1. < Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases

Ischemic stroke

Posted by lsatenst1 @lsatenst1, Mar 29, 2017

I had a stroke in my brainstem caused by a blockage in my basilar artery, I had paralysis in my whole right side which went away, any one else have a stroke ?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases Support Group.

Solo Act | @soloact | Aug 21, 2017
In reply to @johnbishop "The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what..." + (show)
@johnbishop

The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what you eat. I have struggled with eating all my life and it's a daily battle changing my life style when it comes to food. It's not easy going from "live to eat" to "eat to live". What has helped my was reading a book while searching for answers for my autoimmune diseases - small fiber peripheral neuropathy (SFPN) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). I found a book written by Dr. Terry Wahls who suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS). She has an amazing story of how she was able to reduce the symptoms through nutrition. She still has MS but she went from being in a wheel chair to riding a bike which is pretty amazing in itself.

http://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/

One thing I picked out of her diet that I do pretty regular - 4 or 5 days a week I have a "green" smoothie for breakfast. I alternate the fresh fruit and the greens used to make the smoothie - blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or whatever fresh ones I can find. For the greens I use kale, chard, spinach and sometimes arugula but I don't like it as much. I add about 4 oz of unsweetened coconut water and 4 oz of regular water. It's really not as bad as it might sound. The big surprise for me is after drinking the smoothie I can last until lunch time without going on the prowl for some snacks to get me to lunch.

John

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I recently spent an overnight at the hospital for observation, because I had either a TIA or ophthalmic (occur) migraine. Still waiting for neurologist follow-up appt so still not sure which, but likely the migraine. But the CT scan they did revealed that I had a previous stroke. So now I can add "microvascular disease" (not even sure that's correct yet) to my heart diagnoses of diastolic dysfunction (heart failure), bradycardia, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). I don't even count severe sleep apnea and mild-moderate COPD at this stage.

I'm actually doing pretty well, all things considered. But I am scared about the future. I'm 72 and one of the hundreds (at least) of "economic exiles" forced to leave California because of housing costs. I'm in Port Angeles, WA, on the Olympic Peninsula (pretty remote place), know hardly anyone here because I haven't been here very long and have no family within 2000 miles. So I need a place that I can ask questions and maybe SAY that I'm scared or confused or just having a heckuva hard time adjusting to this new reality. I'm not likely to attend a local support group and don't know of one anyway. So decided to try this. Thanks for the welcome.

REPLY
Solo Act | @soloact | Aug 21, 2017
In reply to @johnbishop "The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what..." + (show)
@johnbishop

The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what you eat. I have struggled with eating all my life and it's a daily battle changing my life style when it comes to food. It's not easy going from "live to eat" to "eat to live". What has helped my was reading a book while searching for answers for my autoimmune diseases - small fiber peripheral neuropathy (SFPN) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). I found a book written by Dr. Terry Wahls who suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS). She has an amazing story of how she was able to reduce the symptoms through nutrition. She still has MS but she went from being in a wheel chair to riding a bike which is pretty amazing in itself.

http://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/

One thing I picked out of her diet that I do pretty regular - 4 or 5 days a week I have a "green" smoothie for breakfast. I alternate the fresh fruit and the greens used to make the smoothie - blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or whatever fresh ones I can find. For the greens I use kale, chard, spinach and sometimes arugula but I don't like it as much. I add about 4 oz of unsweetened coconut water and 4 oz of regular water. It's really not as bad as it might sound. The big surprise for me is after drinking the smoothie I can last until lunch time without going on the prowl for some snacks to get me to lunch.

John

Jump to this post

"occular" migraine, not "occur" -- couldn't edit, so sorry for this

REPLY
Solo Act | @soloact | Aug 21, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hi @cinderella28, We are so glad to have you join Connect, and even happier to know..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hi @cinderella28,

We are so glad to have you join Connect, and even happier to know that that you are doing well after your stroke. You've landed in the right group, and I'm sure @lsatenst1 @beachgal8 and others will return to share their experiences with you.
I think you might be interested in watching this video Q&A with Dr. Brott, about strokes, too:
Let’s talk stroke prevention with Thomas Brott, M.D. http://mayocl.in/1sS5xvN

@cinderella28, I did see your message in the other discussion group, "Stroke survivor - always hungry" and also noticed you're a good cook! Has the increased appetite ever been a problem for you?

Jump to this post

I'd like to watch that video, but I get an error message: Video unavailable.

