Question
Hello, I'm a 43 year old person with an incomplete injury to my cervical spine, C-3,4,5,6, to be exact.  I seem to have never ending problems with my ability to do just about everything, most importantly work.

This began in June/July 2007.  The only thing I changed in my life, work, or relationships, was to begin taking 10mg of Zocor for high Cholesteral.  Although, I did not attach the slight differences I was seeing in my functional abilities to the low dose of Zocor,nor did my doctor, I believe now I have suffered permanent damage to my lower legs in the form of neuropathy and muscle damage.  I eventually was put on another prescription called Vytorin about August 2009.  11 days later I was basically incapacitated with muscle/joint pain and an in ability to even sit up in bed.  Since 2007 my feet and lower legs have prgrssively got worse. In fact, the feet/ankles and lower left calves swell and hurt severely. I have heightened pain and increased spacticity in my legs all night long.  This is probably the worst thing imaginable, because sleep is recouperative and my days are always better with sleep.  To address the pain and discomfort,I'm prescribed Norko and Ambien. The pain is reduced and the ambien sometimes assists withb sleep, but overal, it makes me more unfunctionable in my legs and the Ambien causes weird dreams and generally tends to make my sleep disturbed.  If I am ramblingit is because I have not slept well for days and my legs are hurting so bad that laying in bed is a nightmare.My legs will only remain in a flexed straight out position wich is unbarable.  Do you have any advice I can take to my doctor.  He is a GP with limited understanding of SCI issues as they relate to health care

Answer
First off, Mel I'm sorry you have to deal with all that. If I were you I'd see a neurologist. And I use baclofen for my spasms. I use Ambien for sleep too, but I have a pill cutter and take just 1/3 of the pill. Another option for spasms is to get Botox injections in your legs, but talk to a neurologist first. I hope this helps. I'll keep good thoughts for you.

take care,
        Ken