Hi all. I've been reading lots of the messages here and have found the support and kindness you all show each other really heartwarming. My own story began 6 weeks ago today when I suffered a stroke at work. I've been incredibly lucky and other than slurred speech and a left hand that won't do as its told, I'm relatively unscathed. The worst thing for me right now is the fatigue. My gp said to me, 'a stroke won't make you tired' but I read quite the opposite. Is this normal and how long does it take to subside? I'm also finding it difficult to keep cheerful. My favourite thing is to cook but with only one useful hand it's less joyful and more frustrating.
Hi Sarah, welcome to the forum. Not sure why your Dr would say that a stroke won't make you tired as everything you read tells you about the fatigue, I think a lot of GPs don't know enough about strokes. After my subarachnoid hemorrhage in April this year I came across a brilliant story "A letter from my brain", just google it as it's so true. It is hard to be cheerful all the time but look upon it as you are one of the lucky ones - you survived! Good luck with your recovery.x
Hi Katy. Thank you so much for your reply. It's good to hear that this exhaustion isn't just my imagination. I'm going to go to Google and have s read, thank you so much for the recommendation. I do feel very lucky, it could have been so much worse. X
Hi Sarah. Post stroke fatigue is well known but little understood. My stroke was nearly four years ago and the fatigue hit me as soon as I went home. It has eased, but I still need an hour's rest/nap every lunchtime. My physio recommended no more than an hour and that seems to work. I am 76 though so some of the fatigue may be age related.
Cooking (mostly one handed) has been my salvation. I advise thinking tasks through and trying to find an alternative method if needed. I can now peel veg and chop onions and garlic. I bake cakes and bread, make puddings and pies and marmalade and jam. Early on I made mistakes, broke things and cut myself occasionally, but the more you utilise your weak hand, the more it will improve. Also, do laugh at your mistakes. It will help you keep cheerful.
The best advice I had was at my six month review when my consultant said to me, 'Although you are not yet the person you were, remember to be the person you are now.'
Good luck on your journey.
I love that advice, what a lovely message. Thank you so much x
All I can say is your GP is totally mistaken and makes everything else they say irrelevant, if they dont understand the very basics.
Fatigue is overwhelming and 'normal' after stroke. Nearly 4 years on and its a constant companion. Even after a sleep, I wake and am exhausted. There are obviously different reactions for different people and it may improve after time, for me it has not.
Best wishes on your journey forward.
I'm sorry to hear it's still there for you. Thank you for your message, it does help to know what to expect and yo hear others experiences. X
Hi Sarah
Hang on in there! As people will tell you every stroke is different and the way we deal with it is probably different too. I am six months past mine which affected my right hand side but that is getting much better because I have worked hard at what I couldn't do to try to get the brain making new 'pathways' to replace the ones that were damaged. I did it on the basis of finding things that helped, first it was a squeezy ball for my hand, then it was a foot roller for the pins and needles in my feet. I couldn't use the touch screen on my phone so I took to playing games and now I can use it just fine. I found practice really helped and although it was frustrating at first I got there. I am sure you will find something that works for your difficulties.
Same with the tiredness - I thought, and still do, that it was partly because the brain takes time to heal and I was giving it a lot to do in rebuilding new pathways. The other thing is my blood pressure is down now so my body is, I assume, getting used to that too. I participated in the POSITIF progamme, hoping that would help, but unfortunately it sapped my mood so I gave it up. I am determined to remain postive so anything that damages that has to go. I did find I was doing OK until about teatime and then I needed to rest for a while, even that is getting better, but some days are better than others. I have never been one to eat much at lunchtime but now I do and that also helps with the tiredness.
I feel sure that you will get your left side back in time, don't give up, keep practising and stay positive. It might not happen as quickly as you would like but it is early days for you. Good Luck.
Joan
Hi, I'm neary three years post stroke. I've lost all use of my left arm and 80% of both my hand and left leg. I walk with a tripod and do as much as possible with my right hand,using my left to steady things. Like John I cook, peel veg, tho have learned to like spuds with peel on, I make marmalade and cakes too. I can't wash up, things won't stand still while I whiz them round with a sponge. Every day I am fatigued, every night I'm wide awake, sleeping at most four hours, so although I never actually sleep in the day now, I rest in a reclining chair. Fatigue has been really hard for me to live with, even now, I'm embarrassed to be caught with my eyes closed in the chair. But I know it's part of the stroke and I know it's improving, taking it's time, but improving, so hang in there.
