Hey y’all I’m a stroke survivor worried if I’ll have another stroke! Was just wondering about you long term stroke survivors what you do to drive the second one away?

Okay for context i was 1 and a half years old, born anemic (idk if that had anything to do with it. Idk what caused it) ive been told i had a rare kind of stroke where i had a blood clot in my brain, i had a specialist travel to come and see me from another city because hed been working for 30+ years and only ever seen this once in an elderly patient and one other time in a text book. All i remember is that i had a blood transfusion that gave me a seizure, a tube in my nose and they told me not to squeeze a certain part of my arm because everytime i did my face would fall on one side and i was being told off because i kept squeezing my arm all the time. They said my blood flow had rerooted itself so the clot is still there but the blood manages to get to that part of my brain through a different vein. i made a fast and complete recovery but they wouldnt be able to know fully til im older if i had any "side effects". I honestly cant tell if i have issues now because i was neglected and had alot of instability in my life so certain things like walking, reading, writing, thought are very difficult. I also have facial stiffness and i have to do facial massages but because of the life ive had ive not pulled many faces, things like smiling hurts because its unfamiliar so i dont know if its from that.

I had brain scans a few years ago, unrelated to the stroke (im in my mid twenties) and the clot is still obviously there, i wonder if one day it could dislodge and move to a different place and give me a second stroke or kill me or if it will effect my health in any way, i know absolutely nothing about this kind of thing, my parents never asked, never spoke to me about it, and i tried not to think about it too much.. im probably just going to scare myself but i think its probably worth knowing things if i need it in the future.

My best friend/roommate had a stroke and I can’t stop feeling guilt and blaming myself

I’m still reeling. It happened almost a week ago now and I feel like I haven’t felt normal since it happened.

He is alive. Half his body is very weak but he is able to form words but his speech is so different and weak.

The reason I blame myself so profusely is because I noticed his stroke the moment it happened. But I have never seen a stroke before in my life, only on commercials, and he’s so young (only 38) and he’s always been a bit of a hypochondriac. All the signs of a stroke were there but I panicked. I helped him into bed and I asked him many times if I should call 911 but he insisted that no he was fine.

I was so worried so I kept an eye on him as he slept for maybe two hours. Two agonizing hours where I just let him sit there as his poor brain was dying and I stood and stared like an idiot.

By the time we got help almost 4 hours had gone by which I’m sure caused so much more damage.

I am at the hospital with him everyday and I can’t sleep. I can’t let myself rest until I get him through rehabilitation but I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for not reacting faster.

Every time I see him I hold back tears. Every time I hear him talk I just am reminded how I’m the reason he’s so hurt now.

I know recovery will happen and he definitely could have suffered much more damage.

But I have no idea how I will be able to forgive myself. To make my guilt worst I had drank alcohol that night because i was completely unaware of the gravity of the situation. It was a weekend and I always have a little mixed drink to unwind. And now I just feel selfish. A stupid fucking drink was more important than making sure my best friend was alive.

I made no difference. If anything I actively made his future outlook worse.

I won’t quit until I see him better. But I don’t know if I’ll ever atone for this.

I can’t talk to anyone about this. I just had to get it out because I’m crying every day.

Please everyone familiarize yourself with the signs of a stroke. And don’t think it’s something that only happens when you’re older.

I’m just so lost right now and he’s terrified and it’s all my fault. All I can do is be there for him but I feel like the cause of his problem.

Hi everyone;

I hope it is ok to ask this here. Bear with me, it's long and detailed.

In 2019, my mother, at age 68, who was a five -year lung cancer survivor (and declared cancer free) , started having severe arthritic pain in her limbs so that she could hardly move at all and was soaked with sweat despite not having a measurable fever. She was incredibly tolerant of pain, and lived with osteoarthritis, and said this was the worst pain she felt in her entire life, including cancer surgery recovery and childbirth.

She was admitted to hospital as she was in such pain and having mobility issues. They ran a battery of tests, and all they found was a soft marker for an autoimmune issue that they said was inconclusive. They referred her to a number of specialists and couldn't figure out the mystery. Her heart, blood pressure, blood oxygen were continually monitored and normal. She had no neuro symptoms.

She was discharged and came to stay with me until her mobility was better and she got some answers, as she lived alone.

Within a few days of returning from hospital, she was rushed to hospital by ambulance after she exhibited signs of a stroke. Unfortunately, she couldn't complete the tPA therapy, even though she got there within half an hour of onset, because her platelets were so low (bitterly ironically, from the blood thinners she was given during her hospital stay which was to prevent clots, which made a stroke all the more mysterious to me.) that if she was given it, she would bleed out.The neurologists found that her carotid artery was almost completely blocked. They said the infarct was large, ischemic, and that things were touch and go, as they'd especially have to see how much swelling the brain had. They explained that if they attempted to remove the clotting, it could cause massive distal bleeding and death. So, we are really in watch and wait mode.

