Hi beeen nearly six month post stroke, frustrated still feel same in right side leg and arm.doing walking, gym and still have stiffness, numbness and coldness.seems same every day and am eating lots of protein and good food and 3litres water a day!, any suggestions? Is this all i get?
Hi Lyn! As I don't know if our strokes were the same or similar (it has been nearly six months since my cerebellar stroke) I can only say that my recovery to date has not been too bad. However, there are issues that have not gone away and others that seem to have shown up in the past couple of months. My balance is slowly becoming better unless I am tired or bend over or . . . It is quite a list! The issue that is causing me concern at the moment and really was only noticeable about 2-3 months ago is a prolonged word retrieval from thought to speech. Not a stutter as such more a 'choking' on words. I have been told it takes time; one of my sisters' friends had a stroke 8 years ago and she said she didn't start to feel like her 'normal' self until about the 6 year post stroke mark - and she still continues to improve each day. Hang in there . . .
Good luck,
Ros.
Hi Lyn,
it can be incredibly frustrating when you think how much work you put in and you don't see the results. But keep going, and be kind to yourself. I find when my inner-critic kicks in and I think "but I'm doing all this and getting nothing! What's it all for?", I have to take a step back, have a break for a day or two and try again. I'm now 5 years post-stroke, and while I haven't regained as much as I would like, I do find that doing something everyday is necessary. I was sick last week so I dropped my exercise regime, and was wallowing a bit in misery, and I noticed after a couple of days that things started to go backwards. So I took a short walk, did a few yoga stretches, spent a moment in quiet contemplation, and I felt better for doing it. I remember the stiffness, numbness and coldness, it did get easier and better for me, maybe check with your doctor if you're concerned. Important thing is to keep a positive mindset, you've come further than you think, give yourself some credit for coming this far. I have a couple of small motivational signs on my mirror, and they help. And have some cake. Or chocolate. Or both! Reward yourself for being incredibly amazing and facing your challenges!
Best of luck with it all,
Kat
Hi Lyn,
Diet can impact on so many aspects of recovery, like energy levels, mood, strength and cardiovascular health (to name a few). So it's really great you are maintaining a healthy diet! It sounds like you might have already read out 'diet after stroke' factsheet? If not, follow the link and it will hopefully reinforce what you are doing, and might even give you some further ideas.
Stroke survivors can continue to make progress for years after their stroke, and the wisdom Katrina has shared from her five year journey is gold. Neuroplasticity is an important part of recovery, follow this link for further information. A successful recovery plan starts with setting goals, click here for a blog about this.Identifying and discussing goals with you team of SP, PT and OT* is important. Ros, it may be helpful to discuss the issue you raised, and strategies that might be helpful with a speech therapist if you've not already done so.
Please call StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 for further information and advice about stroke prevention, treatment, recovery and support.
Wishing you all the best.
Kirsty
(StrokeLine)
*physiotherapists, and occupational therapist
Hi kirsty i am following the healthy living ph@tt program and have great support from everyone wanting healthier way of food and loosing weight as well! I have lost 4kgs to this date and hope this will feed my brain more! I am having a lot of numbness especially through my right leg and side and it feels frozen like freezing water in my veins and very very stiff! Doing walking and weights at gym but doesnt seem to help much? Any suugestions would be appreciated because body same every morning! Is there anything else i can do? Seemed to have cometo a standstill as i had my stroke back september last year, !