Douglas.Zachary@p0.f10.n137.z1.fidonet.org (Douglas Zachary) (12/14/90)
Index Number: 12490
BACLOFEN PUMP
Spasms can be more disabling than the disability itself as many of
us have found out the hard way. At times the spasms affect the parts
of the body that are still mobile and are brought on by movement or
touch. Other times the spasms affect the lower extremities with
enough force to throw the person from the chair or cause injury to
the lower legs and feet. Spasms can be strong enough to resist range
of motion, cause embarrassment, disconnect urinary drainage systems
and cause major depression.
Until recently there were very few remedies for this problem.
Lioresal (Baclofen) is probably the most prescribed drug for neuro
spasms but many people get no relief or experience drowsiness,
weakness and lethargy from the drug. Dantrium is another drug used
to counter spasms but carries almost two pages of side affects and
possible organ damage. Valium is sometimes used but has similar side
affects to Baclofen. Rhizotomy is a surgical procedure in which
nerve rootlets which control abnormal motor responses are severed.
Rhizotomy is irreversible. Other surgical methods of dealing with
spasticity have included tendon cutting and amputation, also quite
irreversible.
When Baclofen is taken orally it is estimated that only 15% of the
drug reaches the point where it is needed with an equal portion going
to the brain. The SynchroMed Infusion System from Medtronic, Inc. is
the world's first implantable, programmable system. This system may
be just what many spasm suffering people with Cerebral Palsy, head
injury, spinal injury and MS need.
The pump is connected to a catheter in the spine and implanted
beneath the skin where its reservoir can be filled with a needle
every two or three months. The amount of Baclofen administered by
the pump can be changed with the use of a computer and radio waves so
it only needs to be removed to change the battery. The pump costs
about $6,000 but hospital stay and other costs can drive the price up
to $20,000. They say that most private insurers will pay for the
treatment.
Clinical testing is now taking place in 12 locations across the
country. While spinal baclofen has been available overseas for
years, the FDA requires a certain number of patients to have this,
with documented results, before releasing it for general use.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!137!10.0!Douglas.Zachary
Internet: Douglas.Zachary@p0.f10.n137.z1.fidonet.orgDouglas.Zachary@p0.f10.n137.z1.fidonet.org (Douglas Zachary) (12/14/90)
Index Number: 12491
OTHER SPASM-REDUCERS DISCOVERED
New research has indicated that injections of a toxin that causes
food poisoning may help to control spasticity.
According to information in "Newsday", some doctors are injecting
patients with botulinum toxin to treat diagnoses such as wryneck,
writers cramp and spasms of the vocal cords, neck and face. The data
says some 75% of those treated for local spasms have experienced
temporary improvement of their conditions without having surgery.
In the meantime, researchers in Vancouver, Canada, have conducted
a study with multiple sclerosis patients. They successfully used the
toxin to treat eight MS patients who had experienced severe
spasticity in their legs.
According to the article, the botulinum toxin proved successful
when injected into the affected muscles. Researchers involved in
using it believe it chemically blocks the connection between the
nerve and the muscle, allowing patients to move more freely.
Injections must be repeated every three to five months to be
effective.
The FDA has approved the drug for use in treating adult
strabismus, otherwise known as crosseye, and blepharospasm, a
condition in which an individual will experience a tightening of the
eyelid muscles and, in some cases, become functionally blind.
The information was recently reported in "Reader's Digest."
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!137!10.0!Douglas.Zachary
Internet: Douglas.Zachary@p0.f10.n137.z1.fidonet.orgDouglas.Zachary@p0.f10.n137.z1.fidonet.org (Douglas Zachary) (01/08/91)
Index Number: 12682
BACLOFEN PUMP
Spasms can be more disabling than the disability itself as many of
us have found out the hard way. At times the spasms affect the parts
of the body that are still mobile and are brought on by movement or
touch. Other times the spasms affect the lower extremities with
enough force to throw the person from the chair or cause injury to
the lower legs and feet. Spasms can be strong enough to resist range
of motion, cause embarrassment, disconnect urinary drainage systems
and cause major depression.
Until recently there were very few remedies for this problem.
Lioresal (Baclofen) is probably the most prescribed drug for neuro
spasms but many people get no relief or experience drowsiness,
weakness and lethargy from the drug. Dantrium is another drug used
to counter spasms but carries almost two pages of side affects and
possible organ damage. Valium is sometimes used but has similar side
affects to Baclofen. Rhizotomy is a surgical procedure in which
nerve rootlets which control abnormal motor responses are severed.
Rhizotomy is irreversible. Other surgical methods of dealing with
spasticity have included tendon cutting and amputation, also quite
irreversible.
When Baclofen is taken orally it is estimated that only 15% of the
drug reaches the point where it is needed with an equal portion going
to the brain. The SynchroMed Infusion System from Medtronic, Inc. is
the world's first implantable, programmable system. This system may
be just what many spasm suffering people with Cerebral Palsy, head
injury, spinal injury and MS need.
The pump is connected to a catheter in the spine and implanted
beneath the skin where its reservoir can be filled with a needle
every two or three months. The amount of Baclofen administered by
the pump can be changed with the use of a computer and radio waves so
it only needs to be removed to change the battery. The pump costs
about $6,000 but hospital stay and other costs can drive the price up
to $20,000. They say that most private insurers will pay for the
treatment.
Clinical testing is now taking place in 12 locations across the
country. While spinal baclofen has been available overseas for
years, the FDA requires a certain number of patients to have this,
with documented results, before releasing it for general use.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!137!10.0!Douglas.Zachary
Internet: Douglas.Zachary@p0.f10.n137.z1.fidonet.orgDouglas.Zachary@p0.f10.n137.z1.fidonet.org (Douglas Zachary) (01/08/91)
Index Number: 12683
OTHER SPASM-REDUCERS DISCOVERED
New research has indicated that injections of a toxin that causes
food poisoning may help to control spasticity.
According to information in "Newsday", some doctors are injecting
patients with botulinum toxin to treat diagnoses such as wryneck,
writers cramp and spasms of the vocal cords, neck and face. The data
says some 75% of those treated for local spasms have experienced
temporary improvement of their conditions without having surgery.
In the meantime, researchers in Vancouver, Canada, have conducted
a study with multiple sclerosis patients. They successfully used the
toxin to treat eight MS patients who had experienced severe
spasticity in their legs.
According to the article, the botulinum toxin proved successful
when injected into the affected muscles. Researchers involved in
using it believe it chemically blocks the connection between the
nerve and the muscle, allowing patients to move more freely.
Injections must be repeated every three to five months to be
effective.
The FDA has approved the drug for use in treating adult
strabismus, otherwise known as crosseye, and blepharospasm, a
condition in which an individual will experience a tightening of the
eyelid muscles and, in some cases, become functionally blind.
The information was recently reported in "Reader's Digest."
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!137!10.0!Douglas.Zachary
Internet: Douglas.Zachary@p0.f10.n137.z1.fidonet.org