Re: muscle stiffness and cramping

Steve Cappelson (scappelson(AT)ntwrks.com)
Sun, 02 Mar 1997 08:46:49 -0600

David C. Jones wrote:
>
> Steve Cappelson wrote:
> >
> > I am two months into my recovery from a TM attack. The recovery is slow
> > but sure. I am beginning to experience some problems with muscle
> > stiffness especially in my right quad and right groin. Feels as if I on
> > the verge of a cramp. I'd lay on my stomach for ten minute stretches
> > which had worked to loosen me up. Last couple of days it has not worked
> > quite so well. Does anyone have any sugestions for this problem?
> > thanks,
> > scappelson(AT)ntwrks.com
> Hello: I've been stretching for the past ten years. Twenty minutes of
> deep stretch has given me relief. You may have to repeat the excersize
> several times a day. Have a PT show you how to stretch, and in time you
> shoud find the frequency declining. God bless you//DCJones {Dave} P,S a
> few milligrams [5-10] of valium a couple hours before bed every night
> takes the edge off the cramping. Which allows me to get a better nights
> sleep.
Dave: Thanks for the info. I do work with a PT and had been doing her
recommended strecthing exercises until the stiffness and cramping stoped
me. I have, however, started "baclofen" since I sent the message. It
has given me some relief. But I am dealing with some of the predicted
side effects, ie: fatigue. Since starting the drug I feeling new
sorness in muscles in my back, neck and arms. Up till now these muscles
have not been bothered. I am strong in the upper body but I fear that
drug has begun to reduce my general muscle tone (again, as predicted.)
Do you have any experience with baclofen? My nuerologist is also
starting me on Zanaflex which when I start, will be taken with the
baclofen. Do you know anything about Zanafex? (for cramping and
stiffness). The PT has also advised me to not sit for more than twenty
minutes without doing a standing stretch. I had been doing those
stretches until they started producing spasms and cramps. Did you ever
have to deal with this? Is it OK to try to exercise through the
stiffness/cramping? God bless you too and thanks for your response.
Steve scappelson(AT)ntwrks.com