Hi, Just found "my stroke guide" I had a stroke 6 weeks ago

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Hello, I am 51 years young and I had a stroke in the last week of November 2019.  Here is my stroke story.

I thought that a stroke would never happen to me.  "Stroke's only happened to people that live on poor diets, never exercise of old people"?

I would class myself as a sport billy, I ran a marathon in 2017, walked the 3 peak challenge in under 24 hours. Run 10k races with good times every year since 2014.  I go running and to the gym 5 days a week. I do martial arts, I love walking, don't drink or smoke.

My life was good, in October 2019 I did a 2 day grading for my Black belt.  On the last few hours on 1st day I took a knock to my head which knocked me out for a few seconds. Altough I felt concussed, I carried on with the grading and finished both days.  

When I got home I noticed that i had clear liquid coming out my ear. I just ignored it an carried with work and the gym.  5 days later when speaking with a work mate he told me to get it checked out.  So I went to the doctor and he noticed clear dried fluid in one ear and blood in the other ear and phoned 999.

I was taken to A&E and was checked and had a head scan. I was given the all clear and discharged.  My wife told me that she didn't want me to continue to do a martial art, now that I have achieved a black belt. So I agreed and decided that I would pack it in and find someting else.

So I took up Tug of War,  I did 2 weeks training and loved it.  I made 2 teams from different weight categories and entered the competition.  Both my teams came 3rd place and we won 2 bronze medals.  During my last pull on the rope and competing for the medal I went a little light headed from the effort.

At the end of the event I went home and my wife mentioned that I wasn't finishing my sentences.  I told her I was just tired.  I felt fine I had my tea, a shower and had an early night.  The next morning I was getting ready for work and my wife and I realised that something was up. My speak made no sense and my wife dialled 111.  They called an ambulance and they assessed me, and took me to a&e where I was treated for a stroke.

I spent 30 hours in hospital and have had home treatment with GPs, SaLT. Occ health, physio.  Heart tests, eyes, ears, BP, blood tests etc.  The nhs staff and teams have been wonderful.  However, the only person I have not really had any dealings with, is the consultant, to date? I saw him breifly when I was in the stroke ward and i was unable to talk.  

Sorry for the ramblings, this is my stroke story to date.

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Dear Clarkey

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear of the stroke that bit you. Was it an ischemic with infarct ? Your discharge letter should give a clear diagnosis. Do keep that letter handy, you may well need it over the next months. OIf ou were not given the letter ask the staff at your GPs for a copy.

Most of us were disgustingly fit prior to a stroke. Not necessarily at your super fit level but much fitter than average. If we were not fit then I doubt that many of us would have survived. Strokes get people of all ages, including children. Stress or high BP is often a factor. Strong heart and general fitness jusrt help you through the initial attack and probably makes recovery a bit less slow.

Lots of us are here for you.

Best wishes

Colin

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Hi Colin. Thanks for your reply.

Yes my stroke was a ischemic stroke. Apparently rather than 1 large clot, i had a shower of small clots throughout the brain.  I think that i got off lightly and physically ok appraxia seems to be the only outward symptoms to be seen by others.  However as with brain injuries there are hidden issues to come to terms with.  

The speciallists dont know what caused it.  However after the stroke my BP was at a dangerously high level and it is usually low.  It was low after the Martial art injury and low when i got checked by the gp 2 weeks after the stroke.  It just spiked at the time of the stroke probably caused by the tug of war.

I didnt have a understanding of strokes as all the adverts advise people that you are at risk it you lead an unhealthy life style.  But it appears that anyone can get it regardless to age and physical condition.  I know plan to help out in time and to raise awareness.

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Hi Clarkey - I also thought strokes were something that healthy people didn't get.  All the time we have it drilled into us that you must have a healthy diet, stop smoking, don't drink as these cause strokes and heart disease. I'm a non smoker, don't touch alchohol and normal weight. Like you, I was fit though older than you `(65) when I had mine. I had just joined a new gym and was doing a 'round' of the machines after my induction. I was already a regular 3 times a week gymmer but didn't like my previous gym. The previous day and the day of my stroke, I had a completely blood shot left eye. I wasn't worried as this happened sometimes if I bent down too quick.  As the day progressed, the eye got worse but never gave it a second thought. After the gym, I felt a bit wobbly in the legs - a bit like I'd gone too long without food so stopped off at the supermarket and had cottage pie. 

