Help for spasticity

[Babs2]

Good evening everybody

my arms had been overly spastic of lately... nothing, and I mean nothing, seemed to help.

Until*taa-daaa*... along comes Botox injections in arm muscles. It's been just over a week and already I'm seeing some positive results. Doctors say 3wks before maximum results show up. This is one time when "waiting" will not be an agony!!

Just wanted to pass along some good news (for a change ha ha ha)

Peace,Babs

[Des]

That's great, Babs!

[Razgo]

By spastic do you mean atrophy? and to what degree? Botox does what exactly?

with my wife having atrophy for many years i am finding it very difficult to get her legs and arms straight.

thanks

russ

[Des]

I get Botox shots in my neck and shoulders for dystonia, which is a stiffening of muscles. I mean stiff, I can't even look over my shoulders.

Botox has helped with the pain, which had me yelling and screaming when I went to bed and tried to lie down. It hasn't done anything about the stiffening, darn it, but it has helped the pain.

I don't know what atrophy is, Razgo, sorry, so I don't know if Botox would help with that. Maybe ask your doctor?

[Razgo]

Hi, atrophy is when the muscle contracts.

Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. Causes of atrophy include mutations (which can destroy the gene to build up the organ), poor nourishment, poor circulation, loss of hormonal support, loss of nerve supply to the target organ, disuse or lack of exercise or disease intrinsic to the tissue itself. Hormonal and nerve inputs that maintain an organ or body part are referred to as trophic [noun] in medical practice. Trophic describes the trophic condition of tissue. A diminished muscular trophic is designated as atrophy.

Atrophy is a general physiological process of reabsorption and breakdown of tissues, involving apoptosis on a cellular level. When it occurs as a result of disease or loss of trophic support due to other disease, it is termed pathological atrophy, although it can be a part of normal body development and homeostasis as well.

[JMom]

botox

Is it covered by insurance? Does it only work for arms? did ur nuero do it?
good 4 u!!!!!!

[JMom]

Wow

you sound like a dr., so what about botox?

[Razgo]

who? me? far from it lol. just 17 years of caring for my wife.

I have heard of Botox relaxation muscles but not really the answer to an ongoing problem?

I have tried physio over time with very little progress to straightening out my wifes legs.

russ

[JMom]

wow great husband

thks 4 the response, it is so great that u try to help ur wife with watching these websites.
Good Luck to your wife & u.

[Grace]

Is it covered by insurance? Does it only work for arms?did your neuro do it?
good 4 u!!!!!!

It depends on the company. My insurance will only cover it for the conditions the FDA has approved it for ~ nothing "off label" which means I cannot get coverage for it for the spasticity in my legs.

There is one neurologist in my doc's office does do the injections there so check with your doctor for availability.

The neuro-physiatrist I went to wanted to do them on me and I said thanks but no... I can't see myself doing that every 3 months.

[Des]

After prior approval, my insurance covers 80% of it, and my copay is $250. It is incredibly expensive. I have it done every 3 months. You can's have it done more often than that.

My neuro referred me to another neuro for the shots. It's what she specializes in.

[belsadie]

Botox

Hi to all, I've used Botox for stiffness and spasms in my leg. I does loosen things up somewhat. I missed my last injection, and boy, do I feel the difference. I'm not sure about atrophy , but I know it works on contractures [CP in kids].
My insurance pays for most ( It IS very expensive...so what else is new?) I think you must say it is due to neuro-degenerative symptoms..The MD who gives it (call up neuro offices and ask if they do it...a Neuromuscular specialist might be a start....), their office biller should know.
Be patient, though. It takes a while to target the right muscles. If all the pieces fall into place, it's worth a try.
Good Luck.

[gellexi]

Painful?

Hello - Just wondering, are the Botox injections very painful? My spasticity is all in my legs. I can hardly bend my knees. Feels like my legs weigh a ton. I asked my neuro about it, but he said he didn't know anything about Botox injections for spasticity.

[GinnyRuth]

Wow, I cant' believe no one has posted anything on here since 2010 about BOTOX and spasticity. My neuro mentioned it and I'm thinking about it. My calves are so tight and sometimes my forearms also.