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@@ceejfletcher Our brain injuries cause many different and varied conditions. It's a lot for us to understand and deal with. Some things take forever to work out coping strategies. Keep at it and continue to be determined. Regards, Andy

I was 51 years old and no medical issues. No pills no high blood pressure. Working on finding out the czuse

@@mushroomngrass. Thanks for watching. It is still very early days for you so please keep trying to make improvements. This is very much a marathon and not a sprint. Some of my other videos may be useful for you, too. Regards, Andy

@@sheilaghgiddings4413 Hi Sheilagh. Rural Ireland? Where abouts? My wife is Irish, her family are from Galway. Like you, I had no idea about the benefits (or otherwise) of seeing a psychologist. It's only really years later that I can look back and see the changes in me, for the better. My wife will tell you I am more relaxed, more able to go with the flow, more adaptable and flexible but still me! I guess the psychologist 'unlocked' stuff that I'd bottled up or buried, if that makes sense. Most stroke survivors struggle with their health services post stroke, irrespective of country. Sad but true. I had minor spasticity in my left hand which cleared up after about 8 month but I did a huge amount of work with a small rubber stress ball. I had double vision and nystagmus for just over a year. My nemesis are fatigue and balance. Mine was a cerebellar stroke so the balance issue goes with the territory! I can walk short distances with a stick but the neuro fatigue is a nightmare. Great to hear from you. Keep laughing away. Take care, Andy

@@BrainAttackMusic hi Andy, I live the opposite end of the country in a Town called Kenmare, county Kerry.. it’s a beautiful place, if I could only get out to see it. I overlook Kenmare Sound and Carrantoohill. Kerry is redneck country. I was brought up in London. So quite a contrast. My mother loved Galway. We would go there every year and stay just off Eyrie Square and shop til we dropped. She passed away in 2016.she was like my sister, a real character. My other half is from Glasgow and Lanark, a big bloody Scott has turned out to be my saviour. I have spasticity all down my left side and into my head. I lost 80% of my hearing through the stroke. Your insights are useful even if just to note, rather perversely I might add, I’m not alone. You look very relaxed but I’d say, like me, you need to be in control. I have a sating that helps me: “this time will pass’ Nonsense really but it helps. Your journey give me hope and encouragement, thank you. Sheilagh

@@lizdixon3153 Thank you for watching and commenting. You have made great observations. My stroke consultant had a stroke a few years after mine and said it was only then that he understood what a stroke really was!! I have made a video about him and his book (What happens when a stroke consultant has a stroke, is the title or something like that!). All the best to you. Regards, Andy

Thanks for watching and you will find there is a lot to learn about our conditions. However, the more we learn the more we understand and that enables us to adapt and come to terms with what's happened to us. I hope my other videos help you, too. All the best. Regards, Andy

Very kind of you to say that. True understanding comes from personal experience, I think

Severe TBI, I have a lot of Energy and suddenly? It switches and I turn into something else

It’s driving me crazy

Finished? - no. Got less frequent? - yes. Have I got better at managing my energy and capability? - yes. Is it still frustrating? - yes. It's a function of brain injury that is very common. It should improve but, to be totally honest, 3 months is very early days. Hang on in there. All the best, Andy

Good on you Andy. Your videos show what it's like to go through a stroke. Good luck! Steve

Thanks for watching and I'm pleased it was helpful. Regards, Andy.

Sorry to scare you, Michelle. My intention is just to be honest from my personal experience. Your experience may well be totally different!

Hi Michelle. All strokes are different so it's hard to be specific. However, I would heartily recommend that you find out which part of your brain the stroke was in and what the function of that part of the brain carries out as this will give a guide as to your likely 'deficits'. Recognise that making improvements is a long process and what you put in is what you get out! Also, never underestimate the impact on you emotionally and mentally. It's easy to focus on the physical stuff and neglect the emotional. It takes a long time to come to terms with what's happened to us. It's not a linear process so expect ups and downs. Measure your progress in months not days - am I improved now over what I was 6 months ago? That's all off the top of my head. Oh, maybe watch some of my other videos 😀 All the best to you. Take care, Andy

It's a long journey, David. I wish you well. Thanks for watching and commenting. Regards, Andy

Yes, Sheilagh. We have to battle with ourselves AND battle to get others to understand. It should get easier overtime as we adapt and adjust. It does take time, though! All the best to you and thanks for watching me drone on yet again 😂

Yes, me too, Shelagh!! And then add in 'life issues' such as marriage, divorce, financial stress, moving house, bereavement, etc, etc. I think modern lifestyle is a major factor in the increase in strokes

All I can say, Sheilagh, is that my experience is it gets better over time. A long time, mind you, but it has improved. Either that or I'm better at dealing with it!!