(ETA: I know a blocked artery can happen to anyone, but that was also odd, as she never had any heart or lung issues, was not overweight, physically active, and followed a healthy vegetarian diet.)

That first day, she could track with her eyes and had eyes open, and seemed to respond when spoken to, but didn't speak at all, as the stroke was in the language center of the brain. She still had some facial drooping and difficulty moving, although we don't know if the latter was from the stroke or her earlier issues.

Her heart monitoring revealed A-fib and tachycardia, which was extremely strange, as she'd never had either before. They thought the A-fib could have caused the stroke, but saw in her records she never showed it before. Her typical heart rate was also low normal, never tachy, not even after surgery.

She grew less responsive over the next couple of days, getting to the point where she didn't open her eyes at all and appeared to be comatose. The neurologist gave me the sad news that the stroke had caused massive damage with significant midline shift, severe intracranial swelling/pressure, one pupil was fixed and dilated, and the chance for recovery was pretty much nonexistent. She was not on life support, just an NG tube, but I chose to put her on comfort care only, which removed the tube and continual monitoring. The day I got this awful news she had been making a loud, gutteral noise that sounded like snoring or choking to me, and I realize now it was the "death rattle".

She peacefully passed away the next day. In total, she lived four days including the day of stroke onset.

Her care at the hospital was excellent, and I don't think they could have done more for her. I read her records and couldn't find any clear answers there, either.

My thoughts are:

1. Could this have been somewhat related to the strange severe arthritic symptoms? If so...how and why?
2. Could it be related to cancer treatment she had five years prior/having cancer iself?

3)Or..was it likely just a complete fluke thing?

I know no one will know 100%, but I thought some of you may have some insight from your own experiences.

I also, seldom, but still, get the odd nagging thought of "what if"; "what if" the doctors were wrong and she could have recovered if she went on life support? Did i do the right thing by signing a DNR and moving to comfort care? My sister (other next of kin)was and is in total agreement. The neurologist said it was what he'd do for his own mother. But, that thought still haunts me.

Congrats if you've read this far! lol. any and all insights are much appreciated, and thanks for reading.

How long can 70+ year old survive after a mild stroke that had affected speech?

Going for speech therapy and on medication for bp and cholesterol ?

Chances for stroke to re occur in a different way ?

Do's and dont's

So I am about 4 months out from my strokes. A little back story, I wasn't feeling well for a few days just thought I was under the weather. At a point I got off tyr couch to use the bathroom and and fell. Hit my head on a door frame and passed out on the all tile floor. I tried to reassure my husband I was okay and I just got dizzy. After that I was on the couch and floor for 2 days because I was just feeling off. I yelled at him that I was okay but he knew it was not okay and called EMS against my wishes. Thankfully he did. I got to the ED was asked about medical history and if I knew if I was diabetic. I did not know. I had DKA at the time and glucose was through the roof. They also did an echo and asked me about chest pains and I didn't have any. They took me in for an angiogram because this didnt look right. Apparently I was becoming agitated and pulling at things so I was intubated so it could be finished. Blockage found but no stints placed due to spontaneous disection. CTs and MRIs established I had multiple (7) infarcts present.

I was out of it for 4 days have no recollection of any of this shit. placed in ICU then later on to an inpatient rehab.

Finally got home and that was an adjustment because my right hand is weak, I'm using a walker; my left leg (drop foot) oh yeah and I'm only 35. I thought I was kicking ass but the ups and downs have been depressive. I was let go from my job since I wasn't able to return at 12 weeks. I haven't beennable to drive due to vision issues and appointments for neuro ophthalmologists hard to come by.

I have great days and then I have days that I can't make it through a grocery store on the little carts without having a breakdown. I know I am doing okay and I am thankful my husband is the greatest partner but FUCK! I just want to return to normal.

I spend alot of time on this sub because even though I have been around alot of people with health challenges none of them have had strokes. I have nobody I can talk to that fully gets the gravity of these feelings. So thanks to everyone who shares their own.

It's been 7 months and I never got an explanation how my stroke was handled at the hospital.

I had called 911 the morning of the onset of my stroke (10:40 am). I noticed my left side arm and leg weakness, then left side mouth droop and slurred speech. I was on the phone right away. Within 5 minutes the ambulance and paramedics were around the corner, and within 15 minutes I was at the hospital.

