Hi Nicola,
I’m sorry to hear about your stroke.
Every stroke is different and every stroke survivor has their own recovery challenges. Your experience is not uncommon and being able to identify your feelings and impairments is an important first step.
Recovery can and does occur many years after a person’s stroke. Knowing how to push yourself, and whether you’re pushing yourself towards the right goal is something that a health professional can help you with. If you aren’t currently seeing a health professional, please feel free to call StrokeLine to speak with one of our team members who can help (1800 787 653).
Have you had your vision assessed recently? Depending on the type and severity of your vision impairment there might be exercises or other treatment options available to you. Our vision loss after stroke fact sheet has further information, otherwise please feel free to contact StrokeLine
The fatigue and ‘brain noise’ that you describe might be contributing to your low mood. Have you seen a psychologist before? StrokeLine can assist you with getting a referral. You may also like to have a listen to our Fatigue podcast and our Depression and Anxiety podcast. We also have fact sheets on both topics.
I’d also recommending reaching out to other stroke survivors. There are some truly inspirational stories or recovery and hope both here on enableme and on our Facebook page.
If you’d like to talk more about your stroke recovery or if you have any questions about the above information, please don’t hesitate to contact StrokeLine on 1800 787 653, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm AEST. If we’re unable to answer you call, please leave a message and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
Best wishes,
Alana - Speech Pathologist for StrokeLine
Hi Nicola, I'm 3 and a half years post stroke and like you I still suffer from fatigue and a fuzzy/noisy brain, though thnakfully mine is no longer constant. Is it possible for you to see a neuro psych-I wsaw one and the tips they gave me for reducing fatigue really helped. Like Alana mentioned a psychologist could be really heplful in starting to feel some happiness. I was 46 and working full time when I had my stroke and it deinitely turned our world upside down. Apart from having to deal with the immediate physical/cognitive changes there's the changes to the rest of your life to contend with and sometimes it's not possible to deal with this by yourself. I was lucky as I have amazing support from my husband and family, friends and my GP but if you don;t have this support, or it's not addressing your needs, you need to reach out further. Don;t stop asking for help until you are happy as our emotional and physical health are so intertwined and influence each other.
I agree with Toni, don't accept living a life without experiencing happiness or without hope. Alana's suggestions are really good, especially asking your GP for a referral to see a Clinical Psychologist. When you talk to a psychologist you can "say it how it is" without fear of offending anyone who might be supporting you or worrying about you. Life after stroke is something that is difficult to understand if you haven't been there, and there's lots of loss, but you can move ahead into a different life.. and one that can give you shots of happiness!