Dystonia Support Group Of San Diego County KFMB Interview on Dystonia

TREATMENT FOR CERVICAL DYSTONIA

(12-12-2001) - There’s new hope for thousands of patients in the U.S. with cervical dystonia. It’s an often misdiagnosed movement disorder that involves debilitating muscle contractions in the head and neck.

Martha Murphy has suffered from cervical dystonia for 26 years. It started one morning when she woke up with a stiff neck.

"I couldn't look to my left. I couldn't look to my right. I couldn't look down. It was a gradual process over the years. So finally, almost 12 years later, I walked into a neurologist's office and he said, 'I know what you have,'" remembers Murphy.

What she had was a neurological disorder that has no known cause or cure. It's an uncontrolled, sustained muscle contraction that causes stiffness, tightening, and pain.

Dr. Jack Schim says a very common pattern is when a patient turns or twists their neck, there will be not only an altered posture, but some may not even be able to look straight ahead.

Close to 70,000 Americans are affected by cervical dystonia. But like Martha, many live for years without a diagnosis. But once a diagnosis has been made, treatment can offer much relief.

Oral medication works, but a San Diego company, the Elan Corporation, has come out with a new FDA approved drug called Botilinum Toxin B. It's sold under the name, Myobloc. Once injected into the muscle, it works by blocking the release of the neurotransmitter responsible for the overactive contractions of the muscles. The effect lasts up to 16 weeks.

If you or someone you know has the symptoms of cervical dystonia, go see a neurologist. A doctor may be able to help relieve the pain.

There are many people in San Diego living with the disorder. They meet every other month to talk about the problems and solutions they've found. If you're interested in learning more about the meetings, or dystonia in general, you can call 1-800-377-3978.