I have not posted for a while I am still off sick but will be leaving but I feel guilty as so many people are trying to post lovely pictures of walks which is so lovely to see but I am feeling more depressed. I have been reaching out for help I thought I was doing well then I have had constant low blood pressure felt dizzy ringing in my ears and fatigue. I am having blood tests in a week or so I was doing so well in the beginning. I then went for my follow up scan on my neck and they spoke to each other unfortunately they didn’t realise I work in the nhs so understood that I have a mild to moderate blockage of 40% think maybe the other side I see the consultant in July it could be nothing needs to be done but I just feel it’s an effort to be bothered even though I am trying. I feel I have lost all my confidence and I am of no value even though I know that’s not true and I have been arguing at home constantly
Hi @Jul I’m sorry you’re feeling so low but your low BP could also be what is causing your symptoms…dizzy, rigging in the ear, fatigue, depression…so seeing this consultant can’t come quick enough can it.
In the mean time; I don’t know what the weather is like with you, but if it’s as hot as here in Manchester, it’s an effort to do anything anyway…far too hot now 
Are you keeping yourself hydrated enough…dehydration also causes similar symptoms. A pinch of salt in your water and maybe a nutrient boost would help, multivitamins or Complan, put it this way, it can’t hurt can it to try…may take a week or two to notice any benefit, if any is to be made 
And fingers crossed, the blood test will also show if you are low in any particular nutrient too.
What I do know for a fact is BP, be it high or low, affects you psychologically, it affects your mood, and it can be the route cause of your anxiety and depression. So, it’s not you, it’s your blood pressure that is causing this. As soon as that gets sorted out, the better you are going to feel, so just hang in there, all is not lost 
I had such high bp before now it’s gone the other way it’s boiling here I keep trying to make a plan than sitting here giving up each time
There is going to be a new you, of that there is no doubt. You might not know who that is yet.
When I unload the dishwasher, I am now in a game of chance where it is a right challenge to get them safely in the cupboard. The pain hurts, the dizziness is like being on a boat and the numbness makes it seem like I am doing it on one leg. How many plates can I carry in my weak hand, will anything break…
Before, the value I assigned to this simple task was almost nothing. Now when it’s empty, all that effort, over coming that challenge, half expecting the local paper to want to interview me, “Man overcomes totally flat surface carrying 3 plates” screams the headline.
Possibly a lot of readers will think, what… But they don’t, like the old me, attach much value to the post stroke challenge. Now there is a new me, I need to adapt to that person
@Jul sorry you’re feeling low. It is difficult to get motivated sometimes but there’s alwaysxa point. You want to get your life back. It’s a slow process & loads of patience needed. Not my forte but I soon realised I had to go with it.
It’s not too long till you see your consultant. Tell them how you feel. Write lots of questions you want answered & make sure they’re answered.
I have ringing in my ears & use an app called Resound to help manage it.
Try & find some things you enjoy doing to keep you occupied. I found new hobbies as couldn’t do my old ones any more.
Acceptance that things will be different is a big part of moving forward. Took me months to get to that point. Try & remember top that a lot of people posting pictures are much further down the recovery road & have all probably been where you are now. It’s a bit like social media people only post the good things so we think they must have a better life than us. Not always so.
Sending you love and hugs
Ann xx
If it wasn’t for the fact I’ve two big functions this weekend I have to prepare for, I’d be sitting doing nothing right now…probably with my feet in a bowl of cold water and a towel from out the freezer wrapped round my neck to cool down. It’s so warm and every time I move I break out in sweat I’ve still got a pair suit trousers to hem, that’s going to be fun with my stroke hand as two of those finger have been acting up this past week, don’t know why 
It’s a celebration of how far we’ve come and it’s a demonstration to those in the early post stroke stage, of where you will all be in a year’s time or two We are you hope, that there is life after a stroke. As I said before, all is not lost
You’re not wrong there I felt better the second week after surgery
In the beginning I thought I will learn to crochet little animals take up archery in truth I was all over the place suppose it could be worse I could have a box of arrows and crochet needles in a box realising maybe it was a bad idea 
So very true! the way you describe this task is exactly how it goes for me as well. Unlike you, I often skip it. I am going to have to just do it, as you are. Seeing other people doing through struggle inspires me as well. I call it competing with another person, but the real word is Inspiration rather than Competition.
Cor, its hard enough walking it let alone skipping !!
Only joking 
Very helpful and true! I have a much better life some days, and others I feel a bit sorry for myself or down because I can’t go or do this or that. You have done a wonderful job of explaining/reminding that we all have similarities and differences in our strokes, in how long it has been since, and in the abilities we have whether new ones or regained ones. Thank you.
@Jul sorry your feeling like this, as you know the NHS has changed since covid. he who shouts loudest gets seen, bombard your consultants their secretaries and your GP for any answers. Most importantly you are fabulous strong and most of full of the highest value, at home sit down with who you live with and tell them of your struggles, they might surprise. take care and good luck 
Thank you I have to say my gp is brilliant with the demand they go through the emergency appointments also are brilliant but I think I am supposed to have a follow up in the stroke clinic at my local hospital but I don’t think that will happen somehow
@Jul contact the stroke department, let them know you haven’t heard about an appointment yet, be bold, your braver and stronger than you think.
This is what I love the humour and empathy helping each other I feel better already
U shouldn’t have feel guilty at all look for a type therapy
I am feeling less down this week but it’s the ringing in my ears I think is this permanent after the surgery
I have rung and I have an appointment in august they didn’t know I had emergency surgery the week after at another hospital so she put me in a slot because obviously they have a backlog which is understandable
Good to hear you are feeling a bit better this week.
I’m not 100% sure but i think tinnitus is a permanent thing once you get it but that might depend on the cause. Get your GP to refer you to a tinnitus clinic or audiology.
Best wishes
Ann x
Since the operation what joy