Cerebellar stroke experience, treatment, recovery - want to dialogue

I am so sorry to hear about your dizziness. I have a Medtronic LINQ recorder that was inserted two years ago just after my stroke. The insert procedure was simple and you don’t even notice it. I’ve had two afib sessions which has helped with the cardiologists making different medicine choices. It gives me piece of mind knowing my heart is being monitored. I will do anything to help my chances of not having a second stroke.

My dizziness turned into full blown “ Syncope “ I had 3 complete Fainting episodes in the last few months! The Cardio Monitor did not show anything of Significance as my Cardio says, even when my heart rate goes way over 90 I’m still in sinus rhythm which I don’t quite understand.. he now talks about an Insertion of a Loop Monitor but I’m thinking this through... still have severe dizziness.

June 7th I passed my two year anniversary of the stroke. I am doing pretty well. I still get dizzy if I move my head certain ways. The Vascular Neurosurgeon felt this was probably the result of the blood getting to the cerebellar from other arteries. So that is probably not going to get better. However, the dizziness lasts only seconds.

At this point I have gone through a lot of testing to see exactly where I stand. Physically I am doing much better. I have lost weight and feel I have more energy.

Probably what made the greatest significance to me, was getting on an antidepressant. At some point after the stroke, I started falling into a depression that just made me not want to do anything. My world had become pretty small. That has changed. I am not 100% there yet, but it is certainly getting much better.

Many of you have talked about your experiences with cerebellar stroke and therapy following it. It would be great to hear an update from you, which I believe will be helpful and encouraging to other members in this discussion.

@strokesurvivordynamo - wondering if you are still doing the therapy exercises and how you are doing lately?

@maryar - how is the spasticity you were experiencing? Are you still doing the puzzles and word searches?

@elizabethmm - how are your headaches and the difficulties you were having reading? Did you and your cardiologist see any useful results from the one-month monitor you had?

I so agree. Life is precious. I died 5 times before I was 5. Each time God sent me back, saying "Susie you have to go back. I have things for you to do."
I spent years in bed, so many surgeries, so many medical bills. So much illness.
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I have worked hard to heal and now I simply pass on the help so many others have me.
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I have had an amazing life, as good as it was bad. I so appreciate feeling good enough to actively reach out to others and share my knowledge and repertoire of skills gathered during the years. I realize I do it well.
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We had 89 folks at my Tribal gathering. I have become an elder in the tribe. So many were working on domestic violence, I wonder if the full moon had anything to do with the pattern of trauma raised this weekend. Its amazing to watch the Sacred Plant Medicine work in folks, So much work is done in such a short time and folks who chose to work went home with a good chunk of healing under their belts.
I am just one of many who come to give back and help folks to healing the challenges in their lives.
I used to be such a Whiner, all my healing friends had to leave me....true story.
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Today I am not afraid to go kick an Arse if someone needs to adjust an attitude or see another side to things. I had mine kicked plenty.
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Thank you for the precious gift you gave me today. I will treasure it always and teach it to others. That was THE GIFT OF TREATING EACH DAY AS SACRED.
I do that, don't I...I didn't realize it. Thanks for pointing that out. Grateful, Bright Wings

