What is this?

[SuzE-Q]

Hi y'all,

Was wondering if this might be spasticity or something else. My NY's resolution is to do more exercise :rolleyes: so I went to yoga the other night. It wasn't very long into some of the poses that one of my legs just started trembling and shaking around my knee. It was like it was tremoring or something and I couldn't really put weight on it because it was visibly shaking. With some time off, it went away except the leg was kind of weak after that. I do have foot drop in the same leg.

Is this spasticity or something different do you think? I was trying to figure out if Baclofen might help or if it might not be a good idea because it might make my leg weaker.

Any one experience this or have any idea what it might be? I'd like to keep going to yoga because dang I was sore after all over so its good for me but I'm not sure if meds might help or if I should just avoid any of the poses that push the legs and cause this. The next day it was kinda weak but today it was fine except I'm still kinda sore all over from being so out of shape. I didn't even know we had muscles in our head that could hurt from exercise. :)

Thanks.

[Cat Dancer]

Sounds like maybe clonus? If so, it's a form of spasticity. Sometimes I find that if I DO put weight on it...change position slightly, or otherwise move it, the tremors stop.

[MomtoM]

Yeah, I get that if my baclofen is wearing off and I'm stretching or on the stairs. feels like a spring bouncing? I also have foot drop in the leg it does it on. Interesting, huh? Anyway, my neuro said it is a part of spasticity and shouldn't cause permanent damage...unless you fall because of it:rolleyes:
I love yoga too and it does help to keep at it! Enjoy!

Namaste,
Deb

[MS Bites]

I hate, hate clonus. Clonus was the first clue to a doctor that I had an upper motor neuron problem (or lower motor neuron?).

[sleepy1]

Weakness can cause the legs to tremble and shake when exercising or walking. Once you can sit and rest the leg(s) the trembling and shaking will stop.

There isn't a med that can help but it's improtant to keep using your legs and exercising. You might need to go at a slower pace than the rest of the class. Over time and being constant you might find the trembling and shaking happening less.

Good luck with yoga!

[cricket52]

Hi Suze-Q:

Spasticity can be treated but clonus can't. Sounds like you are quite proactive by taking yoga.

It's hard to exercise when you have pain or weakness or trembling. My hat's off to you!

[lady_express_44]

Congratulations on your resolution to get more exercise . . . woohoo!! :)

I bought a yoga book that I used to practice the techniques at home first. Take it slow and easy, and don't worry about trying to keep up. Even very healthy people who have been quite inactive will struggle when they first start on a exercise program.

Good luck!

Cherie

[fahrmar]

Congratulations on your resolution to get more exercise . . . woohoo!! :)

I bought a yoga book that I used to practice the techniques at home first. Take it slow and easy, and don't worry about trying to keep up. Even very healthy people who have been quite inactive will struggle when they first start on a exercise program.

Good luck!

Cherie

I bought a yoga book AND dvd, and there they sit on my end table, all crisp and brand new. I must actually read the book and play the dvd, AND (perish the thought) actually begin doing the postures! What a novel idea!

Actually, I am just now at a place where the fatigue and spasticity have eased enough to make any kind of exercise possible. I know when I stretch, it feels SO good!

Discipline and incentive. Hmm. :cool:

[JAM622]

Way to go! Keep up the good work.

I started working out a year ago, doing balancing and core exercises. I have progressed to working out 4 times a week, 2 with a personal trainer, 2 with a friend. My sessions only last 35-45 minutes (otherwise I get too tired). I decided to do it as a way to fight my balance problems - I decided to make sure any problems I had was due to MS, not just my own weakness. I toohave had the legs shaking as well as arms shaking sometimes. I found that sometimes I could stop it by concentrating on relaxing the muscle. I have found this particularly effective when my head begins to shake a bit.
But I wouldn't let it stop you from exercising, just take a rest when it becomes a problem and don't over do it. My wife has remarked to me how mush better my walking is since exercising and strength training. So even though I still am not perfect or even normal at walking, I feel good to know that I am doing what I can and it does make a difference.

Jim

[SuzE-Q]

Hi y'all,

Yep, that sounds like what it is this clonus, like a spring, exactly! I don't really care if I look foolish or have it happening, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't something bad for me so that I shouldn't even try the yoga. Already I'm uncoordinated and put the wrong foot with the wrong arm and turn the wrong way - I'm a clutz :o I have to laugh at myself. And forgeddabout it if I have to balance on one foot, that ain't happening unless I'm hanging onto a wall. It just worried me when it was such a strong tremoring/shaking of the leg.

I'll keep going then and maybe try a baclofen to see if it helps to calm it down.

Thanks for the info!