(Phew! Finally got the iPad to work here. At least the keypad allows me room to breathe..)
Ok, @Gorrie - you can lift and wiggle your toes, so we are on the same page so far.
Now, have you tried lifting your toes while taking a step forward? For me, at least, that means I strike the ground with my heel first.
When I first did it, it already felt almost like ordinary walking. Plus I find the ball of the foot then naturally takes the weight, and I roll on.
It’s best done outside, I suspect, like on a flat pavement, where you can take a good few steps and literally get into your stride.
If that works for you too, let me know and we can compare notes on the next steps (sic)……
(PS. I do still often have to do it deliberately at first, but after a few steps it starts to feel natural - until I’m distracted, and I have to remind myself. But it gets to feel more normal the more I do it…… )
Great!
No promises though; I’m still trying to work out how much of my scope for recovery may be as much to do with the particular stroke that I had (location and severity) as anything I then did.
But I think an experimental, exploratory approach might also be the most helpful thing; so go ahead and explore and we can compare notes!
A.new problem ! Yesterday approx,. 5pm I answered the phone to the GP,s surgery.It was a receptionist to tell me my blood sodium was low. It is1 24, normal is 135 to145! She told me the DR said to STOP the blood pressure and have a blood test NEXT Friday. I then asked to speak to a GP .To which I was told wasn,t possible as they were only there for results! Anyway I then decided to phone 111 for advice .I eventually ,after 40minutes spoke to an ANP who suggested I stop over two days and phone a GP on Monday,which I am doing.Now ,to keep as calm as possible until Monday to keep my bp down!! Just to clarify ,it was my bp going extremely high which caused my stroke! By the way ,this message is for anyone,not just Robbiej! I just didn,t know how to do it otherwise!
Hi @Gorrie just thought you might find this link useful to create your own post. It is a bit confusing to figure this site out at the best of times, but particularly with a stroke brain @Anna_Moderator or Admin would be able to transfer it to a new post for you, but that probably wouldn’t be until Monday now.
Hope you manage to get it sorted @Gorrie must be worrying for you but try & keep your stress levels down over the weekend. I am sure you will be fine but if you do become worried then call 111 for advice again.
I know nothing about low sodium but I think you’re absolutely right to want to talk to your GP before completely discontinuing blood pressure meds. I surely would.
I am sorry you have been given distressing news over the phone and are now having to wait to speak to someone.
Having read your post, I hope I can give you some reassurance. What you have experienced is exactly what happened to my Mum. I discussed this in a post in December 2024 - extract as below.
I would suggest you do as advised - stop the BP meds (Amplopedin?) and if you have a BP monitoring device, check your BP. But please do not worry - if it was an emergency or life threatening, 111 would have referred you to A&E.
In Mum’s case she was not on BP lowering meds before the stroke and was only on it post-stroke which was caused by a blood clot.
Mum has never been back on BP lowering meds since she stopped and she has been fine - her BP is normal.
You should wait for your GP to advise you how to address the low sodium levels, but Mum’s case as she was in hospital she was “normalised” with IV drips and then discharged.
The hospital gave no further advice (only stop the BP meds). But we later discussed this with her dietician as the sodium level was still low (though not critical) and for us the dieticians advice, which is what they advise all their patients in this situation is to add a half teaspoon of salt to the water as part of the daily fluid intake.
I am not suggesting you will be advised the same, but please try not to stress.
Mum is totally fine with no BP meds and just a half teaspoon of “additional” salt in her daily fluids.
Thankyou,for your helpful reply. I was on Candesarten ,which is known to reduce sodium! I did say this to my GP,especially as I have a tendency to have low sodium. However she said the sodium level.had been "stable"in my last blood test! I,m taking my BP and so far so good! I hope it continues!
You will be alright - just keep an eye on things. Remember the things that are important and don’t panic.
With medication - try to ensure you know how long you should use it for and also the possible side effects e.g. Candesarten is know to reduce sodium. In that case, the GP should have advised you to do something to counter that effect. For example, add extra salt in your diet (as they have told us) or given you some other medication to take that compensates the sodium lower effect of the BP medication.
Anyway, you can relax and wait to speak to the healthcare professionals for their guidance, but always be prepared - read the medication leaflet and ask the pharmacist or GP if you should do anything if/when the side effects kick-in.
Hi getting back to your original comments on walking I am 18 months post stroke and my walking is still quite - how can I put it - stilted, awkward - not relaxed and smooth for sure and I get some days better than others. I am sure it is not pretty to watch.
Today for example I did 600 steps, with my stick but only used the stick a little bit, I have been know to do twice as many steps but there was no way that was going to happen today. In general it has gradually improved but stroke recovery brings a whole new meaning to the word ‘slow’
