[CatLoverArtist]

At the age of 33, I suffered an ischemic stroke in the right hemisphere of my brain. During my stroke, I lost feeling on the left side of my body, it started with my left arm suddenly falling dead. I suddenly felt confused, and upon standing I fell to the ground. I tried yelling out for help, but couldn't get any words out. I was just mumbling incoherently. I was living with my brother at the time, and he heard me fall and helped me to bed. He asked if I needed an ambulance, I was feeling very tired so I must have somehow declined medical attention (I don't remember), and so I just went to sleep. The next morning, I woke up with the worst headache, but the feeling was back in my arm and leg, and I was able to walk and talk okay. I was not thinking I had a stroke. Although, thinking back now, I had all the warning signs. But at the time, I thought I had a severe migraine. So, I went about my day. But still feeling off, with a terrible headache.

Later that day, my vision became very blurry, and I was feeling dizzy and disoriented. And at dinner time, my family noticed a droop on the left side of my face. And at that point, I knew something was wrong. I went to the ER, and they immediately put me on an IV drip. They said I was dehydrated, and gave me hydration to treat the severe headache. I had a CT scan that night, and kept for observation. I saw a neurologist in the morning. At first, he misdiagnosed it as a migraine, just like I had assumed the night of the first episode. They were going to send me home. But then, he took a closer look at the scan, and ordered another CT scan, this time with contrast dye. After that, I was admitted into the stroke ward. I spent seven days in the hospital, and had an mri that confirmed the stroke. I was lucky that I got my mobility back, and my speech was okay at the time of discharge. Instead of physical disabilities, I was left with neurological and cognitive impairments. I have short term memory loss, difficulties concentrating, chronic fatigue, and some muscle weakness and nerve damage on my affected side. I get daily muscle spasms, and frequent migraines with visual obstruction. Visibly, I don't look like I had a stroke. Many people in my life don't take me seriously that I have disabilities in my brain, that affect a lot of things I do. I'm in pain daily, though I don't look to be.

I have battled depression and anxiety a lot in my past, but since my stroke, both have become significantly worse. Along with a lot of frustration. I haven't been able to work since my stroke, I am still in recovery. My daily pain, and cognitive and mental/emotional issues prevent me from being able to work. Convincing the government I am disabled has been a daunting task, and I am still trying to get on disability. I have financial problems, and am constantly worrying about money, on top of dealing with my medical issues.

I see a neurologist and my family doctor regularly. I've requested to see a psychiatrist, but my family doctor doesn't think I need it, so she referred me to a community counseling service. I live in Canada, where health care is covered by the government. And the only way to be covered to see a psychiatrist is through a referral. I plan on going to counseling to see what they suggest, but I know I would benefit from seeing at least a psychologist.

[Fresia]

Bless your heart for what you have been and are going through. I know from my Dad's right lobe ischemic stroke, left side neglect, attempting to recover, and the struggle he is going through, you have my admiration in working towards your goals and for standing up for your care.

It was really helpful to him to meet with the a counselor, perhaps it will be for you too. Please do not dismiss this.

There is concern that was expressed to us about psychiatric medications and the effect on the post stroke brain that they do not necessary behave the same way as they would have pre-stroke so they must be monitored even more closely, if you do decide to go this route at some point and get the referral. So I can understand your doctor's hesitation for the referral.

However, from what I have researched and in talking with neurologist, some times the medication therapy can be very beneficial and not as harmful as they can make it out to be. This is true for anyone taking medications though, not just those having suffered a stroke. Be sure to work with the neurologist in addition to the psychiatrist though, if and when you go this route. Could you get a referral from the neurologist by chance (?) I am not familiar with the medical practices so just wondering if this might be an option.

Do what you need to to take care of you and know that you can do whatever you set your mind to. We were warned it is a VERY slow recovery process but amazing things will happen over time. Repetition and new challenges are important, like, have you tried Luminosity (website).. an occupational therapist at the hospital recommended it and it seemed to help a lot with some of the cognitive aspects/deficits my Dad faced if this is something troubling you as well.

Truly, hang in there. Sending hugs, patience, and best wishes as you move forward. ((((((Cat LoverArtist)))))))

Hey CatLoverArtist, that sounds like a really hard time. I'm sorry that you haven't had the help and support you feel you need to deal with the challenges you face.

I agree with the above poster, recovery can be a very slow curve with stroke - my husband had a brain haemorrhage - but the brain is capable of forming new pathways so please do keep hope. That said, nothing is guaranteed, and a brain injury is a big challenge.

I hope you will find some help from the counselling sessions, maybe if these are not enough your doctor may reconsider referring you to a psychologist or psychiatrist? Sometimes GPs have processes and systems which require us to try lower level interventions first.

Hope things work out for you and you can access the support you need. Have you checked out stroke support groups in your area? Here is a link to a charity in your country who offer this kind of support:

March of Dimes Canada: Stroke Recovery Services.

[Olanza-what?]

Hi, I'm happy to hear you walked away from the stroke with little physical disability. I fully, fully understand the cognitive, depression, fatigue etc... associated with a stroke/brain injury.

I survived a ruputured brain aneurysm in 2011. I ended up having a craniotomy to repair the artery that burst, now I have a metal clip in my head. I spent 14 days in ICU, it took 3 months before I returned to work. No physical impairments and like you, visually I look fine. I have simple partial seizures, cognitive and memory issues, talking sometimes is a problem, swallowing (i have choked on my own salva), visual abnormalties and the worse of all these.....the depression. It has taken lots of time and doctors to get me to where I am now and am still seeking help. I have seen psychiatrists, been inpatient for suicide ideation 3 times so far, I just got another counselor/therapist, I have 2 cardiologis, neuro doctors ...it goes on.

WHy am I telling you all of this. I want you to know time heals and changes everything, that it will get better in time. Keep communicating with your doctors. Jot down things that happen neuro wise that you think abnormal, as well as any other mental/physical changes. Seek the help you need (pyschiatric, therapy) regarding the depression and cognitive issues.

I went back to work too soon. While hospitalized, I was told that I may not be able to return to work or would find great difficulty in doing my job by the neuro doctors. As, I mentioned above, I went back to work 3 months later. It's been almost 5 years. I was just advised this year by my vascular cardio doctor that I should start seeking disability. Well, I did. I tried applying on line and I could not get further than my name and ss# because I answered yes to the question do you work? I have been working part-time since my first visit to the psych ward per their instructions (2 years now). I called SS department to do a phone application and was again denied without getting any further than do you work?

I was told pretty much that I could not be working, could not have income that exceeded $1050 per month, if I had a spouse and based on what he earned I still my not qualify, even though I have worked over 40 years and paid into SS, I was not intittled to collect it. Even though I had documentation and doctors backing me up, they still said no. She said I am earning more that what they would give me. Of course this has hurt me tremendously. I do not know what to do.

Because of my cognitive and memory issues, is just a matter of time before I get fired. Because I have been working part-time for the last 2 years, I will not get any of what I had coming before I had the aneurysm and I have lost $500 from my last SS statement to date.

Are you seeking medical/therapy help? I'm sorry for such a long post, but your post was an interesting one. I thought it was just me.

Take care of yourself.