According to my dictionary, it's "Abnormal tonicity of muscle, characterized by prolonged, repetitive muscle contractions that may cause twisting or jerking movements of the body or a body part." That is, muscle contractions which lead to uncontrolled movements of the body or parts like the neck, or legs, etc. Dystonia can be a symptom of CP. This is different from rigid spasticity which is inability to move a part of the body because it's too stiff, which is what I have in my legs, or spastic diplegia. If I'm wrong, somebody correct me, please. Kat "St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > What's Dystonia? --- Jennifer Zubko wrote: > Hello Everyone, > > As most of you know by now, my treating > physicians/ nurses here in London > now think that the majority of my probems > related to excess muscle tone > and pain come from dystonia and not spasticity. > The selective dorsal > rhizotomy got rid of the spasticity, but it is > the dystonia that causes > painful spams, constant movement, inability to > sleep, etc. No one knew I > had dystonic movements until after my > rhizotomy. Now that I realize I must > wait months to have the Intrathecal Baclofen > pump implanted, are there any > medications besides oral baclofen that have > helped with regards to > dystonic movements and pain for your children? > I can't even describe the > pain. I am taking morphine but even that has > minimal effect because my > muscles are so tight. > > I ask you not to include Baclofen in any lists > you might make for me > because I have developed tolerance to the drug. > I have called the nurse > who works with my neurologist about this and > left a message. Figure it is > better than e-mailing the man, LOL, but wanted > your opinions. > > Thanks, > Jenn ===== My Ya-Hoo ID: kathyjopinkus __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE Valentine eCards with Yahoo! Greetings! http://greetings.yahoo.com