A case of alcohol *improving* coordination
An article in the Archives of Neurology describes a man with MS who developed a tremor in his hands and neck as part of his disease. Even though disease-modifying therapy helped with other functions and reduced the man's relapses, the tremor persisted, and wasn't even affected by tremor-targeting drugs. Then the man discovered that ingesting alcohol dramatically improved his tremor.
For example, the man required two hands and his chin to stabilize his pen to write a very wobbly note, but after drinking a 12-pack at a party, needed only one hand to write a much more legible note. Another study has reported that ethanol improves the gait of people with essential tremor, and suggested that alcohol might bind to receptors involved in the disease pathology. It's strange to think that a substance that normally impairs coordination (especially in 12-pack quantities!) would improve it in some cases.
I have noticed this also and
I have noticed this also and have wondered about it. I normally don't drink, but so at a party a few months ago. Quite a lot too.
I normally feel drunk, but did not get any worse and thought that I was doing better. But this could have just been the effect of actually being drunk.
I too have noticed
I too have noticed improvements to my gait and coordination after a couple of drinks. I rarely drink, but when I do have a drink or two when out dining, I have noticed marked improvements. I know this is counter-intuitive, but it's true for me.
I guess this makes sense if
I guess this makes sense if you consider alcohol suppresses nervous system activity and many MS symptoms may be caused by an over-active nervous system due to loss of myelin.
Maybe we should be doing shots of whiskey and not shots of Avonex or Copaxone!
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Art Mellor, Accelerated Cure Project for MS, art-msnews -at- acceleratedcure.com
Me also have noticed the
Me also have noticed the same thing after a shot of bourbon.
I really like this
I really like this story.
And I had just thought that having a couple of drinks relaxed me so that I wasn't as self conscious of being clumsy.
Could it be that alcohol has a real affect?
Somebody in Academia should do another study. I might even consider enrolling as a test subject for this one.
In fact - how 'bout if we get Sam Adams, Jack Daniels or Anheiser Busch to sponsor the study.
Maybe better, a combo study involving other substances - who knows - like Avonex? I always have have a glass of wine before my shot each week.
Anyone think of any other substances with beneficial properties for a combo study???
At any rate - it's nice to think that something might help it short of a MAB, or designer drug.
I think I'll drink to the thought and ponder it a bit more.
After my diagnosis my Nuro
After my diagnosis my Nuro prescribed Xanex because I was having what we thought was anxiety attacks. I would start to have trouble speaking clearly and inserting the wrong words in a sentance. I would become slow and clumsy. He said taking the Xanex "was like taking a shot of wiskey, just enough to take the edge off".
When I take the Xanex, I come back to normal for the remiander of the day. I have also found that when I am out dining with family and friends and I have a drink or two, I feel the same way. Almost totally normal. This is extremely interesting. I suppose either way the Kidneys take the brunt. Maybe someone needs to study the anxiety medications too.