DEAR DR. GOTT:
Have you ever heard of dystonia? My 39-year-old son was a trumpet player but can’t play any more. He also has trouble drinking from a straw and singing. He has an upcoming appointment at a teaching hospital with physicians who only seen dystonia patients.
DEAR READER:
Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions. One, a group, or all muscles can be affected. While there is no cure, there is ongoing research and therapy that includes botulinum toxin injections (BOTOX), oral medications, physical therapy, and more to reduce or eliminate the muscle spasms and associated pain. While the condition doesn’t disappear, symptoms may be completely controlled with these new developments. [Read more...]