Hi Helen,
Here are some answers from the Facebook Community.
Glen Baulch You need to pace yourself and get to know what your body can handle, it gets better in my case it happened fairly quickly so stay positive👍
Semyon Denenberg Helen, it affects people in various ways, constantly being active and pushing your boundaries, when it comes to physical activities seemed to reduce and eventually virtually eliminate the trembling I had. Keep pushing!
Darren Williams I agree, I have had two strokes and was weak for sometime after both. Activity and general fitness and well being is the key, keep moving and you will get better! I still race my cycle every weekend! Keep it up!
Lois Archer I had 4 stokes before I new I was having them. I got my full ability back but not as strong as I once was and I get tired lots but I find I can do anything anyone else can I just find a different way for me to do the things to achieve the same result as everyone else.
Confidence in you and your body takes time and as Bob Carey-Grieve says the anxiety will become more manageable.
Stuart Armsworth I found that I got very tired quite easily for the first 12 months after my stroke... general living was exhausting. Dig in and hang in there! I am still improving nine years later!!
Tara-Lee Henry It’s only early days ❤️ be kind to yourself and rest as much as possible.
I tried doing as much as I could around the house myself (washing, cooking & cleaning etc.) initially to build up my stamina then progressed to outings. X
Linda Johnston I'm 2 years post stroke and still get that weakness or wobbly feeling when I've pushed myself. It's down to yr core muscle strength. Yoga helps. Some of us never regain full strength again.
Barrie Middleton 20 years ago I had a severe stroke, 9 months in geelong hospital, I still have a major problem moving short distance, I do not walk I stagger .
Julie Anson This so call stroke takes away the dignity of a humans life, my mum had a stroke two years ago, I have watched a very well and active person go down to nothing. I observe her body shrivel up to a 48kg person, who eats so well and with fresh food every…See More
Nicole Maddocks I’m 2.5 years post stroke and still have lethargy, weakness and other slight symptoms. Be kind on yourself you are only 6 weeks post-stroke 💜💜💜
Fran Wilson Nicole Maddocks totally agree, 2.5 years myself. .
Be kind to yourself. You are awesome and you'll get through this, one day at a time. ❤
Katie Dobsa Helen, yes a few months after my stroke I was getting ready to go and have lunch with a friend and after showering and doing my hair/makeup I had to rest for 10 to 20 minutes on the bed, I was so frustrated, as I was soo excited to be going out and I’d exhausted myself, take your time you’ll need to build up your stamina again, even now 10 years on, I need to manage my fatigue and remind myself to take it easy, I wish you all the best😍🙏
Graeme Marshall No trembles but your different now, just have to keep on punching, exercise etc. Still get nervous out and about. Still get eye problems face pain etc, after 18 months. Soldier on. Good luck
Rob Rob Robinson Still have stroke fatigue 3 years on.
Raelene Hardy Dear Helen, 6 weeks is very early in your recovery. You may be trying to do too much just yet. Be kind to yourself. Fatigue is a huge issue for quite a long time. My husband had a stroke and I’m his carer. Try to accept all offers of help for now and get as much sleep and rest as you can. It probably seems like ages to you -but it’s still early days. Best wishes with your recovery 🌺🌸
Meri Johnny I'm 5 months post stroke and it took me about 3 months to start feeling like my energy was getting back up there. I didn't experience the trembling feeling you describe and I'm no doctor but perhaps you're pushing yourself too hard. Whilst 6 weeks seems like ages, for stroke recovery, it really isn't. We all heal in our own way and own time and we need to be kind to ourselves. Our bodies have been through a lot. From my experience, I would suggest to slow down and try to avoid getting to that trembling state. Perhaps you can take note of how long it takes before you feel that and then in future, stop before you get there. It took me a while to listen to what my body was telling me but I eventually learnt and now I feel a tonne better. I wish you a speedy recovery and take one day at a time for now. 🙏
Bek Hands Sensory over load is a big thing post stroke and grocery shopping gas it all - people, noise, light, conversation. Limit yourself to short shops with a rest afterwards. OT and physio will help enormously with regaining strength and getting out to walk …See More
Hamish van den IJssel Helen, I slept for 12 hours a day for the first 4 weeks. I was able to return to work part time after 5 weeks and it took around 3 months before I went back full time. I took time to build up my stamina and then my fitness.
Suesan Beddow You are doing quite well considering you had a stroke 6wks ago. I had mine 18mths ago and suffered from the same symptoms you describe as well as that I had cognitive aphasia and could not speak properly for a while but I was determined and kept the physio up daily. Don't push yourself but don't let things get you down either. Just do what you can.
Janelle Hill I get that feeling of trembling too and I can still only stand still for a relatively short time (18 months post stroke).It has got better though, so stay positive and rest frequently. I do Pilates which has helped with the core strength and also has helped with the right side weakness. Keep going and keep looking back as it’s easy to forget the progress you are making.
