Hello all it’s been a while since I last shared anything. It’s been 2yrs since my stroke, I recovered quite well went back to work after 6 months, some obvious changes like fatigue management and little forgetful. But recently it’s been rough marriage break down, I’m main carer for my child who is autistic with ADHD and off work again due to depression and anxiety and worrying a lot about the future, and waiting for a council house to become available. But lately I’m getting bouts of despair, forgetfulness especially in conversation can’t think of the right words to say, getting tired a little easy, trouble concentrating on larger tasks easily agitated, emotionally up and down. I know the stress may be causing it but has anyone else experienced these symptoms a while after recovery from a stroke?
Absolutely, especially during times of demanding thought and stress. It’s rational that one would have these things during rough times even without stroke symptoms, but add stroke to the mix and it gets tough going. I find it useful not to second-think things like forgetting the right words, trouble concentrating or getting agitated, these can affect anyone, and are probably not your condition deteriorating or regression. Things should improve once everything else has settled a bit, I find I go through terribly disconcerting patches and then emerge to enter a patch where I am, wonderfully, on top of it all. Hang in there. 
Yes you have to dig deep at times. Fatigue bit of depression hits us all at times , don’t be afraid to ask for help if despair comes calling. Never experienced it before the stroking. At same stage as your are at now , same stressful situation, having to find alternative accommodation, needed to pay visit to doctor for help. Talk to someone . That awful period passed. Stopped thinking about future problems that may never happen and daily while out walking listed all the good things that I had to be grateful for. It got me through that bad patch. Hang in there, Talk to someone
This is taught in therapy. Dont worry about the future, you’re only in control of the present. Listing what you’re grateful for helps.
I’m only 9 weeks post stroke and going through the emotional waves now but am no stranger to depression and worry so know how you feel.
Sorry you’re having a rough time of it right now. I agreecwith Rups that without a stroke what you’re going through could bring on those symptoms but probably a bit worse because of the stroke.
Hang on in there. When things settle hopefully the fatigue etc will settle again too.
Best wishes
Ann
Yes, absolutely. Those symptoms and more
Hi Jayman, it has just been over 2 years for me since my stroke and I am suffering with anxiety , confusion, frustration don’t like big crowds and loud noise but please don’t be too hard on yourself , we are only human , take care and speak to someone x
All of the above . . . it’s been five years since my stroke and while the first couple of years were really good and everything was going forward well, the longer I have been a “survivor” (as I don’t like using the term victim) the longer my mental health is declining I believe due to the long term effects of living with the trauma of having a stroke, the fear that death had come calling, the anxiety of suffering another stroke, the constant medication taking - I personally am on 15 tablets per day - and the general symptoms of depression.
The fatigue and tiredness is from all the fighting we are doing to survive - physical and mental, and I firmly believe that anyone who hasn’t suffered the trauma we have hasn’t got a clue what it takes just to get through the day…every day for that matter.
I’m now at the stage were I give up too easily on tasks, sometimes shirking some of my responsibilities too just cause I have no desire, fight ot strength in me to do them! And yes at times I think I’d be better off not being here - the long term mental health issues suffered by a stroke survivor are immense.
So fatigue, depression and anxiety are very real and very difficult to cope with, the levels of all three changing every day - so you’re not alone, there are many others out there suffering too.
And it’s about time I should seek some professional help over this issue, but the lack of energy, fight, confidence, and any get up and go is atm stopping me . . . let’s hope I find some before it’s too late eh!
Hello @Mathew_Collins. I totally hear what you are saying. I too have days like you describe. The cumulative effect is hard to shoulder sometimes and it is all linked.
You already recognise you should seek some professional help. Please try. I understand the way you are feeling presents barriers to achieving this, but if getting help sets you on alternative path, then surely that’s worth it.
Wishing you strength to get through this time, Julia
Cheers Simon - and many thanks for reminding me of my positivity during my recovery soon after my stroke…yea, it was a different time back then, determination to get back to “normal” pretty much drove me - and I did. And that included returning to work as a supermarket delivery driver - I have been fortunate that my stroke did not cause me long lasting or life changing physical abilities . . . that is until I tore the rotator cuff muscle in my right shoulder!!!
Now speaking to the specialist and physio - neither could confirm for sure whether it just happened or it was “waiting to happen” after my stroke and the damage caused by the weakening on my right side ie the muscles were weakened and the physical side of my job eventaully took its toll. No-one’s sure but in my mind everything’s connected.
So a few months recovering from that injury and I eventually left that job and now only have a part time job a couple of hours per day which sees my get by. But the point I guess I was trying to make was, the long term mental health issues of the stroke, subsequent injury and now out of work with confindence in body dwindling and self esteem on a downward spiral, I have as I put it in my story “negative outlook will take over” - and I’ve let it! And sadly let myself down for letting it all get on top of me!!!
This is the first time I’ve admitted the troubles I’m having so I am making a little progress and feel it’s helping just by writing here and the replies I have had - so thank you.
And yes I remember Debbie’s story, and obviously mine which are both being re-read atm as I do need to turn things around and soon.
And just to clarify the medication - 15 tablets per day is: blood thinner (1), cholesterol (2), blood pressure (1), diabetes (4), kidney related due to diabetes (1), and anxiety (6) - I had my annual review in October and while all tests are fairly good, the Doctor is keeping my medication at the same level for another year - although some meds, I am on for life!
Once again thank you for the replies and kind words, I’m off to read these stories and remind myself I am better than the person I’ve become!