Curcumin really helps my spasticity!
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:22 am
First I should tell you that the spasticity in my legs is very disabling, and throughout the day but especially at night after dinner I often experience uncomfortable, almost painful muscle spasms/tremors.
I have been reading a lot about curcumin and MS (curcumin is present in the spice turmeric, usually used in Indian food). I ordered some, and yesterday my order of curcumin came in the mail, and I took my first tablet with dinner last night. Well, about an hour after I took the tablet, I felt my legs beginning to relax and "soften up" so to speak. No spasms, and while I sat on the couch watching TV, I was able to comfortably cross my legs.
I slept great overnight, and this morning when I woke I was easily able to get out of bed and use my cane to walk to the kitchen to make breakfast for my son. This is a big deal for me. Usually I have to stiffly drag myself out of bed, and lurch with stiff legs to the kitchen. I am on Baclofen, but it makes me so sleepy (even with Provigil) that I can only take 5mg at a time. But this morning I didn't take ANY Baclofen with breakfast, and I am able to bend my legs!
The only side-effects I have had have been a headache (but I'm not sure that is from the curcumin) and some intestinal discomfort (which went away with a couple of gas pills). All I can say when it comes to curcumin is: I'm a believer! I can't believe how much of my fatigue was caused by the effort of lurching around with my stiff legs! Now that I can move and bend my legs, I am noticeably less tired (although the fatigue is still there, of course).
I can't wait to take my next capsule! I am on Jarrow Formulas Curcumin 95 which I ordered from vitacost.com. This is just my experience, obviously you and your MS are different, but I figured I might as well post my story, in case it helps even one person.
I have been reading a lot about curcumin and MS (curcumin is present in the spice turmeric, usually used in Indian food). I ordered some, and yesterday my order of curcumin came in the mail, and I took my first tablet with dinner last night. Well, about an hour after I took the tablet, I felt my legs beginning to relax and "soften up" so to speak. No spasms, and while I sat on the couch watching TV, I was able to comfortably cross my legs.
I slept great overnight, and this morning when I woke I was easily able to get out of bed and use my cane to walk to the kitchen to make breakfast for my son. This is a big deal for me. Usually I have to stiffly drag myself out of bed, and lurch with stiff legs to the kitchen. I am on Baclofen, but it makes me so sleepy (even with Provigil) that I can only take 5mg at a time. But this morning I didn't take ANY Baclofen with breakfast, and I am able to bend my legs!
The only side-effects I have had have been a headache (but I'm not sure that is from the curcumin) and some intestinal discomfort (which went away with a couple of gas pills). All I can say when it comes to curcumin is: I'm a believer! I can't believe how much of my fatigue was caused by the effort of lurching around with my stiff legs! Now that I can move and bend my legs, I am noticeably less tired (although the fatigue is still there, of course).
I can't wait to take my next capsule! I am on Jarrow Formulas Curcumin 95 which I ordered from vitacost.com. This is just my experience, obviously you and your MS are different, but I figured I might as well post my story, in case it helps even one person.