My husband has reached the point where he keeps his hands clenched most of the time. He is so strong that a lot of the time his fingers turn blue (and yours if you are unlucky enough to hold his hand when he is really squeezing).
The therapist has recommended his being assessed for Botox shots in the arm to help relax the muscles. I did an internet search and learned that Botox is used with several diseases that cause the stiffening including strokes. Has anyone tried this? I didn't find anything on side affects yet but the doctor assures me that there are no side affects......
Of course, I keep giggling on this one as I can imagine what he would say if he could talk about the idea of Botox treatments.
therrja I don't know anything about the injections in his arm, but my 92 year old mother had drooping eyelids that were helped with botox injections around her eyes. The eye Dr. had me bring her in when they were sagging again and he would do the shots again. Usually 3 months. He did it in his office and she had no side effects. Medicare paid all of the bill, but you might want to check first. It did help her eyelids but had to be repeated. It would be worth a try.
The same neurotoxin used to diminish the appearance of wrinkles may now help smooth the frustration of patients with upper motor neuron syndrome-related spasticity following stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis.
“Spasticity is characterized by a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes, or muscle tone, with exaggerated tendon jerks. It may lead to chronically flexed elbows or wrists, clenched fists, thumb-in-palm, adducted and internally rotated shoulders, or pronated forearms, all of which dramatically diminish quality of life and the ability of patients and caregivers to perform daily routines of hygiene, dressing, and eating,” says UAB physiatrist Robert C. Brunner, MD, medical director of the Spain Rehabilitation Center. “Lower-limb positions, such as flexed hips or knees, adducted thighs, striatal toes, or equinus foot, may interfere with seating, gait, or patient transfer or transport. Botox relaxes affected muscles, reducing spasticity and pain and improving function.”
The comfort level is exactly why I gave approval for the consultation and if he is a candidate to go forward with it. Clenching his hands that hard will eventually break down the skin and start a whole host of other problems. It also can't be good on the rest of the arm muscles to be held that tight all day. The aids also thought it might help when they dress him and undress him as he tends to hold his arms out stiff.
We'll have to see what happens, hopefully it will be helpful. The one good thing about this particular action is that it is not a drug that affects the brain making is a hit or miss if it will work.