Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group muscle spasms & AS

(1) How common are back muscle spasms with AS? Do most people have them in addition to the typical pain/stiffness, or ??

(2) Does anyone have any recommended treatment (preferably non-drug-oriented) for muscle spasms? I get one on and off below my left shoulder blade (does anyone else get them just below the shoulder blade on only one side?) and it is really intense.
I've tried heat, meds, hot tub jets, exercises from a PT, stretches etc but nothing helps. I usually just wait it out, it tends to flare for a few days (week or two) then disappear again. When it flares, it flares from about 4pm until about 2am when I finally fall asleep, and in the morning it's gone again until late aft or early evening. I notice the skin around the area now seems "numb" (burned out by heat possibly?) after years of on and off spasms. Don't see a correlation either between a flare and physical activities; I can get one when I'm super fit *or* when I'm fairly inactive.

thanks in advance,
Peggy

Yes, muscle spasms are very common with AS. I am pretty much pain free during the day now due to the meds I'm on - - and yes, I tried for years to be med free but finally caved, my quality of life was getting worse as I got older - - but I still get muscle spasms. I do take a muscle relaxer at night, have been on the same one for the past 2 and a half years with no need to up the dosage, because if I don't get a good night's sleep, especially over a few nights, it makes everything worse from sleep deprivation. Other than that you seem to have the bases covered, the stretches, the heat - - have you tried Icing it? Sometimes that will give some relief. Even though I'm currently in remission I still get the spasms at night, I think from mechanical damage in my back due to years of active inflammation. My right leg is also numb to the touch in the front of my thigh, nerve damage again from mechanical damage, feels odd because it itches - - but scratching does no good because it's numb.

Cheryl

Dogs don't care if the house is clean

I do not know of any natural cures but Flexirl is my drug of choice. When I was fusing I got them exactly where you mentioned under the shoulder blade and in my neck. I would take 10 mg. of Flexirl and 2 advils every 8 hours for about 2-3 days in a row and they are gone for a good while.
Also eat a bannana every day and drink lots of water dehyration and low Potasium can also cause muscle spasams.
Take care , Yoly

Hi Peggy, I was diagnosed because I was having massive muscle spasms on the left side of my torso every night for over a month. I know how horrible it is. My doctor gave me a muscle relaxant, but it did bupkus except make me stoned until 1:00 the following afternoon every time I took it.

Heat, advil, ice, excercise/stretching. Mine actually disappeared completely (with the odd twinge here and there) after I started taking pilates. I wish I had more concrete advice, but at least now you know you aren't alone.

Hugs,

Kat

Muscle spasms seem to cause me more pain lately than inflammation since most of my joints have been sorta worn out by inflammation. I find when I have the time a balance of swimming exercise, massage and acupuncture works quite well. It sounds like a lot but isn't really.

The massage particularly on shoulders and neck once aweek. Once every two weeks for acupuncture and in the pool theree evenings a week. (toughest commitment for me to keep up) It has worked to keep me out of huge spasms where my shoulder could hardly move or my neck was blindingly painful.

As for the numbness that always seems to me from nerve damge or involvement around the area that was inflammed or had spasms.

 
stevec-they also serve who stand and wait

Hi, Peggy:

I was able to control the spasms by alternating hot and cold and believe that the cold is the key here. A spa I belonged to had a cold plunge, but they are not popular anymore--they claimed health risk when they removed it. I used to ski and the hot tub next to the snow is another way to get the full contrasting benefits.

Hope that you find relief soon,
John

does anyone go 'wonky' when their spasms start? Ive only recently been diagnosed(but have suspected and ignored it for years)and recently my spine flared big time making both pelvis and spine tilt over to one side. It scared the hell out of me thinking I would never be straight again.Is this just me or fairly normal? I'm finding the adjustment to all of this a bit hard, hence joining this site. I really need to keep my 'glass half full' personality to keep sane.

Welcome. Yes I lean forward. Part of my routine is to try to sit and walk with my back straight. Hurts like heck. I also tilt to the left. Don't know if its normal but it is for me.
You will find all kinds of helpful advice here. This is where I find solace. The people here are part of my family now. I hope you find the answers here too.

Hi,
I undestand you are taking accupuncture. Can you tell you are on NSAID or anti TNF.

Jay

Thanks for that.I really need to see a rheumatologist here in the UK to help me avoid that intense set of spasm that makes me lean over.No spasm no lean but when it all starts to kick off again,over I go....