Hi Harsha
Thanks for reaching out.
I am sorry to hear about your stroke and the issues you are having with dizziness and pain.
Dizziness can be common after stroke for many people, as can pain also.
Dizziness can mean different things to different people. Some stroke survivors say they feel ‘light-headed’, others may say they feel ‘unsteady’ or like the room is spinning.
Pain can happen if there is real or potential damage to body tissue. It can also be felt if the nerves have been damaged. Pain in the arms and legs can often be caused associated with high tone, which is also called hypertonia or spasticity.
Treatment and recovery for both dizziness and pain depend on what is causing it.
Is there anything that makes your dizziness or pain better or worse?
If you have any significant changes in your pain or dizziness, it’s worth seeking medical attention to get further assessed and investigated.
Seeing a GP to discuss your concerns and rule out other potential causes might be helpful if you haven’t already done this (e.g. low blood pressure or hypotension, blood sugar and iron levels, stress, anxiety , fatigue, spasticity, etc).
Depending on the cause of the dizziness, and pain, the treatment will vary. Your GP or a Neurologist will be able to assist you with this.
Have you considered a Vestibular physiotherapist?
A vestibular physiotherapist is trained in very specific assessment and treatment techniques to diagnose dizziness and balance problems, as well as provide appropriate treatments to resolve symptoms. This maybe something to consider if you haven’t already explored?
You can read more about what vestibular physios do here Dizziness after stroke. You could speak to your GP about a referral for a vestibular or neuro physiotherapist.
Dizziness and increased pain after stroke can also be potentially caused by fatigue. Fatigue is very common after a stroke and can be described as a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.
Symptoms of fatigue can include headache, dizziness, blurred vision, increased pain, aching muscles and reduced coordination and balance.
Here are some resources on managing fatigue as well as managing pain .
Pain in the arm and legs may be a sign of changes in muscle tone or spasticity and you can read more information about this here.
A referral to a pain clinic is worth considering if the pain is extreme and ongoing, or a spasticity clinic, if the pain is established as being attributed to spasticity.
If you would like more information or support, please do not hesitate to contact us on StrokeLine 1800 787 653 or email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au . We are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEST.
Kind regards,
Alicia
Hi Harsha,
I had a Wallenberg stroke, the common name is a lateral medullary midbrain. I have constant Vertigo. Most common seems to be Peripheral Vertigo, associated mostly with ears balance mechanism or eyes. I have Central Vertigo associated with brain injuries. My take on peripheral Vertigo the room spins and you hang on and feel more Nausea. Central Vertigo is less extreme whereas it is you that feel unstable and continually feel unsteady.
I have Trigeminal Neuropathy nerve damage in my face, very painful. Most of the Wallenberg survivors get Neuropathy in different areas. As you are aware a stroke generally is one side of your head, the Ipsolateral side. Crosses to the opposite side of your body, the Contralateral side. Nerve damage sux.
Regards.....Peter.
Bad news they can't do anything about it , they can prescribe expensive drugs to ease the pain , and that's about it , if it's not in there book they really can't cure you , with dizziness , tablets help but don't cure , with pain again they can't cure but d, sorry but some-one has to tell you the truth .rugs help a little . It's the hard truth but they try , but really not successfully , maybe you can be cured and maybe they won't cure it .
Thanks everyone. I guess I just have to figure out a way to manage it since there’s no cure as such.
Hi Harsha,
Here are some comments that I have shared from the Facebook community too:
Haylee: I would suggest seeking the opinion of a physiotherapist with experience treating central vestibular issues. I would suspect the eyes being all over the place and the dizziness are linked, and the symptoms may be presenting due to the area of the stroke. Also if he was only discharged a week ago it may be worth touching base with his previous therapists.
Frank: Sleep
Rest
See a Nuerologist about dizziness and eyes all over
Takes time and lots of rest
hopefully this will be brief
Jim: Suggest rest and relaxation along with short periods of close concentration.
Mary: I am nearly 3 years post stroke and started seeing a vestibular Physio who can hopefully help . Try that and good luck.
Kim: I agree on making sure the doctors and therapists are aware in case further tests are required, but I can say that a year after my stroke, I still experience dizziness, especially if moving my head quickly. It can take time.
Emma: I’ve intermittently suffered some severe dizziness post stroke. There are some really effective medications, I’d speak to your Dr about your options. All the best
Diana: physio can help.
Tara-Lee: Sleep, rest and meditation