Hi, I’m new to this group and have been reading some of the posts from those of you who have suffered strokes.
I had a stroke in September, fortunately it was quite mild but affected my speech and the left hand side of my face. I that realise that I was lucky that it wasn’t worse candy that many of you have had much more serious strokes, but I am still struggling a bit and would be interested in any feedback. My speech isn’t too bad now although I feel, I am having to concentrate on my words and the excess saliva makes it worse. I am trying to get some speech therapy but this may take time. I didn’t expect to feel so tired and emotional, even about small things. Having read up, it seems this is quite normal for many. I read that it often takes three to six months to get back to normal, does this sound right? Before the stroke, I was an active, confident and independent woman but I list all my confidence at first and trying to get back to some sort of normality now.
Hi @jill28
Welcome to the community. I’m sorry to hear about your stroke and the difficulties you’re going through with your speech and confidence.
Whilst you’re trying to get some speech therapy there are many groups that are run specifically for people with communication difficulties after their stroke. If you’ve not looked at this before you can find a group, whether that’s online or face to face here. Going to a group or even meeting online may give you back some of the confidence you have lost.
If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community please don’t hesitate to tag me using my username and the @ symbol.
Anna
@jill28 Hi & welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your stroke but pleased that you are doing ok.
What you are feeling is very common after a stroke & can take some time to settle. Hopefully over the next few months things will get much better for you. I am 3 years on & still get emotional but it is better than it was.
Your confidence will build again over time too as you start to settle into your new routine. You’ve been through a major event it takes some getting used to & you are onky a couple of months in yet so don’t be too hard on yourself.
The first 6 months is when you will probably make the quickest / most recovery but you can / will make improvements far beyond that time if you continue to work at it.
Best wishes
Ann
Hello Jill,
I like to stimulate the affected side of the inside of my mouth with an electric toothbrush, even to the extent of using it the ‘wrong’ way round. Worth a try. Good luck,
Roland
Thank you to everyone who has commented, it is much appreciated and really helpful. Unfortunately there is little advice or support through the NHS so it helps to know that my feelings are quite normal and should improve in time. I hope you all also continue to recover
Hi, I also had my first stroke in early September, must have occurred whilst I was asleep, also found out later after scans that
I also had a possible focal seizure whatever hat was.my left side was affected, but not too badly, mainly partial numbness and tingling ,my speech was occasionally a bit slow but has now recovered, I still get tingling in my left hand occasionally, but usually only for a few minutes. My eyesight was and still is affected, I suffer from double vision which is very slowly improving,
I was told that my stroke originated from a uneven heart rate, not a blood clot, so ai have had a pacemaker fitted, so hopefully that’s fixed my heart problems that I didn’t know about.
I have not had any follow up therapy or exercises, have been trying to help myself up to now, and have done reasonably well I think.
My biggest negative is being banned from driving for 6 months due to the seizure, it is having a big impact on my daily life, and although my wife can drive, I am not a tolerant passenger.
I understand that we are all different, and recovery varies greatly, but a positive attitude helps, and a supportive family is a godsend.
I am now 34 days post stroke,I can walk without a stick now,although I carry it for confidence and when crossing roads traffic seems more sympathetic
I wake up with some balance issues which reduce once I get in to my training,walking balance drills light weights
My doctor says I am almost normal,
Am I,how is the future,can I go back to my old life? Slow travel with a backpack,climbing mountains.How safe is it for me to testing myself with physical challenges.I have changed my lifestyle diet,alcohol,sweets cakes all off menu.Seems my life is vegetable soup,fruit dried toast,I have lost 9 kilograms since my stroke.
Can stroke victims have a treat? Or are we destined to living on a vast supply of medication,afternoon nap.
I am thankful for every day,I still have fear every day,slight headaches,severe coughs,are they a trigger for another event.
Any wisdom friends is so much appreciated Chiz
@Chiz many people get back to doing adventurous things after a stroke so no reason why you couldn’t again in time. I would take it slowly & build back up to ot but if you feel well enough then why not.
Of course you can. Just be sensible about it. In moderation it should do no harm.
Your fear of another event will lessen in time. 34 days is very early on. Headaches & coughs shouldn’t put you at any more risk than anyone else. The time to be worried about a headache is if it is severe.
These are my views of course & I have no kedical knowledge other than my own experiences. If you are at all concerned you should seek medical advice.
Best wishes
Ann
I am 3.5 months post stroke and am almost back to normal, whatever that is, but banned from driving for 6months due to seizure post stroke, stroke and seizure happened whilst asleep.
I also worry about headaches since stroke, like you
I sometimes have minor background headaches and wonder if it is a sign of something serious, but otherwise
I feel fine so have ignored them so far, maybe it’s a sign of the brain repairing itself!?
I train in the morning but find I have to catnap for an hour in afternoon,I never used to.Still have balance wobbles.I can walk without a stick now.I am 38 days post stroke
Sounds like you are making great progress. At 38 days I spent most of the day asleep 
if you’re doing training in the morning then you’ll need that nap. In time that need should lessen. Well done on the walking. 