Loading

Tools to Help Identify Spasticity Patterns

Those who live with severe spasticity or care for someone with this condition know that it may fluctuate. Moments of relatively loose muscles may be followed by periods of intense stiffness or spasms. Each day – indeed, each hour of each day – may be different from the next. These fluctuations can make it challenging to find the right treatment option.

As you and your doctor work together to identify the treatment that is right for you, information about your spasticity patterns will help determine how your symptoms can be most effectively treated. Download these tools to record your spasticity characteristics, and share the results with your doctor.

Spasticity Diary

Keeping a record of the fluctuations in your spasticity may help you and your doctor identify the treatment options that may help you achieve your treatment goals. You can save the Spasticity Diary to your computer and record spasticity patterns, including tone, spasms, and related pain. You can then print the completed diary and bring it to your next doctor appointment. The diary will help your doctor to better understand your spasticity.

Consider tracking your spasticity patterns in this diary for one week. This may help determine if you experience different patterns of spasticity during different days of the week (e.g., weekends vs. weekdays).

Spasticity and Movement Disorder Checklist

Use this checklist to characterize your spasticity and indicate the treatments you are currently using or used in the past to manage spasticity. Share the completed checklist with your doctor to help him or her identify the treatment option/s that may help you achieve your treatment goals.

Spasticity Questionnaire

Complete this questionnaire to capture the areas of the body that are affected by spasticity and the degree to which the spasticity is bothersome. Share the completed questionnaire with your doctor to help him or her better understand your spasticity.

Tracking Severe Spasticity After ITB Therapy

While tracking severe spasticity is beneficial for those who are considering ITB Therapy, it is also helpful for individuals who are already receiving therapy. Those who receive ITB Therapy may find particular value in tracking their condition after a dosage change.

Remember, arriving at the optimal dosage takes time. The more information you share with your doctor or nurse, the better your therapy can be adjusted to help meet your goals.

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ON ITB THERAPY

Please follow your doctor's instruction closely because a sudden stop of intrathecal baclofen therapy can result in serious illness (baclofen withdrawal symptoms) such as high fever, changed mental status, muscle rigidity, and in rare cases multiple organ-system failure and death. It is very important that your doctor be called right away if you experience any of the above symptoms.

It is important for you to keep your scheduled refill visits so you don't run out of medication (baclofen) and to understand the early symptoms of baclofen withdrawal. Some patients are at more risk than others for baclofen withdrawal; consult with your doctor.

People who suffer from severe spasticity resulting from cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury may be a candidate for ITB Therapy. If you have spasticity due to spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis you must first fail oral baclofen. If you have experienced a traumatic brain injury you must first wait 1 year after the injury to be considered for ITB Therapy. A screening test will help show if you will respond to the intrathecal baclofen. You should not receive ITB Therapy if you have an infection, are allergic to baclofen, or your body size is too small to hold the implantable pump.

The implanted pump and catheter are surgically placed beneath the skin. Surgical complications that you may experience include infection, meningitis, spinal fluid leak, paralysis, headache, swelling, bleeding, and bruising.

The most common and/or serious drug-related side effects of ITB Therapy include loose muscles, sleepiness, upset stomach, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. Pump failure may cause overdose or underdose of intrathecal baclofen. The signs and symptoms of overdose include drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, respiratory depression (difficulty breathing), hypothermia, seizures, loss of consciousness, and coma. Once the infusion system is implanted, device complications include catheter or pump moving within the body or eroding through the skin. The catheter could leak, tear, kink, or become disconnected, resulting in underdose or no baclofen infusion. Symptoms of underdose include increase or return in spasticity, itching, low blood pressure, lightheadedness, and tingling sensation. These symptoms are often early indications of baclofen withdrawal. The pump could stop because the battery has run out or because of component failure. The pump will sound an alarm when the pump needs to be filled with baclofen, replaced or if there is a problem with the pump. Always inform any healthcare personnel that you have an implanted infusion system before any medical or diagnostic procedure such as MRI or diathermy.

For more information, please read the Lioresal® Intrathecal (baclofen injection) Full Prescribing Information and the SynchroMed Infusion System Information.

This therapy is not for everyone. Please contact your doctor. A prescription is required.

Lioresal^® is a registered trademark of Medtronic, Inc.

USA Rx Only Rev 0911

Section Navigation

• Treatment Options for Severe Spasticity
• Resources
• Tracking Tools

Additional information