Is it normal for my face to start feeling strange a few years post…

I have noticed lately that the left (affected) side of my face feels a bit odd. It's hard to describe, it's not numb or tingling but just feels not like the other side of my face and more noticeably so than before. I am 2.5 years post stroke and I'm 44 years old.

Hi Michelle, it's not uncommon for stroke survivors to experience changes in sensation or perception of their face

These changes can manifest as numbness, tingling, altered sensitivity to touch or temperature, a general feeling of altered body image or a strangeness as you describe.

These changes can happen because of the Stroke and its disruption to blood flow to specific areas of the brain, and if these areas are involved in processing sensory information, it can lead to changes in how the face is perceived. This can cause sensory deficits like numbness, tingling, pain or altered sensations.

It is imperative that if you're experiencing any new changes or altered sensations, that you seek medical advice and discuss these with your doctor or neurologist. They can assess the cause of the changes and recommend appropriate treatment and management strategies.

There are various approaches that can help manage post-stroke sensory changes, including:

Sensory re-education which are techniques to help retrain the brain to process sensory information.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): which can help with managing emotional and behavioural changes related to sensory changes.
Medications: If you're experiencing painful sensation changes, medications used to treat central post-stroke pain may be helpful.

Remember that Recovery from stroke is a process, and it's important to Allow time for your body and brain to adapt and heal.

Make sure you always seek medical advice for any new symptoms or changes that occur.

Don’t forget also that connecting with other stroke survivors via support groups can provide valuable insights and emotional support with your stroke recovery journey.

Kindest Regards StrokeLine

Best I can recommend is see your doctor as it might not be related to your stroke , yes my eholr fsce is numb from a stroke .

Yes it is normal as your brain has permanent nerve damage and they can't do a thing for it , I know as my face has minimal feeling after nearly 8 years after a stroke , apart from many other problems which can't be cured , yea I had a bleeding vein , so am lucky . Pain in the knee and stomach are more unconfutable if anything , so live with it .