Just returned to work, almost 2 years after a stroke. Having some difficulties and new symptoms

I have had both a stroke and a TIA. I've been very fortunate that I've not had any deficits following either one of those. And I certainly have never felt the tingling that you're describing. I'm concerned about the amount of aspirin you're taking. If you're only taking 4 baby aspirin when you feel the symptoms it doesn't seem like enough to me. At least in my experience when I had my first stroke I was put on aspirin everyday. After the TIA I was put on Plavix everyday in place of the daily aspirin.

As for you applying for SSDI have you checked with Social Security to make sure that you are correct about your past income level? I understand your desire to pitch in financially to your family's finances but you are not required to do that. If your family is struggling financially because of low income then you might want to try applying for SSI benefits. This is essentially the same thing but for low income households.

And as for companies not wanting to give a stroke survivor a chance is it possible that it's your age that is making them not want to hire you? It would still be illegal but it is unfortunately a very common theme for employers to not higher people in their 50s and older because they don't see you sticking with their company for long enough to make the investment of training you. You did not mention how old you are. So it's impossible for me to know if that is a possibility.

My experience with stroke is different. I was already disabled for other reasons when I had a right brain stroke. It has been 6 months. I know I am still recovering but it's slower than I want. I had experienced 2 TIAs 9 months before but the doctors didn't find anything. I wondered if You are dealing with high blood pressure or cholesterol? I don't think you mentioned that.

When I get very active for several hours I do get extra numbness and tingling, and my arm and leg try to stiffen up. 

In my state, we have automatic Medicaid insurance with SSI. I think you should reconsider applying

Or at least try to apply for Medicaid if you don't have insurance. I do know they count spousal income when deciding if you are eligible. 

I totally understand the feelings of not wanting to burden the family. I'm a single parent with young adult children. I also know they would do anything to not lose me. I actually signed paperwork with my son that would not allow them to keep me alive on machines should another stroke incapacitate me completely. 

I would encourage you to open up communication with your family and really find out what they are feeling about you and your health. Our worth is not measured only by what kind of money we generate. The side effects you feel when you exert yourself at work may not be that safe. There's no way to know for sure without being currently under a doctor's care.

I encourage myself when I start feeling not worth enough by remembering the stats people have come up with when they try to put a value on what keeping a household running. It was more money than I've ever made. 

The appreciation for a hot meal or something like hot muffins is so much from my children. Not to mention everything else; ie laundry, grocery shopping, paying bills etc.

I don't get a paycheck for all of that but it is worth everything to my family. I have the freedom to pace myself as well. I don't know if anything I've shared will help but I hope it will.

God Bless you and your family~  

I believe that the root cause of your continued symptoms are being caused by inflammation, so please let me share my story of  my path to wellness. 

I have worked as a CT technologist for 14 years and a MRI technologist for 23 years so I have seen thousands of acute stroke patients. 

Then 10 months ago I had a massive stroke. I was working out when suddenly the left side of my body, head neck arm and leg felt like electricity was flowing through them and the current was being turned off. In a minute  my left side was completely paralyzed and numb. I lay there praying and crying out to God and miraculously after about seven minutes the function returned, Glory to God! But the left side felt very tingly. I went to the hospital and had all the usual test run and went home the next day. That night the symptoms returned but a little less severe. I went to another hospital and was given TPA , but the next day I had another episode, again less severe.  A MRI later confirmed evidence of a stroke. Then I had another episode again less severe. This pattern continued for several weeks each time less severe, like aftershocks, to the point that I was just having the tingly feeling. I saw many M.D's and they put me on a statin, aspirin and a blood pressure medication. 

After a month my LDL had dropped to 70, but my BP was so low that  I was dizzy all the time and I was still having symptoms. I was scared and I thought I was going to do die. So I decided to stop all the meds and try supplements instead.

I saw a naturopath and he ordered some new tests which indicated that my inflammation markers were elevated. I also had a bleeding time test which showed that my blood was thick and sticky and clotting too fast. I believe that these two factors are responsible for 80% of strokes in patients under 60 and are 100% caused by diet and lifestyle.

I started taking curcumin, fish oil, and nattokinase. The first two are anti-inflammatory and the third helps to naturally thin the blood. Actually all three contribute to healthy blood. I also take my blood pressure at least three times a day and I now take 5mg lisinopril morning and night which works better for me than 20mg once per day. I also found out that my vitamin D was also very low  which is true for over 80% of North Americans. Which means everyone should have their Vitamin D level tested and take a quality supplement as needed.

I highly recommend a  book called the Perfect Health Diet which explains all of the toxins in the standard American diet that cause inflammation which leads to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.  Also, be aware that not all supplements are created equal, regardless of the label or the star rating. There are many that are junk and may even be harmful. A good naturopath will either dispense or recommend quality supplements. Also do not take any form of  vitamin K as this may increase clotting factors and may lead to stroke.

I wish you well.