about 6-7 weeks ago i wasnt feeling great , before then i had been told i officially had High Blood Pressure and type 2 Diabetes , i started my Blood pressure Meds and we were trying to figure out what would work for me (we still are)
ive been on Anti Depressants long term ,(15 -20 years) take 1 pill a day , my seratonin stays balanced im happy enough
back to 6-7 weeks ago wasnt feeling great ,done NHS 24 phone call ended up in Hospital via Ambulance , got all the tests wires everywhere and a Cat Scan ,sent home next day ,with an MRI appointment , just got my result back -ive had a Stroke
this was actually a bit of a relief news ,now i know why my left arm and hand have been tingly and weaker , why my neck has been going stiff like im wearing a brace ,at least i now know what the heck is going on,
unfortunatly 2 weeks after feeling unwell i crashed my work van , i dont know if this was because i had a stroke but i would say in hindsight it probably was,
i wasnt feeling very great and its a bit of a shock ,but ive had a week now since being informed
ive a hundred questions , i cant work at my job because it was all driving
is it a set recovery time or is it how longs a piece of string - different for everyone i suppose
am i classed as disabled now etc…
basically how can live my life and survive is what im really worried about
any advice ?
Its amazing how how life gives you a curve ball ! My car was hit when I was driving home. 2 week later had a stroke. Anyway 6-7 weeks later with aphasia I find it hard to spell now.
I really feel for you!
@cuddyhung Hi & welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear you’ve had a stroke. It’s good that you have found out why you’re feeling poorly & hopefully now you’ll be getting the correct treatment & having any tests you might need.
You are right about recovery being how long is a piece of string. It is different for everyone & needs lots of patience & determination. In relation to driving you might be able to go back to it in time. I’d just take things 1 day at a time & see how you get on.
Sending my best wishes
Ann
@marspmy hi & welcome to the forum. Life sure can give you curve balls when you least expect it. We probably all think that after our strokes.
Hope you are getting on ok & gettimg the help you need with your aphasia.
Best wishes
Ann
Hi @cuddyhung and welcome to the forum and indeed this journey of rediscovery 
If you read the Welcome post Simon has linked for you, you will learn much about the first 6mths/year of recovery. Just bear in mind no two strokes are alike, much being dependant on the severity as well as the area(s) struck. But the fact that you are here is a good sign 
@marspmy Welcome to you too. Dyslexia could very well be a result of your stroke.
But this may likely only be temporary due to the disruption in your brain and you could very well recover over the next 6mths…have a read of the Welcome post linked above, for further insight to that.
I myself have mild aphasia…and I’m currently struggling my symptoms as that is one of them, finding the word; it also affects my speech a little. But none of is anything I can’t cope with or isn’t manageable.
Have you been assigned to a local stroke team or OT you can discuss this with as they can refer you the appropriate therapist for it. Or you could get in touch with the British Dyslexia Association for advice. 
thanks for the welcome , i am going to read a lot of the forums to see if there is anything else i can pick up about the conditions i have , i should also mention i m going back to get my sleep apnea sorted out i discontinues treatment about 7 years agoas i didnt want the machine beside my bed , (i used a silent fan to blow air on my face and thats worked out fine , i have also been diagnosed with Syncope (posh word for fainting or passing out )
and to cap it all , when lost my job , i applied to another company , and just got asked when i want to start as i just passed my background checks (in my job i have 30+ years experience so its easy to get another job ) now i have to tell them i cant drive so cant start for them
apologies if im sounding like a moany faced old git just now ,im still sorting out my head
You are most likely still in shock and that’s a lot of why you are “moany faced”, you will be feeling down. It will pass if you don’t let it get to you.
As for the driving, that’s not off the cards, I was a year post stroke when DVLA gave me back my license. They like you to have a year without any further “incidents” of a stroke. The next 6mths will tell you soon enough as the brain heals. There are plenty of people on here who’ve gone back to work, even in just the past months. But I wouldn’t contemplate driving or operating machinery with having Syncope if I were you.
I’m pretty sure I could go back to work if I wanted to…but I’m enjoying my retirement too much for that 
Shwmae, sorry to be to welcoming you, but you are with a caring and supportive group of people. I just wanted to pipe in that it is early days, and in the coming years you may be ready to start driving again. Having said that, stroke can sometimes be a change in occupation slash vocation, and after taking time to manage your rehabilitation, that aspect of your life may come up for review or you may be pursuing what you have always done. The important thing now, is to just slow down, and focus on rebuilding your life.
Thank you Simon! Looking forward to learning more.
Thanx for the info! EmeradEyesl I have not seen a team or anyone , just the local Doc.
If you feel you need help with your aphasia, I’d advise speaking with your GP if you are having communication issue either verbal or written, and have them refer you to the speech and language therapy.
There are apps too which might help with retraining your speech on the SA site which I’ve linked below.
https://mystrokeguide.com/information-and-advice/aphasia-and-communication
We were in lockdowns when I had my stroke but they still managed to get a speech therapist out to me. And in between sessions I used to do a lot of reading out loud to retrain myself. Did an awful lot of handwriting, drawing and tracing shapes to make my writing more legible.
Wow, yes, all of it! Before I was on here, I saw a lot of YouTube content, How to speak, etc, Id spend hours on all different videos. About Aphasia. When I went walking with a friend, I would speak slowly, it helped a lot. Thanx for the help EmeraldEyes
@cuddyhung as @SimonInEdinburgh has mentioned everyone’s recovery is different. good luck in yours and ask all the questions you want
Yes, speak slowly, keep words simple and keep sentences short 
And it can be exhausting too, draining just to speak. But it can and will most likely get better! That sort of thing usually rights itself in the first 6mths or so depending on extent of damage caused by the stroke.
Of course not all repairs may be 100% perfect, but enough to improve quality of life
Slowly, slowly - always better
Hi @cuddyhung
Sorry you’ve had to join the group, that said there’s a wealth of experience here and I’ve found it really helpful., so welcome.
I think the current advice is that providing you have no symptoms you can drive again 1 month after your last stroke, but best check with your specialist first.
Good luck in your recovery​:+1:
Morning EmeraldEyes- Thank you, yes I was about to ask the doc to see a speech therapist .
And apps etc
im looking into my free bus pass , waiting for a replacement letter from DVLA i had my licence at my old address but am due to renew licence in 'december so thought would wait till then and do it all at once , i will look into when i i can get it back , in all honesty i would just drive my car , i was a postman for over 20 plus years and for the last 8 have been doing courier work but i know i wouldnt be able to handle that just now if ever van again , i crashed my van about 2 weeks after i had my stroke (i didnt know i had had one at that point ) the one thing i have realised is theres no point in being a hero and carrying on when your not well ,i used to just plough on and say i would be ok ,i think i just had the biggest reality check in my life now
where are you based @cuddyhung ? different councils have different application process for freedom passes etc
You might want to check this thread out if you can be bothered. I am in the process of tidying it up I promise!!
Quite a few of the applications are straightfroward some are not ha ha 
One thing I would say is start your PIP application asap if you havent already because u=it can be backdated to when you apply sometimes… PIP is always the same process 
Kieran
Stay cool 
Here is a picture of a snow leopard to cheer you up.
Hi,
Sorry youve gone through all of this, wish you a good recovery.
I didnt drive until 3 months after my stroke, DVLA said 4 weeks, but had to wait until id had my eye field test which took a while.
Wish you well.