That evening 6pm just after tea I got up off the sofa and my left arm went down like a lead weight. Gradually, I could feel it going completely numb like someone was filling it up with sand.  I ended up in A & E and had a clot on my right middle. 

It wasn't until I came on here that I realised it's not only older people or unfit people that have strokes. There are so many younger people on here too. Most of us on here, as Colin says, were also fit and healthy. I agree that much more awareness needs to be done to educate people on the signs and that it's not just Grandma and Grandad that have them.  

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Totally agree with you.  I hope your recovery is going well?

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Very well thanks.  I'm 2 and a half yrs post stroke and back at the gym but, this time, under supervision. Little bit of cardio to warm up and cool down and the rest weight training. My strength has increased quite a lot in the 3 months I've been back at the gym so really happy. Glad you are progressing well too.yes

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None of the doctors /consultants could find a reason for a stroke getting me. The most senior consultant said I was plain unlucky. 

If you are going to attempt to spread some info, which I applaud, I would mention that your infarcts are exceedingly rare. 

I would also mention that babies have strokes before they are born, this is apparently termed cerebal palsey.

No two strokes are the same. It is mathematically almost impossible for two of us to be identical. Lots of us however, have similar outcomes. 

It is disgraceful that strokes are such a cinderella disability. We have the huge problem that the physical impairment is often negligible whereas the cognitive stuff is severe and invisible.

I am plagued by lack of understanding by the vast majority of people. 

GPs are not able to deal with us. We need another branch of medical care altogether. The stroke association is better than nothing, but for instance it does not cover the area where I live, which is rural Essex. We have an excellent voluntary group who cover a lot of what the SA would otherwise cover.

I have noticed that a lot of us have heart issues after stroke. Mostly these are temporary and we just need to take care for a year or two. My heart rate was all over the place and I considered paying for a pacemaker. The Doctors advised against it. They were right. After about 18 months my heart rate settled back to its low but constant rate.

I need to continually tell myself that none of my limbs nor functions are damaged, it is only the messaging system that is broken.

Take care

Colin

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Hi Colin,

A very interested reply, thank you.

I am orginally an Essex boy, but have lived in the west midlands for many years now.  I am about to start work forvthe first time since the event on monday on a phased return.  So it will be interesting to find people reactions.

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Hi,

I am sorry to hear you have had a tough time and hopefully you will see your consultant very soon and get the answers you want. I have had some lovely advice from people here. 

I am 47 years old and had just arrived in Bath Christmas market when I suddenly felt as though my left leg had gone spongy as I said to my mother in law, my left arm also had no coordination. The time this happened was 11 in the morning but because my speech or face was not affected I did not believe it would be a stroke... five hours later I was still shopping (hardcore shopper??‍♀️)

The time had come to go home and get back on the bus, I was dragging my left leg and could not use my left arm, people were looking at me as I looked drunk as my balance was off also. When I got home at 7 o clock I rang the nhs helpline for some advice who told me to get to A&E straight away. 13 hrs I was in A&E, I had a ct scan which showed I had a stroke the 5 hrs later I was put on the stroke ward. They carried out a further mri scan and a scan on my throat. I was given medication and released from hospital and have was not contacted at all until last week when I went to the doctors. It's been awful frightening time and a lonely time too until now I have found this group.

 

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Dear Clarkey

Thats amazing that you are starting work so soon after a stroke. Most of us take 9 months and more before we could do a days work. I am long past 9 months and couldnt manage a day. I work for just 5 hours a month on a voluntary admin job. Highlights that we are all different, no two strokes are the same.

Some have decided not to mention that they are in stroke recovery. I think I would like to change to that strategy on the grounds that its better if people accept you as you are. 

I am from Harrow and moved to deepest rural Essex when I retired. Family have been here since the mid 1950s. This area is really Constable and Gainsborough land, but as we are South of the river then we are Essex. Probably we would fit better as Suffolk, but I am honoured to be part of the village culture in this coastal area. 

Good luck on Monday

Colin

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Bless Ya Jay,

That must have been really scarey for you,  i hope you have gained some type of recovery/strength on your limbs?  Well i read you guys replies it makes me feel that im not alone.  And people like me are sadly having strokes all the time. 

