I had a stroke nearly 3 months ago. I have made good mobility recovery but a feeling of lightheadedness (not dizzy) comes on after I’ve been up for an hour or so. It often eases in the afternoon. I dont think it’s a medication issue. It goes when I lie or sit down. It is stopping me from returning to ‘normal’ life.
5 Likes
Hi Elizabeth,
Welcome to this community. Ther are so many here in our situation and I have greatly benefited from this community and everyone sharing their experiences.
3 months is no time at all -thats an annoying response but so is me telling you to be patient! I am afraid that is the case though the lightheadedness should improve slowly
Like you the afternoons were always better - all I can suggest is to target your activities to the afternoon but also try some gentle exercise in the morning to gradually acclimatise. You will know what is right for you don’t overdo things. Some days will be better than others it does improve as time goes on.
I will watch your thread with interest it will be good to see others experience’s and advice.
Do please keep in touch and say how things are going.
Take care….
4 Likes
Thank you for this. I just read your story - like you I had no major risks factors - dont drink or smoke, not overweight, exercise and eat well - and I was very shocked. I was also very frightened of a second one (still am) but am trying to put that into the background. I lead/led a very busy life and am quite impatient. Thank you for your good wishes
4 Likes
Almost 6 months since my stroke and yes things will improve but in there own time. I managed to get back to work just before Christmas and sometimes it’s hard to get up in the morning. I’ve reduced down my hours to 20 a week didn’t have a option I couldn’t have done full time hours. Some days are easier than others. But like my Dr said don’t push yourself and I don’t.
Keep in touch were a lively bunch.
4 Likes
I had my stroke 4 months ago and like you, am experiencing a feeling of lightheadedness. I would say its similar to the feeling you get when you haven’t had much to eat (definitely not my problem!) I don’t think its a BP/medication thing. I’m going to speak to my GP about it tomorrow so fingers crossed she has some answers!
4 Likes
Three months is a mere drop in the eyelet of stroke rehabilitation, the brain is still in a state of self-repair, or rather a heady state of attempting to reconnect and reconfigure damaged pathways. These feelings may be a part of that process and could continue for six months or more depending on the severity of the stroke. Six months is the baseline and beyond that is anyone’s guess what internal struggles are happening between autonomous functions, nervous system, cognition and emotions. Having said that always check in with a medical practitioner if you feel concerned as we can only provide experience and not diagnosis.
4 Likes
Yes I had this and it turned out to be a meds problem …since adjusting meds it has gone away but like others, I suffered it in the morning and fatigue remains a limited issue. I have started to pace myself 13 months on, having regained full mobility apart from minor balance issues when I am tired. Specifically my blood pressure dropped quite low, I went light headed when bending and standing up too quickly….they stopped my Furosimide and reduced my Bisoprolol and dizziness/lightheaded have gone. (Remember we all have different medication regimes) I also feel better, mentally. Stroke is such a trauma, try to be kind to yourself and come here if you have a wobble as there are lots of wise ones here to offer experience and support xx. (And of course tell your GP)
4 Likes
@Elizabeth Welcome to the Forum, take more rest. Light-headedness seems to be an after effect of stroke. I suffered from it and sometimes still do. Good luck 
3 Likes
Hello Elizabeth and welcome to the forum.
Take your time, do not rush things as you recover from your stroke. Three months is a relatively short time wrt adjusting to life after stroke, but we all recover at our pace and it’s not a competition or a race.
Take advice, but most of all listen to your body and your light headedness will likely ease and your life will soon return to normal - this is your normal, not anyone else’s 
Wishing you all the best.
Namaste|
4 Likes
@Elizabeth hi & welcome to the community. Good to hear your mobility is progressing well.
Lightheadedness foes tend to be a common feature after a stroke & as such should improve over time. Don’t assume it is a stroke after affect though as could be caused by meds of something else. It is worth getting it checked out.
Best wishes
Ann
4 Likes
Hi @Elizabeth
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke and the lightheadedness you’re experiencing.
I hope some of the answers here have been helpful. You may also find our information on the effects of stroke helpful to have a read of too.
I hope you’ll find this community helpful. If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
Anna
1 Like
Hello and welcome I’m in year 10 of recovery from a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage and Ischemic strokes, I still occasionally get lightheaded along with dizziness. At 3 months you are in the very early stages of recovery.
The first thing is don’t write off it being a medication issue, it took nearly 2 years to get my medication correct. Do you take your medication before bedtime? You can sleep off the worst effects from any blood pressure tablets during the night.
Another possible cause is your blood pressure spiking from getting out of bed, doing too much too soon in the morning, or even standing up too quick. Try and notice what triggers it and are there any feelings of nausea. Lying down will certainly help ease the feeling.
Unbelievably I am writing this 30 minutes after paramedics have left my home due to a blood pressure spike, which brought on lightheadedness and dizziness I was 196/107 when they arrived, I had only got up to make a cup of tea 
I hope you make an excellent recovery, take it easy, recover at a sensible pace and rest throughout the day. Don’t try to run before you can walk
1 Like
I agree with JimBob wrt medication. Use of medication in Mum’s care plan has been a major headache and she has suffered quite badly due to unsuitable medications being prescribed, unsuitable doses and unnecessarily prolonged use or not properly monitoring the long term effects of medication.
Any time medication was prescribed we always checked the list of possible side effects and monitored as soon as the course of medication had started. We had to fight long and hard on occasions for Mum to be taken off some medications and on occasions damage had been done before they realised or stopped the use of medication e.g. Asprin as a blood thinner.
I hope this is now under control and cause of spike is known
3 Likes
I’m fine thanks, it’s calmed down but still jumping all over the place. It is the highs and the plummets that are a tad irritating.
I am well used to it now over the years and tuned in enough to know when it’s going a bit bonkers. The highs and the lows are so dramatic I now know when there could be potential problems coming.
Thank you for asking it is much appreciated
1 Like
Funny, I am experiencing a light headedness attack right now! They don’t occur very often or last very long and I was just using the time to scan new mail when I read your problem! I just stay put and mess around till they go!
I’m in my eleventh year of stroke recovery and find that as soon as I find a solution to a problem stroke has left me, life finds a new one to replace it. The new problem is that my wife and caregiver had a tumble which resulted in a broken arm and much bruising so now I’m temporarily the caregiver and having to change all sorts of plans to handle it.
One of the biggest is my walking, I have tried to maintain a good exercise routine to keep me fit. I used to daily walk a fair amount. Recently I cut this down to just a circuit of the housing estate but I always carried a phone and knew I could summon help from her if I ran out of steam and she would drive down to pick me up. Since she cant drive at this moment my plan is on hold and I dare not walk any further than I know I could walk back from. At this time its about 200yds!
Deigh Davies
3 Likes
Love that story. Many a time I’ve gone for a walk like Forrest Gump and suddenly realised I’ve got to walk the same distance back home.
Time to get the winter hibernation weight off and looking forward to it.
Hoping your wife and carer make a speedy recovery.
3 Likes