Extremely tight lower back question

[GardeningMSer]

I'm 67, male, first symptoms on Jan 1, 2000. Use forearm canes for short distances and a scooter for longer ones.

For the past few days I've been waking up with my lower back muscles extremely tight, so tight that standing up or sitting down has to be a very slow process if I want to avoid hitting 6 or higher on the pain scale. OUCH!

Tizanidine and acetaminophen help as does stretching.

I will be seeing my PCP tomorrow.

This isn't an MS hug, it doesn't feel similar to the thigh spasticity I've accustomed to.

Knowing that it is impossible to diagnose this via a forum post, I'm hoping for either some links or google search terms that might help me discuss this with Dr. J.

Many thanks

G

G

[Seasha]

Hi GardeningMSer!

You and I are the same age and I get low back pain from time to time too. I always have contributed it to aging and back problems, but now I wonder reading your post. Stretching and doing gentle yoga has helped but not always. I have even had to take a muscle relaxer to help.

It could very well be spasticity which I feel in my legs often, but according to the NMSS, it happens in ones lower back and upper body limbs too.

"Spasticity refers to feelings of stiffness and a wide range of involuntary muscle spasms (sustained muscle contractions or sudden movements). It is one of the more common symptoms of MS. Spasticity may be as mild as the feeling of tightness of muscles or may be so severe as to produce painful, uncontrollable spasms of extremities, usually of the legs. Spasticity may also produce feelings of pain or tightness in and around joints, and can cause low back pain. Although spasticity can occur in any limb, it is much more common in the legs."

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sym...oms/Spasticity

also this - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Pro...icity,-July-12

Hope you find some relief!

[GardeningMSer]

thanks

Hi GardeningMSer!

You and I are the same age and I get low back pain from time to time too. I always have contributed it to aging and back problems, but now I wonder reading your post. Stretching and doing gentle yoga has helped but not always. I have even had to take a muscle relaxer to help.

It could very well be spasticity which I feel in my legs often, but according to the NMSS, it happens in ones lower back and upper body limbs too.

"Spasticity refers to feelings of stiffness and a wide range of involuntary muscle spasms (sustained muscle contractions or sudden movements). It is one of the more common symptoms of MS. Spasticity may be as mild as the feeling of tightness of muscles or may be so severe as to produce painful, uncontrollable spasms of extremities, usually of the legs. Spasticity may also produce feelings of pain or tightness in and around joints, and can cause low back pain. Although spasticity can occur in any limb, it is much more common in the legs."

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sym...oms/Spasticity

also this - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Pro...icity,-July-12

Hope you find some relief!

Seasha

Thanks for your good wishes and informative links.

Like you I find it hard to separate the effects of aging from MS, I hope this tightness is a result of aging, moving luggage in and out of automobiles, and too many hours sitting in coach class.

Regrettably I'm noticing the spasticity wrapping around my lower abdomen. RATS!

My thighs have had spasticity for much of the last 16 years, that and sleeping difficulties are the main reason I buy medical MJ (legal in CA) using about 3.5 grams over 3 weeks.

After 2 mg of Zanaflex aka Tizanadine at 1:30 PST and half a bottle of Pliny the Elder at lunch, my back loosened up.

Taking the med left me with an unfocused brain, a dry mouth, and a strong desire to take a nap.

If I didn't have to drive to my PCP on Monday, and across the Bay on Tuesday, I'd try the MJ after breakfast.

G

[Seasha]

I too live in a state with legal MJ use and so many are telling me to use it, but I did that in college days many years ago and IDK if I want to anymore.

Combining beer and meds? of course you'd want to sleep and have dry mouth! Best to talk with your doctor. Maybe getting a referral for some PT might be a perfect thing to try? Or a scrip for one of the anti-spasticity meds as outlined in the link?

I've tried PT, but none of the spasticity meds so far - I really don't like taking prescription meds if I can help it.

Let me know what you come up with and take care!