Spasticity after paraplegia

Just want to say I had l4/5 fussion 14 years ago worst thing I ever done, I'm off the opioids now which was the hardest thing ever so living with chronic pain and becoming increasingly immobile, I think I have s1 on its way and the thought of further surgery just sickens me to the core, just a thought I just started on vit d, magnesium, calcium, zink, b12 also magnesium spray which is amazing from holland and barret and my WLS has stopped 😊

Interesting comments above.

I am two years post-op T2-T7 spinal fusion T5-T7 laminectomy and I still suffer night spasms in both legs and severe pins and needles and cramping in both feet.  Pretty much the only time I don't feel it is when I am walking.

The Baclofen works to a point, I take 30mg a day and it only makes it bearable, if I miss one tablet it is Hellish pain.

B12 used to cure my pins and needles in the feet, I had it for years pre-op, but it does not have any affect now after having the fusion.

Epson Salts in a hot footbath helps but I am very interested in the magnesium spray, I believe it is a different form of magnesium.

Would do anything to stop the pins and needles.

Heard potassium helps as well ???

Only at night I feel muscle spasms in my legs but it is slowly getting better, I sleep a lot better now than I did 18 months ago when it was out of control.  I had a really bad spasm once in hospital that shook me all the way from my toes right up to my head. Nurse was standing beside my bed when it happened and even she was amazed.

The first night I used it it worked, if I dont my legs jump all over and there's no chance of sleeping, also I was suffering with muscle pains practically all over my body almost like having flu symptoms and they've practically gone completely since taking all these extra supplements, the spray is called magnesium oil original spray, iv done my reviews and this came out on top, hope it helps 😊

Hiya Caroline. Having the L4/L5 fusion was the worst decision I have made as this was the start of all my problems. I had further surgery ACDF. I am now wheelchair dependant and my right leg is just heavy and dead. I have been told now that I need a further op to my thoracic. Will only agree to this if it was preventative and I needed surgery. I won't have it otherwise. I was told that it could paralyse me. I'm just about managing to keep sane in being like I am now and I don't want to end up in a worst way. I am having bladder and bowel problems and have been told to think about having a SPC. I have gained weight as I can exercise and get about now. I am trying very hard though.

Ah it's the worst thing ever, I was a personal trainer and was told I'd be the perfect candidate for this surgery, 3-6 months out of work...Iv never been able to return. I went private so thought I was getting the best care and just took what was said, I didn't know any different, I was sent home with no meds, support aids, physio, follow up appointments, nothing, it's only years later and still in chronic pain that I started to question why I havnt been any better and then found I had a thoracic arachnoid cyst compressing my spinal

Cord which will paralyse me if removed and cervical degeneration and bulging discs, docs don't want to know, they scan me every year just to keep an eye on Amy growth but it's affecting my arms and legs and now bladder is weakened, but they say it has nothing to do with cyst.

Oh and in my opinion the cyst was caused by the fussion which is why I think I was sent home and he was hoping enough time would pass and it would be impossible to prove, I have a 7" scar which should only be 2-3" and I had burning pain in my spine when I woke from surgery which went on for 7 years before it was investigated, he also refused to see me 10 years on when asked for a second opinion 🤔

Hi Caroline. I too have had the same conditions as you. I was a banking advisor and always on the go. I was fit and well and exercised regularly. I had lower back compression and fused and should have been back to work in 3 to 6 months. I only had the operation to prevent further compressions. Never been right since. Struggling to stay stand up straight and walj properly. I cold just shuffle. Right side from waist down no feeling and unable to lifthe leg off the ground.

I had a further operation months later on my cervical. ACDF was the op.

I am now a paraplegic and have so many problems. To top it all I have been told I have the same bulging and calcified around them. 1 surgeon said he can't operate as it could paralyse me. The other specialist wants to operate. The one that won't operate said the calcification is hard around them. The other said they are soft. How can they both have different opinions when they are both looking at the same scans.

I am now left with bladder problems and it looks like the bowel is now going lijenkinson that. Sorry to ramble on.

Your not rambling we just need to sound off, het a third fourth fifth opinion until your satisfied, I had one surgeon who didn't know what the cyst was and wanted to cut 3" bone out my spine just to take a look but failed to tell me what that would actually do to me until I asked, had I not had the previous surgery I probably would of let him, unfortunately we learn by THERE mistakes, we have these ops expecting to be better and get on with our lives but unfortunately it seems to be a massive problem we don't find out about until it's to late, so sorry your suffering to 😊

Hi Caroline. I agree totally with you. It was the worst thing I have ever done. I am trying to come down gradually on the opiates. It is hard trying to come down gradually off any mess. I am still in pain but what I hate most of all is not being mobile I can no longer stand even with any help. The bladder and bowel is really the hardest thing at the moment.

Mmm interesting. No I haven't tried any of them.? Whereabouts do you spray the oil?  Next week I have been sent an appointment at the hospital to go and have a CT myelogram and NCS/EMG. See what if anything this shows up. 🙂 

As it has a stinging sensation

I also came off opioids starting last September, looking back I was silly I tried to taper to fast, do it slowly this will lessen the withdrawals, good luck with it and if you hit a hard patch remember where all here to help you through, also I would recommend magnesium and vit d supplements as well as the spray it made a massive difference for me as all my muscles where hurting as if I had flu all the time 😊