Yikes!

[Ivan the Butcher]

My Stroke came in the middle of the night on October 5, 2011. I don't smoke but am heavy! But the super killer is Stress induced High Blood Pressure! I worked out at the gym 7 days a week, but my wife almost died 3 weeks before, and the stress of my job was literally killing me! In my case salty foods do a number on the BP too.

In my opinion the people that end up the worst off are the ones that can no longer swallow! I was in therapy with a few of them. many of these people have speech problems also.

Many people ask if I regained all my abilities? Mostly I can't do physically demanding things now (but I've never been 64 before either!) and I think that is more the age related.

Inside my head: I have no idea of missing abilities. I do know this, all my life I got storm related headaches! I have not had any type of headache since the stroke. I assume that the nerves that feel them are dead. So there might be other missing stuff, I just don't remember.

As you go through the rehab process, do more that they ask, 50% or 100% more! If the want 10 of an exercise do 20! In the long run this builds muscle memory and minor strength, but little things we never worked on, are very difficult to do now all these years later!

Hope you can find your normal again!

Ivan

 

[ancient-one]

First take care of yourself. Sometimes , as my wife did, you will have a TIA.
That is usually a precursor to the real stroke. That is when you need to see a good Dr. and get on some medication and be on a stroke watch. She was lucky and lost no functions except side vision and easily got lost.

 

[arjay]

The scariest part,as if not being able to walk isn't scary enough,was the inability to figure it out. Even in the ER,I was still convinced it was my back. They had me in a wheelchair and in the back in a flash!

 

[16thVACav]

Prayers and best wishes.