Hi all am experiencing numbness,stiffness and freezing feelings 8months post stroke! Can anyone tell me if this is part of recovery? Very upsetting. Do i need to have another mri? I feel i am not i proving . Going walking physio and gym but not much improvement! Feeling very down,
Hi Lyn,
I can sense your frustration. Unfortunately I don;t have any answers other than to say contact the strokeline and speak to someone. I'm four and a half years post stroke and I experience numbness in my face at times whilst at others my legs can either be sore or twitchy but it's not constant nor is it everyday. I find I can get 'frozen to the bone' but since my stroke I don;t handle extremes of temperature very well so try to adjust my clothing etc for such times.
HAve you spoken to your GP about how you're feeling. It's great that you're reaching out here but it may help to speak to a psychologist particualry as depression affects one in three stroke survivors. I always think it's great if you cna speak to a professional before things get to that stage and as we know how you are feeling emotionally can really impact your physical and metal being.
Take care
Toni
Hi Lynn and Toni,
Thank you for contacting the Stroke Foundation. I am sorry you feel your recovery is not progressing as well as you hoped.
It sounds like you are doing all the right things by keeping active and exercising. Stroke recovery can be a slow and frustrating process at times. It sounds like you are in regular contact with your physiotherapist. Perhaps, having a discussion with your therapy team might help alleviate some of your concerns. Toni has provided us with some good advice. Thanks Toni! Speaking to a psychologist can help with some of the emotional difficulties many feel after the stroke. Your GP can provide guidance on local psychology services in your area. You may also be eligible for subsidized sessions through a Mental Health Care Plan.
It is quite common for Stroke survivors to experience numbness and stiffness after a stroke. Having the knowledge of how recovery after stroke can be facilitated can be beneficial. Here are some links to information on exercise and sensory changes after stroke:
Our recent touch and sensation podcast which discussed the sensory issues stroke survivors often face.
https://enableme.org.au/en/Community/Podcasts/Sensation
Our ‘Mobility and Exercise’ fact sheet is also another helpful resource which I hope will encourage you to keep up your hard work. Please find it attached.
If we can be of any further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm EST).
wishing you well,
Jade |
Hi Lyn,
So good that you are reaching out to the right place. I send my strength to you!
When you talk about change in temperature, you know a very long time ago when I had my stroke I just remember being so very cold, unusually cold - as I'm sitting here typing I have even broken out in goose bumps even thinking about how cold I used to feel.
And people in our stroke support group The Determinators have mentioned it as well.
Is there any research on the frequency which people report changes in how they feel temperature changes after a stroke or is this included in sensory changes - Question to Strokeline?
And I'm sorry that you are feeling down about everything. Having a stroke is a major health event and our emotions about the impacts it has on our lives can be very confusing and stressful.
Take care
Sue