symptoms worse when sick?

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wendya432

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Does anyone notice their symptoms get worse when they are sick? I'm currently recovering from a kidney infection (not fun, but thankfully getting better) and my spasticity has been insane. My legs are so sore and stiff. I'm taking my baclofen but it doesn't seem to be helping.

I'm wondering if this is just in response to being sick, or if it's progression and not going to go back to my previous "normal".
 
Hi Wendy. Sorry you have been sick. Indeed utis are no fun at all! I was hoping one of the PLS people would answer but since no one has yet I will chime in for what it is worth. I do not have an MND. I am here because 1 my sister has ALS and 2 I have the family gene for ALS. I happen to have another neuro disease unrelated to this. I was seeing an ALS neuro as part of a familial ALS study and happened to be a little sick as well as sleep deprived. My neuro symptoms were out of control and he asked if they were always that bad when I said no I was sick and exhausted he said " illness, fatigue and stress make ALL neurological symptoms worse". So I hope that you will find it true for you. I know I had a stomach bug last month and it took a week for my (totally not MND) neuro symptoms to go back to baseline
Hope this helps a little
 
I got real sick 2 weeks ago. I felt MUCH weaker and still haven't gotten back to where I was prior to my cold.
 
I can't say anything about symptoms when sick as I haven't been sick in years but I have noticed that when I get overly tired, for any reason, that the pain and stiffness are worse. Also when recovering from surgery it is worse
 
Hi wendy....Absoloutly a 100% is the answer.
My spasticity always increases when ill with infections,colds ect.
I was told by neuro that lots of things can make spasticity worse.
 
Hi Wendy,

I agree with Caroline above -- also 100% resounding "Yes!"....if it makes any sense, Wendy, I would suggest that because the nervous system lies in close/ direct proximity with virtually every other system (skin, circulatory, respiratory, etc), the nervous system is bound to be affected (even if indirectly) by many -- and even perhaps most -- illnesses. Because many (most?) types of viral syndromes adversely affect one's muscles (think of those times in which you have a fever, and your muscles become achy and fatigued), and the muscles work in conjunction with nearby nerves, there HAS to be a relationship. Sounds terribly basic, but I think it to be true.

Mike
 
I am another one who can say that Caroline and Mike are 100% correct! I so much as get a small virus and I am flat on my back because it pushes the spasticity and pain to a place I cannot get up.
 
Wendy forgot to add,i have had a cold since last week. At the weekend my left leg (worse effected)was so stiff and rigid I could not bend it but feeling a tad better and the leg is loosening up.
Hope you feel better soon and back to your "normal"self.

And yes,stress or cold or other stimuli can effect spasticity.
 
I agree with everyone else. I am not often sick, but the slightest illness makes the spasticity go crazy. I also agree with the effects from stress and cold. I hope that you are feeling better now, Wendy.
 
Thanks for the replies. It's always reassuring to know you aren't alone. Not that I would wish this on anyone.

For the past 24 hours, things seem to be calming down. I was actually able to flatten my foot out today so that was nice. My right leg seems to want to stick straight out right down to the toes. (right side is my worse side.)
 
Maybe I spoke too soon. Today I'm back to feeling incredibly weak. Having more spasticity in my hips than I've ever noticed before. I must have done too much yesterday since I was feeling better. (isn't it sad that doing laundry and dishes and picking up the house ended up being "too much"!?)

I called the neurology clinic I go to, to see if they could get me into a neuromuscular doc instead of my migraine specialist. My neuro is ok, but pretty much at a brick wall at this point. They said I need him to refer me, I can't just make an appointment. So I emailed him and told him about my progression and my worries, and politely asked if he could send me to someone that deals with this stuff regularly. All I got was an email saying "make an appointment to discuss".
So I'm a bit frustrated. Now I guess I need to call on Monday and set up another appointment with him. Which means paying for another appointment, driving 60 miles each way, and hopefully trying to convince him to send me to someone else.
 
I have had a toe infection past 2 days......it may be a corn infected but how I got it I don't know as I don't go out much and always have socks or slippers on my feet.
Anyway , the spasticity and pain in my right leg of infected toe has gone of the radar:-(
 
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