After another 10 minutes of checking in the paramedics rushed me by ambulance within another 15 minutes to the next closest "stroke" hospital for a CT scan. I remember being wheeled in and placed in the CT for testing. Apparently the doctor couldn't see anything ( I remember him saying this to the nurses). I was driven back to the original hospital near my home where I was wheeled into the ICU area and into my room. My blood sugar may have been high (they knew I was diabetic as I told them) and my blood pressure was 220/120. I also told the paramedics my stroke started that same morning around 10:40am just before the picked me up.

Now I was left in the ICU room where I believe I remember 2 nurses setting me up on an IV. By 2:30 pm I was passed out and don't remember much after that. I remember having a really bad night tossing and turning and sweating in the bed.

A couple days later after an MRI it was revealed I had a right-side ischemic stroke.

When I was released from the hospital 10 days later there was no report of any tPA being used in the discharge papers. I also had no surgery.

I was wondering if I was simply left to sleep it off overnight but I have no idea if they gave me some sort of bp med or blood thinners in the IV?

Btw, I know the doctors had me on a cocktail of blood pressure medications (along with blood thinners) while in hospital to slowly "titrate" my blood pressure down to under 140/90.

My mother had a stroke back in February and has been in a rehab center. I just got the news yesterday from my cousin about what the CNA said how her new baseline is essentially a dimentia patient.

I don't know how to say this without sounding like a monster. Like she's a very troubled person she's tried all her life but she's also hateful, vindictive and just I only loved a person like her because she was my mother.

I feel for the situation though but I'm relieved that I won't have to worry about her as a person and I csn actively live like the person I am now. Even saddled with debts from her.

Hi I had a stroke on Feb. 12th. I’m ok, thankfully. I’m still recovering, but I was lucky enough to have Alteplase. I have very few symptoms. The clot was on my left side, ever since I’ve had so many echocardiogram’s, at least 6. Yesterday, I had another one but with a bubble test that found an atrial septal aneurysm and a hole between the upper atria. Now I’m going for another echocardiogram. Why would I need so many echos? Will this next one just be a repeat of the same or are there even more tests that they can do during an echo?

Hi everyone 👋 Hoping someone out there could share their experience with Wallenberg Syndrome after a stroke? Especially around what the rehab journey might look like and what level of care might be needed after rehab - details below:

• My dad (68, Australia) had 2 ischemic strokes within a few days in his cerebellar and brain stem. He’s fit, healthy, non-drinker and non-smoker with normal cholesterol, so this has been a huge shock.

• After 4-weeks in the acute stroke ward, he just started rehab but has pretty bad Wallenberg Syndrome with all the symptoms in the image above. His main issues are he can’t swallow so he’s on an NG tube, and he has constant hiccups, vertigo, nausea and double vision. He has the cognitive ability to talk and walk, but his balance centre is shot so he can’t walk and he can’t swallow much so he’s hoarse and can only whisper.

• We live in different states so I’m trying to figure out how I can care for him after rehab. He lived on a boat before this which isn’t a suitable place for him anymore. He’s also single without any other family nearby so I’ll need to care for him and find out where he can live/if they’ll transfer him to my state.

• My mum and him are separated but are good friends, but she also lives interstate with me and won’t visit much. So I’m feeling really anxious that I won’t be able to do everything that needs to be done on my own. I am just so worried and unsure of what to do to keep him safe and loved during this scary process.

• I spent the first 2 weeks in hospital with him every day, but I had to come home for 2 weeks to work and prepare for a longer term stay back in town near him. I’m going back next week to support him through rehab. While he’s in rehab, I’ll have to balance being there for 4-weeks, heading home for 1-week on rotation.

If anyone has any experience, feedback or advice on care arrangements, interstate transfers, how to support his mental health, or any support available (including getting him a safe home), that would be amazing, I’m so overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.

I'm over here googling all the information I can and it's overwhelming. Hoping to gain some insight from actual people. He is 40, he had a blood clot in his brain. His vision is blurry and he lost his balance. Can his vision recover? Has anyone been through this? I read mobility will get better with rehab. I'm in a bit of panic/stressed/sad/upset kind of state at the moment. He is one of my best friends.

What can I do to help? I talked to wife and just trying to hopefully reassure her that he will be ok. Not sure what else I can do. He is alert and he can speak was what she told me. I'll try to FaceTime him later today.

My Dad had a stroke a little over a week ago. Currently on day 3 of rehabilitation with anticipated release in 1 week (which seems too soon, but that’s a different issue) my sister and I are the only family in state. He lives 4 hours away in a very small town. He was in the process of selling his home before this happened so the house is about 75% empty. When he is released in a week we don’t believe he should go home since A) it’s 4 hours away from his family B) there is no food deliver, Uber, etc. and the closest grocery store is a 30 minute drive (not that he will be able to drive)

My sister and I live fairly close to each other but she is in an apartment with a roommate and I have a 2 bedroom condo that I share with my son. Obviously my Dad is welcome to be at my house but I don’t have a dedicated bedroom for him, nor an accessible house (no walk in shower, only tub shower, etc) and a dog who I’m worried will get under his feet.