Terri Kendrick Wotbyour feeling is normal and just doin a simple task like the shopping is hugely over whelming just take your time maybe just do a small shop to start with it’s very early days for you things will get better and you will manage tasks in time I’m not …See More
Lee Moran Cormack Helen, what you're feeling is completely normal for a stroke survivor. Your world has changed now and that's very scary and very uncomfortable to deal with. Shopping! it's a mammoth task for us isn't it? Have you tried planning your week's meals in advance and writing down your shopping list, preferably aisle by aisle if you can. Is there someone who can come with you? For Example, I struggle in the fruit and vegetable aisle, all those items for all those different meal recipes, I become overwhelmed with it all. Can you set you mobile to an alarm at a time that suites you eg 2.30 pm, so that you can take 15 minutes to recharge your "battery" . Close your eyes in a comfortable space and breathe slowly in and out for 5 minutes. Our poor brain is working overtime now and needs to take a break. Don't push yourself to trying to be the person you once were because that does not work. I had my stroke 2 years and 4 months ago and I still struggle, but I am encouraged by the advances I've made over t
Marilyn Wright Lee Moran Cormack I found shopping online and getting groceries delivered a great help, so I could get the rest I needed , I still need a lot more sleep and nana naps in afternoon but if I don't get that rest by end of day everything gets way to much for me and I start shutting down
Meliame Tauali'i - Fifita I think you will find this is normal Helen till you start gaining strength in your legs, arms and body. Don't give up you will get there, even though it's a slow recovery process
Rod Bee Hi Helen one step at a time is the key. I continue to experience vertigo on occasions and tiredness frequently. I am approaching 4 years post stroke and if there was only one thing I have learned it is to listen to your body.. I keep on going as long a…See More
Lesley Ganderton Early days
Listen to your body don’t over do it baby steps !!!!
Ken Blackwell I’m just at 18 months and I still have bad days, it has taken a lot longer than I ever thought it would
Karina Bacon Ken Blackwell you’re amazing, you’ve clawed back, worked hard, & look at you now 😘
Barbara Wolfenden It sounds like you could benefit from more rehab to strengthen your body.
Annie Sully Mix a stroke with inflammatory arthritis and it is a daily battle to just appear and function somewhat normally. The mental battle within yourself to plan travel or attend an event also raises anxiety that you will cope. Also to retain your career. All u can do is your best each day depending on ur energy and mobility level, go at ur own pace and let others walk ahead if need be, and praise yourself for just getting up each day! Xox
Julie Kirkman Completely normal. Don’t over do it. Please ask family & friends to help. Coming from a stroke survivor.
Rod Bee Julie Kirkman too true ask is the imperative. Often people want to help but don’t know how or even how to offer. It’s important to ask.
Jen Bee Be kind to yourself! Stroke fatigue is something that doesn’t go away after resting. Don’t have huge expectations. Celebrate the small steps. You have a new normal now. You just need to get to know your limits.
(Also I make a habit of always wearing sunglasses on my head [day and night] too)
Vanessa Morse Do things as your body will allow. Took me nearly 2 years to feel like I was walking normally again and as everyone has said take it easy and don’t overdo it. Your body lets you know when you are tired or have overdone it and the best thing you can do is trust yourself and rest when needed. Take care Helen and good luck with your recovery. xo
Laine Yates Hi Helen,
I’m nearly 8 years post stroke. I remembe getting quite trembly in the weeks after I started walking (prob 8 weeks post stroke). Fatigue is still a huge issue now.
Best advice I can give, be kind to yourself & give yourself permission to rest up. Definitely take up offers of help. It all adds up & will help u in the long run.
Sensory overload is still a huge issue for me, but I’ve learnt strategies on how to best deal with it for me.
U will get there... it’s just getting used to your “new normal”.
I’m in Melbourne & happy to meet up over a cuppa if u would like or just a chat on the phone?!
Sending u huge hugs & love, Laine xx
Vicki Jeffery One day at a time Enjoy the good days x
Carly Noble All of the above. Its been 7yrs since mine. Be kind to yourself. If your tired take it easy.
Paula Scanlon Gently, gently does it and, all of the other comments.
Anne Hazlewood I have noticed recently that my body trembles too.
Wendy-Lee O'Leary Helen i would speak to your neurologist and let them know next check up what is happening for you dont stress yourself we all recover at different speeds i took 7 years to dress myself
Richard Petroski You are doing well ( I still get stroke fatigue years later ), I couldn't walk for a year ... best advice ...you're gonna have good days & bad days. Just stay vigilant
Rajoo Ananth yes all true
Paul Carroll Get rest. But keep social. Keep your mind active. It will be hard to concentrate. But keep building the layers.
Benedicto Gonzalez I wish all you stroke victims the very best wishes for the future I hope all of you live life to the fullest
Bob Carey-Grieve Everything takes time. Eventually some effects will go and some will stay. I still dont like activity in my peripheral vision, which makes dinner tome with the kids challenging! It’s probably not much comfort but the anxiety lessens too.
Rosslyn McKendry Someone made a comment that after a stroke, everything seems harder. Keep trying for those who love you.
Jessica D'Lima One day at a time Helen. Almost 5 years on and my husband can still get weak/shakey when he’s tired. And yes some of the ‘simple, everyday tasks’ are sometimes beyond him or utterly exhausting. But appreciate and recognize what you can do and enjoy that. You are a survivor 💪🏻
Rani Saxena After my stroke I got my ability back but not as strong as I use to be. For a long time I couldn’t talk on the phone it just was too much for my ears & head. I was shaky on my legs for a long time
