About 4 years ago I suffered sudden stiffness in both legs and felt unbalanced. Due to the NHS being swamped by Covid patients at that time, I saw a neurologist privately and eventually a brain MRI showed signs of a ‘mature infarct in the cerebellum’. No one had any idea that I had actually had a stroke.
Both my legs have remained stiff ever since. I can’t stand still for more than a few minutes before they almost completely seize up and I struggle to walk with legs that feel as if they are made of wood, with my muscles aching. It’s impossible to ‘walk through it’, the stiffness and aches only relax when I sit down. I can walk about 1km at most. I also have balance problems since the stroke, and tire easily.
I’ve had physio, tried acupuncture, I exercise - but the spasticity happens in both legs relentlessly every day.
Does anyone else have this ongoing problem, I feel as if I’m the only one and I’m so frustrated! Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Thank you for reading my first post.
Hi @Gina1 welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear of your ongoing problems following your stroke.
I don’t have the problem you have but I have heard of people having botox injections for spasticity. Is this something you’ve tried?
I’ve added a few links to posts on spasticity gor ease. Don’t know if they will help but might do.
Post stroke spasticity resolved
Hope someone will be along shortly who can help with your specifuc question.
Beat wishes
Ann
Hi Gina and a big welcome to our community. I am affected by spasticity in my affected arm and hand and have had Botox injections on many occasions. Sometimes it’s successful and sometimes it’s not.
I would definitely give it a go if this is available to you. I would suggest that you discuss this with your consultant at your next appointment.
Good luck, I hope you find a treatment that works for you soon.
Hi @Gina1
Spacticity is something that can wax n wan for many of us for a variety of reasons. When there are a combination of causes it’s hardest to detect effective responses.
It may be neuro - here, I think retraining the brain is required. My toes cruch up when I try to grip things with my hand, when the arm effort is big the leg joins in. Trying to fix it has been long & hard for me but is coming - every advance in associated muscle/ dexterity appears to have beneficial if not direct effect.
It may be a reaction to over use to (which may be a very little use compared to per stroke). Rest and gentler stretching of muscles and tendons and nerves may be useful for getting limbs into a usable state again. FES or passive movement can help here while the brain isn’t talking to them as it used to
Tiredness is common, and again has multiple different possibly overlapping causes. One is meant with fatigue and another is vitamin balances. A set a blood tests and or general purpose vitamin supplements and or targeted supplements but balance them with your mads etc - Roland is the expert here 
Welcome by the way now you’re here
Caio
Simon
Hello Gina,
You probably have not followed my story, but I would imagine it would help you quite a lot, since I have experienced and possibly overcome a similar problem to you. Firstly, get some sun to power your mitochondria (our energy comes from mitochondria.). Strip, and get your legs / thigh into direct sunlight. Use every opportunity you come across. If there is no sun, invest in a Red Light panel. or more accurately Near IR light @ 850nm to penetrate your skin, and address those troublesome muscles. You should also know that the term spasticity is incorrect ; your muscles would be permanently locked if that were the case. Spasm is more accurate, and your spasms are due to an energy crisis / loop. You have a little research to do if you have no clue about cellular respiration and mitochondria… that’s right, we are powered by little alien bacteria… every creature that moves or crawls is, even an ant. You need massive amounts of sunlight to burst through the energy deficiency crisis you are going through. Certain balance problems are a typical problem specific to cerebellum… but of course any post stroke type has some balance issues. Start to note / record the spasm periods; are there times / hours when it’s better?
There is much I could go on about, but I know very little about you (I would need to know your age) to be able to help much. I have no idea if you are eating good enough quality food; if it’s not a superfood, or something expensive don’t eat it. If you smoke or drink, then the situation is near hopeless. I trust not.
I’m about to do Red Light therapy panel now, but hope sun comes out this afternoon to recharge…If you’d like to follow up (if any of this speaks to you) please feel free. I don’t check this site as much as I used to, but I will always help anyone who needs help (providing I’m confident I know the answer)
Good luck, let us know of your progress, ciao, Roland
Again, I believe you are in an energy deficient loop, with your leg muscles locking tight to protect and join forces. There are supplements you should consider ; start with liposomal vit C. Your diet should possibly be tweaked and optimized ; cut down carbs to 150g a day or less. Keto diet fine. Honey good for you. Fruit & veg, avocados, omega 3 every day. Get some outdoor air. Plenty of distilled water. Shilajit good. Intermittent fasting good. Hormesis further down the line. Research all the bio hacks you can including methylene blue, for example.
I get it on my arms and more but my feet sometimes curl up with cramp. I was prescribed muscle relaxants 3 times a day which helps for the most part but when I get stressed or anxiety kicks in it comes back with a vengeance. Although I have not had Botox for spasticity I have had it to control my bladder issues…worked a treat.
Hi @Gina1
Welcome to the community. I’m sorry to hear about your struggles with your legs.
It looks you’ve been given some great advice so far which I hope will help.
If you need anything whilst using the forum please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol.
Anna
Hello Ann
Thank you so much for all the links, I’m finding them really helpful. I wish I had joined this community earlier, you’re all so kind.
Best wishes
Gina
Hello and thank you for welcoming me in to the community.
I must admit I hadn’t considered Botox, I’ll make some enquiries, no harm asking!
Gina
Hello Simon
Thanks for all your advice. My brain definitely needs retraining! I was told that the signals telling my leg muscles to relax after standing and walking weren’t getting through to my brain, due to stroke damage in the cerebellum. Is this hypertone? I’m still hopeful that new brain pathways can be built.
Gina
Hello Anna
What a lovely bunch of people in the Community! All so kind and helpful. I feel better in myself already, knowing I’m not alone on this stroke journey. My daughter kept on at me to join and I’m so glad I have.
Gina
Hi Roland
Well I certainly have a lot to learn, thank you for taking the time to pass on all your advice and I will look into all you have suggested. It must be very beneficial to stroke patients if they live in a hot country. Thankfully I don’t smoke or drink, I try to eat healthily, and I’m 73!
Gina
Good to hear Gina,
It’s hard to prioritize, but I’d research a Red Light Panel, I think there’s a picture of the Nebula 600W panel I ended up buying (I have it on now, before it’s my wife’s turn!)
Good luck, Roland
Here you go
Caio
Simon
That’s a half sized version 300W of the one I have 600W
Ok !
600w
And
1kw