This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Has anyone tried Zanafex?

Yes, the connection has to do with the hip are as previously mentioned. Spasticity is at it's worst when legs are straight in extended position, as in standing or lying with legs straight. For most of us there is a point at which the spasticity releases when you start to bend from the hip. I am capable of mo ing my leg and foot enough to drive when I am seated and most of my leg is supported by the drivers seat.

One theory abou spasticity that makes sense to me is that it is our body's way of compensating for increased weakness. It allows us to stand and even do some stiff legged walking. Our bodies have amazing adaptive qualities. We used to say "even dysfunctional behavior has a function" when I practiced social work, meaning that it was all about meeting needs. The same may be true for our physical selves, so that spasticity is an attempt at maintaining function by our bodies.

I have also heard it described as classic symptom of central nervous system insult or injury, so in that way I suppose you could say it is related to nerve damage.

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Kathy, 49 with PPMS,full time scooter.
Married to a wonderful man, mother to a darling 9 yr old boy

Spasticity in my legs is the only major problem I have, but it's so bad that I use a scooter whenever I leave the house. The rest of the time, I "wall walk" just so I can keep my muscles moving, at least a little.

But several times over the years, I have had complete remissions -- for as long as a couple of minutes. I never knew what made these come or go. When this happens, I move as well as I did when I was a kid dancing on toe shoes.

I have also had a couple of episodes when I was suddenly so stiff I couldn't bend my legs at all. I recently realized that, each time this happened, I was lying on an exam table in a doctor's office. So maybe being horizontal is part of the problem? Hmmmmmmm...

So at least in MY case, nerve damage doesn't seem to be a problem.