Lisa was contacted by the Stroke Liaison Nurse (SLN) at home within a month of her stroke as part of routine follow up where discussion and advice was given. Lisa felt she was doing well and had no major ongoing concerns at that time and had a lot of support from her family.
However at 4 months post-stroke and as part of routine follow up the SLN contacted Lisa again and Lisa was very tearful and expressing feeling:
- Not myself anymore.
- Overwhelmed by emotions.
- Out of control.
- Crying most days.
- Irritable with family, struggling to cope with noise from children.
- Struggling with unpredictable fatigue.
- Getting less support from family – “as fine (physically)”.
- Withdrawing from friends- not able or wanting to do activities with them: noise, fatigue, lack of motivation.
- Don’t want to be a burden to friends.
- Not doing the things used to enjoy – e.g. running. Anxious about what is capable of due to Fatigue and worrying about the perceived potential to trigger another stroke.
- Poor sleep – racing mind when trying to fall asleep.
- Don’t feel as “sharp” as before. Struggling to process information at speed, switch attention, manage complex tasks.
- Concerned about ability to return to work.
- About to go onto statutory sick pay at 6 months – worried about how the family will manage financially.
Lisa explains to the SLN that she’s been feeling this way for the last 6 weeks.
Page last reviewed: 05 Oct 2021
