Last post Sun, Mar 16 2008 11:22 AM by AndyZ. 1 replies.
I'm new to this site & have a question about spasticity. I had a brain stem stroke about two yrs ago & it took some time to get back to work, but I did. My question is that as I seem to work harder or longer, after sitting for awhile, my legs will lock up & not want to respond like usual. As I get more tired, my speech will slur, bowel & bladder functions become more urgent when they strike, my swallowing will become much more difficult, & my depression which I've fought with most my adult years, will worsen. I can't get any straight answers from my doc either because he doesn't know, or he's afraid I'll get more depressed. I look fine from the outside, but inside it hurts & the harder I try, the worse it hurts. I realize how fortunate I am for my recovery, but my employer doesn't seem to understand. My question is, are the symtoms I described sound like spasticity, & what can I do about it?? Diet & exercise? Not quite as many hours at work. I don't want to lose my job, but I forsee more problems if I keep letting them push me. Thanks
I have the exact same problem. My spasticity is an early warning system, telling me my blood pressure's too high. Do you monitor your BP? I'm on a strict low salt DASH diet. Sometimes the spasticity comes on regardless of BP, but in those cases my neurologist said it's a form of seizure, not in the traditional sense, just scrambled brain signals that will subside. The high blood pressure always poses a threat you may have another stroke. It's nothing to mess with. The seizures I'm told pose no threat whatsoever and can be controlled with expensive medications. I don't bother with the seizure meds and so far so good.
