Hello Alan, I had a stroke up both sides of my cerebellum in September. My balance is a bit off-kilter but only when attempting uneven surfaces or steps. My vision is still a bit askew, I'm glad that your vision issues have eased off. I never had an issue with typing, it's odd how damage to the cerebellum affects each person slightly differently but I guess it depends on where it hits. I'd be interested to know if you still have days when it gets worse.
Hello everyone I'm Hilary. I had a slight stroke in 2017 and made a good recovery but I had two seizures following this and was put on Epilepsy medication in addition to my stroke medication. My maternal grandmother died of a stroke aged 69 and I am now 70 so I suppose I am wondering what is coming next! Has anyone any tips about not brooding on these matters. Oh by the way I am on medication for a pituitary problem and I am on medication for bipolar affective disorder.
Dear Hilary
welcome to our little band of Stroke Survivors.
such a common problem following stroke is how to be positive and cheerful.
this year that problem is entwined with the issues of corona.
please accept that you are not alone. Lots of us are battling similar problems. I am in my early 70s and there are all ages as well.
You say you had a slight stroke. There are TIAs, clot strokes and bleed strokes. I imagine you had a clot stroke. To decribe this as slight is very brave.
Strokes kill. We are the survivors and that includes you. You have been chosen to live. You are by definition special.
We need to be positive. Otherwise our brains partially give up on us.
the simplest and often the most effective measure is to smile. Many many times each day. It can be a false smile, a forced smile a faked smile or a real one. They all work.
Walking is a very good remedy. A gentle walk six days a week can work wonders.
Relaxation is good. I use a recorded tape but anything will do.
I trust you sleep well. If you do not sleep then everything seems worse. It is the first essential.
So well done Hilary. You have joined us. You have survived. so you are indeed special
best wishes
Colin
Hi! I'm Betty Jo. I had a stroke July 23. I came home on Hospice, but just graduated to Palliative Care. I'm improving, but still having problems in speech and writing. I'm using a walker, but can take a few steps away from it carefully as my balance is not that good yet. Especially frustrating is that foods don't taste the same and smells, like cooking, smell awful. I feel lucky to have survived the stroke and I know many are in worse condition.
Dear Betty Jo
welcome to our little group.
speech and writing could mean you have aphasia. Just a word to describe the type of damage done by stroke. The taste thing is odd isnt it. I loved the hospital food whereas pre stroke i was so faddy. Some food tasted utterly foul. Upset the wife more than me. I didnt notice the smell thing too much, but then my wife cooked and i kept out the way.
Be prepared...stroke recovery is slow. Very slow. But keep steadily at it and things will come right. It really is very early days.
I found the stroke association leaflets were very helpful. Put things in to perspective.
No two strokes are the same but we share many common afflictions.
Get good sleep and things will improve.
drink lots of water
and smile, smile, smile.
you are doing well, only three months in.
colin
Hi Betty-Jo, Colin has given you a good response, and just so you know you're not alone, my husband was strange around food for quite a while after his stroke. He complained about odours, textures and it took a long time for hime to return to his normal tastes.
During his wobbly times, he bought lots of walking sticks!! He always had one to suit whatever he was wearing!! I just looked at them the other day and thought how proud and relieved I feel that he no longer needs them.
So, as Colin has said, progress takes time, but it will happen. Celebrate small steps and be patient with yourself. Take good care, and welcome to the site xx
Hello Betty Jo. My handwriting was affected in my stroke but the brain can find new pathways which is what happened to me.My handwriting recovered. It is very early days for you.
Hi Betty Jo- Like the others said, recovery takes time. The doc in the hospital told me: "It's not a race. It's a marathon." I, too, spent many weeks using a walker, then a few steps without, then weeks with a cane, then walking and increasing my number of steps each day by a few. Now 2 years later I walk a brisk mile every day. I never would have believed it possible in the first months after my stroke. The brain/body wants to heal. Be patient with yourself, and ,as was said, drink lots of water, and rest when you need too. You're not alone. Oh, and one more thing. Try to watch funny things on TV. I found that laughing really helped me. Hang in there. Love, Jeanne
Hello. Sorry for the late response. The typing has improved a bit, but not there yet. Generally speaking most days are the same now. Still get very tired at times, but oddly if I get more sleep at weekends, I feel tired all day. So I get up early every day.
Hello Jane. Sorry for the late reply. Yes I am driving, although have changed to an automatic as it is easier. Also a small SUV as it's easier to get in and out. Still get tired at times, but can cope. Sorry to hear you're still off work. Stick with it, improvement will come.
