Resolved question:
My question pertains to spinal cord injury, muscle spasms and abdominal pain.
I am a 41-year-old male with a C-5/C6 injury for the last 19 years. For the most part I have come to know my body very well and have been doing very good with controlling everything. Over the last couple of years I have started developing abdominal pain which I believe is gas. When I get these discomforting feelings, I become very spastic. Usually by taking some over-the-counter gas pills, it begins to relieve and the gas pains go away.
The last couple of weeks I have had severe pain, major bloating in my spasms about throw me out of bed. If I remain in a sitting position in my wheelchair, I have very little spasms. When I laid down they begin to intensify.
I am taking the maximum amount of baclofen and it seems like it isn't phasing it.
I work 40 hours per week as a database administrator, and the lack of sleep is really affecting my work. I have asked my local doctors, but they say there is nothing else I can take. I am not sure if I believe that, so I am seeking advice from anyone that can give me some help in this area.
Thank you
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Neurologist, Medical
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com.
I have noted your details, and glad to note that you have recovered well from spinal cord injury and are able to manage fairly well. I also noted that you are on maximum doses of baclofen tablets.
Other options for reducing spasticity include tizanidine, dantrolene and diazepam tablets.
Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are useful in some.
In severe cases, baclofen pump can be surgically implanted in the spinal region to reduce spasticity.
I hope it helps. Would be glad to answer any follow-up queries.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sudhir Kumar MD (Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist