Have I recovered?

[Debbie_Hinton-Smith]

Hi, dazc I had a similar thing happen the beginning of the year, I started getting dizziness really bad then headaches then came to the loss of balance

I went to my GP about them but was told it was from a previous stroke 10years ago? This went on for months but he was adamant it was nothing new

I went to get my eyes tested as I also had double vision and the ophthalmologist wrote a letter referring me to the hospital saying that this was not normal.

I now have a prism on my glasses and to cut a long story short I ended up changing GPs because I was getting nowhere with the old practice until that is he got that fed up of me going to see him about it he sent me to the hospital, the best thing he could have done the Dr. I saw sent me for an MRI just in case and it showed I had, in fact, had another stroke in the cerebellum which is the balance center of the brain and once I had the report from the MRI I took it to show my old GP then left and changed practices, I was so angry with them it was unreal.

Good luck with getting things sorted don't take no for an answer 

Deb 

 

 

 

[dazc]

I know this post was some time back, come a long way since this, had ups and downs all along the way and still not fully recovered, but thought I would post an update.

I’ve been extremely lucky I think, my family just say I’m stubborn though.

I returned to work June 2019 to driving an HGV, my original job, employers were great and kept my job there for me. Still have the fatigue, double vision and other problems, but I’ve learnt to live and function with it all, even now 7 years on.

Managed to pass another medical to keep my HGV licence last year, so was still working. Unfortunately March 2025 I felt unwell whilst at work and drove back to base with the truck, I just knew I wasn’t good. Off to the hospital after a quick chat with 111 and after months of doctors visits and hospital visits I’ve now been diagnosed with angina and told I’ve also had an heart attack or more since my stroke, never felt anything, just what I thought were normal aches and pains. They also think I might have respiratory problems, but need further investigations done.

So I’ve not been driving from March, did a treadmill test in August for DVLA to assess my fitness for HGV licence, it’s 9 minutes on it and it increases speed and incline every 3 minutes. I joked with the doctor that if I could put a can of John Smiths just in front of the treadmill I’d have no problems. I managed to complete it, but it is hard work and October DVLA wrote and told me I can keep my licence, but will need to do medicals every 3 years now.

So back to work on 5th November back driving, looking forward to it, but still a little apprehensive about how it will affect me, as even though my medication seems to control everything, I still get chest pains every so often, but a quick spray and sit down and although I’m shattered, I’m still here.

It did change me a little bit when I had the chest pains in March, as my brother passed away the previous March after several heart attacks over the years and after having surgery he just never recovered, so since being off work, I’ve been making the most an been taking holidays, as many as I could, although I still work 7 days and well over 12 hours a day, I make time to spend with my wife and family.

I’ve been off here for a good while, I let life just run away without making time for me, so will be trying to make that time and check on here more frequent.

Still having issues, I’ve typed this and corrected more spelling mistakes numerous times.

Hope everyone’s coping well and good luck with your recovery journey

[ManjiB]

Hello @dazc - nice to meet you

It seems things are not too bad for you right now and you have learned to cope well with life after stroke - well done.

You mention many things and one thing I note is you are working long and hard and I wonder if you might want to slow down a little especially as it seems you have had heart attacks without knowing.

I say this because it is not being a stroke survivor and though you have done exceptionally well, I think you might want to spend more time with your family - work/life balance.

I don’t know you and your personal circumstances, but I think we should always look after ourselves above everything else. Yes, we do need to work as there are bills to pay etc. but getting the balance right, and again, it is not always easy, is important.

You have a family and a wonderful sister and an understanding employer so make the most of it

Wishing you all the best.

Namaste|

[dazc]

Hello @ManjiB thankyou for the comment

I’ve always worked long hours and most days since being young, so for me it’s a very hard habit to break, I’ve been sat here on the computer since coming home today at around 5.00pm and I’m just about to go to bed.

If my body starts to let me know I need to take it easy I slow down now or actually sit down and take it easy, something before the stroke I did not do, but I’ve just got that much going on I don’t get time. I work full time away Monday to Friday driving, oversee a car parts shop which I opened in 2018 just a few months after my stroke, my wife took over running the actual shop when I returned to driving, so mostly do the paperwork, legal stuff and marketing, as well as covering the shop on Saturdays, although I am a director of a security company, since my stroke I have taken the role of running the office side of things, so again mostly computer based, I have several older cars, some say scrap heaps, which I am restoring, but to me a lot of this I enjoy so it’s not like work.

I understand what you’re saying about taking it easy and I have slowed down, for most it may not seem that way.

Since this latest scare, I must admit my way of looking at life has changed slightly and I have booked quite a few holidays since March this year, to spend a lot more time with my wife, in fact my wife and kids became quite concerned thinking there was something wrong, until I pointed out my travel insurance expired in September, so I was making the most of it before the premium shot up

I’ve always been optimistic and even with all of this I’ve just carried on, I think I’ve been really fortunate to recover so well, as others have not and I’m always mindful of that.

I know at some point in the future I will not be able to do what I do now, as my body is full of arthritis, so I think thats another reason why I keep so busy and moving about.

I’m hoping when I return to work driving next month I’m able to do it, otherwise it will be a major change for me

All the best to you and thanks again