Pain resolved after stro

Ian
Ianon Sunday, June 23 2019
6 Comments

I am on high dose statins and low dose aspirin and my pain that I have had for years prior to my stroke appears to have resolved.

Either the pain receptors have been obliterated  by my stroke or the high dose statins and aspirin I am on explain the anti inflammatory action and lack of pain.

I know that there have been studies where statins have been shown to decrease the inflammatory protein called C reactive protein, and that aspirin has anti inflammatory properties. 

I also know that some people can't tolerate statins due to heart damage (rise in creatine kinase) or liver damage (rise in alanine transferase), and there is a risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

Just wondering if any body else experienced a decrease in pain after their stroke or that other stroke survivors tried this under recommendation of GP, neurologist

6 Responses
Toni avatar
Toni

Hi Ian, I didn;t have any issues with pain but prior to my stroke I suffered from extreme motion sickness to the extent taht I had seen a neurologist. My stroke was in the cerebellum and my balance was affected, thouhg not dramatically, but the interesting thing is that since my stroke a lot of my motion sickness has resolved. I just put it down to the weird workings of the brain :)

Ian avatar
Ian

Hi Toni, My pain was unrelated to stoke, but looking back prior to my stroke I would feel unwell gardening and tired. I put it down to old age as I am in my sixties but fit and active swimming, bike riding and bush walking prior to my stroke.

I had a cerebellum stroke like you but with just vertigo and a headache so it was hard to diagnose. Funnily my pain pre stroke resolved and I think it is due to the medication I am on for the stroke.

all the best, regards Ian

Toni avatar
Toni

HI IAn, My stroke wasn't diagnosed until a week after the event due to my lack of 'typical' symptons. Hope you've been able to get back to some of your prestroke activities.

Best wishes, Toni

Ian avatar
Ian

Hi Toni, Glad to hear that  your extreme motion sickness has resolved. Like you my stroke was not initially diagnosed as it presented as vertigo at the doctors at first. So atypical of common stroke symptoms. I can still ride my pushbike as I don't feel the effects when I am sitting, but ride supervised but not on the road yet. Walking on rough ground is hard even with two walking poles and before my stroke I was a keen bushwalker. My next goal is to get my license back. 

StrokeLine avatar
StrokeLine

Hi Ian and Toni

 

It’s great to hear you are recovering well from your stroke. It sounds like you have you have made some really positive improvements and are taking control of your recovery with setting yourself personal goals.

 

After a stroke, statins are usually prescribed to lower cholesterol, however there is some emerging clinical research that indicate they can have a low grade anti-inflammatory effect - this may well explain why you are experiencing a decrease in pain since your stroke. A common side effect of taking statins is muscle pain, so it is great that you are not experiencing this.

 

Taking low dose of aspirin is usually prescribed to prevent stroke, but may also contribute to pain relief. Aspirin is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory drug to manage pain associated with arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders.

 

Here are some resources you might find useful:

 

Wishing you all the best in your recovery.

 

Chloe, Social work student, StrokeLine

Ian avatar
Ian

Hi Chloe, Thankyou for your comments from the StrokeLine and providing the informative links. Much appreciated. 

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