I had a stroke (left side) almost 3 years ago. I still have tiredness and issues with my balance and language. Is this a common thing? Will it ever get any better?

Thanks for your comment Nigel  :)

Thanks heaps Nigel. I used to drink a lot of coffee, it’s hard to get a good one at the moment :( 

Hi Di,

Here are more answers for you from the Facebook community:

Joanna Solomou I had mine 3.5 yrs ago , was 35.5. I’m cross over very strange..my right arm affected but my left leg is affected. I believe you get better slowly at ur own pace, u may never be the same . My speech was greatly affected, at 1st I was mute..also in a wheelchair but can use a walker. My left leg/foot drags..

Kristy Harrison What you are describing is common post stroke, everyone is different on their recovery and things will get better for you.
I had a stroke last year and I do notice when I’m tired, the speech/communication can be a little mumbled or I miss words when typing.
All the best on your recovery

Debra Bartel Waymark 4yrs post stroke. Still slight balance issue also speech affected if I talk for to long and stumble with words if I have to answer quickly. If I am interrupted while even starting to say something it is forgotten often can’t remember it at all.

Nicole Howard I am 4 years post stroke and still have word finding difficulties and fatigue. I now accept it's the way I am and nap every afternoon it seems to keep it at bay a bit! On the plus side I hardly ever stutter now!

Laine Yates Post stroke fatigue is still a huge issue for me 9 years on - the struggle is real & I’m still learning how to manage it. How it affects each person is different, but Perhaps u can build in some quiet time at lunch time when you don’t have to speak to anyone or think about anything - that may help u get thru the rest of your day? Fatigue will then affect your language & balance as well. Be kind to yourself & give yourself some grace. Best wishes for your recovery process. It does get a bit easier with strategies in place. X

Caitlin Tozer I’m 4 years on and when I’m tired it’s at my worst. I just try to be aware of not wearing myself out too much. Post stroke fatigue is the biggest killer for me still. I still feel I’m getting “better” very slowly now but practice makes perfect I find if I dont keep up word games and speaking to people I’m worse too. Also with cooking

Rachael Louise Davis Just over 2 years post stroke and cognitive/info processing/complete loss of words is an ongoing battle. I’m finally at peace with the fact I’ll always have a deficiency there. If I’m talking for too long I will forget my story or words. Tiredness is still there but it’s all about managing it

Linda Steuer I had two strokes in 2012 and still suffer with stroke fatigue and it is starting to lessen a little. I am attending one on one with an exercise physiologist and still do some work on balance and I am sure it is helping. The more you repeat the exercises the better the outcome. There is always room for new pathways to grow if you do repetitive exercises including speech.

Ree Alice Post stroke nearly eight years and I still experience all those things. It takes time to recover, I’ve found, but one can continue to improve, bit by bit. Whilst difficult initially, I was really motivated to heal, and kept moving, pushing, eating better, managing stress, etc. I’m still unable to work full time, still become awfully fatigued at times, but it is still growing better. Life changed forever but I’m “good” with how I’m doing. All the best.

Stephen Hartley I had a stroke in October 2008. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I may have lost about 20% vision, but other than the higher blood pressure which is controlled with drugs, I enjoy a sedentary lifestyle. I stopped coffee overnight and did not touch Coffee for years. You can only go with the flow. It is what works for you.And I only slept for an extra 2 hours this morning and tomorrow will do a 9 hour drive and work for most of the weekend

Dianne Passlow I also still get very tired (my stroke was in September 2017) & my speech/balance is also affected occasionally. I'm very self conscious of it & usually try to slow down

Josh Pitman Same with me. My stroke was in 2016 and I was 38. I still struggle most days with fatigue and memory issues. My balance hasn’t been too bad lately but it still catches me out at times

Sue Jones 5yrs Easter Sunday.. I still suffer all of these side affects and it's worse when I'm tired..very frustrating ..( left vertebral dissection)

Tiff Davies My hubby still has problems with finding words & I do notice when he is tired it is worse (even tho he doesn't like me mentioning it) he had his stroke in 2015.

Mark Garner Hi Di, I have been a stroke survivor for 12 years, also left side affected. Over time these issues will dissipate and your energy will return. Your recovery requires patience and support.

John Cooper It is part of the aftermath of stroke. It will get better with time but not go away altogether. Speech therapy, rest, physio and determination to carry on, are essential.

Joanne Ashby Hi Di
It will get better I had my stroke 5 years ago but still have the tideness my left side is 80 % better than it was
You will see improvements in time
Best wishes
❤️

John Jenny Max Wentworth 4 yrs post stroke (41 yrs old at the time) , won't work fulltime again , the fatigue makes my mood change ( very irritable) slur my words & get clumsy... don't fight the fatigue . Rest when you need to . Take your time . I found it very hard to except the changes & most importantly don't be hard on yourself.

Janice Stanbridge I find when I am tired my speech becomes an issue
When I am tired and stressed my brain connects with my speech in a bad link, confused at both ends of the connection. My stroke was 9 years ago

Thank you Diana, 

I am getting better. I can work full time anymore, and I am re-thinking about my next career move. I recently had a tia (mini stroke), so this has set me back a bit. But good to hear other people’s experiences.