Fatigue & nausea

Hi Jennifer,

Here are some more comments for you. There are many more on Facebook. I will copy more over in time.

Suzie Henry

Yes take it easy your body is trying to pull you up . Unfortunately we have to learn the new normal for us . I always feel worse the next day after a big day fatigue hang over is real .

Ness Lee

Your body will tell you what it needs. Whilst I understand the need to push through, you will find you will improve more and more if you let your body tell you what to do. Wish you all the best with your recovery Jennifer x

Dianne Allison

Early on yes - my stroke was May 2020. Initially, when I was fatigued I hit the wall and had to stop. I’m much better now. Yes I still get fatigued but it’s not so consuming as early on and I don’t get the headaches I did in the early days. I’ve also learned to pace myself and my day a lot better.

I would suggest in the first few months if you are fatigued mid-afternoon to have a nap (no shame in that). You probably did a little too much yesterday.

Also was it hot where you were? I’m finding the humidity in Melbourne very difficult to deal with this summer.

Joanne Glasson

Yes it happens, you will need to learn to stop and rest before you get to that stage. A power nap or even just some quiet time might put you back on track

Here are some more:

Nigel Smith

I'm a year post stroke fatigue is normal now for me I work a 38hr week again by 5pm I'm ready for bed but I struggle through till later in the night rest is best.

Andrea Button

Next month it’s 6 years since my stroke & Yep the fatigue stills happens. Be kind to yourself & try to enjoy your new slower pace as frustrating as is. Nana naps are the best thing when your brain gets tired 😴

Kim Philps

My stroke was in 2017 and I experience extreme fatigue by mid afternoon. If I do too much or try to extend my day much further past 3pm without taking a break and resting, I feel sick as well. It can affect me to the point where I am 'out' for days if I don't look after myself. Fortunately I was able to amend my work hours to accommodate this, and feel much better each day. Take it easy, and listen to your body. If it needs rest, you will know!

Thanks for reaching out and it sounds like it would have been quite  a frightening experience for you.  Are you feeling any better today?  Did you experience anything else at the time like dizziness or vision change?  I would suggest that you make an appointment with your Gp to make sure there isn't anything else happening for you medically.

Fatigue can cause many different symptoms and they can vary from person to person. It sounds like there wasn't much you could do about the big job, but it can help to balance your rest and activity. I know that you have read many of the blogs and information on fatigue, but they can be helpful to look over again. The Fatigue Podcast and Practical ways to manage fatigue can be really helpful.

Like the responses from the others from Diana’s Facebook post, listen to your body and rest when you need to. 

 I hope that you had a quiet day the next day and that you are feeling less fatigued today. Do reach out to StrokeLine if you would like to talk to one of our health professionals on Ph. 1800 787 653. We would be happy to talk through what you've experienced in more detail.

Kind regards

Siobhan (StrokeLine)

I had my physiotherapy appointment on Monday and went through all the changes & symptoms I'm experiencing and she didn't think there was anything more sinister than fatigue & sensory overload at play. She was particularly interested in the "screaming ringing" I get in my ears and thinks it is my brain yelling stop because the overload has got too much to cope with. She suggested increasing my Endep dose on days when I feel overwhelmed.

I'm taking it really easy at the moment as I have to drive to Hobart on Monday for an appointment. I'm going to stay the night with my son so I don't have to drive back the same day. It's a three hour round trip.

 Hello, this is my first post. It is true that the heat affects me a lot, just like Jennifer. I don't know if it's because of the stroke which I had June 2021, or because of the medications I'm on. I have also felt fatigued and dizzy, and sometimes a bit nauseous, and I have pretty well lost my appetite for anything other than fruit. During the heat of this summer in Melbourne I do try to stay hydrated, drink a lot of water, weak tea, coconut water. But my head is still not in a good place and I am always glad when evening comes and it's time to go to bed. I am glad I don't have to go to work like some of you. I don't think I could do it.

What you have is normal , strokes effect people in different ways , first of all you have been sick and it takes a long time to heal , if you do heal , main thing is taking it easy , sounds you have gone to work fulltime , when your body says hold on , full time is one thing but remember maybe you are over doing it , easy into work , start at part time and work your way up , even if it take a year but remember to take it easy .

I am not working. I'm on Jobseeker, surviving on that is a challenge in itself without the burden of additional medical costs. The job that had to be done was some urgent maintenance on my house to prevent a massive bill in a few months time. 

I'm in Tasmania so heat is definitely not the issue. Our warmest day so far this summer was 27° and my house stays cool even on the hottest days.

I have a lot going on at the moment and the health system being as it is means accepting specialist appointments when they are available. I've waited over 3 months (since before my stroke) for the one on Monday so I just have to manage.