tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174880937451768707.post7481783189827497824..comments2023-10-18T05:54:19.015-07:00Comments on Stronger After Stroke Blog (THE STROKE RECOVERY BLOG): After stroke, spasticity is a bad thing—but things could be worse.Peter G Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12585356059363005619noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174880937451768707.post-35679862736354416232013-10-20T14:55:58.844-07:002013-10-20T14:55:58.844-07:00Hi Pamela, Sorry its taken so long to reply. I'...Hi Pamela, Sorry its taken so long to reply. I've written about Botox (http://recoverfromstroke.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-problem-with-botox.html). Basically, a few things can happen: 1. You build up an immunity so it is no longer effective. 2. You have an MD that does not understand that Botox in isolation is just and band-aide (always get therapy after Botox. 3. You run out of money. There are cheaper alternatives that do basically the same thing. Stopping won't hurt, but you'll lose the effect, of course.Peter G Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13595198575349062833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174880937451768707.post-7530452723524231122011-05-24T12:14:48.421-07:002011-05-24T12:14:48.421-07:00My stroke was in October 2009, and I started getti...My stroke was in October 2009, and I started getting botox injections in my right arm for severe spasticity in April of 2010. I'm one of those lucky ones that has responded well and gotten back movement. But I continue to need injections every 3 months. The progress I make has been within each 8 to 9 week window the injections provide. I can now reach with an (almost) straight arm and grasp and release things, and can even perform some basic manipulations with my hand. What's frustrating is the gain/loss cycle every three months, even though the overall progress has been upward. Has there been any research about this gain/loss cycle, and the potential for eventually stopping use of the botox?Pamelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041371568599886592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174880937451768707.post-67596506155772061832011-05-11T10:38:07.547-07:002011-05-11T10:38:07.547-07:00Thanks Pete, I'll have to look one up. My OT b...Thanks Pete, I'll have to look one up. My OT back when I had 'real' therapy never was able to find the unit and she had not worked with it anyway. It is slowly but surely getting better, flexing the finger thousands of times a day does work. I still need to find finger motors.<br />Deanoc1deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02302555382262295577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174880937451768707.post-60981514374101526272011-05-08T19:39:19.444-07:002011-05-08T19:39:19.444-07:00As always Dean, excellent point. Have you tried bi...As always Dean, excellent point. Have you tried biofeedback? Here's some funny: In all survivors (if the research is to be believed) spasticity completely wanes during sleep. If thats true then why can't one volitionally relax even when awake? There seems to be some research that BF works. But why not buy a cheap unit (~$200) and see of you can self relax?Peter G Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13595198575349062833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174880937451768707.post-83007833725657105242011-05-07T22:21:48.188-07:002011-05-07T22:21:48.188-07:00I really like your analysis Pete but I want the ab...I really like your analysis Pete but I want the ability to go back to flaccidity so I can recover easier.<br />Deanoc1deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02302555382262295577noreply@blogger.com