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Thank you, the first week after I got home from hospital I was deeply ashamed of my stroke.  It showed a weakness to me and that i am now half the man i was.

The SaLT changed my outlook in less that 10 minutes. I was no longer a stroke victim and was a survivor. 

Now even that the stroke was only 6 weeks I have changed my outlook.  I am using my sporting background to fight this.  I am now plan to win  this and still be the best person I can be. 

I have encouraged my love ones not to shy away from my stroke, laugh and joke when I say the wrong or random word. On christmas day I asked my daughter to pass the gravy and it came out as the C bomb, the first time my kids have ever heard me swear,  we all just burst into laughing. I am now finding using humour and the competition of now being beaten my best tools for get through this difficult period of my life.

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You get a discharge letter saying what stroke it was ? I was given nothing at all x 

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Hi Jayc - You should have been given a letter but if you didn't get one then contact your GP as they will have a copy (or should have) if you had a stay in hospital.  Even if you didn't stay in hospital, they will have informed your GP at some point that you were seen in A & E and why.

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If you are admitted to hospital then, when you leave hospital, the hospital doctor writes to your GP to give your diagnosis and other notes. You are entitled to have a copy. Now Doctors are so busy that these letters might take several days. But they will be done. If they forgot, or didnt bother, to send yours to you then ask your GP surgery for your copy. The GP staff should be able to provide this to you without the need to make a GP appointment. If you meet any obstructive behaviour from staff then ask to see the practice manager. A polite and firm request should do the trick.

I have needed my copy for several reasons, mostly when claiming benefits. Also, it is so easy for people to dismiss your disability. If you know the diagnosis then you will always have the upper hand. 

Not least of all, when we swap experiences with each other then it helps a lot if we know the diagnosis. I am not a medical person and usually I dont want to know any details, but with stroke recovery its a different matter.

Best wishes

Colin

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Hi all I’m 65 and had 3 aneurysms and a stroke in Spain while on hol last year I was seemingly born with the big one I had been treated over two visits for migraines but after being discharged hubby got the doctor in and he sent me to a diff hospital where I was admitted and hubby told me I just collapsed unconscious in the bed they put me in a coma as heart nearly stopped as we had to wait for two specialists coming from diff parts of Spain . I can on,y remember going once to the hos nothing after that till I woke up after the op

I was in hos 4 weeks and was lucky I wa on operating table after the 3 rd aneurysm and decided to have my stroke while they were working on me 

I couldn’t of been luckier in timing of it haha hubby says that’s typical of me 

I’m just so lucky I’m still walking and talking although speech is a wee bit wonkey esp if I’m tired which is quite a lot esp if I go out but I’m still here that’s the main thing we had just moved house to opposite my daughter  and just got house in living order before we went on hol so again I was so lucky it happened after the move good timing that was on so many levels I’m waiting to see if I get my license back fingers x I get the app on about 6 months for that a big waiting list at the hos for it so fingers x on that one a big bonus if I do Iv just had my years checkup to make sure my heads still on and all is fine 

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I had two mini strokes in October with no lasting effects

 I went for outpatient appointment 4 days later where I was told I had blocked arteries either side of neck. 4 hours later I was in hospital 24 hours I had a carotid entorectamy . I'm so lucky if I hadn't had the tias I'd deffinatley had a full blown stroke 

I'm back in work now and well recovered. 

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I never thought Id have a stroke either although I have atrial fibrillation.im fit and did weight training and ballet three times a week. Then on 29th August I had a stroke. We were on a day out with our grandchildren. I thought I was having a migraine but my husband recognised it was a stroke, I wasn’t making sense and my face dropped. I was very lucky to get brilliant treatment and had a thrombectomy in Oxford then tranferred to Watford General  nearer home. I’ve made great progress but had to work at it. I think being fit has helped the recovery. I still have fatigue and my shoulder is weak but I hope that will improve in time. That’s my stroke story.

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When you describe your leg as being songey Jayc I realise this is how mine felt as if I was stepping through glue. I’m glad you eventually got the help you needed.

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Hi Ruthie.

Thank you for your comments, i can you continue to recover quickly and agress that they fitness has helped

Yes the fatigue is tough.  Sometimes i forget that ive even had a stroke as i look and feel well and there are no visual signs that ive had a stroke.  But the tiredness can totally wiped me out after going out for 3 to 4 hours, and im left shattered for hours.