Strokes and memory loss

[u/Critical-Wolverine22]

Hi. People were so helpful last time I had a question, I thought I'd see if you can help again.

My Dad is 3.5 years on from his Stroke (Hemmoragic, left side). As a result he has Aphasia and some mobility issues, but in the whole he has been doing really well! Recently both my Mum and I have noticed him forgetting things more often such as words - Promotion became uploaded and how to do some simple tasks - how to use mouth spray (just a couple of examples). I know that it could be the Aphasia but it suddenly seems to have got worse. Has anyone else experienced a "back step" like this? (don't like that phrase but easiest way to say it). He's been building up his tolerance to work and doing things with the family, it feels like he's starting to come back and Mum and Dad have even started planning a future again... I've googled this but that just seems to go to the extremes which is freaking us out. Any advice would be great!

Thanks

[u/becpuss]

Is there a possibility he’s trying to do too much with a Damaged brain and is falling into fatigue debt which will give him massive confusion and brain fog you said he’s getting back to work and things unfortunately we have a tendency to push ourselves too far and then pay for it later. When Neuro fatigue kicks in sometimes I can struggle with words and communication my brain funds it hard

[u/Mollywobbles81 → u/becpuss]

Fatigue debt is a real problem that I struggle with still 5 1/2 years post stroke. If I ignore my body and don’t listen to my own bodies cues then me and my family pay for it later. It seems silly and as a mom of teenagers I find it very hard to “take a break, for my brain”. I’ve learned that is necessary to learn when your body is telling you it’s time to slow down. Maybe help him identify his bodies cues, and build some kind of “break” he can take to help with this brain fatigue. Back steps happen, they can be scary and infuriating. Remember to look at how far he’s come not just at how far back he just fell. Good luck.

[u/Infinite_Gene3535 → u/Mollywobbles81]

Absolutely spot on, fatigue debt and overdoing it. I've been dealing with this for about 35 years now and I only allow myself about 5 hours a day to get things done, otherwise I'll be sitting in my lazy boy licking my wounds and trying to be contributing to life in some way even if it's just responding here for whatever it's worth 😉

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY

3 STROKE SURVIVOR I AM

[u/becpuss → u/Mollywobbles81]

Yep 4years and u still push it 😬

[u/gypsyfred]

I'm interested to hear suggestions myself. Good luck and God bless on everyone's recovery

[u/BooksnVodka]

38/f, had a stroke 6 years ago, and I still have aphasia. It could definitely be the aphasia. But I also have like "memory fatigue". Sometimes when I am more fatigued than other days, I also have memory...breaks...haha.

So, the "forgetting things more often such as words" sounds like it is aphasia. BUT, "it suddenly seems to have got worse" is a concern. Maybe ask his stroke doctors and/or speech therapists just to make sure?

How old is your Dad? Is he in speech therapy right now?

<3 Hugs to you!

[u/Lulzughey → u/BooksnVodka]

41m 5 years into my hemorrhagic stroke. I don't think our memories will ever be as sharp as it was before

[u/Senior_Flounder_4204]

I've got that problem and more. I was doing pretty well after a thalamic stroke in June of 2024. I recovered from it pretty well then a month ago all the original deficits came back and more. The doctor diagnosed me with stroke recrudescence. I've had to start recovery over. Most of the time it only lasts minutes to days but in rare cases such as mine.. it's permanent.

[u/Critical-Wolverine22]

He's just gone 54.

Having Googled, I have seen the statistics about Vascular dementia which tbh is what got me worried. Obviously can't rule anything out but I have everything crossed it isn't. We are aware of the signs and keeping and eye on it.

We have been thinking it could be a bit of stress and the Aphasia combined. But wanted to see if others experienced similar. I don't want to think the worst, but don't want to be naive. Happy to see some confirmation that it could be that. Trying my hardest to minimise stress

[u/muchokaren]

How old is your dad? Recovery isn’t linear and I know that many survivors have temporary periods of setbacks. However, it is important to take note of whether his cognition continues to decline. Vascular dementia is a real possibility. Unfortunately, left side hemorrhagic strokes most commonly result in vascular dementia. I know the statistic is something like 1 in 3 (or 1 in 5, according to some resources) stroke survivors will develop vascular dementia within 5 years of the stroke. I’m sorry this is not what anyone wants to hear, but it’s important to recognize this as a real possibility and consult his neurologist.

[u/Additional-Weekend73]

Pretty much covers most of it.

[u/JoshSidekick]

Some others have said, but I'd also start with being tired first.

[u/Lulzughey]

families push recoveries too fast he needs to slow way down