How can I help my partner realise rest is critical to recovery & physical symptoms of headaches, nausea, being grumpy can indicate fatigue is too high?

Hi there,

Thanks for your question, fatigue is common after stroke and can take some time to adjust to. The ‘Fatigue after stroke factsheet’ provides information about managing fatigue you may find helpful. It is also a good idea to talk to a doctor about fatigue and its possible causes. Our podcast on fatigue is also really helpful, we interview a stroke survivor, a researcher and a health professional who is a member of our StrokeLine team. 

Here is our main page on fatigue and some interesting conversations on our forum about cognitive fatigue and practical ways to manage fatigue that you and your partner may wish to read through.

Please click the underlined text to follow links to the Stroke Foundation and Better Health websites for further information.

If you would like to discuss anything further or you or your partner need further support, don't hesitate to call us on StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Simone
StrokeLine team

Hi Carer, 

I'm almost 5 yeasr post stroke and still struggle with fatigue management. Part of it is because I don;t want to let anyone down by saying I've had enough (I am getting better at this but don;t think I'll ever master this aspect). 

Sometimes I don;t recognise I need to rest.I could be so caught up in what I'm trying to do and just want to get whatever it is I am doing done even though my frustration and tiredness makes it all the harder.

Something to consider is what is your definition of rest and does it match up with your partner's. I thought lying on the couch and watching TV was resting, as was palying a gaem on facebook. It ws when I saw a neropsyche that I discovered none of this is rest as teh brain is still functioning at a high level. The neuropsych said I just needed to sit and breathe..along the lines of meditation. I started off doing this every hour and for 10 - 15 minutes at a time. Now I can sit outside, with a cup of tea, or sit in my 'princess chair' for 5 minutes and the effect on my fatigue levels is noticeable. At times I need to sleep but for me fatigue is way beyond needing to sleep it is just giving my brain a break. 

I'm not sure if anything I've written will help. One thing I would suggest, if you don't already, is to make sure you make time for yourself to. CArers can be forgotten but it is so important to look after you  and to take time out from being a carer.

Take care

Toni