Deigh

Whats happened to chat? Nobody there yesterday afternoon (my time) and no-one there now. (Morning my time) Deigh 9.18am in New Zealand

Under control? yes, but only just, and I have to take great care to avoid situations when it is under pressure. I must admit that this has become easier with time. Deigh

We dont see that programme here. I have asked a couple of times about the big procedure you had done about 9months ago, but you dont answer!. If you read this please tell us whether you had any good results from it . Thanks Deigh

Difficult to help you here Janelle, normally a lady solves the problem by going our and buying a new pair of expensive shoes but this could only make the problem worse for you, so how about a new expensive summer dress? Hope the enclosed cartoon fits the bill. Deigh

Yep Becky, lack of movement is probably the cause. Prior to the stroke we lived in a camperbus which would be driven most days and it was not automatic so one's legs got a lot of activity with gear changing even if one was sitting down doing it! Nowadays by late afternoon my energy level has fizzled and the rest of the day is spent sitting down with the regular toilet dashes the only real activity! Since the morning is the best time for me I do all my exercise routines and walks before lunchtime. Today (Thursday here) is the only time we actually go out in the evening for an hour at our club where I drink a little beer, play pool and actually if lucky get a circuit of the dance floor when a slow waltz is being played. so, whilst admitting my shortcomings there is very little I can do about it. Except moan! Deigh

Heathber, thanks for that suggestion, Over the last few years I've looked into those devices whenever they have come into view and so far I havn't found one that is satisfactory. Most of them end up in peoples garages or storerooms and only come out when they are considering having a garage sale! The principle is ideal so I will keep looking or perhaps invent my own! Deigh

Now that is really something Will, Thanks, Surprisingly enough I actually had a go on one once. Owned it for about a month and had very limited sucess but think I actually managed to master it slightly. Bruises and strains were very evident and I decided to take up an easier hobby like cake decorating. Deigh

No thanks Janelle, thats too radical for me! What I need is an exercycle but there is no place in our small flat I could store one. I'll find a solution soon! Deigh

Over the last few years there has been a gradual tightening of my calf muscles overnight. I do some floor exercises daily and also walk usually 2K most mornings I use a tens type device on my feet when catching up with Email but the discomfort from the calves is increasing. I've looked on the internet to see if there is a machine for calf massaging but cant find anything suitable. I've added a few minutes stretching my ankle muscles to my floor exercises by standing and raising myself onto the balls of my feet for a few seconds at a time. Has anyone any suggestions that can help me solve the problem? Deigh

I'm going to throw this in just in case it is relevant........ .For many many years I suffered from tongue and cheek blisters Sometimes extremely painful and usually taking three days to clear. 30 years ago we did a world trip to visit relatives in other countries. When I returned I was overweight thanks to too much sitting and eating. I put myself on a hard diet and put a stop to my regular weekly bar of nut chocolate purchased when I filled up the car with petrol. It took me about four months before I was happy with my weight and that week I purchased and ate my first bar of nut chocolate and to my surprise within minutes I had ulcers on my tongue! I realised at that point that my mouth had been clear of pain for four months. For a long time I avoided nut chocolate but have got back to eating it occasionally but no longer a whole bar at the one time and have had no trouble with mouth ulcers since. As I said, the anecdote may be of no value to you at all but it may point you in a direction to investigate. Deigh

Interesting that you are experiencing 'phantom smells'. I have the same experience often myself when it smells like someone has lit a bonfire not too far away. These are totally banned in summer here and all year round when there is a dry spell on. Up till reading your mail I presumed that someone had lit a sneaky one on their back garden. Deigh

Funny you should have said that, did you read my mail when I said that I don't even have headaches these days! In the old days my migraines were like yours that forced me to resort to a darkened room until tablets got rid of the discomfort and left me absolutely flattened. Deigh

