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Thoracic Muscle Spasms, MS, MRI, Abnormal T1, T2, T3, T4, Taken Baclofen, Zanaflex, Flexeril, Lyrica, Tramacet. Reason?
Question: Thoracic muscle spasms - MS diagnosed Sept 2011
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I have been diagnosed with MS,i take Copaxone daily.Can lesions on the cervical and thoracic spine cause muscle spasms in the upper thoracic back?I have lesions on C4,C6-7.This is from a 2009 MRI (no symptoms were present at the time of the scan)My 2011 MRI(April) showed several increased areas of T2 signal in the thoracic cord.Largest lesion was present at T1 posteriorly on the left,T2 on the right,centrally at T3-4,and posteriorily left on T6-7.I had unexplained thoracic muscle spasms(primarily on my left trapezius/rhomboids/scalene)last year that came about with no known cause of injury/trauma.My neuro did not think they were MS related but did not tell me what else if could be.These spasms were treated with Baclofen since April 2011,a daily 10mg 3x day dose let me live 90% pain free XXXXXXX 2012 i was rear ended and my same muscles flared up. (primarily again on the left side)My neuro still says not MS. Have tried Zanaflex(didn't work),Flexeril(didn't work),Lyrica(no relief)and tramacet(just made me nauseated but no pain relief in my muscles).The only thing that works is dry needling,but the effects only last 1-2days.My neuro is adamant that this is not MS,and i understand that the whiplash can cause this too, but it's the same pain i had last year just worse because now my trusty Baclofen isn't taking the pain away. Any help would be greatly appreciated.If this is not MS then it worries me about what else could be wrong wth me.
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I have been diagnosed with MS,i take Copaxone daily.Can lesions on the cervical and thoracic spine cause muscle spasms in the upper thoracic back?I have lesions on C4,C6-7.This is from a 2009 MRI (no symptoms were present at the time of the scan)My 2011 MRI(April) showed several increased areas of T2 signal in the thoracic cord.Largest lesion was present at T1 posteriorly on the left,T2 on the right,centrally at T3-4,and posteriorily left on T6-7.I had unexplained thoracic muscle spasms(primarily on my left trapezius/rhomboids/scalene)last year that came about with no known cause of injury/trauma.My neuro did not think they were MS related but did not tell me what else if could be.These spasms were treated with Baclofen since April 2011,a daily 10mg 3x day dose let me live 90% pain free XXXXXXX 2012 i was rear ended and my same muscles flared up. (primarily again on the left side)My neuro still says not MS. Have tried Zanaflex(didn't work),Flexeril(didn't work),Lyrica(no relief)and tramacet(just made me nauseated but no pain relief in my muscles).The only thing that works is dry needling,but the effects only last 1-2days.My neuro is adamant that this is not MS,and i understand that the whiplash can cause this too, but it's the same pain i had last year just worse because now my trusty Baclofen isn't taking the pain away. Any help would be greatly appreciated.If this is not MS then it worries me about what else could be wrong wth me.
Hello
Thanks for the query
Regarding the spasms in MS, neuromuscular spasm is one of the most common symptoms occurring in MS. Spasms can be of two types, either tonic or clonic spasm.
Tonic spasm is nothing but stiffness, when the limb appears rigid and difficult to move despite the absence of absolute paralysis. Clonic spasm which is perhaps the most distressing of the two forms as the affected limb or muscle may jerk violently without warning and can affect any muscle in the body. Irritation of the spinal nerves at the site of exit from the vertebra by MS plaque causes spasms.
So I personally feel your spasms are probably related to MS. Baclofen, Zanaflex and valium are the drugs most commonly used for treatment of spasms. As these medicines are not effective in you, Botulinum toxin (or Botox) can also be injected locally into the affected area to relax the muscles. However one should understand that spasms are not common in the early stages of MS and one should exclude other causes before relating it to MS.
For now, I recommend to discuss the option of Botox injections in to the muscles with your GP as you have not benefited from the oral medicines.
Thanks again for the query. I hope you found my response to be helpful and informative. If you have any additional concerns I would be happy to address them.
Sincerely,
Dr Shiva Kumar R
Consultant Neurologist & Epileptologist
Thanks for the query
Regarding the spasms in MS, neuromuscular spasm is one of the most common symptoms occurring in MS. Spasms can be of two types, either tonic or clonic spasm.
Tonic spasm is nothing but stiffness, when the limb appears rigid and difficult to move despite the absence of absolute paralysis. Clonic spasm which is perhaps the most distressing of the two forms as the affected limb or muscle may jerk violently without warning and can affect any muscle in the body. Irritation of the spinal nerves at the site of exit from the vertebra by MS plaque causes spasms.
So I personally feel your spasms are probably related to MS. Baclofen, Zanaflex and valium are the drugs most commonly used for treatment of spasms. As these medicines are not effective in you, Botulinum toxin (or Botox) can also be injected locally into the affected area to relax the muscles. However one should understand that spasms are not common in the early stages of MS and one should exclude other causes before relating it to MS.
For now, I recommend to discuss the option of Botox injections in to the muscles with your GP as you have not benefited from the oral medicines.
Thanks again for the query. I hope you found my response to be helpful and informative. If you have any additional concerns I would be happy to address them.
Sincerely,
Dr Shiva Kumar R
Consultant Neurologist & Epileptologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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