I am still in recovery from a thalamic stroke, almost 2 years. I'm still suffering from fatigue is this normal? What can I do?

Hi Nic,

Unfortunately fatigue is very common after stroke, with about half of survivors experiencing it. More research is needed as the cause of post-stroke fatigue is still unclear. However, there is hope as there is an increasing focus on research regarding fatigue after stroke, its causes and the possible treatments.

We cannot put a timeframe on how long the fatigue will last, however there are things you can do to manage your fatigue.

It is important to investigate and manage any external factors that may be contributing to your fatigue. Speak to your doctor about pain, sleep problems and your mood. Also ask about medications and nutritional deficiencies that may be contributing to fatigue.

When managing your fatigue, it is important to balance activity and rest, exercise in moderation, monitor your diet and have a good sleep routine.

EnableMe has many resources on fatigue, including a fact sheet, which you may find helpful: https://enableme.org.au/resources/fatigue

There are forums, blogs and a fact sheet that can help you to better understand fatigue after stroke.

We also have an informative podcast: https://enableme.org.au/en/Community/Podcasts/Fatigue

You may find it useful to connect with other stroke survivors in your local area. You can view the list of stroke support groups and choirs here: https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Help-after-stroke/Local-stroke-support-groups-and-choirs.

If you’d like to speak with one of our health professionals on StrokeLine please don’t hesitate to contact us on 1800 787 653 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm AEST).

Best wishes,

Stephanie (StrokeLine)

Very common also try to increase your cognitive attention this can help with fatigue.Lastly some medications can assist see a neurologist or stroke rehab doctor.