Moving

Amy's MS Blog is in the process of moving!

I'm consolidating my two blogs, Amy's MS Blog and The MS Mom Blog, and moving them over to WordPress.  The new URL is http://www.themsmom.com/.  If you go over there now, you'll see a work in progress - the old posts are there, but I'm working on updating the format.  It's just like a real life move.  I'm unpacking boxes and figuring out where things belong.  I'll soon have it set up so that the syndication, following, RSS feeds, etc. are available options.

In the meantime, I've published a first person article on Yahoo about my life with MS: http://voices.yahoo.com/multiple-sclerosis-me-unwelcome-companion-11533120.html.  Other than that, I've been like most Americans lately - fighting the heat.  The temperatures have been bad enough for most people, but for those of us with MS, it has been a nightmare.  I especially feel for those folks who've been without power.

Real Housewives of North Carolina

On this week’s episode, Amy gets Botox.

Yup, I did it.  I never thought I would voluntarily allow botulism to be injected into my body.  But like a lot of women, my opinion of it changed as I grew older.  The biggest reason for that?  Because I found out there are other reasons to get Botox injections.  It’s not just for shaving off years anymore.

There are actually three approved uses for botox in the treatment of multiple sclerosis:

1. Botox is injected in the legs to address lower body spasticity.
2. Botox is injected in the arms to address upper body spasticity.
3. Botox is injected in the bladder to address issues with urination urgency.

The third one makes me go “Ew.”  It’s one thing to think about injecting a limb, but the bladder?  My skin crawls just thinking about it. 

Fortunately for me, I was dealing with the first situation, lower body spasticity.  A common treatment option for spasticity is baclofen, which can be taken by pill up to four times a day or delivered into the bloodstream via pump.  Since my leg still locks up on the maximum recommended pill dosage, my neurologist referred me to a rehabilitative specialist who could administer the Botox.  It usually takes about a week to realize the benefits of the shots, and they last for about three months.

So how am I doing?  Too soon to tell.  Meanwhile, I’m scheduling physical therapy to work on gait management and develop a home exercise program.  I’m hoping the Botox plus therapy plus home exercise equals walking minus a Frankenstein shuffle.