Re: A couple of new symptoms>clonus

[Guest guest]

,

That jiggling of your foot is called clonus. This is caused by an

interruption of the cortispinal tract. It is a sign of upper motor neuron

damage. Upper motor neuron damage can be cause by many things.

In the Shy Drager syndrome there is widespread neurologic damage such as

autonomic dysfunction with cerebellar ataxia, parkinsonism, corticospinal

and corticobulbar tract dysfunction and amyotrophy.

The drug metoclopramide when used in someone with multiple systems

degeneration may exerbate the parkinsonian symptoms and use may lead to

tardive dyskinesia, dystonia, or akathisia. (Info taken from Merck Manual)

For the clonus (and other spasticity related problems) I take baclofen. It

does help keep it to a minimum as the clonus and driving do not mix

well..........Exercise also seems to increase the clonus. Anything that

causes me to stretch my legs or arms. Actually it is probably throughout

one's body. Try swinging on one of those belt seats on a swingset , you'll

really jiggle!

later and hugs,

cindy

A couple of new symptoms

> Hello folks from overcast, late summer, Melbourne,

> Australia. I have recently experienced a few episodic

> symptoms which I wondered whether anyone is familiar

> with in terms of MSA or related illnesses. Twice now I

> have been walking along normally in a straight line

> and veered to the right in approximately a 90% arc for

> no apparent reason. I veer quite dramatically not like

> a minor drift which you would correct. On these

> occassions I have also felt mildy dizzy and slightly

> off balance generally. I also seem to have a lesion or

> redness on the left side of my tongue which waxes and

> wanes but has been there for three months or so (I

> have not been taking any medications). Finally, if I

> am tapping my foot to music with my toes on the floor

> and bouncing my heel for say 20-30 seconds and decide

> to stop my foot merrily keeps bouncing for anywhere

> from 20 to 30 repetitions. When it stops I feel a

> little weak in the calf for a few minutes. Is this

> hyppereflexia ?

>

> Other than that I feel as fit as a trout.

>

> If anyone can shed any light on these symptoms, I

> would greatly appreciate it.

>

> Best wishes to everyone in the group and I hope you

> are all keeping well.

>

> Regards Sowter

>

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