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 22, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hi @cinderella28, We are so glad to have you join Connect, and even happier to know..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hi @cinderella28,

We are so glad to have you join Connect, and even happier to know that that you are doing well after your stroke. You've landed in the right group, and I'm sure @lsatenst1 @beachgal8 and others will return to share their experiences with you.
I think you might be interested in watching this video Q&A with Dr. Brott, about strokes, too:
Let’s talk stroke prevention with Thomas Brott, M.D. http://mayocl.in/1sS5xvN

@cinderella28, I did see your message in the other discussion group, "Stroke survivor - always hungry" and also noticed you're a good cook! Has the increased appetite ever been a problem for you?

Jump to this post

Hi @soloact, I can see the video but I'm not hearing the audio. See if you can watch this one OK. It's the same doctor talking about strokes but the video by Thomas Brott, M.D. is on YouTube:

John

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 22, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hi @cinderella28, We are so glad to have you join Connect, and even happier to know..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hi @cinderella28,

We are so glad to have you join Connect, and even happier to know that that you are doing well after your stroke. You've landed in the right group, and I'm sure @lsatenst1 @beachgal8 and others will return to share their experiences with you.
I think you might be interested in watching this video Q&A with Dr. Brott, about strokes, too:
Let’s talk stroke prevention with Thomas Brott, M.D. http://mayocl.in/1sS5xvN

@cinderella28, I did see your message in the other discussion group, "Stroke survivor - always hungry" and also noticed you're a good cook! Has the increased appetite ever been a problem for you?

Jump to this post

Try this one. It's by the same Dr. Brott about strokes but is on YouTube:

John

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 22, 2017
In reply to @johnbishop "The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what..." + (show)
@johnbishop

The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what you eat. I have struggled with eating all my life and it's a daily battle changing my life style when it comes to food. It's not easy going from "live to eat" to "eat to live". What has helped my was reading a book while searching for answers for my autoimmune diseases - small fiber peripheral neuropathy (SFPN) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). I found a book written by Dr. Terry Wahls who suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS). She has an amazing story of how she was able to reduce the symptoms through nutrition. She still has MS but she went from being in a wheel chair to riding a bike which is pretty amazing in itself.

http://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/

One thing I picked out of her diet that I do pretty regular - 4 or 5 days a week I have a "green" smoothie for breakfast. I alternate the fresh fruit and the greens used to make the smoothie - blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or whatever fresh ones I can find. For the greens I use kale, chard, spinach and sometimes arugula but I don't like it as much. I add about 4 oz of unsweetened coconut water and 4 oz of regular water. It's really not as bad as it might sound. The big surprise for me is after drinking the smoothie I can last until lunch time without going on the prowl for some snacks to get me to lunch.

John

Jump to this post

@soloact, we are really happy you found us. You are not alone in the way you are feeling and Connect is a good and safe place to ask questions and share how you are feeling. If you want to ask a question and address it to a specific person on Connect just include their Connect username like I did for you. That way the person will get an email directed to them. You can also click on the small manifying glass at the top (Search icon) to search for a term to see if someone else has posted information for what you are asking. The Connect site is organized by Groups with Discussions for each Group. If you are looking for a particular discussion under a Group and you can find it, you can start your own new discussion. All you have to do is go to the Groups page that shows all of the Discussions and click the Start a New Discussion button at the top.

Do they have any senior citizens groups or activities in your area? Sometimes these can be a good place to meet new people and future friends. My wife and I are in our 70s and one thing we try to do each year is see if we can find a Community Education bus trip to a local event or place. The school districts in our area have a Community Education group that plans events for all age groups. Earlier this year they had a trip for seniors to the St. Paul History Theatre to see a play and then to the American Swedish Institute Museum in Minneapolis. It was quite a trip and we didn't know anyone when we got on the bus but made a few new friends...well, that maybe a stretch but it was fun to meet and talk with other people we have not met before.

Hoping you have a good day out West...

John

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 22, 2017
In reply to @johnbishop "The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what..." + (show)
@johnbishop

The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what you eat. I have struggled with eating all my life and it's a daily battle changing my life style when it comes to food. It's not easy going from "live to eat" to "eat to live". What has helped my was reading a book while searching for answers for my autoimmune diseases - small fiber peripheral neuropathy (SFPN) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). I found a book written by Dr. Terry Wahls who suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS). She has an amazing story of how she was able to reduce the symptoms through nutrition. She still has MS but she went from being in a wheel chair to riding a bike which is pretty amazing in itself.

http://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/

One thing I picked out of her diet that I do pretty regular - 4 or 5 days a week I have a "green" smoothie for breakfast. I alternate the fresh fruit and the greens used to make the smoothie - blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or whatever fresh ones I can find. For the greens I use kale, chard, spinach and sometimes arugula but I don't like it as much. I add about 4 oz of unsweetened coconut water and 4 oz of regular water. It's really not as bad as it might sound. The big surprise for me is after drinking the smoothie I can last until lunch time without going on the prowl for some snacks to get me to lunch.

