Hi Adam,
Thank you for your question, and I am sorry to hear about your stroke.
Yes, a stroke can lead to difficulty with reading. We call this ‘acquired dyslexia’ or ‘alexia’. This is different to the dyslexia that you were born with. Trouble with spelling or writing is called 'dysgraphia' and can also occur from a stroke.
You also mention you have trouble speaking and thinking, unfortunately these are common challenges others experience following a stroke. Fatigue and stressful situations can sometimes make these worse.
Have you seen a Speech Pathologist? They can assess not only your speech but your reading and writing and set up a therapy program. Your GP can make a referral.
Did the stroke result in any changes to your vision? If so, this may have an impact on your reading and writing as well. Occupational Therapists can assist with strategies for vision. They can work together with Speech Pathologists if needed.
In terms of the fatigue, this also is common following stroke. Unfortunately there is little research on the best way to manage it. Stroke survivors tend to try different strategies until they find what works for them and their situation. Is there a pattern to it? For example, are you most fatigued at the end of the day? Keeping in tune with patterns (if any) is a good place to start. It may be helpful to break tasks into small manageable steps and aim to go through them when you are most alert. Eating well and getting enough sleep will also help. The aim would then be to gradually build up your energy over time – and for a lot of people this a slow process. Being kind to yourself and keeping your tasks for the day manageable is important too. It would also be worth checking in with your GP to make sure there isn't anything else contributing to the fatigue.
Here are a few fact sheets you may find helpful:
- Communication after stroke: https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Help-after-stroke/Stroke-resources-and-fact-sheets/Communication-after-stroke-fact-sheet
- Thinking and perception after stroke: https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Help-after-stroke/Stroke-resources-and-fact-sheets/Thinking-and-perception-after-stroke-fact-sheet
The fatigue podcast and resource that Diana sent through are great. You may also want to look at the fatigue after stroke fact sheet: https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Help-after-stroke/Stroke-resources-and-fact-sheets/Fatigue-after-stroke-fact-sheet
As Diana mentioned, please feel free to contact us at StrokeLine, 1800 787 653, if you have any further questions,
All the best with your recovery,
Lisa (StrokeLine)
