Hi Everyone,
Sorry if this is a rudimentary question. My leg spasticity worsens the more I walk. For example, after sitting for a period of time and then walking, the first 20 steps are pretty good, thereafter, every step makes me more and more stiff.
This puzzles me because the "literature" says that exercise helps loosen you up. Can you please let me know how your muscles react to exercise?
Thank you,
Frank
Hi,
In my case, this is what I've noticed.
The less I walk (by staying in bed or a wheelchair most of the time), I notice that the more and more resistance my legs put up when I try to walk (more spasticity, I guess).
I was very active at home, going up and down the stairs (I live in a 3 stories home) everyday, also walking 20 minutes daily (at home, on the first floor) with the aid of my Rollator.
I've had spasticity since the whole thing began (ALS) as I have much UMN involvement (brisk reflexes still, also ankle clonus, etc.) but kept it under control by walking (never tried Baclofen or similar drugs).
However, my balance is very poor and because of this, I had a fall in my bedroom recently (at lest it happened on carpeted floor and I didn't have any fractures, just busted my glasses) even when holding my Rollator.
Afterwards, my caregivers insisted that I spend more time in bed or a wheelchair.
That translated in less exercise for my legs (no more short walks at home) and, this sedentary lifestyle of just sitting or being in bed has contributed to increase my legs spasticity.
I know I have more spasticity than before because when I try to stand up from bed or the wheelchair, the ankle clonus is more pronounced than it was before, when I was still walking.
Now, I get tired more easily if I attempt to walk with my Rollator (just a 3-5 minutes walk wears me out).
So, exercise is a good thing for your legs if you have spasticity, as long as it's SAFE for you to walk without falling. That's important to remember.
Now I deeply regret having stopped my shorts walks at home as a blame this for an increased spasticity in both legs.
NH