I went for a walk by myself for the first time since my stroke abd it felt so good to be out I do not know why I have felt so nervous about going out alone!
I ended up walking for about 40 minutes.
I had my loop plugs in to drown out background noise but since coming home over an hour ago the pressure in my head and down my neck is awful iv tried to sleep it off but to no avail. I feel like 11 weeks post stroke I should be able to be doing more? The medical staff when I was in hospital suggested I would be able to get back to work anywhere between 6-12 weeks. Maybe I am putting too much pressure on myself.
Hi Mrs G
I think listen to your body. This is a really difficult question and I would think it will be different for each individual. It sounds like yr walk went really well. 11 weeks post stroke isnt long so what u have achieved is great. Aches seem part of recovery I have some going on but I think as a result of poor sleep for a few nights - it happens sometimes.
I am not a professional but I have always been told i cant do too much but if i over exercise i might pay the price in fatigue. I can’t help but think caution may be neeed but that’s what ive been told. I do think listen to what your body tells you and obey your instincts. If you get told different please tell me!
Keep on keeping on if i can pinch Bobbies motto👍
@MrsG16 Do not put pressure on yourself. Better to return to work as fit as you can be, than doing what I did and go back too soon. your neck is stressed from the walk but not in a bad way. You did well. Don’t overthink it. No one can tell you how long anything will take before return to work. Judge it yourself. I wish you well
My local stroke nurses were taking me for walks upto 30 mins once or twice a week after the 3rd week of my stroke. Was I like you afterwards. You bet I was. Now I’m back at work on a phased return I’m clocking up just over 12000 steps a day inclusive of home and work.
I do go out with the dog for a walk most days and sometimes I think I’ve gone too far. Aches, headache neck sore. But within a couple of hours it’s settled back again.
But if I don’t feel like going then I don’t go. I remember the stroke nurse saying it will do you good to get out walking. But go only if you feel like it. Don’t push yourself.
Keep up the walking at your own speed and ability.
The brain is still in repair mode for up to six months post stroke, so it is important not to overdo it and fall into the boom-bust cycle where the brain can’t make new connections because it it has pushed itself too hard. After six months when the self-repair period is coming to an end, then it will have more capability to work on new pathways without hindering its own repair.
Here is a little graph from the NHS that explains the principle visually …
It sounds like you may have just overdone it a bit. Give a few days and it might be back to normal. Unfortunately this is only way you can work out how much is too much for your own body and stroke as we are all different. This could be your brain’s way of letting you know that was too much, that’s your limit. And now you your threshold you can work out just how much you need to reduce such exercise to avoid that fatigue.
On the other hand. It might not have anything to do with your stroke at all. This symptom is new to you, so could you have pulled a muscle or something in your neck or shoulder. This weather is extremely cold, it’s a prime time for doing that sort of thing because muscles are cold and all tensed up against the cold. So just a head turn or arm movement the wrong way could have been just enough to set something off. And if you have even a slight weakend stroke side, it can just enough to to trigger such muscular issues. And if its in that vicinity of the shoulder and neck then can also go up into the head.
If that is the case, heat and muscle relaxation are in order to release the tension there and paracetamol for the pain, if you can take them. And it is important to stay on top of the pain relief, because whilst you are in pain and discomfort you naturally tense up and only compound the issue. Being pain free allows your muscles to relax, untie the knots they’ve got themselves into, relax even further and the pain will simply melt away. And if it does persist or worsens, see your gp.
It’s good that you made the effort to go out walking. 40 minutes is about right for a first walka fter a stroke. I had a mini- stroke in September 2024. After 6 weeks I took short walks of around an hour for the first month . Then by November I was able to do a couple of hours. As long as you don’t overdo it and take breaks as and when you feel the need to do so there’s no reason not to go out walking. Trust your instincts and enjoy the time alone.A stroke shouldn’t define you or limit you in that sense.
Thank you all for your thoughts on this. It really has put my mind at ease.
It has now eased a little with a just lingering headache and pressure around the back of my ear but I think I will rest up as much as I can tonight and see how things are tomorrow.
I will try again but a shorter walk in a couple days time. Build it up from there.
No I have worn them longer so doubt it would be anything to do with those.
The pressure and pain in my head since my stroke has been mainly in that same place at the base of my skull and behind my right ear. I presume this is the location of the damage but am only guessing as have still not received any answers. It just felt far worse after my walk today and seemed to spread down to my neck.
The moderate pain and pressure in my head is at the top of my head. It was investigated including MRI but they couldn’t draw any conclusion either. I take magnesium glycinate daily and that seems to keep it at bay. But I do know its still there and stop taking the my periodically to test it.
I’m 5yrs post stroke so it must be about 4yrs that I’ve been on them. They’re normally recommended for migraine sufferers which is what gave me the idea to try it in the first place. And my gp does know I’m taking them. That’s always advisable to ensure there is no clash with any other medications or health conditions you have.
Oh I remember the joy, but also nerves, of going out for my first independent walk. Well Done you for managing. Perhaps 40 minutes was a bit too much with the symptoms you described afterwards. You could always try splitting it and doing 20 minutes in the morning and then 20 in the afternoon? Build up gradually, you’ll soon be amazing yourself with how much you can do and how good you feel afterwards.
@MrsG16 as someone who didn’t know that they were overdoing things until I did ending up back in hospital I do not profess to now this answer. Have very similar pains at times but my second MRI showed some spinal issues namely stenosis between C5-C6.
I do walk as much as I can and three weeks post stroke at a gentle pace was at 30-45 minutes and was fine, even had heart tracing done during this with no issues.
I think if you feel it’s related just maybe pare the walk down a little and take it more easy build your own confidence and learn to trust your judgement as well as listening to your body. I thinks sometimes we all want to show the world how great we are still and how we’ve bounced back but that other internal voice flaps at any new sensations, pains or as we mature any new groans,clicks or feelings.
Perhaps through embarrassment but mainly worry I think.
During my walk I was almost in an accident.
I stopped at a zebra the car coming from my right stopped and the car coming from the left looked to be slowing so I stepped out. Half way across the car to the left which I then realised was a learner vehicle had to slam the breaks on. I felt so stupid and embarrassed I didn’t even look back I just walked off the crossing and kept walking.
Now Iv had time to think about it I don’t think I even processed that it was a learner or even the danger until the breaks went on!
Since my stroke I have felt overwhelmed on busy roads and junctions maybe I just panicked or maybe this is a processing issue? Anyone else have things like this happen?
You weren’t in the wrong there. If you’re on the crossing they have to stop. Of course, we all make mistakes sometimes especially when learning. You are still early days yet so you will probably be a bit overwhelmed by moving traffic etc. I know I was. It’ll get easier each time you do it.
I struggle to get across a road at all so am always at risk. I can’t even get across a pedestrian crossing before the lights change. I hope every time I step out that the drivers are feeling very patient.
iv tried to sleep it off but to no avail. I feel like 11 weeks post stroke I should be able to be doing more? The medical staff when I was in hospital suggested I would be able to get back to work anywhere between 6-12 weeks. Maybe I am putting too much pressure on myself.