Hello Sarah. I am three months post-stroke and my main struggle every day is fatigue. I was a fit-and-healthy 37 year old, so never had an issue with fatuige previously- so your GP is wrong in my opinion. I sleep every afternoon still. The post-stroke fatuige leaflet is well worth a read. It's also worth sharing with your family, so they can understand a little better. I understand, as I find it very hard to keep cheerful, as my life has changed so much, but I do find keeping well rested & sleeping regularly help with my mood & recovery. Hope this helps a little!
.I had my haemorraghic stroke 3 1/2 years ago at the age of 56. Despite my wife being advised my life expectancy could be 36 hours I was discharged after 10 days. Result! Fast forward I’m retired, not especially liking it and miss my job But a ‘new broom’ made me make that decision. I am 99% ok but no longer like driving, which was a primary source of enjoyment and sexual intimacy was/is a struggle. GP’s I believe are excellent or know ‘nowt’. Developed arthritis in knees and this year in my hands so pay for twice a week gym sessions with a PT which has increased my strength and abilities massively. TIREDNESS. ask my wife!!! I fall asleep at the drop of a Hat, don’t have sleep apnea, it’s just i tend to get up at 6am do my allotted chores and by lunchtime am drifting off. I do agree professionals do not appear to understand that if you’re tired YOU’RE TIRED. End of. If medically you’re progressing well and no issues have arisen I believe those around you need to be educated as to your needs. Great luck.
Hi it is very normal for the first year I believe I had my stroke at work in May and for all I am back to work getting very tired and weepy still
how wrong GP's can be speak to your stroke nurse, I like you have a useless hand (right side weakness) very frustrating but have realised the more I make it work the better it's getting.
you are still very early days
My stroke was over two years ago and the fatigue only started 6 months ago. I don't fight it, well can't anyway. Sleep is what your brain needs to recover and you need lots of it. I do a few jobs, then sleep if I feel compelled to. Sometimes I only get the dishwasher half emptied and have to stop and rest. When you sleep it helps the brain re-route. I don't know how long it will last. I am coming up to 74, so I have old age to cope with too. But if you are younger I think getting back to what you were will be a lot quicker. You must be patient with yourself. Exercise your hand repeatedly, and get someone to massage it often. I couldn't carry anything in my left hand, but I can now. It does get better in time. Just keep thinking positive. Good luck with your progress.
I know how you feel... hard to keep your eyes open and longing to lie
down. I found it very hard at first and it's best to allow your body to slowly heal. Brain damage affects people in different ways, and your brain has to find new pathways to respond to the electrical messages. It does this best when you are asleep ! So give it a chance. You are also having to learn how to do things with one working hand and arm... you will work out a cunning plan I am sure, but also if one arm works okay you can train the other arm to work as well. Try opening your fingers wide on the good hand and attempt to do the same on the weak one simultaneously, now clench fingers on both hands. Do it regularly every now and then while you are walking along.... it's training the left and right side of your brain like you did when you first started to walk... don't expect a lot all at once... it takes weeks, months, even years ... best of luck...
Hey,
like all the replies you have had, your GP was not correctly informed. I am 9 1/2 years post stroke and have to manage my fatigue still. I was pushed by my family to stretch myself as the months and years progressed and although extremely uncomfortable and emotional at the time, I continue to make significant progress! I’ve had 2 children and have managed to go back to teaching 2 days a week. I balance this by planning time to sleep in the day a couple of times a week. I used to bank sleep in advance of stressful/tiring situations and this work really well for me in the early days.
Good luck In your journey of recovery.
I had silent stroke diagnoses in July 2018. Fortunately apart from losing the peripheral vision in my left eye, poor memory and exhaustion I am relatively ok. I do find the tiredness a bit miserable because I can't always do all the things I used to but I do enjoy aqua fit and going for nice walks but I still get frustrated when doing things in the house and end up having to take regular sitdowns. I also do voluntary work once a week visiting a lady who lived alone and sees very few people.
Hi everyone, I have no idea whether anyone will see this, because I am new on here and trying to understand how it works. I had a stroke 17 years ago, but only recently started to suffer with anxiety and then depression. Looking for some new friends for support and happiness.
Please would someone respond to me.
Gill
Oh bless you it must have been such a shock for you. I don't know if it helps but I also suffer with anxiety and depression and will always be here for you if you need support. I also get cross and frustrated from time to time. Please be very gentle and kind to yourself and please feel free to contact me on here any time you need to. Don't forget one day at a time Sending lots of very best wishes to you xx
My GP said the exact opposite to yours, she told me the exhaustion is very normal stroke combined with medication will make you tired. Just do what you can and take regular mini rests. Sending you lots of love and best wishes moving forward.
Thank you so much for replying, I’m sure I will be ok soon, but being stuck at home isn’t helping me. I need to make friends and socialise, but it’s difficult as I don’t drive anymore and I can only walk short distances