I know everyone different but 5 week post stroke e and now hobbling on my own, started doing 0.5mile loop of the block once a day and timing it see how imptoves, just wondering how much would be to much thinking of going round a 3 mile res with a friend, at a stage where can walk but leg still feels like not part of body like walking on straight pole, also appreciate any tips to improve technique
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That’s a difficult one to answer as it is different for everyone. My advice would be to build up to it gradually. Try walking a little further each day & see how you get on. I suspect a jump from 0.5 mile to 3 in one go might be too big a leap.
You could try sit to stands, marching, squats etc to improve your strength & balance which in turn should help your walking.
Try some of these exercises too.
There are many websites out there that offer exercises. Find one that’s right for you.
And a big well done on your walking. At 5 weeks I was still struggling to get out of a chair. You’re doing great.
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Thank you didn’t think to use step fr shower as something for exercises!
Although feel going well with stroke recovery been having problems on unaffected side mostly thermal stuff driving me mad had mri last week awaiting results
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It’s amazing what things around your house can be used for exercises. I used to side strp along kitchen side whilst waiting for kettle to boil for example.
I hope you get some answers to your thermal issues soon. I can only imagine how muxh it is driving you nuts.
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I would say build it up slowly and take it easy. Take water with you and make sure you’re well hydrated. I had my stroke last January and on Monday walked 7 miles. I started by walking over a small bridge near where I live and when I first got out of hospital it took me over 30 minutes to walk over it and back again. I timed myself around October time and it took less than 4 minutes to go over it and walk back again. But the biggest advice I can give is easy does it and drink plenty.
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3 miles might be pushing it a bit at only 5 weeks post stroke.
It’s not just the physical side but the mental tole also that you have to consider. Foot traffic, road traffic, crossing road, uneven pavements, noise. There’s a lot of information for the brain to take in and process, to consider, and at a much reduced rate of speed than it used prior to the stroke.
And that just the external data. There’s also the whole process of walking, balance, gait, which the brain is currently having to relearning.
Test your limits. You’re only 5wks post stroke? Currently you can do 0.5miles. Try going for a mile next and see how you feel. And never wait until you tire before heading home again. You need to keep enough energy in reserve to make the walk back home, with enough energy to get a drink before site down.
If a mile is fine, then push for 1½ miles; if that’s good push for 2 and so on. But don’t burn into your reserves because that can leave you useless for anything else you had in mind for the day 
When walking, you may have a tendency to veer off course to whichever is your weaker side. So if you are right side is stroke affected, you would veer more to the right. I’m right side affected so I used to keep my left side to the kerb whichever direction I was walking, even if meant crossing the road. If I didn’t do that I walk out into the road. I nearly did a time or two in those early days, fortunately I always had my hubby to yank me back 
We soon learnt from that and ever since Sir Galahad always walks kerb side to me 
Not that I can’t walk a straight line now, it’s more just out of habit these days.
But certainly while your balance and gait may still off, it’s worth bearing in mind when out walking alone. It doesn’t take much to have your balance thrown and fall, best to be well away from the kerb for that reason
Lorraine
Stroke Improvement Group
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Thanks fr advice the res has no traffic just a quiet flat track round I’ve done a mile round the park over weekend which was all uphill and down might try build up to it fr end of week
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Well done Nico. 
My husband had a stroke at end of November and would be thrilled if he could even hobble.
His No 1 wish is to walk again.
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God bless him I was in hospital quite fast from wen happened still been rough few weeks tho and still be many more to come doing well in some aspects not so well in others
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He will Trisha - he will 
With your help, support and encouragement I feel it has to be a when rather than an if.
Wouldn’t you agree?
Takes care.
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Oh he will @Trisha2, where’s there’s a will there’s a way, as the saying goes. The fact that he would be thrilled to hobble says enough and there are plenty on this forum. How is his speech now, any better at all?
I’m assuming he’s home from hospital now, that was about a week ago wasn’t it? He must be some happy now he’s home after climbing the walls in shear boredom at the hospital 
Now he can start the real work for getting himself walking again now he’s not being hobbled by hospitals
Lorraine
Stroke Improvement Group
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He’ll get there. It sounds like he has the right level of determination. With your support too it’ll happen.
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Hi Trisha, your husband will get there. Try and stay positive, easier said than done I know. I can clearly remember my first steps after my stroke in 2017. I walked along the hospital corridor with a physiotherapist and holding onto the handrail on the wall. It was tough going and hard work but it felt like a massive achievement at the time and things progressed slowly from then.
My biggest achievement was the first time I walked on my own with a quad stick from the bathroom on the ward back to the chair beside my bed. I sat down and got my self comfortable and cried my eyes out, whilst trying to speak to my husband on the phone and explain what I had achieved. I’m not sure who cried more, him or me 
.
After 12 weeks in a rehab unit, I walked out and went home with a single stick, which I still use today (not the same stick but a single stick ).
Stroke is a long and difficult recovery journey and things get very tough at times but with determination and your love and support, I’m sure he will get back on his feet.
Best wishes to both of you
Regards Sue
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Just got back did 3 mile ok not sure if will feel it tomorrow
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Soak your feet in warm water with some salt (ordinary salt is fine). Helps relax and recover.
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Great shout got foot spa under the bed forgot about
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Well done on the walk. It’s a beautiful day here for walking. Sadly fatigue got me today so walk will have to wait.
So pleased you managed the 3 miles. Hopefully you’ll be ok tomorrow.
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Thank you tried a day without paracetamol today also, do the headaches ever subside can’t imagine being on them for life do me any good?
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I still get a lot of headaches but yes they should subside. I didn’t think they ever would but was very grateful when they did.
Kind of stabbing in the dark (ish) but I wonder if dehydration is partly responsible for the headaches. Normally, dehydration does lead to headaches and we are told to drink (x) amount of water a day depending on who is advising us.
I like to drink a glass of coconut water which is good for hydrating, but just tap water (with or without a slice of lemon) works just fine too.
Sometimes we forget the “rules” of healthy/normal living after an illness and start associating symptoms to the [recent] illness when in fact they may be just “normal” symptoms as part of “normal” living.
Did you have any water before/after/during your walk? That is quite a long walk you did and you may well have got dehydrated.
There you go, there’s my plug for drinking coconut water or just any hydrating fluid
Takes care.
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