Have the zombie days finished for you now? 3 months in from having my stroke the brain fog has not subsided and I'm still doing stupid things. There is no clarity in my life.

You have my sympathy. It's so difficult for anyone to understand if they haven't experienced it themselves! It's all about finding a routine that works for the individual. Thanks for watching and all the best to you. Regards, Andy

So many strokes are misdiagnosed, Shelagh. Particularly cerebellar ones, like you and I. Thanks again for commenting. Take care, Andy

I'm pleased my rambling has helped, Shelagh. The whole 'coming to terms' with what's happened to us is huge and takes a long time to process and get to grips with. There may be other videos of mine that will help, too, so please have a browse. Thanks for commenting and all the very best to you. Regards, Andy

Wise words, Charles. Thank you for posting and keep that positive, resilient attitude. It will pay dividends! Regards, Andy

@@BrainAttackMusic Our brother in battle Bill Gasiamis has helped me develope this mindset.

Bill is a legend. A top bloke!

I am now nearly 11 years post stroke. If 'recovery' means being back to how you were pre stroke, 100% physically, mentally and emotionally, then I am nowhere near fully recovered and never will be. I am now 66. Full 100% recovery after stroke is possible but isn't for most people. Most of us have to learn to live with varying degrees of physical, mental and emotional limitations/disabilities. That's a tough message but it's the truth in my experience. Thanks for asking the question and all the best to you. Regards, Andy

You are straight talking and inspirational. It’s 2 years since my stroke. I cannot walk without a rollater. Some days I am totally lost in hopelessness and fatigue. I’m going to watch your other videos. I find you motivating. Thank you!

@@sheilaghgiddings4413 I am so pleased the you find these videos helpful. That's exactly why I do them! I will be doing more videos soon as I will be 11 years post stroke next week. Still learning things!! Thank you for commenting and all the very best to you. Regards, Andy

That's so true and you're the first person I've 'met' in nearly 11 years who had both!!! It is hard but it gets easier as we adjust and come to terms with our new reality. Please bear in mind that 5 months is very early days and that your brain and body have gone through a huge trauma. All the best to you. Regards, Andy

@@BrainAttackMusic Thank you Andy for the response to my comment! It is very uplifting! I can walk around the house without anything to help but when I go out I do use a rollater. They said I didn’t need speech therapy but the “t’s” aren’t real sharp but they said that would get better with time. I can by all means move my right arm and it is not contracted but it shakes which drives me crazy. But, again, I am very grateful to be alive! I also have MS (I know, holy cow) but was pretty much functional prior to stroke and would take MS over this recovery any day. I couldn’t walk long distances even before so I have had the rollator for a while for when I needed. I would love to be able to keep in touch through my recovery, you are definitely an inspiration!

Hi Misty. I've replied to your comments on one of my other videos, too!. Yes, I do drive now. However, I didn't for over a year as I had double vision and nystagmus from the brain swelling near my occipital lobe. My eyesight very gradually returned to normal. I still walk with a stick, short distances but my real nemesis is neuro fatigue which is a bitch to manage. Over doing things still happens and I pay the price. And by all means email me. Take care, Andy

Great comments and good to hear another stubborn, er, I mean determined individual 😂 All the very best for you and thanks for commenting. Regards, Andy

@@BrainAttackMusic Stubborn fits 😂

I see what you mean by 'consultant'!! I know they're trying to be positive but, for heaven's sake, I wish they would be realistic. That's much more in the patient's interest! Anyway, rant over, all the very best to you and please keep plugging away. Thanks for commenting. Regards, Andy

Thanks for this wonderfully encouraging and supportive post. It will mean so much to all of us on here. All the very best to you and thanks again. Regards, Andy

