As far as I am aware, worrying hasn’t helped anyone get anywhere.
Worrying just adds unnecessary stress/strain, so why worry?
If you are worrying about something that has happened, why worry about it? It has happened - it’s over. Worrying about it isn’t going to change it!
If you are worrying about something that may happen, why worry about it? It might happen or it might not. Worrying about it isn’t going to change it!
If you have done whatever you can do to prevent something from happening which would worry you were it to happen, there is nothing more you can do! Worrying will not help - you have done all you can!
Don’t worry, be happy. If you have done everything you can to prevent something from happening and it still happens, well that’s life!
Hey @Baldrick,
I’m 18 months in after a massive ischaemic stroke and I still get loads of twinges and prickles as well as mini headaches but these evolve and change now manifesting bit differently to when I first got out of hospital. Everyones journey is different though. Hang in there mate and remember how brilliant you brain is!
x
What a great last line there Samm. Thanks for mentioning your ongoing symptoms and how they change too. Very useful knowledge- I am more relaxed about things now than I was even a week ago and thats largely because of shared experiences as you have just done.
And I will remember how brilliant all our brains are!
Thanks Samm - have a great week.
@SammHaillay and @Baldrick - I have been told on more than one occasion that
“If you’re brain were dynamite, it wouldn’t be enough to blow me 'at off!!”
I take that as a compliment. Imagine having a dynamite brain
I imagine we’re all much the same! I know I’ve spent long hours worrying, and especially the first few weeks I was really anxious about every little ache or pain. This has receded over time, but I’m still struggling a bit with a kind of general-purpose anxiety (ranging from “Oh gawd, what was that?” to “Will I have another stroke?”); again, I expect that’s pretty standard. Although the individuality of recovering from a stroke is often emphasised, actually what I increasingly realise via this forum is how we also all share a number of similar symptoms.
It will get easier, is all I can say. The brain repairs more than neural pathways, it can do a fair bit of DIY on the psychological effects of trauma, too, given a bit of time.
I understand your fear…2 days after discharge due a stroke, I woke to both of my cornea’s being blood filled. Now I realise that the massive doses of anticoagulants caused blood vessels to burst…but I panicked…and that’s the thing…I now live every day in abject fear of my body letting me down again
I’ve had spinal surgery, breast cancer etc.,.but this…it’s hell.
With those, you have the treatment and each day there’s improvement. With this, you’re alone, terrified and waiting for the other shoe to fall especially as ostensibly I had no stroke indicators…not diabetic, overweight,. sedentary etc.
It’s been the longest 3 weeks of my life…every day is literally one step forward and 2 back
Added to this, I absolutely have no reason or right to complain…I have been so lucky…no physical deficit. Family and acquaintances keep saying how well I’ve got over it
Hi, I had an ischemic stroke and thrombolectomy 3 weeks ago, in my early 60s and an ex nurse, lecturer in Laws and historian…well, I was, I just have to see how much of my brain is mangled
I’m impatient, terrified and lonely…most of my life has been wrapped around my intellect…the remainder on dogs, horses and art.
Hi tsb - & welcome to the community.
The 2 main take away ive got from this site are:
Be kind to yourself ….. &…..
Give it time..
As you know I get your pain & fear. Been there. Im so happy u say u have no physical deficit like me we have been lucky. The event with your eyes sounds very frightening and certainly not helped with you coming to terms with things post stroke.
Like you too, I had no risk factors it’s all very confusing. And frightening. I spent a lot of time afraid of sleeping going out and as u mention wondering how much of my brain has been affected. Well thankfully I am still me. Obviously I have a concern long term. Obviously I still worry about the chance of another stroke. But as TIME goes on (& im only 6 weeks in) this worry has got much less.
The main difference is the tiredness but im learning to manage this i do sleep like a baby much better than before stroke but it irritates me I may need a nap in the afternoon and going to bed before 8 asleeep by 9🤦♂️!!….. but I know if I don’t whole days are wiped out. And I don’t want to waste a single day. Im also lucky ive got the best family the kids (nephew niece) are great as always keep me on my toes their feeling and care has been impressive for ones so young and friends have visited but made no demands understood when ive needed a day to rest etc but taken me out for afternoons too. Ive also been flying again but with an instructor obviously!
Sorry - gone on about me too much …. I think give yourself time and put yourself first. The worry will diminish- and please keep posting on here friend, say how you are doing please.
Finally thank you so much for sharing your experience. It’s been a truly frightening time for all of us - your experience helps and I hope u get as much from this forum as I (& I think most) have.
@tsp Hi and welcome to the community. Sorry that you’ve had reason to join us but hopefully now you’re here you’ll find it as helpful and supportive as many of us have found.
The fear that you are feeling is something most of us went through after our Strokes that hopefully you will find that this fear will subside as time moves forward. You have to try not to live in constant fear as the stress and worry will upset your life as much as if not more than the stroke itself. Recovery can sometimes feel like one step forward and two steps back. It’s best to look back over weeks rather than day-to-day as this gives you a better picture of how far you have actually come. A lot of us kept a diary particularly in the early stages and it’s good to use that to reflect on on how much progress you have actually made. This is particularly useful on the days when you are feeling low and feel like you are going backwards.
If you have any questions or want any advice please feel free to ask away there’s usually somebody around who can answer.
So sorry you are struggling, it is a very scary experience and as others have said something we have all gone through or are going tbrough.
I had my ischemic stroke at the end of May and have found it a roller coaster of emotions.
It can be overwhelming and a very lonely place to be sometimes, no matter the severity of your stroke.
I have learnt that patience and self kindness is essenrial. Don’t be frightened to reach out to others on the forum, they are a wonderful group of compassionate and kind people with a wealth of knowledge and stroke experience.
I would also consider asking for support from the stroke association, I found their support services tremendously helpful in the first few weeks. I am now having regular counselling through my employer to help process all the emotions and worries that having a stroke brings.
The main thing is to ask for help when you need it, worry and stress are very bad for your recovery. Wishing you well and sending you hugs.
Lizx
Thanks for taking the time to respond…especially as I know everyone here has their own tragedy. It’s incredibly difficult, scary and utterly lonely…at least I know you all understand
