Stroke

We all seem to have similar aches and pains. Is anyone making notes ? Maybe this will help those who want to know what's likely to occur or what to expect. While everyone's is different and that may sound like a copout or some sort of lame excuse - truth is we all different in one way or another. Maybe somebody's is noting these symptoms and the after effects, at least the ones that seem common.

i have a hard time sleeping inbed because of shoulder painand discomfort. does anyone have any tricks tohelp get comfortable inbed. anyone else hqave this problem. right now i have to sleep in a chair.

 

barry

I too noticed the date thing and agree that the typo was biggie. We all do it - nobodies perfect. Well, back to the subject - my stroke was February 15, 2007. After a year most of my right arm and leg came back and my speaking is almost normal and I don't slaughter the language anymore. My yodeling career however is bust - so too my chances for "American Idol". I never lost my cognitive or short term memory. Funny thing my emotions have pushed their way out and instead of being reserved and stoic - I find myself laughing and crying at the stupidest things. Like Judge Judy, National Geoghraphic and the Science Channel - you can guess which one was laughable and which were sad. Things like yawning and sneezing have become uncontrollable and unexpected. I eat like a slob now. Good or bad I knew my leg was coming back when I felt the pressure of the blanket on it. I also had cramps in my calf. Then I felt "pins and needles" on my foot. I didn't track or keep the dates but I'm 50 now and I don't think it matters but helps if you are not "long in the tooth". It seems the older you are the less able you can rejuvenate the brain to appendages link but I'm no expert - just experienced.

On December 10th 2005, I was sitting around and minding my own business, when a strange feeling came over me. I went to family room to lie down--suddenly I couldn't get up. I was having a stroke and fell down hitting my head on the coffee table. Fortunately, Carol was at home at the time. It took paramedics five minutes to come here to the home. After 24-hours, I had emergency surgery. It was hemmoragic stroke! The surgeons removed a clot about a size of a small tangerine. Long story short, I spent almost three weeks in ICU, my wife held my hand and fighting back tears--don't know if I was going to make it. There was chance I was going to be a vegetable (I'd prefer it was cucumber). After two months in the hospital, I declared "treated and released". Little did I know what lied ahead for me. After 50 years on this planet, I've survived 29 months of intensive therapy. I'm halfway through the marathon. I've given my body to science by exposing it everything. From acupuncture to constraint-therapy (which I still do), from aqua-therapy to PENs therapy. I go walk without my cane around the house, my arm is still experiencing the gross-movement, and, through the tireless efforts of Natalie, my speech therapist, I'm improving my speech day-after-day. It's slowly coming back to me. But it take a lot of effort from me. Somedays, I feel like giving up. And then, I remember, what a friend once told me, "stronger the mind". And, this: 1) Enjoy life, because without it--you'd be dead, 2) Think of your family, they are counting on you, especially your grandkids, 3) It takes a calm heart and a steady conscience to persevere. In conclusion, never, ever, ever, ever give up. Yes, it gets frustrating at times, and yes, its OK to cry, and sometimes I get angry at myself. But never give up. David Hukari Oh yes, go to this site: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229

I am was 42 years old when I had my stroke.December 20,2005.For a long time I thought God was punishing me.I was recenty divorced with 4 children the yiungest being 10.  I was a registered nurse working a the time but oving every minute of it. My mother had passed away about 3 months prior.  In the beginning I did alot of falling, I wanted so bad to get my left side to work.  It hasn't yet. Athough I do walk with a cane short distances It is 6:o3 amhere in pantersvile Texas.  I am truly glad that I found this site I fee that I am not alone in this struggle.  I can really use the support.

 

 

 

good morning my name is sonia i was 43 when i had 2 strokes also affecting my left side keep doing therapy at home it will get better it just takes a long time and is very frustrating i keep getting things back that i thought i never wouldwelcome to disaboom it is great here

You sound a great deal like me - our HMO's have done all that they will. Now you need to work on you. I laid around expecting things to come back and they have to some point. But it's been a year plus since my stroke and I'm still not all back. I still use a cane. My right hand side was effected so I stilll can't write legibly, or drive yet. I'm working on leaving the cane behind and driving when I can count on my right leg in an emergency manuver, I noticed the other day I had cramp in my right calf. So something is going on. I walk the area where I live twice a day. I want to use an exercise bike soon. And now that it is summer I want to use the pool to just hold the edge and kick. I'm not ready to swim yet. All things in moderation.

I had hemorrhagic stroke, too. It was 29 months ago. I'm now walking around my house without my cane and outside I still use it. I'm driving with a left-foot petal, it was struggle to get around without wheels. Through a process called constraint-therapy, I feel my arm is coming back. RE: that large brace, let me tell you, I threw away nine months after stroke! I can't stand the thing!! I've been blessed that I still have my disability insurance -- a smart move on my part! That said, I understand your struggle. But human body can take a beating and you should see progress--albeit s-l-o-w-l-y. It take a lot time to heal from a brain attack and I'm a stubborn SOB! A friend sent me this via email: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229. It talks about doctor that experinced the same thing you and I had. She is now talking, walking and moving around the room like she never had a stroke! It ONLY took eight years! It is marvelous! Cheers!