“still [tired] after all these years…”
well, it could be crazy too but…
There is a Stroke handbill which says in past; “You may feel tired after a stroke for four
major reasons:
• You may have less energy than before because of
sleeping poorly, (yep) not getting enough exercise, (yep) poor
nutrition or the side effects of medicine.” (yep yep…)
I don’t mean to be funny but this is s serious matter, for me at least. During every day I have to take one nap. At least one! If I don’t then I fall asleep outside or at the wheel or practically anywhere. Fortunately I just turn on the boob tube and I’m out like a light. If I had to work…I don’t know.
The handbill also says; “Consult
with your healthcare provider to rule out any medical
conditions”
And here again over the past few years both my GP and I have ‘ruled out’ or at least tried to rule out all the things that we can think of. I’ve been to a Sleep Center, that’s been ruled out. I’m 3 lb’s above my normal weight on the BMI scale. The Doc has given me D-3 and B-12 to take every day and I go in for a monthly depo-testosterone shot today. It’s been 44 years since my Stroke and for the past few years I’ve had to take a nap once a day. I know it to be a puzzler for me but I wonder what you all think. I know that by a multitude of counselors we can accomplish damn near anything. Lol I just would like to stay awake for a few hours a day that’s all.
I also know that coping with frustration, anxiety, anger and sadness can be draining. Depressed feelings that are a common side effect have also played their part. As well as the feelings that the occasional iEED bring on can at times be draining. And I guess those are reasons enough to feel a little bit tired. I am trying for a solution to this problem, to not be so tired during the day.
Both my GP and Ariel’s uncle, both of whom are P.A.s say that paralysis, regardless of cause, can lead to fatigue. My P.A. explained that when I was younger, I had more energy so I did not realize how much energy it took to “work around” my paralysis, but now I’m older I have less extra energy so now what energy I do have has to be used for minimal activities. If I try to do more, then my body says “Yeah, right,” and demands that I take a nap, whether I like it or not.
Besides vitamins and testosterone, the other thing my GP did to help me work around the fatigue by signing off on some paperwork so Ariel could be paid by the State to be my caregiver. So that with her help I can eat right, she go shopping for me when I’m too tired and she makes it possible for me to not have to spend my precious energy on chores.
If you’re new to fatigue, I hope this blog helped you to understand the stroke/fatigue connection and that it’s okay to ask for help with daily living when you need it. If anyone has some suggestions or thoughts for me about fatigue, I welcome your suggestions/comments.
Your friend,
Ed