I had a stroke on 4th July while working in my office. Thankfully, my wife got me to hospital quickly (ambulance wait was 5–6 hours). A&E care and the consultant follow-up were excellent.
Since then, I’ve had no GP follow-up—just a text for blood tests at a centre 8 miles away. I haven’t seen a doctor since the hospital. Is this normal, is this to be expected post stroke?
I’m still dealing with arm pain, poor concentration, memory issues, and sharp pains in my neck and head. Fatigue is overwhelming—I went from elite-level fitness to struggling with basic activity. I’ve built a good sleep routine, but recovery feels unsupported.
Would appreciate hearing from others about their post-stroke care and what support I should expect.
Hi DarrenC, welcome firstly and I’m both sorry but glad you have joined us.
My own experience wasn’t the best on finding out I had a stroke but they did do a few CT scans, took bloods and some basics of physio in an overworked hospital but as many will tell you services are a mixed bag and lottery. I have never seen my GP apart from last week to be signed off to return to work.
I had some arm issues as this was all that was affected and feel bad for you as a reasonably fit practising martial artist who my 50’s can keep up with teenagers it came as a shock. I’m lucky have no issues with concentration or memory and most other symptoms have cleared.
Take your time in recovery I rushed mines and took a setback which I’m just over, you do need support- here is a good start but GP could refer you to community nuero rehab( that’s what it’s called in my area) they do physio and nuero work still waiting on some counselling but the fact you have good sleep is a bonus. Take plenty of rest and breaks and don’t push it too hard , a colleague who was a nurse told me it takes at least 1 year for the brain to heal but it can also relearn. I celebrated doing up buttons, putting on jeans and being able to tie my own laces again so know it’s tough but can be done.
There are many knowledgeable people here who will give a great insight onto this, wishing you well and success on your recovery journey.
Based on what you’ve said, I can’t categorically say whether it is normal or not. One thing I have learned since joining this forum is that no two strokes are the same and so there is no normal. The normal for you might not be normal for others. That said, there are some commonalities and guidelines we can follow and support we can expect.
Based on first hand experience as a carer, I am going to try to address points from your message. What happened to us and what we experienced may not necessarily apply to you.
Well done your wife for getting you to hospital quickly.
I am surprised and unclear why the ambulance wait was 5-6 hours. It is my understanding that a stroke is a real emergency and the sooner you get to hospital, the better your chance of getting the best treatment. Think of the FAST guidelines.
So why if you called emergency services they would think you can wait 5-6 hours is beyond me. There is some piece of information that might be missing.
Wonderful - this is good to know.
Does not sound right at all.
There is a post discharge process and this should have been discussed with you when you were discharged from hospital. The discharge summary should have explained what happened to you, what treatment was given and what ongoing care is needed. You should have been discharged in the care of someone e.g. your GP and ongoing care plan recommended with any follow-ups.
From what you say you might be living in an area that does not have easy access to NHS services e.g. blood test centre 8 miles away?
So the above is not normal and you might want to contact your GP or your stroke consultant.
This can be / is “normal” but you should have access to support and information on how to manage this and also any supportive medication.
This is very good. You should try to get as much sleep and rest as possible. You will need plenty of this as you recover from your stroke. My advice (it’s personal) is you should absolutely put yourself and your health first - this means, do not rush back to work. Going back too soon will likely lead to unnecessary problems. Do not take this lightly - health and you are #1 priority here.
I refer you back to earlier comment - discharge summary, GP, stroke consultant. This is where your support starts from. Find out what’s gone wrong and why you are unsupported.
Peruse this forum and you will find plenty of information, all based on first hand experience and no holds barred.
You can use the search function to find posts on any stroke related subject.
Just as an example, I am going to search for “Post stroke support and recovery” in all topics and immediately all these posts come up.
Note in this case, the [More …] at the bottom indicates there are more posts.
Some of these may be relevant, others may not, but they can be a good starting place for you to find support and guidance.
