Goo d morning - I am new to this community I had my stroke a week ago. The hospital worked nothing short of a miracle my left side returning. I still have some numbness in my face and a droopy mouth but so far so good. I really have been so lucky.
I am exercising walking around 3 miles total over a day. It’s going well but when should I step it up? How much is too much? Im not planning it this week but when could I try running?
Any advice greatly appreciated
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Hi @Baldrick and welcome to the forum.
Personally, I’d give it 6-8wks at the very least for that.
You are in the very early days of your stroke recovery and still very much at risk of another one. Your brain brain needs all the energy it can get for healing and repairing. You wouldn’t go running a week after you’d broken your leg would you or had major heart surgery?
That’s how you need to look at it;just because you can’t see or feel it doesn’t mean your brain hasn’t just gone through a major trauma.
And you may not have experienced it yet, but there is also the fatigue to consider. Brain fatigue is nothing like physical fatigue, just being tired. That will shut you down so fast if you push your luck. If you’ve not experienced it yet then maybe you’re just at the right level of activity. But for some, it doesn’t start to kick in for some weeks after their stroke.
The fatigue will certainly let you know when how much is too much. And if you’re out running when it kicks in, a yard is going to feel like 10 miles to get back home. So when you do try it out, just jog to the end of the road or around the block to begin with and see how you fair. Because fatigue sometimes the fatigue doesn’t set in 'til the following day, and it can last a couple of days if pushed too hard. So you need to learn your limits and work to those limits and very individual to each person. The first 6 months are the crucial in brain recovery.
There’s a lot on here about fatigue as well as many other things, such as decompensation which you may experience over the coming months. Stroke recovery is a marathon, not a race. And it is very much two steps forward, one step back. So its well worth doing a search on here and reading other’s experiences.
Your recovery is going so well and long may it continue that way, onwards and upwards 
Lorraine
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Hello @Baldrick - welcome to the community.
In addition to the excellent advice from Lorraine @EmeraldEyes which is based on personal experience and therefore very relevant, I should like to add that we as individuals are all different and we have different tolerance levels and response times etc. In the main the information and advice we receive are guidelines and we have to work out what works best for us and from what you are saying you seem to be doing that.
You say you the hospital worked nothing short of a miracle and this pleases me a lot 
I do have a question - whilst working the miracle, I expect there was a PT and an OT helping you. On discharge, you will likely have been given a summary explaining what happened and what you should do now that you have been discharged.
Have you been given ongoing PT/OT support or has the hospital suggested that you are now in no need for further support from them as they have performed a miracle and you are able to resume “normal” life?
Namaste|
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@Baldrick hi & welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your stroke although it sounds like you are doing well.
I think i would agree with @EmeraldEyes and I would wait a little while before trying running. I would also start slowly and build up gradually. Overdoing it at this early stage is very easy and your brain does need time to recover from the trauma it has suffered.
If you have a physio then I would ask their advice but if not then I would check with your GP. I think you will know when you are ready to step it up a level. Don’t forget that you have to factor in the getting home bit.
Best wishes
Ann
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Hello Baldrick, just wanted to say welcome. But also to admire the fact that you’re considering running. Walking three miles a day after a week is beyond me. Mind you, me and exercise are strangers in the night. I can’t add anything to any of my colleagues messages, only to say I’m pleased that you being positive about your recovery. But please be careful, listen to what your body tell you. Best wishes Norma
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Thanks everyone. All sage advice and I am very grateful for it all. ManjiB - I was signed off from PT at the hospital yes truly it is a miracle. That said I am now a bit isolated from advice as a result hence this message. I am expecting a call back from our local stroke association rep tomorrow for more guidance I wouldn’t mind a physio referral if only to be sure of a base line it’s fingers crossed..
Lorraine lots of guidance thank you very much & Mrs5k / Norma u all hit the nail on the head. I am anxious not to do too much too soon and undo the miracle in any way. Absolutely take it on board about being a marathon.
Fatigue - I had this really bad for the first few days even now if I feel like a nap thats what I do i believe in listening to your body there’s no way im going to fight it i think that would be a massive mistake.
Again thanks so much I am extremely grateful to everyone who has taken the time to reply and for your thoughts and guidance.
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@Baldrick - it might be worth speaking with your GP about a PT referral to see if you might get some PT from the Community. I am surprised that the hospital discharge did not make recommendations or offer ongoing treatment advice, but the GP may be able to get you a referral.
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Yes, listening to your body is very important. Fatigue has a habit of biting you when you least expect it. Taking a bit of extra time to recover now will pay dividends in the long run. You’re doing amazingly well at such an early stage. That run isn’t tok far away I am sure.
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Hi @Baldrick,
Welcome to the community, it’s great to hear you’re already out walking after your stroke just a week ago. That’s a real achievement. I can imagine how tempting it is to try to “get back to normal” quickly, especially if you’re feeling motivated and mobile, but as others have said so wisely, stroke recovery is not just physical. Your brain needs just as much time, care, and patience as your body right now.
If you’re keen to add running back in at some point, it might help to take it in stages, perhaps starting with short intervals, and only on days where your energy feels strong. And definitely check in with your GP or stroke team first, especially if you haven’t yet had a referral to physiotherapy or specialist stroke rehab support.
In the meantime, you might be interested in this page on Managing post-stroke fatigue | Stroke Association, it’s one of the most common after-effects, and completely normal.
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Thanks Alex/Everyone
Very wise words again. Thanks. Had a bad night 2 nights back (couldn’t sleeep) nothing new for me but of course quite washed out yesterday. Just took it easy all day and to be sure tye afternoon was much better. Took an early night slept nearly 10 hours so better start today.
I take on board taking things slow just taking each day at a time And not making too many plans. I have lots of offers to go out, & there will be a time but turning these invitations down atm. I hope they will still be there in a few weeks time!
Anyway just my thoughts - a bit rambling but hope my experiences of interest.
Main thing is - thanks to everyone for alll the guidance and sharing.
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Welcome to the group but sorry we are chatting under these circumstances. So I used to do Crossfit, lots of running and played golf. Long story short my Stroke was a year ago, not completed a 3k run yet as have to stop lots and not played golf yet. Fatigue is a massive issue. Also I get annoying dizzy spells and still have some balance issues and do not want to fall due to being on blood thinners. Sounds like you are pretty derermined but you are just at the start of your recovery journey so things will change.
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