Recovering from a stroke
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getskinny1973
Posts: 74 Member
Hi all,
I'm a 44 year old who recently had a stroke.
I actively went to the gym prior to the stroke, never smoked, eat fairly healthy, keep active.
3 weeks after the stroke, I started back at the gym just doing light cardio and have gradually worked myself up a bit to lifting light weights again and am up to a half hour medium cardio workout.
BUT... I'm always nervous to over do it and move backwards in my recovery.
I would appreciate any suggestions on do's and don'ts for the gym after a stroke.
I'm just over two months post stroke....
I've asked my doctors, but they just give me a "safe" answer.
Any input would be appreciated
I'm a 44 year old who recently had a stroke.
I actively went to the gym prior to the stroke, never smoked, eat fairly healthy, keep active.
3 weeks after the stroke, I started back at the gym just doing light cardio and have gradually worked myself up a bit to lifting light weights again and am up to a half hour medium cardio workout.
BUT... I'm always nervous to over do it and move backwards in my recovery.
I would appreciate any suggestions on do's and don'ts for the gym after a stroke.
I'm just over two months post stroke....
I've asked my doctors, but they just give me a "safe" answer.
Any input would be appreciated
15
Replies
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My friend had a stoke at a young age too. He had access to physical therapy to assist him with recovery and make sure he wasn't going too fast (like you, he was very active). Is this an option for you?1
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janejellyroll wrote: »Is this an option for you?
Physical therapy is not something I can fit in to my budget unfortunately.
I enjoy going to the gym and want to continue going, I'm just so nervous.2 -
getskinny1973 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Is this an option for you?
Physical therapy is not something I can fit in to my budget unfortunately.
I enjoy going to the gym and want to continue going, I'm just so nervous.
Sorry to hear that! I don't have any good advice, but good luck with your continued recovery and return to the gym.1 -
getskinny1973 wrote: »I've asked my doctors, but they just give me a "safe" answer.
What is that specifically? And why not follow it?
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Please PM @Tattooedmom44. She is a stroke survivor and was wheelchair bound for 6 months. She is now a super strong lifter and bodybuilder. I'm sure she'd be happy to give you some pointers.8
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[/quote]
What is that specifically? And why not follow it?
[/quote]
All I've been told is there is "no real answer" just listen to my body.
But what if my body feels like I can run a marathon one day, that doesn't mean I should do it.
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getskinny1973 wrote: »
What is that specifically? And why not follow it?
[/quote]
All I've been told is there is "no real answer" just listen to my body.
But what if my body feels like I can run a marathon one day, that doesn't mean I should do it.
[/quote]
What are you scared of? Of having another stroke if you exercise too intensely?1 -
I'm honestly a bit surprised that your doctors aren't able to provide a referral to an in network PT.2
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What are you scared of? Of having another stroke if you exercise too intensely? [/quote]
Yes..
That is exactly what I am afraid of.
But I also don't want to be too afraid and not maximize my potential.0 -
Do you know what caused the stroke? I think in general, the more active the better when it comes to cardiovascular events and stroke, but you mentioned you were very active and healthy pre-stroke. I think it's normal to have some fear after such a big event, and obviously you don't want to go down that road again. I guess I would just take it slow, if you're taking new medications, make sure to keep taking them, and maybe look for another opinion from a different dr. or two. If you're in the US, I know that can be difficult health insurance wise. I would be willing to bet that it's insurance that is not willing to pay for PT as well.0
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getskinny1973 wrote: »
It seems strange that they could not come up a cause. If you have not yet consulted w/ docs at a large referral center, it could be worth doing that. Stroke in a young person is unusual, and not expected and there should be a reason like a hypercoagulable state, vasculitis, endocarditis, other....
Most of the time in this situation, docs will place someone on anticoagulation/blood thinners to prevent another event.2 -
orangegato wrote: »getskinny1973 wrote: »
It seems strange that they could not come up a cause. If you have not yet consulted w/ docs at a large referral center, it could be worth doing that. Stroke in a young person is unusual, and not expected and there should be a reason like a hypercoagulable state, vasculitis, endocarditis, other....
Most of the time in this situation, docs will place someone on anticoagulation/blood thinners to prevent another event.
Which has as a consequence the recommendation to limit vigorous activity.3 -
I have also had a cryptogenic stroke, when I was 29. I'm 31 now, I do everything I was doing before. Although I am 59lbs lighter. My doctors never told me to limit exercise or really told me not to exercise. Every person and body is different.
ETA: as a precaution I no longer take BC with hormones. Although my doctors are not convinced that was the cause.3 -
[/quote]
Most of the time in this situation, docs will place someone on anticoagulation/blood thinners to prevent another event.[/quote]
I am on Aspirin as a blood thinner now
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[/quote]
All I've been told is there is "no real answer" just listen to my body.
But what if my body feels like I can run a marathon one day, that doesn't mean I should do it.
