1. < Depression & Anxiety

Dizziness post stroke

Posted by tstrepy @tstrepy, May 19 9:50am

My husband had a stroke 18 months ago and has experienced dizziness ever since. It seems to be worse in the morning. It gives him a feeling of uselessness and hopelessness. He is depressed and can’t find anything good in life anymore. This all happened just as we both were retiring. Has anyone else had this happen to them and do you have any advice?

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Scott R L | @scottrl | May 19 11:45am

Sorry to hear you're going through this. I've been there myself.

Every stroke is different, but in each case it's a huge shock that takes a *lot* of time to sort out.
In my case, I had episodes of severe dizziness for the first couple of years afterwards. They slowly diminished, however, and are now very rare.

I have learned that certain visual patterns will make me dizzy. Black & checkerboards. Vertical or horizontal stripes. High contrast between light and dark, like someone standing in front of a window.

More importantly, please tell your husband that his situation today need not be permanent. Even after 6-1/2 years, I'm still making progress. I can do things now that seemed impossible not so long ago.

I still have a long way to go, but I focus on how far I have come, not on how far I have to go. (For example, I still have to type one-handed, but I'm getting better at it.)

Also, I practice gratitude every day. I make a list of what & who I am grateful for. I am especially mindful of each improvement, no matter how small. They add up.

You may find it helpful to check out my ongoing stroke recovery YouTube channel, "From Recovery to Discovery". Episodes average just five minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/@srlucado/videos
Somehow, I have been interviewed by some national organizations, including this site:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/from-recovery-to-discovery-meet-scottrl/
SilverSneakers:


In a different vein, recently I was even on local TV for a "Dad Joke" I submitted:

As I say, recovery is a multi-dimensional process. It's so much more than physical.
And just so you know, I'm not all that special. I'm just grateful to be alive, so I try to do what I can.
Good luck.

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1 reply
gravity3 | @gravity3 | May 19 11:07pm

It is very common to have some depression after a major health event. Is he involved in any support groups for stroke survivors or counseling?

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1 reply
tstrepy | @tstrepy | May 20 9:20am
In reply to @scottrl "Sorry to hear you're going through this. I've been there myself. Every stroke is different, but..." + (show)
@scottrl

Sorry to hear you're going through this. I've been there myself.

Every stroke is different, but in each case it's a huge shock that takes a *lot* of time to sort out.
In my case, I had episodes of severe dizziness for the first couple of years afterwards. They slowly diminished, however, and are now very rare.

I have learned that certain visual patterns will make me dizzy. Black & checkerboards. Vertical or horizontal stripes. High contrast between light and dark, like someone standing in front of a window.

More importantly, please tell your husband that his situation today need not be permanent. Even after 6-1/2 years, I'm still making progress. I can do things now that seemed impossible not so long ago.

I still have a long way to go, but I focus on how far I have come, not on how far I have to go. (For example, I still have to type one-handed, but I'm getting better at it.)

Also, I practice gratitude every day. I make a list of what & who I am grateful for. I am especially mindful of each improvement, no matter how small. They add up.

You may find it helpful to check out my ongoing stroke recovery YouTube channel, "From Recovery to Discovery". Episodes average just five minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/@srlucado/videos
Somehow, I have been interviewed by some national organizations, including this site:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/from-recovery-to-discovery-meet-scottrl/
SilverSneakers:


In a different vein, recently I was even on local TV for a "Dad Joke" I submitted:

As I say, recovery is a multi-dimensional process. It's so much more than physical.
And just so you know, I'm not all that special. I'm just grateful to be alive, so I try to do what I can.
Good luck.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your comments and insights. I have started watching your videos and will share them with my husband when he seems receptive to them. They have lifted my spirits already and I just pray for patience. Because of his depression he is not always going to be in a place to want to watch. I will share with him what I have learned, regardless.
It’s good to know that there is hope. I guess it is how you frame things that counts.

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1 reply
tstrepy | @tstrepy | May 20 9:22am
In reply to @gravity3 "It is very common to have some depression after a major health event. Is he involved..." + (show)
@gravity3

It is very common to have some depression after a major health event. Is he involved in any support groups for stroke survivors or counseling?

