Anyone else feel they aren't making progress a year post-stroke?

Posted by grrranny @grrranny, Aug 18 3:53pm

Anyone else feel like you're not making enough physical progress after a year or more post-stroke? How do you deal with it, the fatigue and the frustration?
Still in wheelchair most of day, only can walk with walker for a few minutes at a time before legs (and arms) get tired. Need assistance with quad cane. I'm 83; too old? Was getting around fine before stroke, although left knee hurt with arthritis. Now both knees hurt, everything's a struggle, can't do steps or stairs, and have lots of tension in whole body. Not sleeping well; wake up feeling exhausted, drained. Physical therapy once a week doesn't seem to be helping much. Do I need more, or different kind? I feel like I should be more mobile and independent; still need caregivers' help.

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wade nasholds | @wnasholds | Aug 19 8:39am

4 years after my ischdmic right side of brain stroke I still have mobility,sensoryand pain challenges.

winjki | @winjki | Aug 20 7:29am

Be patient with yourself. It seems like you aren't progressing but you need rest and progress slows down. The more you do the more you can do...even though the first day you do something, it will seem hard....but the next time will be easier. You can only try what you are capable of feel like doing....pain is awful and discouragement doesn't help anything. You have people who love you and want you around wheel chair or not

winjki | @winjki | Aug 20 7:31am

I couldnt do stairs for a year now on a good day I can!

winjki | @winjki | Aug 20 7:56am

In reply to @winjki "Be patient with yourself. It seems like you aren't progressing but you need rest and progress..." + (show)

@winjki I think of my injured brain as separate person who has good days and bad and is a person i must train! Every day is a challenge. I keep a chart of my progress. OK so today maybe I saw the Red bead....that is a mark on the chart. Tomorrow I may not. But in a week seeing the red bead will get easier. I know that my perspective on my progress is not accurate because I compare today's progress with what I could do before the stroke. So l ask others to tell me...they are honest if you ask them to be. ....and there are famous people who were handicapped yet did amazing things without getting better....read or listen about FDR and others.....take heart you are not alone!

1427donwood | @1427donwood | Aug 21 3:30pm

Has anyone with Numerous TIA's experienced auditory hallucinations and loss of normal smell?

cpsp50 | @cpsp50 | 2 days ago

In reply to @wnasholds "4 years after my ischdmic right side of brain stroke I still have mobility,sensoryand pain challenges." + (show)

@wnasholds I feel some times there are kind words that are meant to motivate but depending on what sort of pain it is, it might not get better and could get worse.
The item I could suggest to help you deal with the after effects of your stroke is research it as much as you can. Learn what the part of the brain (where the stroke was) does. It is fascinating and I personally found it comforting. There are multiple medications which might help with the pain. They tend to be a percentage chance so you might need to try a few to find the best for you with minimal side effects

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