Muscle weakness returns 4 yrs after lacunar stroke?
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Had a mild lacunar stroke in 2013--mostly foot drop and arm/leg weakness- in hosp for 7 days, then home. No aphasia. I worked extremely hard at physical therapy and exercised immediately/daily after MD said the first 6 weeks post-stroke are CRITICAL time to rebuild brain/muscle reconnect. No problem! I hooked my dog's leash to the walker and zoomed up and down the street, not caring who saw me. Great improvement, used a cane once in a while after, but only mild weakness.
But in last 6 -10 months I have very strong -leg only- weakness in the morning, (almost dragging the leg, really bad) slight improvement after, a lot of fatigue all day. Deep ache in back of thighs, at "sitting bones" area. I don't think I had another stroke (no symptoms)
Is it possible stroke side muscles are a "use it or lose it" situation? Meaning I MUST continue to walk an hour a day, keep lots of activity up to keep that muscle??
I am trying to determine if less activity now (my 17 yr old pup died, so no long walks) and the diminished strength back to the level of the 2013 stroke may be my OWN fault.
Anyone know?
Only major life change is prescribed pain medications are reduced by 90% thanks to our national paranoia over addicts/abusers, kicking chronic pain patients the curb.
0 likes, 5 replies
Joe1959 private_citizen
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AGmass private_citizen
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private_citizen
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thanks for the input to both of you! OK I have paid more attention..my foot nor my hand are 'stroke' weak, it is just the leg- wobbly, weak, shifting--very much like the first time home after hospital
I asked my PCP to refer me to a PT clinic or stroke MD to access what this is.. it feels discouraging ...like I can't possibly gain back the muscle tone I had just a year ago..but that may be the only thing to do..if I am super-weak..to ..just keep walking and exercising every day.
lesley67841 private_citizen
Posted
Like you I had a lacunar stroke, for me 3 years ago. Unfortunately because I looked and sounded O.K my doctors took no notice of the symptoms ( Feet like blocks of lead and imbalance in head. I felt I was lurching everywhere but it was not visible to others)) After 8 weeks I was finally diagnosed with stroke. Initially I walked every day, as you do, with a cane as my balance was unreliable. With medication and time my balance has improved but I have good and bad days and have noticed that I am walking much less (15 minutes) as opposed to 40 mins each day. I am finding it hard to push myself because of dreadful fatigue. My muscle tone which was excellent 3 years ago is not so good now. I put that down partly to age (71) but mostly to lack of general exercise compared with pre stroke. In your position I would ask for physio and keep up as much exercise as is comfortable. Of course our bodies are all different but do not feel this is your own fault. Strokes have all kinds of manifestations. It's hard to accept the changes.
private_citizen lesley67841
Posted
2 things may have affected me in this downturn. 1. the national paranoia on pain meds has the VA force-reducing me to the point it is too painful after a long walk..so yes, less movement. and that may not improve.
I am as active as possible working on my old property but that is not the same a sustained walking..BUT keeping the house and yard maintained is often as important, and not enough energy to do both repairs and long walks.
the intense weakness real fatigue really concerns me...and it MAY be, as you say, related to the stroke. Has anyone told you that fatigue IS related, or this is your determination??
2. I am tapering off of a low dose Gabapentin (aka Neurotonin) because that may be affecting me in unwanted ways too. (higher blood sugar, a few other effects)
Lesley- do you nap during the day? how is your sleep at night? thanks