anybody else?

[blackbelt1997]

I am not sure if this is due to stress or what. A couple of times now, I have had a total body "spasm". One time my head hit the wall as I was lowering myself into a chair. On Monday night, I was in class for my Master's degree, and my professor was behind my chair. My body jerked bad, and my head hit her. I apologized for this in person, but I don't think she heard me. I also dropped her an e-mail. I have told my other professors for Wed. night as well just as a "warning". I have also periodically involuntarily "kicked" my classmate a few times last semester. I have warned the person that sits at my table. The worst time was when I was at work conducting an IEP meeting. My whole body was spasming and my left leg was kicking. The parent interpreted this as my having an "outburst".
Has anyone else experienced similar things? Is there any way to get rid of these spasms? Is this cp related? Other than those occaissions listed, I haven't experienced anything like that before. My professor of Wednesday night's class suggested that a med might be necessary for the spasms. The only problem with that is that I take a med for the ADHD. I would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks.

[Poetwoman]

HI Blackbelt,
I haven't personally experienced the kind of whole body spasm you are talking about it that it caused me to hit or kick someone else, but I have seen plenty of other people have them, in my work when I worked with others with CP. I have had some twitching and jerking of my face and arms related to the nerve injury to my face suffered in a fall; and also to the pinched nerve to my arm. I was going to suggest medication too--a mild muscle relaxant maybe. I know you are on meds for your ADHD but it might be worth it to investigate if there is something that doesn't conflict. Other than that, all I can say is to do what you do--let others know that it is not intentional, and that you can't control it. I've seen people who are on meds for their spasticity who still have episodes like that since the meds don't totally take away your tone. IF they did we'd all be cured! Poetwoman

[blackbelt1997]

My adhd med is very sensitive to other meds. I can't even take allergy meds while I take the adhd med. It's weird... most of the spasms have occured after the adhd med has worn off. I wonder if the adhd med wearing off has anything to do with the spasms?

[missbbpepper]

hey blackbelt -

I have had the EXACT same thing as you are haveing. I was diagnosed with Myoclonic Jerks, which is basically a very small seizure (associated with seizure disorders and Myoclonic Seizures etc.), but you are totally concious through it. You might not have seizures but my Neuro explained to me that you can have this without the certain type of seizure. Then they catagorize it as a Tic Disorder. Also It can be characterized under as a Tic disorder. (by some Neuro's anyway). However having Spastic CP doesn't help anything - it just makes it worse, epecially with the startle reflex and if your extremely tight - it makes the actual jerks worse.

I have also kicked people - in the mall - and because of that my manual wheelchair has feet and leg straps. Also chest straps because my jerks do cause me to fall out of my chair. My power chair has padded seatbelts/body harness, and ankle clasps. And the power recline helps some.

I was put on Catapress patch - but had to be taken off - as I was allergic. But it seemed to help some - the Neuro explained it as just taking the edge off enough to reduce the spasms/jerks that are so severe.

They also just upped my Baclofen to 20 mg 4 times a day - the max dose. But - for me I dont think the oral baclofen is doing much. But it differs from patient to patient.

If you need any other info - feel free to PM me or i can PM you my email address.

Amber and Quincy

[Poetwoman]

HI Blackbelt: Missbbpepper's response reminded me that I have had myoclonic jerks too--even though I don't have a seizure disorder: thought I did though for a while there. For me they had to do with major fatigue at my old, old job (2 jobs ago). Once I got my scooter though they went away. I was greatly overtaxing my body.

[blackbelt1997]

I don't have a seizure disorder. When I went to volunteer at an adaptive sports event last year, I tried wheelchair basketball. I got helped into the basketball chair by the leader of the adaptive sports organization. She strapped my feet/ankles and knees to the chair because she said it's common for those with cp to "kick". Boy I'm glad she did, because I could really feel my legs jerking under the straps. Are myoclonic jerks typically associated with symptoms of cp, or are they different? Basically does everyone with spastic cp have myoclonic jerks?

[CPchick]

Yeah, I've had similar spastic jerks, so I think it's just a CP thing.

[Poetwoman]

Yes, BB this is a CP thing, but people with other neurological conditions can get it too. Sometimes people with no other diagnosis get it. There is even a forum here called "Myoclonus" that you can check out. Thinking about this brought back a funny memory to me. A couple of jobs ago I was having these myoclonic jerks, and one day when I was meeting a parent of a new student for the first time, I felt the jerks coming on. I mostly had them in my neck and arms. Sometimes I would make involuntary noises that sounded like "huh, huh" because my throat would be spazzing. Anyway while I meeting with this new parent, I had a jerk in my neck that turned my head to the side very suddenly. When I turned back the woman's eyes looked like they were going to fall out of her head! I told a friend about this and he said: "she was just waiting to see if your head would turn all the way around!":D

[funnylegs4]

I have those things too.I call them my tics(I read a book about a guy with Tourettes that I love). When I found out this friend of mine was vision impaired I told her to say a few feet away and I always use my crutches around her just in case. Try B vitamans it seems to at least tone down the jerking for me. Ps I kicked someone once too. Boy that was funny!

[funnylegs4]

Yes, BB this is a CP thing, but people with other neurological conditions can get it too. Sometimes people with no other diagnosis get it. There is even a forum here called "Myoclonus" that you can check out. Thinking about this brought back a funny memory to me. A couple of jobs ago I was having these myoclonic jerks, and one day when I was meeting a parent of a new student for the first time, I felt the jerks coming on. I mostly had them in my neck and arms. Sometimes I would make involuntary noises that sounded like "huh, huh" because my throat would be spazzing. Anyway while I meeting with this new parent, I had a jerk in my neck that turned my head to the side very suddenly. When I turned back the woman's eyes looked like they were going to fall out of her head! I told a friend about this and he said: "she was just waiting to see if your head would turn all the way around!":D
She might have thought you have Tourettes. people with Tourettes have neck jerks all the time. And noises too. If I had seen you jerk like that and I didn't know you had cp I would probably say"Do you have Tourettes or something"?

[blackbelt1997]

Can these jerks or myoclonus be attributed to stress? I recently changed jobs to a job that I love! My director is awesome! She told the parents of my students about the cp. I graduated with my Master's degree in May, so that is finished. Hooray!