@@BrainAttackMusic Thank you Andy you made my day ⚘️ can see you have a beautiful heart & brain. I have always admired people who not only help themselves to improve their quality of life, especially after facing scary health strokes of any degree then selflessly simultaneously pay it forward to help others to alliviate their fears give hope improve quality of precious life 💜

Brain stem strokes are nasty as (I'm sure you know) the brain stem controls the automnic nervous system. It's a small but vital part of the brain. I sympathise with your circumstances. It must be really tough. All the very best to you. Regards, Andy

I agree. Having the facts explained in non medical jargon is how it should be! Thanks for commenting and all the very best to you. Regards, Andy

Yep, totally agree with everything you say. It's tough for other folk to 'get it' when they haven't experienced it. Look after yourself. Cheers, Andy

Yep, you're absolutely right, in my opinion!

It's the 'invisible disability/injury' situation, isn't it? Thanks for commenting and all the very best to you 😀

3 years is quite early days and you're young, so please keep trying to make improvements. What you put in is what you get out 😊

Praying for you. I know how emasculating and frustrating it is

There are many claims about all sorts of medications and treatments for us stroke survivors but most of them are false, misleading or unproven. Undoubtedly, medical research will develop new ideas but the bottom line is that we have brain damage which is totally devastating. There are no easy answers, unfortunately. All we can do is to keep trying to make improvements. All the best to you. Regards, Andy

Yes, I totally understand what you're saying and that's quite common and bodes well for the future. It's easy to get a bit complacent and assume that progress is linear. It isn't!! However, if we keep working at it, more progress can come. It may be small, it may be slow, but it can happen. Additionally, it takes time to adjust and come to terms with, mentally and emotionally. Keep at it and all the best to you. Some of my other videos may prove useful as well. Regards, Andy.

My Mum's maiden name was Anstruther and what a lovely place it is. I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I know this is tough to hear but it's still early days for you. Keep plugging away and think long term. All the best to you. Regards, Andy

Thanks for commenting and I'm sorry to hear about your brother. One of the reasons for doing my videos was to help both stroke survivors and their families and friends because it affects them as well, in a way of course, but the impact is huge. It's very hard for the family to understand what the stroke survivor has/is going through. There's the physical effects but the emotional and psychological effects are often neglected but are equally massive. The key thing to remember is that it's a brain injury and there will be brain damage. It's also a long, slow road so patience and determination is key. Please check out my other videos as they may help. All the best to you all in Canada. Regards, Andy

@@BrainAttackMusic thanks Andy! I will check on those videos and I am your new subscriber here. God bless! Keep going!

Thanks again Andy you are a great human being doing a good job helping others. World would be a better place with more people like you in it ❤

@@jangriffin-fi1yx I'm blushing 😀 Thank you, Jan

My Son had 4 strokes in Nov 2024, had to brain surgeries, paralysis on the left, his Fiancee has cancer that has metastasized, they are both in late 40s, they also have a 9 year old Daughter ,I'm the caretaker for both of them , he has been home four days, he is strong and determined, he will not let me do anything but pass his medicine, it is so hard not to just pick him up or put on his clothes, it's very hard seeing him in that state and watching her struggle herself, with all the terrible things the cancer is doing,sorry so long in comments but struggling mentally

And thank you for watching 😀 Regards, Andy

Thank you

G'day and thanks for commenting, Simone. I agree with you, too. I wonder how long it will take the medical profession to agree? I think there is a growing BEFAST movement but more needs to be done. Too many folk are being misdiagnosed. All the best to you. Regards, Andy.

Thank you, Deborah. The expression you use 'bottom has fallen out of my world's sums it all up perfectly. It is really, really tough. Thank you for telling me to keep the videos going - I will. I haven't posted for a while but have a lot planned for this year as I will coming up for 11 years in May. All the very best to you. Regards, Andy.

Thank you. And thanks for watching. Regards, Andy

I’ve been 3 strokes

@@user-ez1dz3so6n That's tough. Really tough. You have my sympathy and respect in equal measure. All the best to you. Regards, Andy

Many thanks. I'm pleased it was useful. All the best to you. Regards, Andy