Exhaustion after TIA

Hello, I am a new member and I’m very grateful to have joined. I had a TIA in my eye a week ago and it has left me feeling utterly exhausted. Can anyone who has suffered a TIA confirm that this is normal after an event like this? I’m very fearful of a stroke happening, which is also maybe adding to my fatigue. Thank you to anyone who can give me some advice on how to recover my energy. Best wishes

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Hello @Islagirl

I had a TIA in my eye (I lost some eyesight in that eye) 2 years before a stroke. RTL has helped me with my eye. No 2 people are identical with stroke, so there’s no reason you should have a stroke. My advice would be to reduce inflammation. This has been my mission all year. I took matters into my own hands and was surprised with my results. You might want to look up Shilajit for fatigue.

If interested in my journey, you might like to check out my channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@Start-Again-xyz/videos

Best wishes, Roland

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Many thanks, Roland. Finding the exhaustion difficult.

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@Islagirl hi and welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your recent TIA. I initially had a stroke and two years after I then suffered a TIA. The exhaustion I had after the TIA was overwhelming for a period of time. For some people the exhaustion is very normal. fatigue is a very real thing for many Strokes survivors. The Stroke Association have a leaflet on fatigue and you’ll find it at this link.

https://www.stroke.org.uk/resources/fatigue-after-stroke

You need to rest up and listen tk your body. In time it should improve but you have to manage it.

Best wishes

Ann

Thank you, Ann for your kind message.

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Hi, @Islagirl !

Like you, I had a TIA about one month ago. I absolutely understand your frustration around the fatigue. I have felt the 100% same. After completing a small task, I would need to nap, and it was getting tiresome (no pun intended).

After feeling very frustrated about my “blah feeling” coupled with the fatigue, I met with a therapist today who helped tremendously. She let me know that the fatigue was normal and could certainly be aggravated by the stress, anxiety, and fear about what happened (or what could happen in future). I really needed to hear that. She also shared that I was taking on too much at one time and to break things down into very small “do-able” tasks. For example, instead of “do laundry”, just take things out of dryer and maybe fold one shirt and then embrace that I should allow myself to rest after that was completed. I tried this today and just generally cut myself a break, and it helped a lot.

Just know that you aren’t alone with that foggy fatigued feeling! So glad you are okay and recuperating!

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Welcome @istagirl! Just a note on the fatigue you’re feeling. Reduce your stress. Stress is known as the silent killer. I don’t know much, but I know this. And @BobbiBear ‘s story about breaking things down into smaller tasks is good advice. Welcome also, @Bobbibear! I’m not old enough to be saying this, but don’t take life too seriously.

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Some tasks can zap mental energy and some tasks not so much. Resetting the brain by mind blanking can help, this might be meditative activities that are repetitive and don’t require much brain activity. I find ironing does this for me, indeed, Tom Baker lists among his hobbies, ironing and hanging out the washing. He finds it a relaxing and peaceful pastime, but what he is actually doing is mind blanking and giving his active brain a rest. Anxiety and stress can cause fatigue because the brain accelerates many facets of its functionality at higher rates than normal. Music and soothing activities like bathing can manage this. Overthinking, problem solving, worry, complex comprehension can all bring on fatigue. Fighting fatigue can exacerbate fatigue. I think all us stroke survivors should chip in and compose a book called Zen and the Art of Neurological Fatigue.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and for the excellent advice. I’m going to do as you suggest and that will, hopefully, help with the exhaustion. It’s all just come out of the blue and I’m struggling a bit, although I know it could have been so much worse. Thanks again.

Hi Rups, you’ve given me some fantastic advice and I’ll definitely do as you suggested, even if I hate ironing! I hope you are doing well and thank you for taking the time to reply.

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@BobbiBear just popping by to say hi & welcome to the community.

Thank you for sharing some great advice about fatigue. It is about managing it & finding what works for you. Hopefully your fatigue levels will slowly improve.

Best wishes

Ann

Hi @Islagirl and @BobbiBear welcome and sorry you both have joined the club so to speak. There are so many knowledgeable people on here and some already are advising you both so well. This recovery is a marathon which may never truly end bit not a sprint. I know tried to do the sprint and paid for it but learning now to make a good recovery, To you both take your time and hope you both have a relaxed and successful recovery journey.

Hmmm, if you dislike ironing, I would suggest avoiding that as a mind blanking exercise :woozy_face:

Hello I had the same Tia in eye 2 months ago.It came out of the blue I was very tired for 2 weeks still go to bed early but not so tired in day .I get nervous a lot things that came naturally I worry about not tackled shops is one thing feel light headed

Hi @Islagirl

Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your TIA.

As other have mentioned fatigue is common after a stroke and I can see @Mrs5K has shared one of our resources with you about fatigue, hopefully reading through that has helped. I hope hearing from other members has also helped, there is a wealth of knowledge in this community!

If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.

Anna

Thanks so much for your reply. I’m starting to go for short walks and find that’s helping me. I went to a shop yesterday, but had to leave, as I found it overwhelming.

Hello Isla hope your feeling stronger .