Any post you submit will almost always generate one or more responses and almost always they will be very helpful.
In closing, I hope this is of some help.
I note you are being supported by your wife. If I may, I would like to suggest you talk to her and discuss how you feel and any support you require. I would also suggest you ask her how she feels and how she can be supported to support you. This is very important.
Wishing you and your wife all the best as you travel down the path of stroke recovery.
Hi @DarrenC & welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your stroke that you have come to a good place for advice.
In relation to post stroke follow-ups this can be very hit & miss depending on where you live in the country. I found that I didn’t have a follow-up with my GP but my discharge letter from the hospital explained the referrals etc that would be made for me and I was content that this covered most things.
If you feel you need to see the GP or would like to see the GP then just make an appointment so that you can discuss any questions or concerns that you may have.
Good to hear that your wife acted so promptly and was able to get you to A&E so you could be seeing quickly. Also good to hear that you’re stroke consultant and follow up has been good too.
Hi Darren, welcome to the club none of us wanted to join!
Your experience sounds quite similar to mine. I was discharged from hospital and told “See you in a year” I was told to contact my GP after 12 months to be referred back to neurology and haematology. I had no other support or aftercare.
I asked my GP to refer me via an econsult, which they did without ever speaking to me. I’ve since asked for a stroke review. This was done over the phone. I applied to get my license back after surrendering it for 12 months. Again the GP did their bit without ever seeing me. I haven’t seen a GP since February 2020. My stroke was in January 2024. In November 2023 I asked for a GP appointment as I had constant headaches. I was refused an appointment but given a blood test which popped up on the NHS app as “no further action” despite the fact that the blood cancer that caused my stroke being visible on that blood test.
I hope you get some where with your GP. The whole stroke after care seems to be a postcode lottery, and my postcode definitely isn’t winning
The best aftercare I have received has been this forum and the online activities where I’ve been able to hear and read other experiences and then ask questions.
It seems to be a muddle of post-code lottery and what the nearby medical team are like when it comes to post-stroke care. I got none. Not even physio. My stroke consultant was excellent mind you but locally, support was pretty thin on the ground. I recently moved to another town, one with more upper middle-class residents and got a text recently from my new surgery saying that my annual stroke review was due. Well, I’ll be hogsnaggled, in five years I’d never had an annual stroke review. Got that this week, was able to book the appointment online and booked it two weeks after being notified.
Hi @DarrenC and welcome to the forum. Before you settle on this being a postcode lottery. Contact the hospital you attended, they will naturally have a record and they may very well have had you referred to your local Community Stroke & Neurorehabilitation Team and you are on their waiting list. If not, then you can ask to be referred or get the community’s number and self refer direct. I know it’s 4 months since the stroke but they can still provide help and advice.
It should be very interesting to see how your annual stroke review goes. Having been written off early on, I am pretty sure we haven’t been offered one but I could be wrong.
What is this term hogsnaggled? I have never come across it before.
@DarrenC This is what the NHS give you. If you do not chase a GP, you are forgotten about and they presume all is ok. I have had dreadful time. challenging and very slow from GP response. GP’s do not know what to do with stroke survivors. That has been my experience. Good luck
Thanks for the details - very similar in circumstances. Even managed to get a doctors call for next week! The aftercare support is certainly a post code lottery for sure!
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke and that the aftercare you have received has been lacking.
It sounds like you definitely need an appointment to see your GP and I’m pleased to see you’ve now got a call with the doctors next week. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to keep pushing to get the help that you need and I hope being here, in this community will also be of benefit to you too.
Have you had a look at any of the information on our website? We have lots on there about fatigue, cognition, physical side effects and much more.
