Locking Up:

[KissJ]

My husband has spells where his hands and legs lock up. Is this a symptom that others have? I know! Everyone is different! I just want to know. With all that I have read here and on the ALS web site, I haven't seen any thing like this described. Just want to know. Thank you.

 

[Ms. Pie]

My hands do at times. Usually when I'm exerting my fingers to try and grip something like a butter knife or something like that.

 

[Dancer]

y fingers lock up, too. Sort of a cramp. I have to pry them open. Also the muscles of my chin.

 

[brooksea]

Yes, my husband's fingers would lock up and he would not be able to let go of something he had held in his hand. I would have to pry his fingers off. Sometimes when I brushed his teeth, his mouth would clamp shut and I'd have to open it with the tooth brush, as the brush was lodged.

 

[KissJ]

Thank you all! That helps to know we aren't alone with this symptom... If that makes any sence... Just know I appreciate your responses.

 

[Sequoia]

ME TOO! mostly my hands cramp for about 30 seconds....I think there is medication for this, ask your neuro

 

[frankb]

You are not alone ! ! Hands/fingers/foot, and cramps in my right calf and the tendon extending below the calf leading to the foot. Talk about disconfort ! ! !:?:

 

[Okie2]

I take baclofen for the muscle cramps. It seemed to help stop the frequency of the cramps. Still get some lock with fingers once in awhile.

 

[momap53]

Gabapentin helps with mine.

 

[notgivnup]

Everything on me locks up. My hands when eating, PT just told me I can have a divice for my hands to hold utensil so I dont have to use my muscle that will lock up. Rest of body, legs, back, stomach, neck, arms, etc, etc, etc,...... not sure what to do. I was just put on lots of pills one is baclofen as gabapentin nor neurontin did anything for me. Hoping your husband can get some relief soon. {{Hug}}

 

[HelenL]

Alternative methods I use include magnets... a magnet mattress pad, and wraps where needed. And I've also learned Reiki, which won't stop the cramp, but they seem to lessen since I started doing Reiki daily. The magnets can help control pain and swelling, don't seem to help everyone but I've been using them for nearly 16 years.

 

[glupavomomiche]

Yes, this happens to me all the time. The worst is early mornings that are cold and I have to stand outside for bus duty. The cold makes me lock up so bad I can't talk... my jaw is clenched shut so tight! OT/PT has me on a stretching program that is supposed to help stop this kind of thing, but so far, it's not really doing the trick.

 

[EGBAR]

My hands lock up in the morning when I wake up, my neuro prescribed wrist splints for me to wear at night, I have an appointment to get them and a AFO, I will let you know if this helps.

 

[LizT]

My PALS jaw snaps shut and is nearly impossible to release all the time. Its so bad that when I brush his teeth, I have to have him bite down on a wooden dowel so he wont bite off the end of the toothbrush. The rest of him is paralyzed... not sure if anything else locked up on him before that.

 

[glupavomomiche]

Egbar, I recently started using a resting hand splint on my right hand/arm. It's helping with the contractures but that's about it. AFOs are awesome. Don't know what I'd do without it!