Spasticity
Spasticity is something that may come with nmo or may not. For me, spasticity has been one of my main issues with my body. Spasticity has crept steadily into my life ever since I was diagnosed with nmo. When I say crept up I mean, it took years for me to realize that spasticity was affecting me in ways that today I would have never imagined versus it being a notable symptom.
From tripping over myself because I was starting to get foot drop to walking with a limp in my leg, spasticity definitive made its presence from that day I had an attack. I never realized how much of a problem spasms/spasticity would be in my life until it wouldn’t go away. I never realized how spasms/spasticity could affect all areas of my life until it did. Now you may be wondering what does spasticity feel like or why would it affect one’s life? Let me explain my pain.
According to the Johns Hopkins website, “Spasticity is abnormal muscle tightness due to prolonged muscle contraction. It is a symptom associated with damage to the brain, spinal cord or motor nerves, and is seen in individuals with the neurological condition”. Spasticity may present itself in many places of the body in different ways. For example, in my body, I have a neurogenic bladder (when the bladder spasms) causing me to urinate without control or not being able to fully empty my bladder. Also, my lower extremities (legs; quads, hamstring, calf’s, feet, arch, and even my toes) would get so tight in such a painful way that prevents me from walking or moving. The only way I can explain it to people it’s like constantly walking around with a pulled muscle but in my legs and gluts. People around me could physically see the muscle lumping up and out of my skin and it was so painful. I would have involuntary leg jerks at night, interrupting my sleep causing me to be cranky the next day. Even during the day, my legs were restless and unpredictable. I felt like my body and brain weren’t connect and it showed.
At the same time, in the course of 5 years, I also lost a lot of muscle strength due to spasticity. An example my doctor gave me was to imagine wearing a cast in my legs for almost 5 years, then suddenly taking them off and being expected to walk without exercising the muscle. You’d collapse! Throughout my journey, I’ve tried all kinds of pill medications and botox injections to help ease the spasms in my legs in hopes for a smoother walk but my spasms have only gotten worse. My spasms actually went all the way up to my torso forcing me to look like upside-down capital L. It would take me at least 45 mins in the morning to stretch out my body and give the spasms time to release. It was painful! I was feeling this intensity for about 3 years until I finally found relief.
Now I’m on a new journey with an implanted device, Baclofen Pump, which I will talk more about on another blog. If you want a preview check my Instagram for an exclusive interview with SpasticChatter!
Have a fab day!
Aldelly
