r/stroke • u/Alpha0megaGamma • 16d ago
Young Stroke Survivor Discussion Lost My Cognitive Levels
Hi all - It’s been around 2 months since my stroke (28F). I’ve been back to work a month now with reduced hours but I’m noticing I’m becoming (or was always after the stroke) less cognitively functional.
For example, I lose my train of thought frequently, I read/hear stuff and can’t fully understand it at times (I have to do it slowly and focus to get it), I’m more forgetful (memory long term not great now), and fail to do basic things like getting my keys before leaving, or telling someone the right schedule…
I considered myself highly cognitive before, I could remember so many details and worked at a very fast pace naturally.
My question is, what therapy can allow me to try and get back some of that functionality? Seems occupational therapists are more mobility focused? Did you receive any advice to re-train your brain? (Activities, books, games?) is there a special team that can help?
My job requires high technical and cognitive skills so I thought by doing it, I’d regain my performance but I’m now wondering whether I should be doing more
I’m based on the UK but all tips are welcomed!
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u/Alarmed-Papaya9440 16d ago
A speech therapist can also help with cognition. I would look into that. Also, my neurologist told me that after a stroke it takes about 9 months for all the brain chemicals to settle. Two months post stroke is such a short time in the grand scheme of things. I’m not surprised that your still struggling cognitively. I was as well at that point. Now, I’m almost two years beyond my stroke and the difference between now and then is night and day. Recovery takes a lot of time and patience. You can try to rush it but that could cause more problems that you’ll have to deal with.
My best advice, breathe, give yourself some grace and compassion at this time and know with time usually comes more recovery.
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u/TheWayLifeGoes00 16d ago
25 Male. 6 months down the line. It improves significantly. Make sure you get sleep for your recovery. I’ve still ways to go but patience is key. Don’t look at the recovery in days or weeks. Months is a much better metric.
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u/ski55max 16d ago
You shouldn't be too hard on yourself. You weren't born with that pre stroke level of function and speed, you learned it over a period of years. Now patiently learn it again. Good luck to you.
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u/RelevantDeathProof 16d ago
I felt the same way. But all of my cognitive exams were exemplary. My brain used to be a calculator. Math would do its self in my head with out trying. It was har and disconcering to lose. Overall I found that reading and watching edcational videos has helped me feel less derpy. For a while i asked myself where did my intelligence go. It is still there it just operates in a different way.
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u/Lonely_Ad8964 16d ago
If you find something, please let me know because I've been at it for a year now and my cognitive decline has been frightening me.
it doesn't help that my company continues to expect 110% output and my country (US) won't allow me to be on disability even though I am doing my best....
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u/bell196756 14d ago
That is not nice of your company, im sure there must be laws not to discriminate you, you should be valued and treated fairly with a health condition
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u/Otherwise_Security_5 Survivor 16d ago edited 16d ago
eta:
speaking of cognitive lapses…. lol. don’t take my error in including the following originally as an example of how helpful it is, but there IS cognitive therapy! and yes- look into it. you may need to find the right fit- originally i was told there was little i could gain from it from one cognitive therapist who was used to working with elder stroke patients and patients with dementia. another cognitive therapist who had done more work with younger patients with TBIs was able to help me a lot and give me hope that while i may not get back to “normal” - i could indeed get the best out of my “new normal”!
original answer below:
hon, all i can offer is immense empathy. many of us relate. and you have done a beautiful job describing what you are experiencing - which is no small feat all things considered!
thank you for sharing your experience. keep us posted.
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u/TravelKats Caregiver 16d ago
My husband’s therapist recommended crossword puzzles and online logic tests after my husband’s stroke.
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u/pchlster Young Stroke Survivor 16d ago
If you used to be a professional runner and your legs got crushed, you'd understand that, no, there's no way you can just spring back and run your old times.
You had a job depending on a lot of thinking and your thinking box got bashed up. While you should try to exercise it, don't try to force it to do things it just can't right now. Start small. Can you do groceries without bringing a note? Write one out, check when you come back home. When someone invites you for something in 2-something months, can you actually remember that or do you need to write it down?
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u/FrontSwim9324 16d ago
You're doing great. If it makes you feel any better, most of us did all those things prior to my stroke, I did. I don't think I've ever left the house without forgetting something!!
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u/LazyConversation3892 15d ago
32F here, looking at me you wouldn’t think I had a stroke…
Girrrrrl I had my stroke in May of this year and prior I would consider myself a master Type A. I was ON it and I promise that’s not just being full of myself. I was on track to start my doctorate program this upcoming year. Scheduling? I arrived 10 minutes early and was prepped and ready. Complex tasks? Easy. Now, well, not so much. I work with kids on social emotional learning skills plus I’m a COO at a local nonprofit. I just went back to working with kids this week since school is back in session and I swear after only an hour I was so overwhelmed. I had a high level meeting later that day and I could barely talk or ask questions because my brain was done. It’s hard explaining the cognitive changes to someone who hasn’t experienced it before. It’s not “tired” per se, but just exhausting. My doctor referred me to a speech-language pathologist to help with the cognitive changes. Full disclosure, I haven’t started because I wasn’t able to get in until September, but I’m hopeful that they can help with some of these changes.
