TREATMENT FOR
CERVICAL DYSTONIA
(12-12-2001) - Theres new
hope for thousands of patients in the U.S. with cervical
dystonia. Its 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.
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