Muscle Spasms

[JayCS]

I have muscle spasms in my upper calves and my back (mainly thorax). Both increased by normal physio exercises.
In the rheum. clinic all the different active physio types usually made spasms (cramps), pain and/or nausea.
I also have spasms irregularly in my esophagus, at least what I think the total blocks I have is.
A fibro-patient said she has it to, a rheum.-doc said that's not fibro, get it ENO-checked, so I will.
I also have strong pain before urinating, almost always, but more when the fibro-ache is more,
the uro says it's the muscles there being un-coordinated, which he can't explain and I just have to tolerate.
Ideas anyone?

 

[Affinity]

I have muscle spasms in my upper calves and my back (mainly thorax). Both increased by normal physio exercises.
In the rheum. clinic all the different active physio types usually made spasms (cramps), pain and/or nausea.
I also have spasms irregularly in my esophagus, at least what I think the total blocks I have is.
A fibro-patient said she has it to, a rheum.-doc said that's not fibro, get it ENO-checked, so I will.
I also have strong pain before urinating, almost always, but more when the fibro-ache is more,
the uro says it's the muscles there being un-coordinated, which he can't explain and I just have to tolerate.
Ideas anyone?

Are you a woman and have you had children? The physical therapist I have been going to is also pelvic floor specialist and she believes many of my hip and back issues are related to a weak pelvic floor from pregnancy and weak core from the abdominals being cut during my c-section. My child is 6 and she says that since we don't get adequate post natal care in these areas that these problems can continue to develop for years and compound. Maybe your urinary muscles are spasming, like my hip and back muscles have been spasming? I don't know if that's what it is but it's what I thought when I read your post. Even if you are not a woman it's possible to have pelvic floor issues I think. My issues involve both my pelvic floor and my diaphragm which she says work in harmony together to stabilize the entire core.

 

[JayCS]

I'm a man Been doing pelvic floor exercises for some years now. But I still agree it's probly sth in this direction... thx

 

[JayCS]

My psychiatrist of all persons went thru all muscular possibilities yesterday and ended on: That's got me stumped
(He is such a help, the way he explains things, gives advice about vocational integration.
He also doesn't see any psychological problems apart from the understandable and is concerned with all the physical stuff.
He's also been doing his homework about fibro I feel, his advice was more knowing than the last times.
Fittingly it's a sleep lab he works for, that's how I got him.)

 

[maavalos8]

Hi there!
I'm new here as well and also have RA and psoriatic arthritis. I was just put on a DMARD and steroids and unfortunately the steroids help so much with the lower back spasms. I know the long term effects of it aren't good which sucks. They gave me Norco for 8 yrs and I had to cold turkey off of it. I became dependent on them. It's weird because the new meds don't touch the upper spasms and nothing ever has I'm convinced it's a nerve issue but I already take about 7 meds a day. I hate to add to it.

 

[LeanaBeana]

No med completely helps my spasms either. I take Baclofen which helps a tiny bit but sometimes the spasms still stop me in my tracks. I also have RA, but my rheumatologist says the spasms are from the fibro, not the RA.

 

[sunkacola]

Have you tried a TENS machine, by any chance? For some people it helps with spasms. Sometimes it helps me with leg spasms, although I have to admit it is not always effective.

 

[LeanaBeana]

Yes, I have a tens machine and it helps. Totally forgot about that. I don't use it as much as I should cause it's hard to get the right placement of the pads without help. I'm going through one of my phases where the spasms aren't bothering me but if/when they start acting up again, I'll make a point of using the tens machine daily.

 

[sunkacola]

Maybe if it is hard to get the right placement by yourself it would help if you took a photo of your back when they are in the right place, and referred to it when placing the pads? Of course, it's still tricky reaching behind yourself to do it, but at least if you knew exactly where they should go you'd only have to do it once.

 

[LeanaBeana]

Good idea! Thanks sunkola

 

[maavalos8]

No med completely helps my spasms either. I take Baclofen which helps a tiny bit but sometimes the spasms still stop me in my tracks. I also have RA, but my rheumatologist says the spasms are from the fibro, not the RA.

I also take Baclofen but it only helps if the spasms aren't way over the top I have Tramadol if I truly need it but I don't want to take anymore narcotics. They told me the spasms are nerve issues and not related to RA either. So frustrating

 

[sunkacola]

I also take Baclofen but it only helps if the spasms aren't way over the top I have Tramadol if I truly need it but I don't want to take anymore narcotics. They told me the spasms are nerve issues and not related to RA either. So frustrating

Have you ever tried a TENS unit on the spasms? It helps me a lot most of the time. Also eases certain kinds of pain in my legs, although doesn't help my back much. Everyone has different kinds of success with it but most find it helpful.

 

[maavalos8]

Have you ever tried a TENS unit on the spasms? It helps me a lot most of the time. Also eases certain kinds of pain in my legs, although doesn't help my back much. Everyone has different kinds of success with it but most find it helpful.

I do have one and after 3 yrs of using it my PT told me my body could actually get "used to it" like how the pain pills always had to be upped. Maybe I'll try it again but at a different setting. Never thought to try it on my lower back with the joint issues there. I used it on my upper back. Thanks!!

 

[Creola17]

If you use the tens only 3 times a day as prescribed it will be fine. I use a tens when needed and don't have any problems with it. There are other things you can use like pain creams, valerian root and stretching. Bio freeze will help as well.

 

[JayCS]

I think my new twist-stretching hack (arms & legs & back & neck outwards as far as possible for 20 seconds) can influence a spasm once it's there, and it prevents spasms coming on, when I do it, which I do a lot, day & night, now.