Multiple Sclerosis Vlog: Calf Cramps Worsen Thinking and Memory!?

In this video, I share an recent success in MS clinic, where we helped someone improve their thinking and memory by stopping cramps in their calf muscles! (Seriously, calf cramps can worsen cognition). If you'd like to better understand the interconnectedness of Multiple Sclerosis symptoms, start watching right now!

The Boster Center for Multiple Sclerosis accepts all major insurance carriers and accepts consults from around the globe, both in office and via telemedicine. www.BosterMS.com or call 614-304-3444 to schedule!
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COMMENT with your thoughts and questions below! I look forward to reading and responding!

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NOTE: Make sure to talk to your provider before ANY treatment decision. We hope to educate, empower and energize those impacted by Multiple Sclerosis. This channel consists of a collection of formal lectures and informal video clips about MS to help education others. These videos do not provide medical advice and are for informational/educational purposes only. The videos are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any of our videos. They are just to help educate you about the condition guys!

[jenniferbeer]

Thank you for making these videos, you are making a difference across the world - MS patient - Wales - UK

[June]

Oh, how I wish I had a doctor/specialist like you sometime during the last 30 years.
It took me 15 years to get any medical professional to take me seriously, they even said I was making it up or neurotic, so I stopped going.

After an innocuous visit about numbness in my legs affecting balance, I was sent for an MRI; with no explanation given. At this point I was using a walking stick and had other symptoms that I now know we're MS related. The neurologist I met had the MID on the screen showing several spots in the brain and three down the spine. He turned round to me and said, there was nothing the matter with me and that I should stop wasting his time and only come back when I had something actually wrong with me. I was in tears as the nurse pushed me out into a packed waiting room.

Fortunately my GP convinced me to see another neurologist who confirmed I obviously has MS and some of the lessions looked about 15 years old. To be told this was such a relief to know I wasn't imagining my symptoms or being a hypochondriac.

They started me on Tysabri and gave me gabapentin. They didn't know about the other symptoms so told to see my GP, The doctors didn't know much about MS, one even describing it as a psychological condition. For spasms, I was told to drink more green tea!

Fortunately I checked out the MS Society website (in UK) and found mental relief and confirmation that other symptoms were related to MS.

By this point, as I loved alone, could no longer manage stairs, etc. I could no longer work, several years after diagnosis. Neurologist said I progressed to SPMS and there were no treatments, so it was sad, but never mind!

From my ow research I found the drugs that could help with some symptoms and found a GP who gave in to my research and analysis and I received medication. However, how and when to take it was left to me to work out.

I am now 63, housebound, can hardly walk, live on ready meals as now my right limbs are useless, brachial plexus in my right shoulder gives me extreme pain, and I haven't heard from or seen a doctor in over two years. I've written to them, but never hear back.

My left hand limbs are now diminished, so I can just about look after myself, but that's all. In fact it feels I'm just waiting to due and keep wondering why I keep on. Actually, it's because I want to sort effects out, but since I need help, Covid-19 put a stop to that!

Sorry, being longwinded, but found your videos a few months ago, and you impressed me and made me happy, and whilst my circumstances may not have differed under your care, to know that I mattered and someone cared, would have made the world of difference.

Thank you, good luck and I look forward to your next instalment. xxx😘😷

[greencoloredstar]

Good morning Dr. Boster! Thanks for another great video!

[anasangel]

Thank you for these videos. I was hospitalized for loss of control of my limbs and bladder. The ER left me covered in my own vomit and urine and no one came to help me clean up. I guess they thought I was incompetent because of MS. Even though I was of sound mind for the most part. I knew what was going on but I couldn’t move. I’m still newly diagnosed and I think I’m left a little bit traumatized. I’m glad there are people like you that keep their compassion

[Haghenveien]

It isn't only that the spasticity affects my cognition due the lack of sleep, it's also that it's difficult to keep your attention on something while you're having cramps and spasms. It's the same for pins and needles, they are so distracting. It's like having your phone vibrating all the time.

[lw]

Hey Dr. B, thanks for the video. My experience is that meds that are supposed to help with nerve pain and spasticity mess up my cognition even more than MS so I am unable to take them. So frustrating! Have a great day!🌞😎

[cindyhofmann]

Thank you as usual you make such a difference in my life when I listen to you talk I can’t even tell you it makes me know that I am not crazy I wish I had you as my doctor honestly it’s saddens me that not all doctors think alike I know mine doesn’t!

