Thank you, its nice to feel like I'm not alone in my feelings and experiences.
Pat, fatigue hit me on my first day out of hospital. At first I needed three or four hours sleep, so I just listened to my body and slept. That eased, but fatigue is still a daily occurrence. My physiotherapist advised me to rest for a maximum of an hour each day and not go into a deep sleep. That works for me.
I have found, even now, fatigue is worse if I try to do too many tasks. Like you, I have found this site a great leveller and very supportive.
I'd forgotten about the dizziness until you mentioned it. Mine didn't last too long after being home from the hospital. I found it happened when I rushed anywhere so quickly learnt to take my time when moving about.
I still struggle with fatigue, even 10 years later, but I think what helps the most is being honest about how we feel. I've always been someone who says yes to favours and the extra jobs but pacing myself has become the key. When I try to do too much it quite often ends in frustration and tears.
I'm not suggesting that we don't ever try to push ourselves but I just think we need to know our limits. It's okay to say no or not do as much as we planned.
You aren't rambling.
Can you get a referral to OT via your GP? - the OTs really helped me to start to manage my fatigue using various strategies.
I've found using mindfulness techniques very helpful in coming to terms with the effects of my stroke and reducing stress/and anxiety levels. Theres quite a lot of free stuff available - if its of interest let me know and I can post some links.
Can you get any advice about your redundancy from Citizens Advice or your union?
I found it helpful to set myself a plan for a year, split into 3 month sections with specific goals for each 3 months. It made me look ahead and identify things (large or small) that I wanted to achieve or make progress towards. I also found keeping a diary/journal noting my thoughts and emotions very useful. It doesn't have to be a daily task - just every couple of days or when you feel like it.
Coming to terms with the impact of your stroke on your life takes time - as does making the physical and psychological adjustments. Hang in there.
Hello , love photo of your dogs , brings back great memories of walking our Cairn terrier . In wilds & cliffs , ( Valley of the rocks , )often in horizontal rain , in north Devon, since moved to Worcestershire, had stroke & no dog . Wouldn't belive how much I miss her ! Love another dog , but 1.5 years after stroke, just manage a walk down the drive .
I find I tend to over think everything & almost get tunnel vision on thoughts . I would be interested in poss links to free mind fullness techniques & I am sure others would appreciate it . Thanks David.
I had my stroke a month ago. I think stress was a big factor as I lost my father and husband just over a year ago and was worrying recently about a member of family who was very ill with covid (but recovered). - age 56 with no known medical problems, normal blood pressure and cholestoral, not over weight, non smoker and occasional drinker - Mine was due to a small clot and my right side arm and leg affected with weakness. So far I can manage to do most things as before although still a little weakness there, but I feel grateful it wasn't worse.
I don't know if its the side effects of the blood thinners, clopidogrel, but I feel very low on energy, anxious and poor appetite, nothing tastes great and tea, etc leaves a strange after taste, even water doesn't quite quench thirst. I can't find the energy to motivate myself to do the physio exercises particularly early in the day.
Has anyone else felt like this and how did you deal with it?
Yes please, that'd be great! Thanks
I haven't even thought to ask the GP because my stroke was so long ago now. In the past they haven't really been too helpful so it's put me off. But it might be worth a try. Thanks ?
Ps. Lovely dogs you have there.
I still struggle with anxiousness and low energy. I think shortly after the stroke the thing that helped my anxiousness most was taking a walk. I had to build up the distance but it's what calmed me down. I know you said your leg was affected so I'm not sure how helpful this suggestion is.
I also tried to do things when I felt like I had the energy for it rather than sticking to a strict schedule. I think I slept a lot in the few months after my stroke.
Dear Pat
you have survived a stroke. That alone makes you special and precious. You have got past the first month, which is a vulnerable time.
your brain is now trying to get the messaging system working and also rewiring around the damaged part (the infarct).
your brain does not feel pain and it is probably nigh on bubbling with the heat it generavtes. Please help your btsin by drinking an extra pint of water each day.
your good health pre stroke means you are one of us, a stroke survivor. Many do not survive.
Anxiety, change of appetite, changing taste and above all stroke fatigue are very common. Most of us get the stroke fatigue.
all these things will improve. Very slowly, but they will improve.
if you can keep every joint, muscle etc moving then you will avoid bigger problems many months ahead. Your brain needs to be aware of all your limbs etc otherwise it will forget them and cause issues.
the stroke association leaflets are very helpful.
Recovery is much easier if you can achieve good night time sleep. I spent months achieving good sleep, but it was well worth the effort.
please smile a lot. Be positive.
you are not alone
colin
Hi Pat, so sorry to hear of the terrible time you've been through. It's still very early days for you after the stroke, so it's vital that you give yourself plenty of rest just now.
