Hi all. I will be 3 months post-stroke on Jan 2. I’ve been healing reasonably well, and just had two weeks of feeling better than ever. Yesterday unfortunately, I has a terrible episode of pressure in my head, so much so I could barely stand it. I also had a bit of an ache on my left side, down the cheekbone and under my left eye (the brain side affected). I almost asked my wife to take me to the doctor.
Today is a lot better, but my head is a bit heavier than it was those two good weeks. Is this normal? I know everyone’s recovery is different, but wanted to ask if anyone else has experienced this level of discomfort and pressure.
@Mothman it is different for everyone but I experienced pressure in my head for many months post stroke. I thought it would never go away and it really got me down. It does seem that a lot of people get it but if it is severe you should get checked out by a dr.
Could it be you have been doing more given you’d been feeling a lot better? If so it might well be a fatigue symptom. Fatigue isn’t just feeling tired it can have physical symptoms too.
I’m no professional, but having a stroke does cause worry, stress and tension, which could appear as pressure. Sharing your fears with a professional would not be a bad idea.
Stroke is not something to be recommended but over time one becomes better at coping with the difficulties it can produce. There will be ups and downs. Try to take advantage of the ups, regardless we have survived and there is a life for us.
a post-stroke anomaly ; I went through several. I would look into PBM / RLT / NIR and Grounding (1 or 2 hours per day to start). Also, check electrolytes ; drink water / better still drink coconut water ; plenty. Quick fix; Eat a banana & avocado (K+) and put some Himalayan salt under tongue. Read up on all I mention
Thank you All. Always great answers. I’ve been good sinc that day, so am playing it by ear. I’ve taken all your suggestions on board, most appreciated!
Personally, I would speak to your local Stroke team if you assigned one or your gp. They might want to investigate to ensure you aren’t having another stroke or just an effect of your stroke recovery…a bit like the after effect tremors of an earthquake. Their assurance is also good for your psychological wellbeing, which aids in keeping you calm and as stress free in your recovery as you can be
Hi all, just a quick update. About two weeks or so ago I started to feel a lot better, and the majority of the head pressure went away. It’s been good since then, apart from yesterday and today when I felt a mild version of it. I also slept in late this past two mornings. Kind of odd. I haven’t even had to take my afternoon naps for two weeks+ but I suppose it’s all part of the healing process. Maybe it just gets more spaced out as time goes on.
Good to hear things have improved. You will likely get moments where the symptoms come back as thay seems thr nature of a stroke. It could be that you have done a bit more and you’re suffering a bit of fatigue.
I get slight headaches but not too bad. It’s more a weird heavy buzz on the brain for me. Near-permanent headaches sounds a bit worrying. Like you say, you never know if it’s a concern or just “normal” for post-stroke life…
Hi Mothman/Mrs5K.
I had a TIA at end of Jan resulting in double vision which is steadily resolving. However, I still get headaches . The headaches are not terrible and go away once I take 2 panadol. They feel more like a zappy/ lightning strike headache which comes without any warning.
My question is: - when you mention “pressure in the head” is it similar?
I am seeing a neurologist in a fortnight and am unsure how to describe the headaches to him/her.
Also, since the headaches go away with medication. Is it something I should see my GP about before I see the neurologist? Its very difficult to interpret the physical effects as to whether they could be a precursor of an actual stroke.
@She1 i can only offer you my experience & would say if you are worried you should see your GP.
I had a pressure feeling in my head for many months after my stroke. It was really difficult to describe but I often used to say that I felt like my head was going to explode. That might have been an exaggeration but I didn’t know how else to describe it. It didn’t go away with medication. Mine was there all the time. I wouldn’t describe it as a zappy/lightning strike.
A lot of people describe various types of head pain after a TIA/Stroke. Not surprising i guess as it is a brain injury.
Prior to my stroke one of the symptoms I had was a persistent headache. I hadn’t really paid a lot of attention to it as I had other more worrying symptoms at the time. I remember the GP asking me if I had a headache & whether it went away with medication. That was when I realised I did have a headache & it hadn’t cleared with meds. It wasn’t mega painful but was very persistent. I took that to mean theybwould have been less worried had it cleared with meds.
Are you feeling a bit anxious after your TIA? That could be causing your headache. Also, if you are on new meds that could also explain it. Or it could just be an effect of your TIA.
I don’t know if thay helps at all. Good luck with your neurologist appointment.
Hi, its me again… i went to neurologist yesterday.
All bloods and scans came back normal and double vision has resolved. Neuro reckons it was a 6 nerve palsy in my right eye.
However, since my blood pressure is fine,am not diabetic, nor had head trauma and have never smoked, non drinker. He can give no cause as to why I had the palsy.
I also asked about the headaches and fatigue. Again no specific cause was given. I’m very low on vitamin D. So I’ll take supplements to see if that helps, while I am glad there was no brain damage ( neuro didnt think it was a tia after all).
Its very frustrating that I still dont have any answers. I understand the medical profession eliminate possible factors when diagnosing illness, but I just wish someone could tell me what it was rather that what it wasn’t.
I was lucky, but I hope there won’t be any other repercussions as I get older. ( again neuro couldn’t say)
Well fingers crossed ( preferable to eyes being crossed, lol
Thank you everyone for listening to me.
Wow great result! No TIA/stroke is amazing news. I know it’s frustrating you didn’t get a proper ‘diagnosis’ or cause of what’s causing your symptoms. But I’d take that over the alternative any day of the week
Good to hear you haven’t had a stroke / TIA. Although that does leave a lot of unanswered questions for you. Medicine is often about ruling things out before thay can say what happened.
Good that your double vision has resolved. Low Vit D can cause fatigue do taking supplements should help that along with enjoying the sunshine.
Great to hear it’s not serious then, @She1. It’s frustrating when they can’t work out what is going on though, but it sounds like you’re doing everything you should be!
I have been a lot better for the past few weeks. Unfortunately I was laid off my job and am now looking for a new one but at least I’m here to look.
but at least I’m here to look.