Hi Ann,
As expected, I feel absolutely exhausted all the time!
My problem is that I cannot yet accept that I have had what amounts to a mini- stroke! The psychiatrists would say I am in a state of ‘denial’. I recognise this is true - but it is not much help.
A couple of years ago we started a ukulele group in the village and we have several bookings over Christmas to play for singalongs which are very popular. The trouble is that I am not sure that I feel up to it - not to exposing my post stroke problems - whereas I would usually be the life and soul of the evening! ( I said ’ we’ but it was really just me- and my husband followed along with me but he gets all the credit.)
I am not resentful - he is a much better player than I am - and - if he had not come home when he did, and seen so many similar cases, I might not be writing this now!
But I am so used to being independent…and in charge of my own life…
I woke up this morning with the words of the psalm - ‘Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…’ in my head.
I am not used to feeling so low…I am normally an optimist.
I need to find a little switch inside my brain to find my positivity.
They say that Time heals.
Thank you for your remarkably rapid respose to my first post. I look forward to more communications from this forum!
Hi @T0ngah0rse and welcome to the forum, I’m just sorry you’ve had need to join the club no one really wants to be in.
I’m 2yrs post stroke, I had 2 TIAs and yes, you do feel low afterwards. Your still in shock, it hasn’t been a week yet, but it will pass. I felt quite emotionally numb for quite some time afterwards but it wears off with each passing day/week however long it takes as an individual. @Mrs5K has already said, you need rest, and your brain is making sure that’s what it gets by making you feel so fatigued. Healing brains take a lot energy, burn through a lot of the body’s nutrients so keep them topped up. But remember, with any illness you feel low, certainly any major ones like this, it will get better.
@T0ngah0rse you are not alone with the acceptance piece. I think we all go through it. Even though I was on a stroke ward being told I’d had a stroke by the drs I didn’t believe them. It took me months to reach the acceptance part. You’ll get there just give yourself time. It’s a major event & very early days for you. Like yoy I was very independent & had a very busy, but enjoyable, life. To lose that in an instant is tough.
Fatigue is a major thing and you do need to listen to your body & rest loads. I didn’t initially (i’m a bit stubborn) & I got myself a 2nd hospital stay as a result.
I love the fact that you play the ukulele. You’ll have to see how you feel but this christmas might be too soon for you but you’ll definitely get back to it.
You might find the post in this link a useful read, to peruse at your leisure, that some fellow stroke survivors pulled together. It’s just a compilation of informative bits and tips which might help going forward Naturally not all will be relevant to you as all stroke are individual but there are some common similarities.
Hi tongahorse just read your post. I’m now just a year post stroke and still feel tired at times. Like people say trying too get better takes its toll on our brains and we must rest them… in hindsight I have made vast strides forward since the start of my journey but I have finally accepted it’s a very slow process so just keep on wx the exercises and set yourself little goals to achieve then some more once you have achieved those. Regards suzywoong
This post is very helpful to me! You have reminded me of all the progress that has happened in my own recovery, as well as to rest, which is majorly important in my life, but worries my family. Their worry makes me push my limits a little too far and I end up sleeping too much as an after effect. The social aspect also wears me down more quickly. Most especially if there is much movement around, or if it is loud, or there are too many people involved. I want to try going to see a band, but am afraid I would have to leave, as well as have trouble finding a ride there and back. I promised myself an outdoor concert last year but never found someone to take me. Perhaps I should wait and try again in spring.
Thank you for coming back to comment. Hope to see you again soon.
Hi DeAnn. Thanks for your comments. I also find large gatherings difficult especially if they are all talking at once - which conversation do you follow? I restrict myself to just local concerts now but have taken joy in that. My walking continues to improve - now up to 4km and at quite a pace. I think it’s important not to ‘accept’ (as in, don’t resign to it) our condition but to continually try and improve and/or work on the positives our new brain throws at us! All the best.
Naturally not all will be relevant to you as all stroke are individual but there are some common similarities.