Jump to this post

No support groups unfortunately, he is too depressed to attempt that. I know they would help.

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Scott R L | @scottrl | May 20 11:35am
In reply to @tstrepy "Thank you for your comments and insights. I have started watching your videos and will share..." + (show)
@tstrepy

Thank you for your comments and insights. I have started watching your videos and will share them with my husband when he seems receptive to them. They have lifted my spirits already and I just pray for patience. Because of his depression he is not always going to be in a place to want to watch. I will share with him what I have learned, regardless.
It’s good to know that there is hope. I guess it is how you frame things that counts.

Jump to this post

I'm glad you found the videos helpful; hopefully, your husband will watch them too. I'll be adding a couple of new ones soon.

One thing I forgot to mention -- for years after the stroke, I was incredibly fearful of having another. Just about every stroke patient I've met has said the same.

Everything I did terrified me. For example, I was afraid that if I stood up too fast, I'd get dizzy, fall, and hurt myself. But if I stood up slowly, my blood pressure would skyrocket and trigger a stroke! Totally irrational, to be sure.

That fear had its own corrosive effect on my spirit. Thinking that at any minute my head could almost literally explode made me depressed, like a soldier in the trenches who fears that the next artillery shell is going to kill him.

I'm better now, but I still have moments.

Anyway, please tell your husband to be patient and compassionate with himself. He is fortunate to have a loving wife who cares deeply and is committed to making this journey with him.

I pray that his attitude will improve. God bless you for being there for him.

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unless | @unless | Jun 20 1:17am

I am as your husband. 1 year post stroke. Constant dizziness and vertigo. Formerly very active, a maker, doer, now useless. The hemiplegia is nothing compared to this stuporous existence. To be awake is to suffer. Can't care for my wife or kids, finish building my house. Probably shouldn't drive but have to try to work. Have to pretend the room isn't spinning there, but my disorientation becomes obvious. And mine is constant. Episodic would be a real treat.

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2 replies
Scott R L | @scottrl | Jun 20 4:18pm
In reply to @unless "I am as your husband. 1 year post stroke. Constant dizziness and vertigo. Formerly very active,..." + (show)
@unless

I am as your husband. 1 year post stroke. Constant dizziness and vertigo. Formerly very active, a maker, doer, now useless. The hemiplegia is nothing compared to this stuporous existence. To be awake is to suffer. Can't care for my wife or kids, finish building my house. Probably shouldn't drive but have to try to work. Have to pretend the room isn't spinning there, but my disorientation becomes obvious. And mine is constant. Episodic would be a real treat.

Jump to this post

I have had some pretty serious dizzy spells. I learned the hard way that certain visual images will trigger dizziness -- a black/white checkerboard pattern will have my head spinning in a matter of seconds.

That being said, I would like to suggest that you add a word to the end of your sentences: Yet. Maybe you can't do what you used to...yet. But that can change, though it may take a while.

Next week marks 6-1/2 years since my stroke. I am still improving.

Just in the last year, I've been to use my affected side in ways that were impossible literally for years.

Please don't give up, give out, give in. I know how hard it can be, but you have to keep trying.

REPLY
tstrepy | @tstrepy | Jun 22 5:25pm
In reply to @unless "I am as your husband. 1 year post stroke. Constant dizziness and vertigo. Formerly very active,..." + (show)
@unless

I am as your husband. 1 year post stroke. Constant dizziness and vertigo. Formerly very active, a maker, doer, now useless. The hemiplegia is nothing compared to this stuporous existence. To be awake is to suffer. Can't care for my wife or kids, finish building my house. Probably shouldn't drive but have to try to work. Have to pretend the room isn't spinning there, but my disorientation becomes obvious. And mine is constant. Episodic would be a real treat.

Jump to this post

I feel you in your suffering, and know it is hard. I hope you can fine one thing each day, to be grateful for- monumental task, I know. I also hope you can remember that your family has experienced a loss. Please don’t cut them out of your life because of this. It’s too hard on everyone.
Good luck

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