Problems this morning ,joined the chat late only to find it empty! everyone had gone home!. Mark had looked in a few minutes earlier but had also given up! Thought I'd reprint the letter I sent some while ago referring to the chat forum..... I'm in my sixth year of recovery and just taking stock of the situation. From a completely dead right side I can now walk without a stick, up to about 2K without problems. Bladder problems are more-or-less under control with the odd mishap. Uncontrollable tears are unheard of now but care has still to be taken not to have a recurrence. Choking is a thing of the past as is foot-drop. My fingers cope with me playing guitar and keyboard again but nowhere near the level I'd achieved pre stroke. Other minor and major problems I had seem also to have either gone or have reduced enough not to interfere with my life too much. Despite a lot of work my speech has shown the least recovery factor. I can be understood as long as I don't panic but that's as far as I have got. I have found the chat rooms to be a great source of enjoyment. The reason is that I can have a conversation there and have my say among a bunch of intelligent people. To do this live would mean me working out exactly what to say and then waiting for an opportunity to say it, by which time the subject would have moved on! I found out by asking questions that most of the other devotees have the same problem as I! I'm a happy chatter! Deigh

Many of us had balance problems in the early days post stroke, most of mine have become minor as I've found ways of overcoming them but there is no expectation that things will ever become 'normal' again so I will continue to take care. What sort of exercises are you undertaking? I have a self imposed daily exercise regime and try to walk as much as possible. At this time I cover about 2k a day, most of it being on a slight incline and that makes things bit harder! Have you any loss of right or left hand dexterity? Deigh

Alan, it is now a month after your treatment, have you had any signs that things are improving for you? I know you said it could take months but we are all interested in the procedure and keen to find anything new. Deigh

Brilliant reporting Allan, looking forward to next phase of your treatment! Deigh

Wow, very exited for you and very keen to hear any news you may have on your treatment and progress. Good Luck Deigh

I've not had the numbness you experienced but can accept that it is probably due to your overdoing things. I've had a couple of meltdowns recently for the same reason. Desperately trying to complete projects and getting upset when something unexpected goes wrong. I've overcome it temporarily by moving my unfinished projects off my den table and out into the shed where they are out of sight. You would have expected that at my age I would have learned how to handle unexpected holdups, but unfortunately I hav'nt, so it is no point me trying to teach you how to take things easy. Deigh

Janaal...Hi there, it has been over a month since we all joined in this discussion. How are things going? and did you get any good advice from us? Deigh

I joined a pommie site once. Yeah, I remember you being there, I'm still a member and visit it regularly, I agree with you comments but suprisingly for a country suffering from the 'stiff upper lip' syndrome the site is more active than this one despite the fact that there are five times the number of new stroke cases daily in the USA than the UK. Daily over there there are new people entering the discussion, but here new contributors are rare. I put it down to the fact that to join this forum you have to give your physical address and most people are wisely very shy of doing this. I have put my case to the management to drop the requirement but to no avail and this site is missing out on the contributions from about 60 new victims daily. Deigh

That is very understandable, I have similar problems but not as serious as yours. Mine means that I cant get involved in any argument no matter how serious the situation is. I just give up or better still call in my wife to explain the problems. I have become a stalwart of the chat part of this forum because it means I can get my discussions in a civilised way as long as my fingers don't tire. Maybe we will see you there sometime? Deigh

Thanks for those replies, I know the situation now and can recognise that one or two people I know have the problem. Fortunately not me! Deigh

Would like an explanation of 'spasticity' please! obviously I havn't got it or I'd know! Deigh

Welcome back Marcia, I must admit that I'm not good with long posts. Dunno whether its my short memory or my ability to concentrate for any length of time but whatever the reason it forces me to skim read. When I see lots of words I panic and immediately l think "I cant read all that.". Here spring is racing away on us. I'm in shorts as I write this and the temperature is warmer than one would expect for this time of the year. Several uncontollable fires have broken out in the South Island, again unusual. Last week they were in snow! Wierd. Deigh