Easily startled, jumpy, "on edge" after ischemic stroke

I was that way, hyper vigilant about everything.

It passed, eventually. Very eventually.

Hi, @grrranny - sounds like you are making since good observations about yourself post-stroke.

Glad to see that @scottrl had some experience with this to share.

The super sensitivity to sounds following your stroke may be something other members of the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases group have seen in themselves or others. Tagging a few of them to chime in and offer feedback on getting jumpy and on edge after a stroke: @r19barney @bennettad @irishnanny3 @beachgal8.

Have you noticed anything that calms this jumpiness at all, grrranny? Has your doctor said anything about what may be causing this or how to deal with it?

Yes, I had my stoke in September and I have felt the same issues. Also, riding in the car is nerve wrecking for me. It seems like everything bothers me more. I am waiting on my insurance to approve my PFO closure and I hope once that has passed things will calm down.

@lisalucier I have become hypersensitive to noise and light since my stroke 2 weeks ago. GP said this is a normal brain response 🤷‍♀️

I probably can’t help much . Went through same thing. Have to give it time. And give yourself time to rest and recover. Turn off the ringer on your phone to start. It took me some months before I stopped being startled. No one recovers the same rate as someone else. Be sure to tell your Dr. She can help you. Best wishes.

Yes, i think we all had this. My Ischemic stroke and PFO closure in Aug 2024 i was jumpy and noise sensitive. Now really good as the brain has had time to settle or adjust. Not a 100% but considering everything all good . One thing I learned its takes time a very slow recovery process . When I look back where i was a year ago vs now really can’t believe it. Long way to go but patience is key. Hang in there…

@ppestes01 omg me too

I got a text message alert and almost dropped my phone,

@mrsr1234 - I'm guessing others will be interested in the details and will relate to you. Will you share more about what happens to you with being on edge or jumpy after a stroke?

@lisalucier Sure, it's hard to really put into words even having been an RN for twenty years...
No one (NO ONE) can creep up behind me (this has always been a 'thing' since the military) because I jump out of my skin, get angry, anxious, agitated, scared. It lasts for a bit. Someone else mentioned phone alerts - keep mine on silent now because noises that I'm not expecting scare the crap out of me. I already am struggling with bilateral upper extremity tremors; so I drop things (my phone) frequently. Even the dogs thinking that they're protecting me from the squirrels and barking sets me on edge. I jump, get shaky. It's a lot.