I am having symptoms and feelings of low energy after even moderate activity, especially if it involves bending down. I feel I need to sit down, and while it feels better the low energy feeling is still there. The symptoms seem to dissipate if I eat something. Say have a sandwich for lunch. But not tried eating something at the time of these feelings. Would eating something help?
I am 5 months post stroke and there has been some improvement with these symptoms but it is limiting what I can do. Walking doesnāt seem to bring on the symptoms even after a brisk walk of over a mile. But bending and lifting do seem to bring it on.
I donāt have a way of testing my blood sugar but when it was tested in hospital all was normal and no signs of diabetes so I donāt think itās that.
Is this a normal post stroke symptom and if so how can I try to improve things?
Hi bobb, from what I know there are some definitive issues of fatigue post stroke and like stroke it is different for everyone. The bending over issue and fatigue may or may not be related however a brisk walk like you say does not impact you but when you say eating something seems to help would hint at lower blood sugar level.
For me have limited fatigue issues which means Iām lucky but have you considered your local pharmacy to have blood sugar work done mines offers this and BP testing and are better than the GP in next building. Also pando on here is an amazing font of knowledge around fatigue he will perhaps offer some more considered input. Best of luck and good wishes on finding a solution.
Thanks for your insight, I will ask at my local pharmacy if they do that. Seems strange that its mainly brought on by upper body exercise rather than lower body exercise, although squating seems to bring it on too.
Yes it is a normal post stroke symptom! As with all major trauma, healing burns energy. Because our strokes wounds are invisible we donāt tend to give them the same care as anyone with visible physical wounds. For good healing your body requires lots of sleep as it takes a lot of energy to heal and the brain needs it in order to process all it has relearnt as well as to rebuild and repair any damage from the stroke. It takes about 6mths for the initial recovery. This requires a lot of good nutritional foods and exercise as well so maybe a daily supplement to boost those nutrients is a way for forward, such as Ensure or Complan.
What I used to do, and still tend to, is make sure Iāve eaten something before Iād go for a walk for example. Iād also carry an energy bar around with me; in the early days post stroke I usually have eaten the bar half way round to give me enough energy to get home again. But Iām also type 2 diabetic so I keep close track of my blood sugar levels as I do a lot of physical resistance training at the gym, fitness classes as well as walking now. And I do have a blood sugar testing kit.
Hereās a link to another post I did about a year ago on the same subject:
In saying all that, and despite your BS levels being normal, Iād suggest you go have your bloods checked again. See your doctor as you may be lacking in a certain nutrient. Certain medications can quickly deplete certain nutrients in your body. I was about 6mths post stroke when I had my blood vitamin levels checked and was found to be severely low in folic acid. The doc put me on a dose for 6wks and I couldnāt believe the improvement it had on me. I hadnāt even mentioned my fatigue or the heaviness in my legsā¦it cured that within days for me, though I do suffer a level of fatigue but nothing like it was back then. Iām 63 and 5 years post stroke, though it was mild in comparison to many on here. So it could be very beneficial for you to see your doctor and have them do a little MOT on you
Your body and brain are being repaired and may require extra nutrition. Why not eat more?
Also, your body is good at telling you things - so it is maybe telling you to eat more nutritional food?
Maybe you should talk to your GP or get a referral to a Physio who might be able to shed light on this.
@jbob - you mentioned our resident font of all things all things including fatigue, but Roland @pando is a busy human bean with many fingers in many pies and he is likely busy making videos, writing books and indeed contributing to forums including this one. He may find his way here sooner or later, but if you would like an early response then name checking him or tagging him using the ā@ā symbol might get a faster response. I am pretty sure he always responds when he is name checked and/or tagged. I think you may have forgotten to euse the ā@ā symbol and so pando (Roland) would not get alerted by this app/software. I has therefore taken the liberty to invite Roland to repond
I did read your post, but donāt think I can help at this stage. There are a million and one reasons for fatigue post stroke. Bending down is a major trigger for symptoms in many people with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), and it directly relates to the same underlying problem as standing up. Then maybe Iād think B12 deficiency ; can leave nerves ādisjauntedā (made up word) after exercise / my neighbor has it.
There are many possible explanations, but bear in mind our mitochondria (powerhouse of the cells) are dysfunctional after a stroke (yes, how much depends on the severity of your stroke). Sorry to say it, but this translates directly into an energy crises ! Before getting ill, or sick, our cells (mitochondria) run out of energy. I did a video clip on my mitochondria ; I call them my ponies https://youtu.be/h9aIIOLY7QY and whatever your problems, rehabbing your mt ponies (they love exerciseā¦ walking will do fine for now) will surely be big factor in addressing your issues
@bobb none of us are medically trained that I am aware of, but can share how we dealt with a similar symptom. being a stroke survivor is one of the most challenging things in life and people who have never been on this road have no idea. My wife is a carer to her mother who had a stroke and she has no idea whatsoever. Me also being a stroke survivor she has no idea about me. always ensure you have had breakfast, lunch etc before attempting any task as i find this helps, but it may not help for everyone as like our hands we have five digits and they are all different. Everything is trial and error. What worked for me in the beginning doesnāt work now, so its just on constantly adjusting along the way. I wish you well for the future
Nobody knows better than those who have journeyed through a stroke and the extremely unchartered territory post-stroke. Nobody seems to bear this in mindā¦ they turn to professionals thinking they know the solution.
Thanks for the advice and the link. Although a quick look for Milk of Magnesia only seemed to bring up Phillips version which you say wonāt work. More searching needed I think.
Hi, I too find bending and/ or lifting sets off my head pains and general symptoms. I found a fact sheet by the Royal Osteoporosis Society useful. It advises you to always bend from the knees , keeping your back straight and head upright and not to lift heavy items. This seems to eliminate some of the nasty consequences of bending for me.
I use Ocean Mag / One nutrition at 23 Euro, from pharmhealth, dublin
(but it says out of stock) Let me know what you find
One Nutrition Ocean Mag 100g Powder provides a convenient quick absorbing pure form of magnesium into diets that are sub-optimal. A lack of magnesium can lead to a whole range of problems from asthma, anxiety and migraines to muscle cramps. It may also be why you just feel slightly sluggish.
HPA axis - your thyroid is probably underactive, not able to boost your blood pressure promptly. Remember, strokes (stress & fear reallyā¦ have you had any of this, especially sustained over a period?) deplete our bodyās supply of minerals. Just my intuition speaking, really. Youāll have to make your own discoveries, but the answers you find will be worth more than anything anyone says
Yes, but a certain amount of stress & strain on the skeletal system is needed for it to keep strong. Itās called osteoblast / and osteoclast activity ; bones are piezoelectric and need dynamic stress to thrive.
Yes, the HPA axis and mitochondria are affected in ME/CFS and I have had that most of my life, there was no diagnosis and nothing known about it back in those Stone Age days.
words of wisdom 