[oznurdogan]

Thank you for making these videos. You helped me to cope with MS a lot, especially during my Ph.D. journey! Love and respect from Turkey!!

[jonphillippi]

Dr Boster, greetings from Northern Ireland. I really enjoy your videos as you are telling me things that I never thought about and specialists have never discussed. I like the way you simplify things so that everyone can understand. MS is an uphill struggle and a very murky world as little is known about it. Your videos have explained things in a clear and concise manner and little changes made due to your advice help greatly. Keep up the good work.

[MoistNasa]

I want to also let everyone know that, even if you feel like absolute garbage, get up and work out 30 minutes to an hour a day. Go the gym, go on a walk, do yoga, something. Hand on heart it helps most of my symptoms. When I go to the gym 5-7 days a week, my muscle spasms and cramps almost disappear. But if I stop going, it’s an everyday problem.

[mdatichy]

I needed this video it's my main problem right now. P.S. I love your shirt it reminds me of my high school "Westside High School" go Rams!!!

[RebeccaRazz]

Another “something to really think about” ~ Thank you for this. I think we get in the habit sometimes of assuming a symptom is ‘just new’, in and of itself — without realistically looking into: Maybe not.
Maybe it’s not so new, but related to some other symptom, OR maybe it isn’t even related to MS at all.

[dr.froghopper]

Thanks Aaron! Pain and cramps confuse my brain too. I eat baclofen throughout the day. They’re good for 4-6 hours. At 64, sleeping more than 4-6 hours a night is all I’ve got. It’s enough for me. I’m a very early riser, 0400-0500 is my usual time. But that’s good for watering the garden before it gets hot. Sunrise in New Mexico is when the oven comes on.

[kevinhutten]

Good morning Dr. Boster.
Wow how timely! Cramping and muscle twitching has been worsening lately. I just had the worst case of cramp ever just this past Saturday night.

[Klaus-gcin]

Hello Aaron

I hope, it's o.k. to call you by your forename.
I am Klaus from Austria.
I like your videos and your kind to explain MS.
As I wrote in another video I am newly diagnosted with PPMS.
My spasticity appeared this year in March during the Corona-breakdown.
I think that the sudden death of my beloved cat stressed me to much.

I do not take drugs till now.
I am a physical therapist, so I think I know how important exercising is.

I only have extension-cramps in my left Quadriceps in the morning after stretching my limbs when I awake.
After moving some minutes the cramp is gone- that's it for the day.
Sometimes I have the feeling to be shortly before a cramp in my left arm, but till now it did not happen.

For me the most important thing is to exercise nearly every day and not to keep my left side of my body in one position too long so that the muscles cannot get stiff.
Thanks for your support.

[PRNOBTCH]

I don't have incontinence but have all the signs of ms. So far been diagnosed w fibromyalgia along with oa in most of my joints. But I do have tremors that significantly subsided once I got some spinal injections for my lower back. Slight narrowing there. Progressive joint Disformities in my feet and I have constant spasms. It's unnerving when you do mri and have some Flairs showing in brain scan but not enough to be taken seriously. My mobility has drastically changed its very Distressing bc I am progressing with what ever is happening and with all the specialists it's like pulling all teeth to get a clear answer

[roberture]

Thankyou for the excellent video. Is there any treatment out there besides baclofen?

[muffmonster]

Oh my god, I was JUST thinking about this exact problem. I take baclofen throughout the day but most mornings I will wake up with calf cramps, sometimes very painful. I take my last baclofen dose for the day before bedtime and naturally the effect has already worn off by the time I wake up after 5-6 hours of sleep. But how do I manage this? I can't just get up in the middle of the night for an extra round of baclofen every day?

[johnl]

I have noticed that my walking quality decreases markedly when my bladder is full. Even when I do not consciously notice an urge. I drain my bladder, and my walking quality noticeably improves almost instantly. I also have reduced walking quality when I am constipated or have gas pains, but since that has noticeable discomfort, it is easier to associate it with reduced quality of walking.

Sorry for over-sharing, hopefully a tidbit of my experience can be useful to someone.

Thanks for the continuous education you are providing.

[naenersable]

Thank you for everything you do I wish you could come to Pocatello Idaho and talk with my neurologist Dr. Gerard she is amazing but I fell she could understand why my symptoms got so much worse and fast.