Hi, my name is Aysha. I just turned 30 this month. I had a stroke this past June. I am feeling overwhelmed and have been having a lot of anxiety around my health. Panic attacks have been happening more often, these happen usually on a night, I think subconsciously I have been waking up around the same time I had the stroke at night. Last night it happened a lot earlier around 10 pm. I think what sent me I to having a panic attack is waking up with my left hand/ fingers feeling numb and heavy as well as part of my right forearm. Has this happened to anyone else during their sleep as it has happened a few times to me now post stoke?
I also have been having ear pain/tinnitus which has been ongoing since January of this year. I just wanted to ask if it is normal or other people have experienced similar? Some days I feel I am doing better and making progress and then others I have nerve pain in legs arm and numbness and face and head along with the ear pain. Also this warm sensation around my spine to right side (doctors also are unsure of why I am having this)
My mobility/coordination was impacted and I had to learn to walk again etc. But thankfully I have improved a lot. I just feel I am now having setbacks and am overwhelmed. I have twin girls who are 3 so having to also take care of them during this time can be challenging for me.
I feel very lost at times. Especially as I do not know anyone personally who has had a stroke which was as rare as mine and who is as young as I am.
Any advice on coping with anxiety/panic attacks and different/new symptoms would be appreciated. When I have spoken about it with doctors a lot of them have no idea why I am experiencing these symptoms as the stroke I have had is not common for someone of my age. I have been prescribed Pregabilin. I have not taken this due to the side effects. I cannot allow medication to make me feel fatigued more than I already am especially since I have small children.
Circulation ; just move, squeeze, flex to restore
You can try a Thyme essential oil for that.
You could try Magnesium Citrate to relax your muscles and help circulation
Peripheral neuropathy might have a part,
Hi Aysha, I’ve had tinnitus since the stroke, in fact it was the one symptom that took me to the consultant who found I’d had a stroke. I only have tinnitus in one ear and have a hearing aid which I use. It is programmed to play white noise which masks tinnitus, it has volume button which means you can lower the noise which is what I use the most. You may find the tinnitus is louder if you’re tired or stressed, this seems to happen to lots of people. The hearing aid I have is a NHS one so there won’t be any cost to you. Your doctor should refer you or your stroke consultant. Hope this helps. I’m sure there will be other stroke survivors who will have other things to help you.
Hi @Aysha001 welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke and the struggles you’re facing at the moment.
You’ve mentioned not having anyone to talk to that is a similar age who has been through the same type of stroke as you. The Stroke Association runs an online group called Young People Connect - it’s a chance for people to meet of a similar age and share their experience and get tips and advice from each other - you may find this helpful. It runs on the last Wednesday of the month at 1:00pm. You can sign up to Young people Connect through our Online Activities webpage.
I hope you’ll find this community helpful, there are lots of people on here who will have had similar experiences and I’m sure they’ll be along to share their tips and advice with you.
If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol.
Shwmae Aysha, panic attacks are rotten experiences, I lived with them before stroke and after stroke went on Citalopram to suppress them. Citalopram worked very well for me but after four years, I no longer take it, however, my panic attacks have been pervasive for a long time and I wanted them out of the way while I tackled post stroke symptoms. Another medication that is effective in the short term is Lorazepam, half a tablet works very fast (15 minutes) and has a long half life. Benzodiazepines are considered highly addictive though and GPs are reluctant to prescribe it, it is only used as a short term solution. There are also some who use CBD oil, I have experimented with this but, for me, it is hit or miss, and I have no consistent experience with its effectiveness, so can’t really advocate for it.
Medication aside, techniques like Mindfullness can be used to manage a panic attack, these include grounding, controlled breathing, and other techniques to calm the mind. Unfortunately, none of these things will prevent a panic from beginning but they can help reduce the severity of it. For some people, panic attacks will disappear over time and considering yours are manifesting at night, during the time of your stroke, it may very well be related to that, but also it may also be sleep apnoea and not a panic attack. I have heard that sleep apnoea is common for some stroke survivors.
Thank you for responding! I have had my ears checked and have told the doctors and consultants about this issue but I was told by some they are not sure what’s the cause and others it was an effect only the stroke. No one has suggested hearing aids so I may ask about them.
The other idea I have comes from Qigong practice. Your uneven circulation is a direct consequence of your anxiety. That can even make you hot and cold at the same time. If I were you, I’d be practising breathing and getting in touch with your Chi (Qi), and using your mind to regulate your body. It won’t happen overnight, but you can learn to control your fears and emotions (your Xin mind that runs wild) also known as ‘seize the monkey’ with your intent (Yi).
Hi @Aysha001 and welcome to the community. Sorry you’ve had a stroke at such a young age.
You’ve had a lot of good advice given already so I won’t repeat it.
The panic attacks you are experiencing could be the cause of your hand/fingers feeling numb etc. If you can get your panic attacks under control hopefully that feeling will ease too.
It is definitely worth looking into things like mindfulness & if you are really struggling could you ask for a referral to a neuropsychologist?
You are still early on in recovery terms so these sorts of symptoms aren’t uncommon. Fatigue is likely to make you feel overwhelmed & having 3 year old twins is no doubt keeping you very busy at a time when you need lots of rest.
If you can get help from people around you so that you can get some rest.
I’ve had a lot success with short series of exercises. Increasing cardio on exercise bike followed by outward stretching, open arms and chest stretching back. I think it helps the blood and nervous system to spread out more. 500m on a bike changing the resistance not the distance.
Be careful and gentle not vigorous.
It might help if you’re feeling up to it
Keep it short and careful
Tim