[/quote]
I'm sorry you are going through this. I'm also sorry to say (because understandably it's not what people want to hear), but there is 'no real answer' other than listen to your body. Having a stroke is unique to that person and how one person may move forward and progress may not be the same for another person. l would also say be mindful of your modifiable risk factors and Stroke prevention. Take it one day at a time.
As a Neuroscience and Stroke RN at a very large hospital and Stroke Center, I have this conversation with my patients all the time. Please know that how you're feeling is completely normal. Having a stroke, even those who make a 100% physical recovery, can change how you feel, think, and even how you look at your life. There is a huge emotional component with stroke recovery that should not be forgotten too.
Also, I have to say the term stroke is a broad term in this context. What it an ischemic stroke? Hemmhoragic stroke? There are many factors that put people at a higher risk for strokes: hypertension, hyperlipedemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking, atrialfibrilation, PFOs, bleeding/clotting disorders, cardiac issues...I could go on...
I'm sure you've heard this already, but there are modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors to be mindful of moving forward. Nonmodifiable factors are the things we cannot change such as our age, gender, race, genetics, family history, etc.
Modifiable risk factors are the ones we can, well 'modify' to reduce our risk of stroke. Pretty much all the ones I listed above we can modify either through diet and exercise or medications...or both.
Knowing and being mindful of the signs and symptoms of stroke. Especially since not every stroke presents the same. I often use the acronym BE FAST:
B-Balance. Difficulty walking straight, running into things. Feeling like maybe you'd had too much to drink, but hadn't been drinking.
E-Eyes. Vision changes. Double vision. Visual field cut, such as peripheral vision where you can't see off to the sides.
F-Facial droop
A-Arm (or even leg) numbness, tingling, can't pick up a glass or pen, foot drags/heavy, etc.
S-Speech changes. Having difficulty finding the right words or even getting them out. Sometimes another is what we call 'word salad'. This is when what you say, and think you said, actually comes out as nonsensical gibberish.
T-Time. Time is brain and you should be seen immediately if you present with a new onset of any of these symptoms.
And I'd also throw in sudden onset of basically the worst headache you've ever had in your life.
Sorry for my long-windedness, but stroke education is in my blood! Lol
As to how you're truly feeling...emotionally it might be a rollercoaster for awhile...and that's OK! I'll share something very personal here. In 2008, I was diagnosed with a T-cell Lymphoma. My world as I knew it came to a halt...like hitting a wall kind of halt. After an event like what you've gone/going through, you might have periods of doubt, anger, fear, and probably a whole lot of self reflection about life and what truely is important to you.
For me personally, I chose to look at it this way- 'Yes, it was the worst thing that's ever happened to me...but it was also the best thing.' I feel like I have a new appreciation for things and people in my life. Take nothing for granted. I am grateful for everyday that I have...and I Choose to be present and purposeful with my life everyday. Sometimes its all about how we choose to view things.
As for your comment: "But what if my body feels like I can run a marathon one day, that doesn't mean I should do it". I say, why not? If that's a goal for yourself and that's what you want to do. Let your life be directed by mindfulness...not fear. Remember, one day at a time...
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Read the person above^^^^^^^0
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stanmann571 wrote: »orangegato wrote: »getskinny1973 wrote: »
It seems strange that they could not come up a cause. If you have not yet consulted w/ docs at a large referral center, it could be worth doing that. Stroke in a young person is unusual, and not expected and there should be a reason like a hypercoagulable state, vasculitis, endocarditis, other....
Most of the time in this situation, docs will place someone on anticoagulation/blood thinners to prevent another event.
Which has as a consequence the recommendation to limit vigorous activity.getskinny1973 wrote: »orangegato wrote: »
Most of the time in this situation, docs will place someone on anticoagulation/blood thinners to prevent another event.
I am on Aspirin as a blood thinner now
To clarify, aspirin does not have the same limitations as Coumadin/warfarin or Heparin/Lovenox.0 -
stanmann571 wrote: »stanmann571 wrote: »orangegato wrote: »getskinny1973 wrote: »
It seems strange that they could not come up a cause. If you have not yet consulted w/ docs at a large referral center, it could be worth doing that. Stroke in a young person is unusual, and not expected and there should be a reason like a hypercoagulable state, vasculitis, endocarditis, other....
Most of the time in this situation, docs will place someone on anticoagulation/blood thinners to prevent another event.
Which has as a consequence the recommendation to limit vigorous activity.getskinny1973 wrote: »
Most of the time in this situation, docs will place someone on anticoagulation/blood thinners to prevent another event.
I am on Aspirin as a blood thinner now
[/quote]
To clarify, aspirin does not have the same limitations as Coumadin/warfarin or Heparin/Lovenox.[/quote]
Also, dabigatran/pradaxa is commonly prescribed and doesn't have the same limitations as other blood thinners. I was on it for months, had no side effects to what I ate or my activity level but again only my experience.0 -
Thank you!!
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