I am over 3 years post stroke & like many I had many episodes of uncontrolled crying initially. Emotional lability as it is called…although I didn’t know that at the time. This has settled for me although I still get episodes. I can usually pinpoint the cause.
Yesterday though I had emotional lability on a whole new scale. I started crying at 7am yesterday morning & didn’t stop until mid afternoon. I have no idea what set it off although I have had a difficult week at work. I’m guessing fatigue played a part.
I’m wondering if it is usual for it to come back that severe so long after a stroke? Can anyone else relate?
Having a good cry is good for the soul they say but boy do I feel shattered from it today. On the plus side it did get me some time out of work yesterday I’m very glad it is the weekend now. Lots of rest for me.
I am only a year into my stroke journey.
and feel like that most of the time.
I can’t get out the house
or get a bus and rely on my beautiful son’s.for help and of course my wife.
it is a very positive thing that you are able to go to work. I would imagine 3 years ago,
you would never thought you be able to do anything.
but you have.
It’s funny you should say that Ann, because I had a similar episode myself about 10 days ago and it lasted 3 days. The way it came on was weird because I was at a garden centre after my strength & balance class. Decide to have a coffee and a biscuit before I went home and it just came on me in the middle of replying to text. Just suddenly burst into tears for no particular reason and I was very down and weepy for 3 days straight after that. It ended as suddenly as it started and I’m still trying to fathom what it was all about. I did manage to keep it quiet from the family, no use needlessly worrying them, but I was so down and tearful
I’m assuming I’m still grieving from bereavements last year. We’re currently in the process of selling my mother-in-law’s house. The garden centre I was in is one we frequented together after s&b class. But I wasn’t even thinking of any of that at the time or over the following days.
I did have a chest infection a couple of weeks prior but well over that. But I’ve wondered if it had an affect. My emotions were completely shut down, set to neutral, after my stroke and they’re still not fully back to normal so I’m wondering if it’s my emotion glitching or they’re trying to reconnect
Have you considered if it could be hormonal at all? Or some other emotional event that could have happened weeks ago, there is such as a thing delayed reaction
I haven’t suffered from long crying spells but do suffer from feeling life isn’t worth living at times episodes. I think it’s the sheer effort we have to put in to achieve simple tasks. I see my friends going shopping, to work - although I am well past retirement age! - doing the garden, having long walks on the beach etc etc while I stagger around the house feeling worn out after doing the simplest task. My stroke was over 2 years ago and I never imagined I would be this useless 2 years on.
Have a very restful weekend Ann and Lorraine and really hope next week is a better one. Janet
I was like it a lot initially but it did settle although never went away. Yoh are right there were many moments I didn’t think I would ever return to work but after 18 months I managed to return part time. I’m sure things will improve for you over time. Be kind to yourself.
Now that is spooky. Although knowing it happened to someone else is a little bit reassuring. Not that I am happy it happened to you. It is really strange how it comes on so suddenly with no obvious reason. Inwas extremely grateful I was working from home yesterday. I would have been mortified if I had been in the office. It must have been difficult for you being in the garden centre.
I haven’t cried today but do feel very tearful still. I’m sure it’ll pass over the next couple of days & we live to fight another day.
I suspect yours could be as a result of everything you’ve had going on. You have been/are still going through a lot.
I have had a few infections this year with the laat one being just 10 days ago…maybe a link but suspect not. I can only think mine is a build up of stuff that I hadn’t reallybtaken much notice of. I’m reasonably sure it isn’t hormonal. I had an early menopause so am long past that.
Hi Janet, i think you’re right re being affected by the effort it takes to do the simplest things. It does get you down at times. I have those moments too. Sometimes things happen that make me realise just how m7ch my stroke hasxtaken away. Although it has given me some positive things too.
Hope you have a good weekend too & good luck with your kerb stepping exercises.
Hi Ann @Mrs5K . I’m sorry you have felt this way recently.
It is familiar to me (4 years in July). I still have peaks and troughs, and the troughs involve crying multiple times a day through feelings of hopelessness. I am trying another round of counselling, as I feel I need to hide it away for everyone’s benefit which, although a strategy may backfire.
I have always held you in high esteem for what you have achieved and your work on top of all that. I don’t know how you do it. Be kind to you.
You are not alone and you are heard.
Julia x
I think I finished with the random emotional episodes in the first year after stroke. There were both tears and laughter on different occasions.with a feeling of release afterwards. I never tried to inhibit or control it but I never really embarrassed myself or others.
As for being thoroughly down in the dumps I think that can happen to any of us but as soon as it begins to occur it is important to turn off the negative thoughts and to totally refuse to wallow.
On the other hand when there is a chance to have a good laugh it is imperative to make good use of it.
You can’t beat friends and shared laughter.
keep on keepin’ on
I’m going to sit here in front of my laptop grinning like an idiot as I devour this hot cross bun Hilary has just given me.
@JuliaH Thank you for your kind words. Hope you are getting on ok?
Sorry that you have this feeling too. I can honestly say I didn’t know I had that many tears in me. Fortunately I didn’t feel the need to hide it away. I was very honest with my colleagues & boss & my hubby saw it too…although he didn’t quite know what to do about it. He did furnish me with some flowers last night to cheer me up. A lovely thought.
I thought I had shaken it off too. Life is full of surprises though i didn’t get the laughter bit just the tears but I agree laughter is definitely good for us.
Laughing with friends is even better
Where’s my hot cross bun you grin away whilst you’re eating it.
@Mrs5K
Hi when I first had my stroke I would weep cry at happy things events, cry also at sad movies, it was mostly at happy events things. through the years this lessened. But now after hitting 40 I felt an emotion change again, and I find myself in these situations again! first I thought that it was menopause but nope I am still a spring chicken lol, I had something similar happen uncontrollable tears whilst out in public in a waiting room, but since looking back for me it was that I was loaded with anxiety that triggered the emotion. Good news I let the tears out and felt better for it. I did get home share with my partner he told me off for being hard on myself and take positive that I felt better for it, thinking my brain needed to release the emotion. I am under going therapy to help me better process my emotions and trauma.
Your partner is correct. We shouldn’t be hard on ourselves but that’s easier said than done. I think when it happens we must need to release our emotions.
I hope the therapy helps you process your emotions & trauma. These are not easy things to cope with.
Hi Ann, so sorry to hear that you have had a tough couple of days. You are such an inspiration to all of us and you are always so positive and encouraging,it’s strange to hear you say you’ve been feeling emotional and tearful . You have certainly started a good conversation and I feel lifted, knowing that all the things I feel, are felt by most of us at some point.
The main thing I have taken from this conversation is “Don’t be so hard on yourself”. I’m 8 years post stroke and although I don’t get emotional and tearful (well I do but I hide it well) . I still get down in the dumps on occasions and have to give myself a good talking too.
I hope you are feeling better soon and thank you for letting everyone know that it’s ok to be down and emotional at times.
@Susan_Jane Thank you. It really is important for everyone to understand that it is ok not to be ok sometimes. I cried enough for everybody on Thursday.
You absolutely shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. We all do it not sure why as everyone’s entitled to a down day & with a brain injury some of the things we feel & experience are outside our control.
I’m very glad it is the weekend now. Lots of rest for me.
. I still get down in the dumps on occasions and have to give myself a good talking too.
.
