I am trying to find information and share stories or connect with people who had a stroke at a young age.
I found out 4 weeks ago that I have had two strokes in about a space of 2 months. I’ve been always trying to move forward and get on with life. I initially blamed loss of words on stress and later on only reach out to the doctor because my headache will not go away and my vision was slightly affected.
Getting that diagnostic has been a shock. It’s been very scary and hard to accept feeling like I have a bomb in my head, but now I’ve passed that and fee grateful and lucky that it’s been diagnosed. Although yet I’m still waiting to receive the outcome of the investigation on the root cause. I know that It may be possible too that that we never find out why it’s quite difficult to get my head around.
I found it hard because my body mobility is ok but my head feels very disconnected. One wants to move and get active and the other wish to be on stand by mode.
Its very hard to convey to people what it feels like and everything I find or published is geared up for older generation. As a result I feel quite osilated and it’s very hard to find people to relate to.
I had four cerebellar strokes at the age of forty- four and now am fifty, so I have at least got through six years of my allotted span. Having a stroke at the younger end of the spectrum is difficult because it is widely considered an older person’s threat, but that I imagine is because under about fifty-five, only a small percentage have strokes, but that fifteen percent is still significant to those that have the strokes.
I was a bit older than you, at 48 (almost 49) when I had the stroke.
That was 15 months ago now and while I’m physically more or less back to ‘normal’, I regularly struggle to get words out. I can see what I want to say in my head, but the word eludes me.
It’s difficult when you feel different, but nobody else can tell.
It’s ok to be in standby mode sometimes, listen to your body and don’t stress about it. Be kind to yourself
I am 47 and I found out in July that I have had a stroke, but they don’t know when and why…
I agree it’s confusing and I keep wondering why and when and will it happen again.
This is why I joined this site as I felt alone with it all and at the moment I am struggling with anxiety. It has damaged my Occipital lobe and it only appeared as a result of an eye test, and than MRI to confirm.
I have had blood tests and more test to come. People on her are so supportive and just having someone who understands is so helpful.
Hi @Pao and welcome to the community. The club that noone wanted to join but you’ll find it a friendly place to be.
I too was in my 40s when I had my stroke & whilst I know it was caused by a carotid artery dissection no-one can tell me why that happened. Initially i was really worried it would happen again but after a while I began to realise that worrying about it wouldn’t change anything & now, 5 years on, I don’t give it a thought.
Hidden disabilities are often the hardest to come to terms with as others cant see what is wrong. It doesn’t make it any less real though. If only people could see what our heads feel like hey.
Resting is as important as activity as your brain needs to do some repair work. Even watching TV can be exhausting as it stimulates the brain. I find sitting with my eyes shut doing nothing for an hour helps.
Hi Pao, I had my stroke at 41. It is very isolating. The Stroke Association does online calls for Young People who have had a stroke. You have to be signed up for Online Activities. The calls really helped me in those dark early days, and still continue to help now. If you think it might be your thing, you could come along and join us
I was 51 when I had a stroke. you should join Different Strokes Facebook group. It’s for working age stroke survivors. They also have regular Zoom meetings for stroke survivors o talk to one another, in small breakout groups. Details of when they are and how join ar on their website.
