Hello all, i just a see this and it really picture just how i feel at moment, trying to live but yet hit with fatigue , almost like a consequence for just tryingtobe back to old me. GP does not seem to get - ‘going by bloods being all good /normal’. Anyone have any tips on coping with this? Thank a you
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Yes definitely, no words needed with that image.
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Managing fatigue is about prioritising, planning & pacing yourself and resting up when you need to.
A lot of people keep a diary detailing activities, fatigue levels etc so that you can look back & identify what has caused your fatigue. That may be something from a few days ago and not necessarily on the day you feel fatigued.
You have to find a level of activity that works for you & stick to it. Then after a while you can try increasing that level and see how you get on. If it’s too much reduce again and have another go later down the line.
After a stroke getting back to your old self can take a while & probably longer than you want it to. Patience is required in bucket loads.
If you haven’t already have a look at this leaflet.
https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/effects/physical/tiredness-and-fatigue
Sounds like your GP has ruled out other causes for your fatigue which is good. So it really is about managing it.
Good luck
Ann
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That is a good thought process. I will try to do your suggestion thank a you
I was speaking to someone today who said i need to stop being so hard on a my self and to realise what i had was serious, not just like a cold. I am only 40 and can’t seem to shake off the guilt of not being the old me , for my kids mor than anything
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… fatigue. Aye, four years and still getting it.
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It’s your mitochondria, which reside in your muscles. They supply us with 90% of our energy unless they are dysfunctional. They need some serious rehab. Almost all folks who suffer a serious stroke have this problem. I’ve written a few posts on here about it, but one has to be prepared for a steep learning curve. Even after you’ve understood what’s going on (nothing to do with bloods) the path is long and arduous, and the same as always ; supply nutrients, including the sun, exercise, sleep, hydrate, get outdoor air, and more. Do forgive yourself, but congratulate yourself, and welcome to a new phase of your life
Good luck, Roland, SIG
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It was a life threatening event, you could have died! Unfortunately you don’t just bounce back in a few weeks. This is the equivalent of major open heart or brain surgery. It took me a year to recover from a hip replacement, the same too for a broken ankle. Yes the surgical wound might heal within the first weeks, the bone might be knitted together within 6 months, but then you’ve got to gradually build up the muscle strength to hold it steady and work it again.
Kids are resilient and quicker to adapt than adults ever would. Stroke can happen at any age for a number of different reasons so being 40 doesn’t exclude you any more than it would a child of 9 or an old man of 90. I was 59 when I had mine and my kids were the stage of finishing high school/starting uni. My worry was how this might this affect their studies and grades but they nailed it anyway.
Don’t waste your spoons on guilt and your kids are your incentive to keep on striving to get back to near normal as you can. Everything is an education for kids and your stroke is one that will teach them caring and compassion, patience and understanding. They’ll learn more independence, to do more for themselves and remember kids love playing at being the grownup. You give them a sense of pride in themselves when you ask them to do something you can’t manage.
In time, over the coming months you will all settle into a new routine, a new way of life. Which is a bit like settling in to a new house, in new neighbourhood. It just takes time to find your feet but you will get there. Forget the guilt, its a wasted emotion in this particular circumstance. You don’t want it dragging you down because then your kids will suffer. So start living again and finding enjoyment in this second life you and your kids have been given.
Lorraine
Stroke Improvement Group
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I agree with your friend not to beat yourself up about the differences you are experiencing at this stage. Hopefully this is a transient phase for you. 
I was told similar to you and that the negative emotion can be quite a drain of mental capacity in its own right.
As cliched as it may seems please be kind to yourself and rest when you feel you need it.
There are some youtube things that expand on this conpassion based approach. Search for CFT (Compassion focused therapy). It may feel clunky initially but I found it helpful eventually.
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Hello Lorraine @EmeraldEyes
Thank you for the link to spoons. I was sort of aware of it, but that is a brilliant, helpful description.
Julia x
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You will have to find your own pathway through the maze following your stroke as they can be so different. Mine occurred just after my 68th birthday 5 years ago with a blood clot which wiped me out on my left side face speech arm & leg. I was given the clot busting drug. Whilst in Leeds General Infirmary in signed up for anything . Get Set Go was a great help as i could easily overdo things in my haste to recover & my wife was able to refer to the programme.
I was back in the gym within a month a shadow of my former self but with persistence & bloody mindness I have got back to most things I could do but I have to accept how fortunate I was/am.
Outwardly no one can tell that I am a stroke survivor but fatigue is always waiting around the corner but you can find your way to live with it & rest where you need too.
On our EGYM system @ David Lloyd i am a 73 year old man with the strength of a 21 year old & overall biological age of 53. I have worked @ it but it is possible. I drive walk enjoy life but listen to my body when running out of spoons ! Which occurs most days.
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Hi,
Six years on I have learnt to manage it. I have to pace myself, know good times and bad times to tackle things etc. I have to take afternoon naps, get to bed early, not overdo things. It was a massive learning curve, life isnt what it was but you will get there eventually.
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