Spasms are getting worse , is this normal

Hello Garry,

I’m really sorry to hear what has been happening for you. It sounds very frustrating, so it’s great that you reached out on EnableMe.

After a stroke, many people get muscle stiffness and spasms. This is called spasticity. It can last a long time and can change over time. For some people, it can get worse. This may happen if you are moving less, not stretching, or if your muscles and joints have changed. Things like infection, pain, constipation, or stress can also make spasms worse.

Since your spasms are getting worse 9 years after your stroke, it may mean something has changed. It would be a good idea to have this checked. Have you talked to your GP or physiotherapist about this? That is a good place to start.

Feeling tired after a stroke is common. But if you are more tired than usual and sleeping more during the day, it’s important to talk to your GP. Some possible reasons for this are:

• Medicines (especially for spasms or pain)
• Poor sleep at night (for example, pain or spasms waking you up)
• Depression
• Other health problems (like infection, thyroid issues, or sleep apnoea)

Because of the changes you’ve mentioned, it’s important to see a GP or specialist soon if:

• Your spasms are getting worse
• They are painful or make it hard to move or care for yourself
• You are sleeping much more than usual
• You have new symptoms (like confusion, weakness, or changes in your speech)

Your GP or physiotherapist can help by:

• Checking your medicines
• Suggesting treatments for your spasms
• Looking at options like Botox injections for tight muscles
• Checking for triggers like infection, skin problems, or constipation

Spasticity after stroke is common, but getting worse or feeling more tired is not something you should ignore. A medical check can help find the cause and may improve how you feel.

You are welcome to call StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 or email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au. We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. We would be happy to talk with you more about what you are going through.

Kind regards

Siobhan (StrokeLine)