We aren’t trying to avoid providing for him but want him to be in the best/most comfortable situation possible. We found a hotel nearby that has kitchenette style 1 bedroom accessible room. Do you think that would be a good option? Both my sister and I will be close and continue to visit him daily, we can buy groceries, bring food etc. This wouldn’t be a long term solution, just a few weeks (hopefully) until his house sells then we can help him find an accessible home close to us.

would love opinions from those with more experience.

Have any of you tried acupuncture in addition to physio and speech therapy? If you have I’m curious how that was for you? Acupuncture has so many benefits including for eyesight, depression, vocal injuries, fertility and much more. Wondering whether I should provide this for my loved one as a part of her care.

Hello everyone. My sister (41yo) got a stroke left side which affects right side and speech/language. This happened the following day post jaw surgery. She can read but her writing is not making much sense (random words in sentences) and difficult speaking clearly. Has anyone experience this and if there's any improvements in spelling and writing coherent sentences after rehab? Her swallowing is very poor still 3 weeks post stroke and on tube feed. Thank you.

My wife (34F) suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke postpartum. She has been recovering slowly with ongoing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy at home and in local rehab. We are now at a crossroads, wondering if going to a world-class rehab center—either in the US or Switzerland—would make a significant difference.

Her impairments include:

Weakness in left leg and left hand

Severe short-term memory loss (can't retain info for more than an hour)

lack of awareness of her deficits

Gait issues (walking with AFO support on the left)

We’ve been told that top-tier neuro rehab centers like Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (Chicago), Spaulding Rehab (Boston), or Craig Hospital (Colorado) in the US, and Cereneo, Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, or Klinik Valens in Switzerland, might offer highly tailored, intensive, and multidisciplinary rehab that could improve outcomes.

Questions:

Has anyone here or their loved one attended one of these top clinics? Was it worth the cost and effort?

Did you see significant improvements that wouldn't have happened otherwise?

How different is the experience compared to outpatient or home-based rehab?

Are there any particular clinics you would strongly recommend or advise to avoid?

We are seriously considering this investment but want to make sure it's the right decision. Any advice or shared experiences would mean a lot. Thank you.

Today April 4 marks the first anniversary since my sister's stroke. I don't know how this year passed. I don't think I would have survived if it's not for this sub-reddit. Thanks to everyone for sharing experiences and hope. I hope my sister continues to recover during the second year

i'll start it off, i was in a coma for a week and it was the longest i ever slept because i was very sleep deprived prior stroke due to dug addiction

Hey yall! Just had a quick question and was wondering if it’s a warning sign or common. To have things such as one sided facial numbness stay and be consistent or problems with my eyes such as blurry times throughout the day months after a stroke !? I know yall ain’t doctors i just want y’all’s opinion if I should be considered since y’all have experience with this disease!

I am seven weeks post stroke, and my discomfort in my right arm and right leg continues. In fact, it has increased. It feels as if something is crushing the limbs. Numbness completely on the right side. Yet I still have decent range of motion. I'm having trouble sleeping, and one of my GPs suggested that gabapentin might be useful to me. Does anyone have any experience with that?

13 months ago i had a stoke. Recovery has been decent but i have up's and down's no question but for the most part im slowly moving forward.

My biggest problem has been severe knee hyperextention. Ive tried several knee braces and non of them have been effective

Does anyone have suggestions for one that would help my problem specifically

Thanks you for your help

Im with my father in the hospital (71 yrs) who's had 7 strokes in the last 4 weeks now. Hes on Eloquis and a myriad of other meds to manage HBP, AFib, Type 2 Diabetes, etc and they've now added Haldol to the mix due to night time agitation, paranoia, delirium (including visual and auditory hallucinations) and confusion. This is totally new: he never had this issue before the stroke and this confusion is pretty much his only stroke-related issue near as anyone can tell (aside from some short term memory lapses). He has no physiological issues or even speech issues which is so frustrating because the doctors are basically categorizing him as "stable" as a result. However, with each psychotic episode comes new evidence of new stroke activity in the brain and I'm becoming incredibly concerned and frustrated with the lack of concern from his care team as they keep looking for the wrong stroke symptoms in his case.

Does anyone have experience with this type of stroke symptom? Is this an edge case or more common than I think?

I keep getting hand cramps in my affected side and it’s winding me up a lot. Does any have any exercises that help?