Post-Stroke Fatigue (PSF)

Tell me about it! The fatigue I get, in the late afternoon, is all consuming! It is unlike any other kind of fatigue that I’ve had before! I have iron deficient anemia, which saps my energy, at times, but nothing like this fatigue, that I get, since I’ve had a stroke! I am a caregiver, so this fatigue comes upon me, around time to make dinner. So, I’ve had to resort to getting fast food, at times, which has become expensive, where I live! I am trying to find a way to make some foods up early, so that all I have to do, is heat them up. One has to learn to adapt, but that is not easy, sometimes!

I had a stroke on October 25th, so I just passed 5 months. I’m 70 and can assure you that post stroke fatigue is real, and it’s different for each person. I’m still learning what works for me. It’s been very helpful to rest after each activity. Depending on the amount of demand an activity puts on my system, I may need anywhere from 15 minutes to 90 minutes. That can be a lot of time, but it truly has made a difference.

I still find new things that impact me, probably because I’m expanding out to activities I’ve not done since the stroke.

Also, one of the greatest helps has been to avoid ever planning more than one outside-the-home activity a day. If one day has a busy activity outside the home, I may need a day or two at home to regroup from it.

The kind of fatigue that comes from having experienced the stroke is not something that a good night’s sleep repairs. It’s a completely different type of fatigue.

I don’t know if any of this helps, but I do want to assure you it is totally normal. I had an ischemic lacunar stroke of the right basal ganglia. I left the hospital with physical abilities intact, but I’m impacted by challenges with all kinds of sensory issues (overload), attention, cognitive fatigue, and physical tiredness that takes longer than “normal” from which to recover. It requires careful scheduling of my days due to the fatigue.

que alivio encontrar este grupo. Seguire leyedo . tuve una isquemia lacunar hace 2 meses. y lo que mas me inquieta es el cansancio cronico. Mido el hablar pues siento que me canso mucho. Rindo mas en la mañana, en la tarde ya esroy muy cansada. Que bueno encontrar este grupo

Hi, I had an ischemic lacunar stroke on October 25th. Truly, the fatigue is real and the first few months were really rough. I still fatigue incredibly easily, so I’m learning to pace my daily activities. I experience cognitive fatigue and sensory overload that impact me daily. Stroke fatigue is something that sleep doesn’t help. It’s different, and only those who experience it have an understanding of it.

I am now using the Active Noise Canceling AirPods to help block sound-induced sensory overload. They are very helpful.

I used a translate app to read your post! 🙂

I am in my fourth year after a brain bleed stroke and I share your fatigue. For me (I think) it is a combination of iron deficiency (particularly after donating blood) and maybe my brain (duh). Our brains use a lot of energy even when we are resting. Stress, concentration, increased brain activity (such as worrying about your brain or what 's for dinner) takes energy and contributes to fatigue. Every morning, the mental effort required to tie my shoes leaves me breathless-don't ask about jigsaw puzzles or simple math problems.
If it's any consolation you are not alone.

I had my stroke almost a year ago (May 2025) this was after recovering from Breast Cancer just a few months before the stroke. The fatigue is so real. Sometimes I feel lazy. I owned a Bookkeepinng/Accounting business when I had my stroke. My assistant kept the business running for me, but it disintegrated under me. I'm STILL working on shutting it down. I was going to try and keep a few clients, but I never know when I am going to feel good, so gave everyone notice. I feel like I'm tired all of the time, but I MAKE myself get up and do things. I should say I try and make myself. Some days my body says, nope, go back to bed. Now I've been diagnosed with Idiopathic Stomach Dumping Syndrome which is playing havoc on my body and blood sugar. So, do I understand the fatigue....YES.