Hi. Sorry for the late response. Sorry you still have problems. It seems all strokes are different. I am now back at work, and am driving, although I had to change my car to an automatic as it's easier and an SUV because it's higher.
It's a lot better now, thanks, although not yet back to how it was before.
Mine's getting better, but still a way to go.
Hello. I'm Franki and I had a stroke 36 hours after surgery in August. Right side affected, physical improvement is good, faster than I expected but I was fairly fit beforehand. Great support from family and neuro psychology. Struggle the telephone contact because I need more time to process what I'm hearing or saying.
Hello Franki,
and welcome to the Forum. We're all some of the luckiest unlucky people in the world, if that makes sense (namely that we're lucky to have survived something that still kills thousands every year). At just four months since your stroke, it is still early days for you yet. Using the telephone will improve in time but it's no great shame to need more time to process what you are hearing. You may notice it more than other people. With great support from your family and therapists plus determination, you should hopefully find that life after stroke is good.
None of us here on the Forum are medical professionals but with many of us being months or years post-stroke, if you've any questions or challenges, or just want to vent about any challenges you're facing, we'll all be happy to help out as best we can.
This is a great online resource created by the Stroke Association (SA) who do a marvellous job of supporting survivors and raising awareness - something we don't often mention or talk about on the Forum but we are very lucky in the UK to have the SA.
Keep us posted, it's all onwards and upwards for you now,
Damian
I'm Jayne and I am 47. Had a stroke 2 weeks ago at work, felt ok and then had another in the evening, that was the main one. Effected my right side.
Exercising everyday. But I get very tired very quickly, have to think about everything.
Handwriting has come back already but face is numb on one side still so very wonky looking.
I have leg n arm ache most of the day alongside bad headaches. My blood pressure is extremely high still. Had my MRI last week and awaiting the results
Bit of shock and depression over last few days.
My strength in my leg n arm is not good. Simple things are difficult.
I find my hand moving on its own at night when I'm trying to sleep which is very annoying.
My hubby has been brilliant and bought me stuff to exercise with specially for stroke patients, and they seem to be working.
But my stamina is rubbish and stops me after half hour of doing anything.
Hello Jayne, the shock of a stroke can be very traumatic and it takes some time to come to terms with. I understand that your blood pressure is still very high, are you on medication for that now? I presume your doctor has prescribed some BP medication to bring it down.
The tiredness and pains on your affected side are all the effects of the stroke but will improve over time. Try to rest when you feel tired, in these early days it's easy to overdo things. The MRI will let the doctors and you know where the stroke occurred. You may need more medication when they get the result of the MRI, you will be reviewed to see how you are - this is all quite normal.
Please check with them about your BP if it is still high and you are still having headaches. Ideally you want your BP to be well controlled and this might mean taking BP medication. I had very high blood pressure and terrible headaches before I had a stroke over 2 years ago but my blood pressure is normal now on medication.
Hope this helps and try to rest when you need to.
Ann
Hi Ann,
Thank you for your reply.
Yes on bp tablets, aspirin and statins even though my cholesterol was ok when tested. It was 4.8.
I see the Dr next week and the speech therapist this Friday.
My blood pressure is still reading 174/ 100 so unsure if I should be exercising or just relaxing until I see my Dr
I left hospital with no advice or information on the do and donts.
Hi Jane, Two weeks is a very short time. Things will gradually improve. try to be patient and kind to yourself. Best wishes, Hilary
Hi Jayne, glad to hear you're on some tablets for your blood pressure, it sounds like the dose might need adjusting as your BP is still high. You seem to be on the standard medication following the stroke which we all start off on. I take BP tablets and aspirin. I had a reaction to statins so don't take them.
As you have an appointment with your doctor next week you can ask about exercise, I would wait until I've checked unless the exercise is quite gentle, you don't want to put your BP up any higher.
Leaving hospital without any advice is not unusual, you will hear from others on this site who had very little aftercare, there are some who have also had brilliant care it is very much a postcode lottery and adding COVID into the mix hasn't helped.
The stroke I had was found after I had a private MRI scan as I had tinnitus, I saw the consultant after and was told I'd had a stroke, I saw a stroke consultant at the hospital once and I've only seen my GP since then. Due to Covid I've not seen him since March. Just as well I'm ok really apart from some short term memory loss (which is improving) and tinnitus.
Anyway glad to hear you seem to be on the right treatment, things will improve it just seems to take a long time.
Ann.