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← Return to Rib tightness after a stroke
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I had a Thalamic Stroke 2 weeks ago. Left side is affected. Underarm, ribcage are extremely tight, feels hard to breathe as well. Are there rehab exercises that might help. Also feel like a bowling ball is in the back of my upper thigh. What can be done? Have other issues with my arm and hand. Discouraging to hear these symptoms will continue for years.
Replies to "I had a Thalamic Stroke 2 weeks ago. Left side is affected. Underarm, ribcage are extremely..."
Hi. Reading your post is exactly how I feel. I did not have a stroke, but I had a thalamic lesion removed 18 months ago which left me with some damage and scarring to the thalamus resulting in thalamic pain syndrome. the entire left side gradually went numb. My symptoms are exactly as you described. The doctors say there is nothing they can do about it and it is permanent. After 18 months it still continues to get worse. Physical therapy only helped with my balance and stability but not the way I’m feeling. I’m stuck with it.
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@dorraine, I am very sorry to hear about your stroke.
I had an ischemic stroke on Christmas Eve, 2018, at the age of 60. Initially, I was in tremendous pain of all sorts, partly because when I had the stroke, I fell off a porch onto the ground, seriously bruising my right (affected) side.
The initial severe pain faded, thanks to effective physical therapy. But other pain persists to this day. Recovery also continues, which helps keep me motivated.
I would suggest working with a physical therapist. I had to stop therapy because of covid, but you should be able to get a lot of help.
You might also find it useful to watch my YouTube channel about my stroke story, "From Recovery to Discovery":
https://www.youtube.com/@srlucado/videos
Best of luck to you!