I’ve just joined the forum and wanted to share my story.
About two weeks ago, I found out I’d had a small, old stroke in my left cerebellum. I’m 45, a long-distance runner, don’t smoke and generally live a healthy lifestyle — so it’s come as a huge shock.
Reading some of the stories here, I realise my situation is quite minor in comparison, but the emotional impact still feels very big to me every day. I’ve been struggling a lot with anxiety — worrying about my health from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep.
What makes it feel even crazier is that, at first, the doctors thought it was just vertigo because I’d been having dizzy spells, balance issues, constant tinnitus and ear popping. I knew something wasn’t right, so I decided to pay for a private MRI, honestly expecting nothing to show up — and then got this news.
I’m now waiting to see a specialist on the 14th to try to find out the cause. All my blood tests, blood pressure and cholesterol have come back fine, so I’m left feeling quite confused about how this could have happened.
Just wanted to say hi to everyone, and if anyone has any advice on coping with the constant worry and anxiety, I’d really appreciate it.
If you read the stories here you will see that anyone can have a stroke. It makes no difference if you are healthy. It is always a shock. From my viewpoint you were quite old ( I was 32 ). With regard to the worry it can ruin your life as much as another stroke would.
You say your stroke was an old one. Does that mean you were living your life not having any real symptoms or were the dizziness etc symptoms you’ve been having a long time?
I was in my 40s when i had my stroke. My symptoms started very similarly to yours ’ i had dizziness, balance issues, tinnitus, nausea & vision issues. I also was a runner & lived fairly healthily. It comes as a shock doesn’t it.
Hopefully they’ll find a cause for uou but not everyone gets the answers they seek.
Anxiety is normal after a stroke but If your anxiety is taking over your life then uou need to speak to someone about it. Please don’t just suffer. Most people find it eases over time.
Hi Ann, They class it as Old on an MRI scan if it’s over 4 weeks ago, and they cannot confirm how long ago it was. But as it was on my left cerebellum (which effect balance & co-ordination), I remember being sat at my desk at work, suddendly went very dizzy and tried to get up, I remember having to grab hold of the arm chair to steady myself. Since then i’ve had all the symptoms mentioned. I’ve been doing a vestibular rehab video off Youtube which as really helped, and diet wise gone on a mediterrain one, it’s made me feel better doing everything that I am in control of.
I never had any nausea, my vision has always been suspect so i didn’t notice any change there.
I think i’ll feel less anixous once i’ve seen the specialist and had all the relevant tests, as the GP’s don’t really offer much support as i’m sure you’ll already know.
Both Janetb and Ann have said pretty much what I might have said and so all that I will add is that it is good you have an appointment to see the specialist on the 14th and I hope it will help to settle your worries and anxiety.
Mis-diagnosis / no diagnosis is not that unusual in the NHS when it comes go stroke, but the main thing is you have now been diagnosed.
Hi Andy it sounds very much, in my none expert view, that the 2 are linked. Hopefully you’ll geg more answers at your appointment.
Sadly I haven’t returned to running. I have a very stubborn left leg that won’t do as it is told so I think running is a long way off for me. I know of people who have returned to running after their stroke though so there is every reason to be optimistic. One even compla marathon recently.
Welcome to the site, nice to meet you. Your post rang a bell for me. In the past I have had ‘vertigo’ attacks leaving me feeling pretty rotten. I had my stroke in Oct23, during my admitting chat the doctor was quite interested in my ‘vertigo’. Since my stroke I have had continued episodes and I do wonder if they are little repercussions of TIA’s. I am now recovering very well, so I’m not having too much anxiety about them. I hope you will enjoy being amongst these lovely folks who share their experiences. Best wishes Norma