If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
Hi. 10/9/25 had my stroke. It took my speech mostly and thankfully it’s loads better now. Drops off when tired or try to rush my words. The service from the call of the ambulance to getting to hospital and been seen by the stroke nurse and taken straight down for scans and into the observation ward and then moved onto a ward were fantastic. Following day the therapy team came to see me and taken down for a CT scan of the neck. I was discharged that day. Came home and within two days contacted by our stroke nurses and visited within 2 days. I can’t believe when i read what you and others say how things are so different in other areas. I’ve had no issues seeing my Dr. In fact I went to see him on the 5/11 and he was so nice and understanding of how I’m struggling with my anxiety and confidence. I would be pushing for some support.
It’s so nice to hear from someone who has had such a wonderful service and support following a stroke. I wish you all the best as you continue to recover from your stroke. At least you can be happy in the knowledge you are one of the fortunate ones when it comes to the stroke survivors’ post code lottery
It might help us to better understand how this (lottery) works, for example if you are able to divulge any non-person identifiable information such as how old you are and where you live.
I care for someone who had their stroke in their late 80s and they live in a London borough. We found that due to the age and also the London borough of residence she (stroke survivor) had drawn the short straw and has missed out on much of the support post-stroke that would have put her in a much better place she is in now.
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke.
It’s great to hear you’ve had such good care and I hope you’ll find this community helpful for your recovery. If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
The day in question started normal. No issues. Mrs wanted to be up for 7 am. I went into tell her it was time to get up and a load of garble came out of my mouth not a single word was spoken. I’m 64 and live in kirklees. I was taken to Pinderfields hospital on blues lights fully aware of what was happening. Like I said before I can’t fault any of the NHS services received from the day it happened to today when I write this. Postcode lottery shouldn’t be happening. Everyone should receive the same service. And now with the help of the stroke association and help from the tips on the topics I can rebuild myself. Yes I’m suffering with the anxiety and confidence thing. But with the help I’ve been getting each day I see improvement. Today I took my around our local park on my own. Massive achievement for me and seeing the smile on my wife’s face for me going and doing it. My thanks go to her for saying you can do it. Hopefully returning to work in the next couple of weeks on a phased return. Can I do it. We will have to see. Yes I’m very lucky it only took my speech and I’m fully mobile. My thoughts go out to everyone who’s had a stroke and the family of the stroke patients.
Hi Gnasher - thanks for the additional information.
I can see you are “relatively” young and live in a part of the UK where perhaps the NHS services might be better. I feel the younger you are the more likely you are to get help to recover. I see this as in the interest of the state whereby, getting you back to work means you may be less reliant on state help and also contribute by paying taxes.
I have thought about it and others on this forum have commented (or maybe said to me) that they believe this form is discrimination is counter productive and by not giving consistent support across the board costs the state more in the long run. By that it seems that by not giving help with rehab, the person remains depended longer and remains in need of help and hence the costs add up. Had they had the rehab/support they may have made improvements making them less dependent or rather more self interdependent and so the need for care support would be reduced. A simple example, if someone is dependent on carers to transfer them from A to B, if they are helped to walk then it is likely they may be able to walk (aided with a stick etc.) and so the support from carer would be reduced - perhaps to simplistic a way to look at it, but there is a method in the madness of this (my) thinking.
For now, we cope as best as we can and accept we can’t all live in parts of the country that offer the best help.
Hi @Gnasher and welcome to the community. Sorry to hear you’ve had a stroke but good to hear that you have had such good care from the NHS. It can be very hit & miss. I think I was more fortunate than some but care could have been better in some areas.
It is good to hear you are thinking about returning to work and I hope it goes well. Just be mindful that a stroke is a major thing to happen & it can take time for it to settle. Watch out for fatigue. Try & take regular breaks throughout the day. Maybe a phased return is worth considering.
around our local park on my own. Massive achievement for me and seeing the smile on my wife’s face for me going and doing it. My thanks go to her for saying you can do it. Hopefully returning to work in the next couple of weeks on a phased return. Can I do it. We will have to see. Yes I’m very lucky it only took my speech and I’m fully mobile. My thoughts go out to everyone who’s had a stroke and the family of the stroke patients.