@ian7811
Ian, the very first post I read after getting back from camping was you post about dropping silent for a while AND I was coming to kick your Arse, grin.
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Giggling...it would have to be a mighty long leg to reach you over the big pond...
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Seriously, look at the title of this group. What you are going thru on any given day is just part of the story.
It can suck big time...And look at the progress you have made since your brain event.
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Our brains run our entire body. Every system we have is affected good or bad by our brains.
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OUR BRAINS HEAL SLOWLY. Not in our time but its own time...
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Patience....this too shall pass.
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Hold on to this in the hard times, this too shall pass.
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When I am down, and I do get down, I find an album I liked as a teen or young adult and listen to it and allow myself to drift back to simpler times...it works...
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"Simon and Garfunkel in Central park" is my favorite album, John Denver and many others Calm My Soul when I am troubled. What are yours?
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Your poem made me cry. I rejoice in these tears because it means I am still alive and I can still feel.
I had a love like that with my husband of almost 41 years. I miss him still. I honored my tears as they dropped off my face. We can't feel happy all the time...not even me.
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I firmly believe when we honor our tears and difficult feelings it does a number of things.
1. It keeps us healthy cuz we feel the feeling and get it over with. 2. Repressed pain, physical, spiritual or emotional causes further breakdown of our bodies someplace else. I have much personal experience with this from repressed trauma as a kid. 3. It validates our own feelings. That helps us go on to a more positive attitude cuz you are not diverting energy needed for healing.
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The best thing you can do to get your body to heal faster is to take the actions necessary to be grateful for everything, even the pile of offal on your plate today.
Music, poems, travel, art? What makes you happy. Tell us...not so we know and understand but so you can. Tell us everything that makes you glow and the stuff that makes you content. And pisses you off. Its all on one scale...
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Then GET OUT OF THE HOUSE...I don't care what you do, library??? Shopping? Tea and Crumpet? Anything will help. I wish you well, Bright Wings

Hello Kanaaz, my goodness that’s a grand old Scottish accent you have. It’s 1030 pm here and I’m off to bed with a smile on my face thanks to you and, in honour of your quote, I’m going to read some of Robert Burns work before I sleep just to remind myself that I should be grateful that I still can and that there’s great beauty and so many things to look forward to in this world.
Actually, I can’t resist posting my favourite verse which I would like to dedicate to all our partners, family and friends who have stood by us through thick and thin.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

@brightwings...Funny Brightwings....even while stroking, dying never crossed my mind. Must have given you such a fright. Your attitude, living each day like a sacred event serves you so well. If we seriously consider what a grace each moment is, we tend to do our best. Love more, give more, empathize more, and serve others more. We realize it's not how we serve ourselves in this life, but how we serve others. God must have known what a self focused twit I was, so he sent me 6 kids, 15 grandkids and a hundred animals to care for in this life, so I would learn to love and embrace service. And I've found it is in service that Ive found satisfaction. Ain't that something? lol. So simple, too. Hey....we all have to serve somebody...right? There now. Done pontificating, lol.

Hullo @ian7811,

You’ve been so positive and encouraging, and I was disappointed to read that you want to take a break from Connect! Health comes first and I feel like you’ve found a way to be both successful and productive while taking care of yourself – by sharing your experiences and insights on Connect because your messages benefit many and we can all learn from each other.

May I ask your reason for mentioning, "I’m aware that my observations over the past few days may encourage or discourage others from trying different things and that was never my intention...?” I sincerely look forward to your continued support of other members, and your participation on Connect.

Lang may yer lum reek.(Translation: I wish you well for the future.)

Got up this morning, was mildly nauseous so took cyclizine. This was about 8am, by 11 the nausea increased to levels similar to the night before, it’s now 2.30 and not feeling great, whether it’s my nausea or a combination of the nausea and cyclizine I can’t say but waiting to see if it wears off a little as the cyclizine leaves my system. I’m concerned that nausea since the stroke hasn’t been as prolonged or so troublesome as the last few days..Think I’ve had my last cyclizine. Oh re CBD. I ordered and then cancelled a supply after I read it can affect clopidogrel, plavix in the US,I believe, in a similar manner as clopidogrel is affected by grapefruit. I spoke with the suppliers of CBD and they suggested clopidogrel is processed in liver whilst sublingual CBD should not affect the drug. I don’t know but I don’t want to risk it. Ok, I’m aware that my observations over the past few days may encourage or discourage others from trying different things and that was never my intention, so, I’ll take a break from the site. Thanks to everyone who has offered encouragement and advice. I’m very grateful to you all.