I know I’ve given you a lot of information so take your time reading through. I know at 8mths I couldn’t have manage all that info in one go. But I could have managed to save it to come back to and read in stages.
You’re absolutely right it’s hard to take it all in especially as I’m starting from zero knowledge but it’s so reassuring to read that other people out there are having the same issues to deal with.
I was trying to find a few posts related to aiding and training cognition but I can’t seem to find them yet. The trouble with posts is that they can start out as one particular topic and then evolve into so much more. And naturally stroke survivors join the forum, I think the majority of us just about manage to create a post let alone post in a category or add tags to aid searches. But I’ve no doubt others will be along soon to welcome you and assist with what I can’t remember, so keep checking in
Aye, I experienced a blunted emotional response for several years after cerebellar stroke, but interestingly enough, I could still get angry but would not see my anger as anything other than anger. I couldn’t feel the emotional effect of it, indeed, to this day, I still wrestle with negative moods, and have worked hard to consolidate them all into something more beneficially positive or, at least, not so negative. This sometimes takes thinking outside the box. They think that the cerebellum may play a role in emotional processing, but for many stroke survivors this may be subtle enough to escape their attention, however, it may well account for changes in mood after stroke.
Problem solving is a less complex thing, I play video games, puzzles games and the like but there are also dedicated sites and apps for stroke survivors like Brain HQ. Some are freemium and others are free. A fascinating positive for me with cognitive training during the first year is that the ability and information stuck much more firmly than my post-stroke days of learning. As an example, I used to listen to a series of audio lectures on English language etymology during the first eight or so months post-stroke, at the time it was a way for me to rest my brain, but three years on, I have discovered that I can recall that information very quickly, and that it has somehow become embedded in my brain without me having had to work at it like I used to with research and the like before I was struck.
I think that during the early periods of repair plasticity, things will stick to a sticky brain but may only become apparent down the line once all the fogginess and other difficulties have eased a little.
Hi Rups
I am new to this community, having suffered a cerrebellum stroke in October 2024 aged 59. I am still off work at the moment but getting lots of advice on potential ‘phased return’ to work. Your suggestion of using the search facility to find relevant posts about this rare form of stroke is really useful. I am making steady recovery on the physical side of things but only as a result of daily ‘balance’ exercises on the floor and indoor trampette bought on Amazon. Dizzyness / wobblyness are gradually getting better but fatigue and lack of motivation for day to day hobbies/routines is difficult.
Shwmae Paul, it’s good to hear you feel you are making progress. Don’t fight the fatigue, use blanking and meditation techniques to reset your brain, that’s what it wants. I keep on learning more and more about the cerebellum as new research comes to light and how the brain works as a whole.
I had a large cereballar stroke in 2017 when I was 42.
I left hospital after 1.5 years, in 2018.
I am now 50.
I have several challenges.
I am unable to walk. I use a wheelchair and see a physiotherapist twice per week. I have difficulties with balance and coordination.
My dexterity (manual and other) is poor.
My vision is poor.
My short-term memory is poor.
My speech is compromised.
I haven’t worked since my stroke (unable to, but fortunately we are ok financially)
As you can tell, lots of things would not be an option for me
I travel, eat out and attend eg music and comedy events regularly etc. Do you have examples of other pastimes so I can have an interesting second half of life?
Hi @Paddy1 welcome to the community. There are certainly lots of options open to you, its just a matter of where to find both on the internet and in your locality.
“over 50’s” and “paraplagic” are two search phrases useful for putting into your search engine when making these kinds of searches.
Also check out Scope’s forum to see if there’s discussion on hobbies and interests there, as well as checking out their website for ideas; also the Stroke Association and Age UK for what might be available in your locality that may interest you.
Participating in adaptive sports, such as pickleball, wheelchair netball, bowls/10 pin bowling/wheelchair football…depending how adept you are in your wheelchair. But I’ve no doubt things are moderated accordingly for age and ability etc.
Join Hobby Groups: Find local groups or attend conventions and events related to interests like comic books, movies, video games, art, or board games, photography.
Volunteering. Have a look on the volunteering website to see what might interest you. The NHS is one can look into NHS Volunteering - Homepage.
This is one I just found on the government’s website Find a volunteering opportunity | NCVO
Or try your local council’s website for voluntary opportunities, bird or animal shelters if your interested.
Its all food for thought. Good luck in your pursuits, I hope you keep us updated and share your discoveries.
Another member on this forum @Bobbi recently too up metal detecting, although he’s not wheelchair bound, he is still very limit to how far he can walk and, far older than you too but he certainly doesn’t allow his stroke to hold him back either.
How are you going emotionally post cerebellar stroke? I’m 49 now, got here eventually. Had stroke at 44. Visual - spatial issues still apparent. Hobbies? Video games, gardening, sleeping (dreaming), sewing, make walking sticks, metal detecting, lots of more obscure hobbies just waiting for me to have the energy to devote to them. Fatigue still pushing me back from starting these and back into my hobby of sleeping (dreaming) or lying in the bath for hours. I also like watching films, especially just giving different films a go, thought provoking. Still read but eyesight tires quickly. Recently joined amateur theatre, biggest challenge yet, emotionally, physically and cognitively.
Wow. You were and are now about my age. It’s good to read that you are doing well.
Emotionally I’m very ok. But generally, although probably not a medical term, I’m quite screwed but not unhappy! I’m just grateful that although quite young, it hasn’t prevented me doing much that has mattered. Education, career, family (3 kids but last one does last year of school next year) are all pre-stroke and now, although far from good, it just means no work!
Aye, had most things I wanted in life; vocation, education and children, under my belt before stroke. Unfortunately, had just finished bridging degree that was a stepping stone to PhD when stroke struck. I was completing my thesis while having unbeknownst TIAs or mini strokes. I was still teaching while having them too, and working in my orchard. The brakes were well and truly pushed to the floor September 2020.
It sounds very similar to me. Whilst obviously it has thrown us off course massively and is utterly crap, had it happened before it would have been even more devastating. At least you, like me, had the big stuff in the rear view mirror!
eventually. Had stroke at 44. Visual - spatial issues still apparent. Hobbies? Video games, gardening, sleeping (dreaming), sewing, make walking sticks, metal detecting, lots of more obscure hobbies just waiting for me to have the energy to devote to them. Fatigue still pushing me back from starting these and back into my hobby of sleeping (dreaming) or lying in the bath for hours. I also like watching films, especially just giving different films a go, thought provoking. Still read but eyesight tires quickly. Recently joined amateur theatre, biggest challenge yet, emotionally, physically and cognitively.