report these new symptoms.

Good luck,
Kelly

[jensequitur]

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/Muscle-Tone-And-Spasticity/show/159?cid=36

[jensequitur]

Hey, I just bumped up a post on muscle spasms and spasticity that you should read - it's at the top of the page.  Some good info in there.  Also, there's an HP on spasticity that you should read about.

[RedFlame]

I will try to explain spasticity though Quix has written extensively on this topic recently.  

Spasticity is basicly an increase of tension.  Muscles that should be soft when you are resting are tense and hard as if you were engaging in some type of physicial  activity. Muscles that are spastic have a high tone and resist being stretched.  The muscles become stiff and it is hard to stretch them.

Spasticity doesn't usually cause any pain.  

Spasms are like a charly horse, a sudden cramp that you have to work through.  

Involuntary movements or twitches are usually called Myoclonus.  They are fairly typical with people with MS and other neurological disorders.  Again, very annoying and inconvenient but not particularly painful.  

Have you called your doctor?

Red