Good evening all, I’m currently compiling a list of questions to ask the consultant tomorrow and was hoping you’d be kind enough to share any ideas as I’m still struggling to explain/ remember what I want to say!
Many thanks
Sam 
x
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Who exactly are you seeing Sammy ?
The most obvious items would be those things that are causing you trouble ?
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To be honest Nigel, I have no idea! I’m guessing a Dr or Consultant, it just says medical team not Stroke specific so I really don’t know. X
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That is probably one of the best things you can do. I always write out some key notes to prompt myself when I have Consultant or Doctor appointments.
One of the stoke symptoms I have is poor concentration and coordination, so writing stuff down is a big aid for me.
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I have seen consultants in neurology post stroke and by referral in the pain clinic but not sure the concept of stroke consultant exists in Bristol.
For me my biggest concern was pain so my chat was around that and changes in medication. I had referrals to other functions within the NHS.
For your meeting, what do you most want help with ?
This is your chance to get some help with whatever is causing you the greatest concern. Don’t waste it 
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I would be asking them if they know what caused your stroke, what further tests you need, what can be done to prevent it happening again, any referrals to others you think you might need. , are you on right treatment plan. Have you got any specific symptoms that are concerning you? Ask about those.
That’s a few things that I can think of.
Hope it goes well.
Ann
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Here’s some off the top of my head
Do I have any risk factors?
How can i reduce any risk factors?
What aspects of recovery can they help me with?
What are the time scales for providing help?
What therapist or specialist can aid me in understanding where I am/ Why I had my stroke/ How I can maximise my recovery/ should I expect to see this year/ next year…
Ciao
Simon
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Wow!! Thank you all so much! Great ideas and lots more to add to my list!! 
I’ll let you know how I get on. 
x
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@Sammy1 nothing to add that’s not already been said. Just like to send you best wishes for tomorrow.
Steve
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Thanks Steve, I just want to make sure I use the time wisely. X
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Post stroke my short term memory and attention span is poor so I write down things like shopping lists,questions to ask etc in order that I remember .
Think through the questions that you want answers to and write them down.
Good luck with the appointment and with your post-stroke journey.
Tony
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Hi Steve, It was ok I think. 
He said the part of my brain affected was to do with my emotions/ senses. He was pleased with my progress, I know people mean well when they say “ you look well” but it makes me want to shout “ you can’t see inside my head!!” He said I need to chill, keep calm, exercise more but rest too. He said it’s the first year I’m more likely to have another stroke.
Good news though, I’ve driven today for the first time since November! It felt great! X
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Hi @Sammy1 i totally get where you are coming from regards emotions I’m exactly the same. Glad it went well though. I haven’t had a follow up yet. Great news about driving and hope you found it to be ok. I was told not to drive for 3months due to Stroke and TIA close together. Reported it to DVLA but got letter back saying they have cleared me to drive but I’m waiting till 3 months are up (first symptoms I got were when driving). I try and get a walk in most days now which I am enjoying.
Steve
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Hi @Steevo_fife The only part I didn’t understand is he said my stroke shouldn’t affect my cognition and that this was down to my emotions. But I know I’m processing much slower than before and cant read long texts or multi task, he said it was my emotions?! He said to focus on one thing at a time. You’re wise I’m only going to drive locally and when I feel up to it. I’ve got to up my exercise so will still walk every day. Good luck ! x
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Hi @Sammy1
Your consultant very likely spent seven or more years at university and has subsequently had a decade or more in the field experience .
So I guess they knows what s/he’s talking about?
I in contrast have none of that 
But I’m also struck by the number of times we hear consultants tell people they’ll never walk or talk again and that turns out not to be the case. Likewise none of the medical experts spotted my silence strokes only the debilitating one that I had most recently.
I think bottom line that they are speculating from scant evidence about something not very well understood and then rendering it down into simple language - perhaps with a intention of giving comfort where otherwise there would be a “we don’t know” answer. Clearly that is helpful for some, and possibly unhelpful for others. It doesn’t help me it merely makes me question how reliable anything they say is 
I’m also surprised that ‘an expert’ restricts talking about an area of the brain being damaged When we now know that the brain operates with a number of networks that each extend across many physical areas. Therefore a physical area affects many networks - plausibly why we have symptoms in common even when we don’t have location in common.
If you’re having symptoms that you interpret as cognition then I would say that your cognitively affected. Even if that cognition is a secondary effect where the primary impact was emotional - whose network is significantly linked to the amygdala and it’s use of chemical messages if I am not mistaken.
speed of thinking, chaining long connected thoughts etc and then arriving at conclusions - that is decisions - is connected to emotions in the every decision that anyone ever makes is a mechanism of the emotions in the subconscious - is it possible you’re using different words to talk about the same thing?
The only one who will ever truly know what your experiencing is you You can only use the words that express your thoughts in your way
An interesting thought I heard recently from a neuropsychologist is the brain suffers a localised impact from a stroke but mind exists separate from anyone area of the brain. Therefore psychological emotional cognitive are all linked but much less talked about than upper and lower limb because they are less visible less tangible
I don’t expect I’ve helped add clarity but maybe I’ve identified further questions
2¢
Simon
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I was going to tag you in my post @SimonInEdinburgh but didn’t want to put you on the spot. 
Thanks for your wise words, it really does help. x
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