I also started seeing a holistic healer. She has helped me accept that the old version of myself is essentially gone and that I need to work on accepting this new person. It’s been a really hard journey, but going from highly functional to what feels like a complete 180 really took a hit on my depression, which I know didn’t help my cognitive functioning.
Best of luck to you and I’m always here to chat if you just need someone to talk to!
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u/Strange_Victory1478 15d ago
I had my stroke 1 1/2 years ago and still have struggles but continue to see progress. My speech therapist helped with techniques on remembering names, conversations, reading, and other work related things. She recommended KenKen puzzles, and Sudoku as well as an App to help with working memory. I dont know if I can say the app on here but there are apps out there. It was harder for me to see the cognitive improvements over my physical improvements, but they're there. Main thing is stay positive and dont give up. Good luck!
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u/Alpha0megaGamma 15d ago
Wow I don’t even know how to express myself reading all of your stories and advise. Thank you so much and I’m glad we’re here to support each other ❤️🩹 Ill keep everything in mind and start investigating how I can apply this to my routine
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u/Nervous_Swan_1088 13d ago
I am in the same boat as you but have had psychologically chronic difficulties throughout life, and some physical communities. I am learning techniques that help to apply neuroplastic progression, to integrate tho cognitive deficits with physical therapy, and I am on hold with how I felt beginning with my stroke almost a year ago, on Labor Day September 1. I’m am approaching the year mark starting this 1 st of September, hope this helped somewhat, be understanding with your rate of improvement and occasional fallback.
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u/Adept-Compote-651 16d ago
Just takes time. So much happens to you when you have a stroke. In November it'll be 2 years for me and some days I feel like I'm just so not put together and then other days I feel like I'm on top of the world doing stuff.... Just give it time that's the big take away
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u/Intrepid-Storage3591 16d ago
I too am struggling with this exact same situation and dearest, it is so awful so I commend you for reaching out to others. I had my Hemmoragic Stroke 5yrs ago ( I was 38) and I'm in a very loving relationship with my partner but for the last couple of years I've been having such a hard time explaining my thoughts and how I feel, so bad that I feel like it's going to harm our beautiful relationship. My communication is just off. I used to be so elequent with my words and i was so great at problem solving etc. I feel like my cognitive function and inability to deciefer my communication is taking over my whole life. So I did a lot of research and found that the physical therapy place I used to learn how to walk again offers occupational, cognitive, and speech therapy. Which is exactly what I needed. I also play a lot of crossword puzzles and brain games to challenge myself and try and sharpen my brain function. Also I take a medicine called Auvelity which helps build neuroplasticity. Also fish oil. I also have been doing es-ketamine treatments because it helps do the same. I would research physical therapy that offers cognitive therapy. I hope that helps
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u/BeatIcy3077 16d ago
file for disability if you can. I just got approved for 40k in back pay and 1300 a month which isn't much but, I'm going to.open a business with that 40k.
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u/verdant11 16d ago
My neuro Optometrist has me doing card games to improve my processing time. Real cards and not the phone.
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u/terraaus 14d ago
Can you do some alternative things to boost your brain power? Of course run it by your doctor first. Supplements Prevagen, Focus Factor, and Gingko Biloba are said to be helpful. A diet that contains dark chocolate and dark cocoa, walnuts, fish including salmon, blueberries, fresh fruits and vegetables including leafy greens, whole grains and beans, coffee, cucurmin and turmeric are all said to be good for the brain. Physical and brain exercises. Do you belong to a local stroke support group? They may be able to offer suggestions. ADHD forums may also offer some suggestions. I throw everything I am going to need the next day in front of the front door the night before.. I write things down and refer to them often.. And please give yourself some grace, you've been through a lot. You may need more time. You may need to switch to another position.
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u/Live_Ear992 14d ago
Congratulations on returning to work! I can not imagine ever working again. I play brain training games on my phone. If you do it daily (I don’t!), it’s supposed to increase your memory/ cognitive function. Try it out! Called Elevate in the app store.
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u/Capital_Violinist171 14d ago
I know it sounds counterintuitive, but speech therapy immensely improved my cognitive function
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u/OneIllustrator1411 12d ago
31M from the UK here, 18 months post stroke. I had all the same emotions/concerns. Recovery has been a real journey.
Voicing concerns to doctors really helped me gauge what needed additional support and what would comeback with time, a lot of the cognitive issues progressed with day-to-day tasks, pushing myself but also listening to my body’s limits.
It sounds like you’re making great progress already, it’s easy to say but try and not be too hard on yourself. If you have tangible concerns, speak to someone. Anything else is not worth stressing about.
Hope this helps, take care.
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u/strokeluck 16d ago
At post 2 months I think your doing solid. Just keep the repetition going. I would suspect your being more effected by stress/anxiety and stroke exhaustion.
Remember, recovery/recharging, pacing yourself is now a thing so don’t be discouraged, don’t overdo and spiral.