Sticking with a Rehabilitation Plan
The challenges of treating upper limb spasticity start with diagnosis – too many people just aren't aware of the condition or of the importance of starting and sticking with a rehabilitation plan.
It's so important to get diagnosed because the earlier people discuss their symptoms with their doctor, the sooner they can begin a rehabilitation plan. Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) are mainstays of most upper limb spasticity treatment programs. These therapies are tailored to the individual needs of the patient, so it's important to work with your physical and occupational therapists to develop a rehabilitation plan that is right for you.
While it's hard work and it's easy to get discouraged, sticking with a rehabilitation plan is worth it. What's important to know is that you don't have to go about your rehabilitation alone. While your own personal perseverance is important to the success of your plan, so are the support of your family and friends and the commitment of your healthcare team.
If you think you have upper limb spasticity, here are some important tips to keep in mind:- Go talk to your doctor right away about your possible upper limb spasticity symptoms
- Work with your healthcare team to develop and start a rehabilitation plan as soon as possible
- Stick with your rehabilitation plan to best manage your upper limb spasticity
- Tap into the support of your friends and family and the commitment of your healthcare team
While there is no cure, treatment options are available. Working together, you can identify appropriate goals for your upper limb spasticity and work toward achieving those goals.
"Open Arms: Raising Awareness for Upper Limb Spasticity" Educational Campaign Advocacy Partners. Sponsors of the Open Arms educational campaign do not endorse any specific treatment for upper limb spasticity
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BOTOX® is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to treat increased muscle stiffness in elbow, wrist, and finger muscles with upper limb spasticity in people 18 years and older.
It is not known whether BOTOX® is safe or effective for other types of muscle spasms.
BOTOX® may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX®:
- Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.
- Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice (dysphonia), trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing.
There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect away from the injection site when BOTOX® has been used at the recommended dose to treat severe underarm sweating, blepharospasm, or strabismus.
The dose of BOTOX® is not the same as, or comparable to, another botulinum toxin product.
Serious and or immediate allergic reactions have been reported. These reactions include itchy rash, swelling, and shortness of breath. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you experience any such symptoms, further injection of BOTOX® should be discontinued.
Do not take BOTOX® if you: are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX® (see Medication Guide for ingredients); had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® or Dysport®; have a skin infection at the planned injection site.
Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease], myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects including severe dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and respiratory compromise (difficulty breathing) from typical doses of BOTOX®.
Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have: plans to have surgery; had surgery on your face; weakness of forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows; drooping eyelids; any other abnormal facial change; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (It is not known if BOTOX® can harm your unborn baby); are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed (It is not known if BOTOX® passes into breast milk).
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal products.
BOTOX® may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, or vision problems. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
Other side effects of BOTOX® include: dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, and eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes.
For more information refer to the Medication Guide or talk with your doctor.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Product Information, including Medication Guide for BOTOX®.