These drugs are used | Spasticity in multiple sclerosis

These drugs are used

If exercise therapy is not sufficient to alleviate the symptoms, medication is used. For spasticity, muscle relaxants and anti-epileptic drugs are used. These are intended to relax the muscles.

Baclofen or tizanidine is often used in tablet form. In severe cases, muscle relaxants can be given directly into the spinal cord through a tube. Another possibility are neurotoxins, i.e. nerve toxins. These are injected directly into the muscle via a syringe and are effective there for about 2 months. In the meantime, cannabinoids are also allowed in severe cases for the treatment of spasticity.

You can do this yourself

It is important that the exercises from physiotherapy are also regularly performed at home. If you have mild spasticity, you should ensure that you are in good physical condition yourself. Stretching and strengthening exercises, which you can do on your own, help here.

It is recommended that you discuss the exercises with your physiotherapist so that they can be carried out correctly and in a way that helps you achieve your goals. In addition, it is helpful to actively pay attention to which exercises or therapies help you best individually. Body awareness training can help in this respect. An exchange with other affected persons can also be helpful and bring new approaches to the relief of symptoms. In addition, if symptoms worsen, a doctor should always be consulted promptly in order to ward off possible late effects in time.

This is the prognosis

Unfortunately, multiple sclerosis is still incurable today and takes a continuous progressive course over the years. Many MS patients are dependent on a wheelchair after many years of the illness. However, today’s therapies can reduce the intensity of the MS process.

The quality of life of those affected has increased noticeably in recent years. In addition, there are more medications that combat inflammation in the central nervous system. Therefore, the prognosis has improved significantly in recent years. Individually, however, the course of the disease is very different.