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

@grrranny Yeah, I still get startled, even after seven years.
But I'm getting better.
I have a mantra:
I an safe.
I am at peace.
I am calm.

Some nights, I fall asleep while reciting this.
I also recite it when driving.
It really does help.

The doorbell rang while I was giving myself an insulin pen injection.
It startled me so much, I "jumped" and bent the needle.
Truly a pain. But the worst is not being able to relax and sleep at night.

@finbar My hubby uses headphones or has TV sound sent through his hearing aids. Helps a lot to spare my ears while helping him to hear better.

@lisalucier everything looks brighter , car lights at night go right through me. Noise is extremely loud to me , keep telling husband to turn tv down. Can’t tolerate our cockatoos shouts.

@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.

@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?

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

@ppestes01 omg me too

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…

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.