Stroke really turns lives upside down, and it takes time to get things back into place. It's enough for you just to do the basics, and spend lots of time giving your brain the time it needs to re-wire, don't worry about the small stuff.
Lots of stroke survivors experience sensory changes, but generally these improve with time. As Colin says, if you can manage to move all your body from time to time that will be helpful, but with rest in between. You will gradually work out a routine which suits you.
One month is a very short time in stroke recovery, so you will need support in these early days. Hopefully you have some friends or family who might be able to help out. You will gradually feel stronger.
If you read the stories on this site you will be inspired and supported, and someone will always be here to encourage you and to share their experiences so you don't feel so alone. Take good care, stay strong ?
Thank you - they are both rescue dogs :)
Heres some links:
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
https://www.oxfordmindfulness.org/free-online-mindfulness-course-sessions/
- Although initially aimed at teens, this Canadian app can be applied to any age:
https://www.anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-cbt/
- Meditation isn't all about incense and sitting crossed legged its about getting some headspace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6eFFCi12v8
- This technique can be very effective too and can be adapted for when in social situations so that no one knows you are doing anything:
https://mcrhypnotherapy.wordpress.com/tag/butterfly-hug/
Ruby Wax has some good stuff on mindfulness - her other videos and books are worth exploring too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1iVE8wxGwA
Hope these help, contact me if you want to talk about using the techniques and other ways of relaxing/calming the mind.
Take care
Mark
Theres lots of of other stuff and techniques out there - happy to make other suggestions
Hello David,
Glad you like the dogs - they are both rescue dogs + have kept me sane in the lockdowns.
Heres some links:
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
https://www.oxfordmindfulness.org/free-online-mindfulness-course-sessions/
- Although initially aimed at teens, this Canadian app can be applied to any age:
https://www.anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-cbt/
- Meditation isn't all about incense and sitting crossed legged its about getting some headspace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6eFFCi12v8
- This technique can be very effective too and can be adapted for when in social situations so that no one knows you are doing anything:
https://mcrhypnotherapy.wordpress.com/tag/butterfly-hug/
Ruby Wax has some good stuff on mindfulness - her other videos and books are worth exploring too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1iVE8wxGwA
Hope these help, contact me if you want to talk about using the techniques and other ways of relaxing/calming the mind.
Take care
Mark
Theres lots of of other stuff and techniques out there - happy to make other suggestions
Miss dog walking ,
Mark thanks for mindfulness links , will look into them . Thanks David.
No problem David.
Hi Pat, I can relate to the way feel. I had a stroke about 8 Weeks ago a clot which has left me with left side weakness in my arm and leg. I can do most things although a lot slower. I know what you mean about physio in the morning I have no energy sometimes too. So I leave it till I do. I like to walk so try to do that most days. As a lot a people say keep moving, even small amounts. The worse thing for me is the fatigue I hate it with a passion, it just overwhelms me Some days. I am on clopidagrel and statins and I also wonder if they contribute to the fatigue, but I guess they keep me alive so I will keep taking them. Good luck with your recovery. Loads of fantastic advice and people on here, this has really helped me to keep going when I'm down.
Rich
The reason to move everything is to ensure your brain keeps the messaging system going. When i was in hospital i was pretty much totally paralysed, but i kept wiggling my fingers and as the paralysis subsided, i then wiggled toes.
exercising is very good, but if you cant exercise then just wiggle.
walking is excellent exercise. Just a gentle stroll is fine. Say five times a week. I stupidly pottered in my very long garden, imagining this was as good as walking. It isnt. You need steady walking to keep all working.
consider keeping a diary. Just a line or two each day. You can then see just how much progress is being made, albeit slow.
smile. Be positive. You are not alone
colin
Amazing I'd love to rescue a dog but I don't think in the position to at the mo.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it ?
No problem - let me know how you get on. :)
Best wishes
Mark
Pat, a month after a stoke is not long at all. A month after my stroke, I still had no energy. It took a long time for me to get some appetite back, my meal portions were 1/4 of what they had been. I ate food that was a lot blander than previously to build me up. I suffered badly with anxiety after the stoke, but found that anti-depressants helped, especially with sleep. I started to exercise by setting myself VERY small targets for walking e.g. out of the house, to the first lamppost (only about 50 yards) and return and gradually built this up. Yes, I was absolutely shattered to begin with but things improved. Some days are still better than others. I also had problems with background noise and using a computer for more than 5 minutes, Again over time this has improved drastically.
What I have learnt and accepted is that a stroke does affect everyone differently especially re recovery. It's not a 'quick' fix like having 'flu or broken bones. Just because we look OK doesn't mean that we aren't still 'broken' for want of a better word. Small steps in progession should be looked on as major accomplishments. There is light at the end of the tunnel.