John

Jump to this post

@soloact, it looks like Port Angeles, WA has an active senior citizens center much like the one here in Rochester, MN. Here is their website if you would like to see what is available: http://www.portangelesseniorcenter.com/.

John

REPLY
Solo Act | @soloact | Aug 23, 2017
In reply to @johnbishop "The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what..." + (show)
@johnbishop

The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what you eat. I have struggled with eating all my life and it's a daily battle changing my life style when it comes to food. It's not easy going from "live to eat" to "eat to live". What has helped my was reading a book while searching for answers for my autoimmune diseases - small fiber peripheral neuropathy (SFPN) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). I found a book written by Dr. Terry Wahls who suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS). She has an amazing story of how she was able to reduce the symptoms through nutrition. She still has MS but she went from being in a wheel chair to riding a bike which is pretty amazing in itself.

http://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/

One thing I picked out of her diet that I do pretty regular - 4 or 5 days a week I have a "green" smoothie for breakfast. I alternate the fresh fruit and the greens used to make the smoothie - blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or whatever fresh ones I can find. For the greens I use kale, chard, spinach and sometimes arugula but I don't like it as much. I add about 4 oz of unsweetened coconut water and 4 oz of regular water. It's really not as bad as it might sound. The big surprise for me is after drinking the smoothie I can last until lunch time without going on the prowl for some snacks to get me to lunch.

John

Jump to this post

Yes, I've been a member since I moved here. Thanks for the link, though.

REPLY
Solo Act | @soloact | Aug 23, 2017
In reply to @johnbishop "The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what..." + (show)
@johnbishop

The good news is that you recognize you are starting to gain weight despite watching what you eat. I have struggled with eating all my life and it's a daily battle changing my life style when it comes to food. It's not easy going from "live to eat" to "eat to live". What has helped my was reading a book while searching for answers for my autoimmune diseases - small fiber peripheral neuropathy (SFPN) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). I found a book written by Dr. Terry Wahls who suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS). She has an amazing story of how she was able to reduce the symptoms through nutrition. She still has MS but she went from being in a wheel chair to riding a bike which is pretty amazing in itself.

http://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/

One thing I picked out of her diet that I do pretty regular - 4 or 5 days a week I have a "green" smoothie for breakfast. I alternate the fresh fruit and the greens used to make the smoothie - blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or whatever fresh ones I can find. For the greens I use kale, chard, spinach and sometimes arugula but I don't like it as much. I add about 4 oz of unsweetened coconut water and 4 oz of regular water. It's really not as bad as it might sound. The big surprise for me is after drinking the smoothie I can last until lunch time without going on the prowl for some snacks to get me to lunch.

John

Jump to this post

Thanks for the welcome and helpful info, John. Yes, we have a good senior center, but I'm just not a "joiner," although I belong to it to support it. I managed the local Facebook group for people over 50 for about 8 months, but people were just too passive and complacent for me. I host Airbnb guests to help make ends meet, but I am pretty much a Solo Act, it seems.

REPLY
Solo Act | @soloact | Aug 23, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hi @cinderella28, We are so glad to have you join Connect, and even happier to know..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hi @cinderella28,

We are so glad to have you join Connect, and even happier to know that that you are doing well after your stroke. You've landed in the right group, and I'm sure @lsatenst1 @beachgal8 and others will return to share their experiences with you.
I think you might be interested in watching this video Q&A with Dr. Brott, about strokes, too:
Let’s talk stroke prevention with Thomas Brott, M.D. http://mayocl.in/1sS5xvN

@cinderella28, I did see your message in the other discussion group, "Stroke survivor - always hungry" and also noticed you're a good cook! Has the increased appetite ever been a problem for you?

Jump to this post

I could hear it, although I have a hard time hearing a lot of YouTube and Netflix videos now. It's from 2014 and about stents vs surgery for carotid artery blockage. He apparently considers stents "medical" rather than invasive, but I consider anytime they cut into your body or do that AND insert something quite invasive. There's a point at which I would decline certain procedures. So I'm far more interested in the YouTube video by a Duke U. neurologist that happened to start after this one, which is 1:21 long:

Stroke Prevention Optimization: Nutritional Factors and Non-Pharmacological Approaches

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