I was diagnosed as having had two strokes between two scans. The first scan was clear in 2016 bur the second scan in August 2024 showed two strokes had occurred. Thinking back I deduced the second stroke was June/July 2024 and this was the more serious of the two. I attended a stroke clinic and was then fitted with a heart monitor which did not show any problems. I feel very isolated but have now enrolled at a local support group starting next Wednesday. What is really concerning me at present is that suddenly I can’t carry out simple tasks on my iPad and yet up until two weeks ago these were not a problem. In fact I struggled to put this story on line. I couldn’t work out how to start. What also annoys me is when people say how well I am doing. My reply to this is, Yes but you are not in my head. I am also extremely tired and tend to sleep a lot. To me I am not progressing, but I am managing to walk a bit better without reaching out for support all the time but have to use a stick.
This is terrible, but can you have brain bleed strokes without ever knowing it? My mother had a moderate hemorrhagic stroke, but it is possible she had a mini or micro brain bleeds before or after her big event?
I know that TIA’s have to do with isch1emic strokes (blood clots), but brain bleed strokes are less talked about.
We still don’t know why she had a brain bleed. They say her very low platelet count made the bleed worse, but it didn’t cause the stroke. She didn’t even really have blood pressure. It’s all a mystery to us.
Could she have had mini-strokes without our ever knowing it? Are there brain bleed TIA’s? I never get definite answers on anything.
Thank you for your response, it did put my mind at rest. Sometimes I do too much physically and get tired. I have to learn to pace myself but having always kept my days full with hobbies such as gardening, sewing and general handicrafts I find it difficult. It also frustrates me that I cannot do my housework to my satisfaction. I keep everything tidy and dust but it’s the things which are out of reach that annoy me. This seems very petty compared to other peoples issues and should feel more gratitude for my strokes not being more severe. Thanks again for your kind reply
Thank you Simon your reply is spot on. Following your advice in earlier i have an appointment with a GP this afternoon. I only got the appointment by telling the surgery that I was taking advice from this forum. Under normal circumstances we can only make appointments a week in advance. What I don’t understand is that since being discharged by my consultant at the local hospital I get no follow up so am delighted I have found this forum. I agree that too much emphasis is put on FAST. When I lost my balance back in the summer I had no idea I was having a stroke. When I had regained my balance I went home and prepared lunch and didn’t think any more of it. Even now, if I get wobbly I don’t know if I should be worried. Thanks again. I hope down the line I will be able to help people in the same way as you are doing.
@Rachel-Anne hi & welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your strokes. Although probably hard to believe silent strokes can happen. We probably think at the time “oh I feel a bit off or weird” then just move on.
If your last, more serious, event was June/July this year then you are still very early on in the journey back to “normality”. You will get very tired & need to rest a lot. This is very normal and your brain needs that rest to start it’s repair work. You may find your worsening symptoms are because you’re over doing it but if they are worrying you you should seek medical advice. I see you have a GP appointment so hopefully they can reassure you.
As Simon mentions adjusting to new capability levels post stroke is hard but essential. I am like you & get frustrated that I can’t do what I used to. I still get frustrated 3 years on but I have lowered my expectations now. If something doesn’t get done i’ll get round to it eventually or I just leave it. I also take help where it is offered…accept whatever help you can even if you feel it unneccesary. It all helps the fatigue management.
Best wishes
Ann
Hello Rachel and welcome along. 
Hi Rachel-Anne
Fatigue and concentration are aspects that you need to learn to work around by taking rest when you are tired and doing things in short sessions when you feel able to do them.
I am 14 years down the road and much improved but still have to pace myself.
Good luck on the journey
Tony
Hi Tony thanks for your reply. I did type an answer earlier and saved it to send later and now can’t find it. The story of my life at present. I can’t find my way around this community chat as in the last three or four weeks I find everything difficult to work out. This frustrates me as I didn’t have problems before this. Simon suggests it is deconcentration as a res.ult of being tired. This forum is the only support I have apart from visiting the GP and this is not as easy as it used to be.
I can manage emails and simple texts but have to check them before pushing the button as sometimes they don’t make sense.
I didn’t realise how complex a stroke can be until I joined this group and although I find it very helpful it’s a bit scary. I just thought I would learn to walk an d that would be it. Silly me!
Thanks again.