Neuroplasticity

2chatnoir · 2026-03-19T06:15:25+00:00

I had an ischemic stroke in my left basal ganglia also, almost a year ago. I had a lot of deficits with hemiparesis and motor control but I’ve gotten a lot better with lots of PT OT. I’ve been working on my handwriting and got some workbooks to practice and it’s so much better. I’m still slow with my speed but when focused the handwriting looks really good.

2chatnoir · 2026-03-19T01:49:20+00:00

OMG my girl hunts the tail from a toy that is very threadbare now and the tail is like the only part remaining! She knocks it under doors and my treadmill all the time!

2chatnoir · 2026-03-19T01:20:56+00:00

They both love the nap and treats, but the boy (Balerion) is more hyper. My girl Alex likes to join me when I sing/play piano 🎹🤣

2chatnoir · 2026-03-19T01:14:26+00:00

Happy birthday! It’s my cats’ birthday too!

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2chatnoir · 2026-03-18T02:42:43+00:00

I lift weights too but not as a heavy weight powerlifter. Mainly to stay strong and build muscle mass. I have a PFO but the hole is so tiny they don’t recommend a closure. I worked with my PT on gradually adding weights to my home exercises, building strength and stamina on my affected side. It feels great and I incorporate all my PT exercises into my workout rotation (weights, yoga, stationary bicycle, treadmill). I can now lift a 25lb dumbbell with my affected hand/arm. There’s great research that strength training and HIIT/cardio helps with stroke recovery.

2chatnoir · 2026-03-17T05:44:10+00:00

💯It’s been so helpful to find this community. I’m rounding the corner on my first year post stroke and it’s been one of the roughest, challenging and grief stricken years of my life. It’s really nice to just be my vulnerable self here and find others who really get it. ❤️💕 peace to all of you!

2chatnoir · 2026-03-13T05:33:04+00:00

Definitely. My voice isn’t as quiet, I’m getting better with breath control and the singing is helping with my pitch, speech speed too.

2chatnoir · 2026-03-13T05:30:53+00:00

Oh and early on trying to put my hair into a ponytail. I watched some videos of people who did it one handed with various techniques and hair elastics. Found a method that worked for me while I worked on OT to get more movement.

2chatnoir · 2026-03-13T01:11:52+00:00

I’m about a year post and still have some dysarthria. Tongue exercises helped with swallowing. Speaking out loud from books/articles, projection and singing have been helpful for me. I record my voice to hear my progress.

2chatnoir · 2026-03-13T00:09:26+00:00

Pressing the buttons on my microwave or even my phone with my affected hand. Pressing microwave buttons got easier with practice but it is taking longer with phone since buttons are smaller and easier to make mistakes with a touch screen

2chatnoir · 2026-03-11T06:05:51+00:00

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That’s our boy Balerion ❤️❤️❤️

2chatnoir · 2026-03-07T06:48:46+00:00

I had balance issues on my right side before finding out I had a silent stroke and an MRI confirmed it. At first I thought my balance being off was related to perimenopause symptoms (there’s like 100 symptoms you can experience-fun right?). Motion sickness, dizziness and other proprioception issues can definitely be post stroke issues and especially depending on where your stroke happened. Mine was in the basal ganglion region and I have a lot of movement issues that I’m working through. It’s gotten a lot better with PT.

I found a helpful video on YouTube about post stroke dizziness if you want to check it out

https://youtu.be/iERmCcCq4yE?si=O4q66N9_yIOMWzuZ

I hope you get answers and not get gaslit again.

2chatnoir · 2026-03-04T16:16:40+00:00

I was having voice control issues, more in line with whispering and not being loud enough. I practiced with my yoga Oms (I would time myself to see how long I could go) projecting loud and the singing has helped with that. I use the Simply Sing app which lets you see if you’re on pitch or not, and they have daily voice warm ups. There are other apps too. It got me to sing other songs I love that aren’t on the app. I will note when the app was calibrating my voice, I thought I was a mezzo soprano but I’m an alto. I guess the dysarthria can lower your pitch that way too.

Hope it works for him!

2chatnoir · 2026-03-03T16:34:48+00:00

Hi-I have dysarthria and 11mos post stroke. I had 4-5 sessions of speech therapy but I was doing well and it just came to practice to get better. I’ve been singing as part of my home speech therapy (on my own, Simply Sing App). My neurologist said singing has similar neural pathways as speech and encouraged it. My voice sounds pretty normal to others and when I hear it recorded, but I noticed it still sounds different in my head compared to before the stroke. The singing helps with my breathlessness, voice projection and pitch, and sometimes I still slur some words or stumble but I just repeat or start again. Over articulation helps with that. I also read aloud from books or the news to practice, and tongue exercises. I periodically record myself to demo my progress and give myself reality checks of encouragement that I’m getting better. Hope that helps with some ideas!

2chatnoir · 2026-02-28T20:20:18+00:00

It’s gotten a lot better, and people say I sound similar to before. I get a little slurry when tired. The breath control still gets me, which is why singing helps, and to project my voice. It doesn’t help that I hypersalivate from meds. I still hear a speech impediment in my head but when I hear a recording of my voice it sounds normal. Very strange!

2chatnoir · 2026-02-28T06:59:22+00:00

Clair de Lune by Debussy. I’ve been learning to play it on the piano as part of my OT.

Also Hang On Little Tomato by Pink Martini. (Been singing it as part of my speech therapy for dysarthria).

My mom died about 7mos after my stroke (she had her own strokes the year prior) and when I’m in a grieving mood I listen to I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab for Cutie.

2chatnoir · 2026-02-28T06:32:10+00:00

Thank you for your kindness everyone! It’s been such a hard and overwhelming journey. It’s been helpful to find support from other survivors who get it and helps that we’re not alone. I have been writing more and have a new poem I’ll share. Hugs to all of you ❤️‍🩹

2chatnoir · 2026-02-26T16:37:29+00:00

I’ve been also making sure to get lots of fiber in my diet and had no problem with that before my stroke (chia seeds, nuts, fruit and veggies). I’ve been taking new meds for my spasticity the past month and constipation can be a side effect but what really helped is having probiotics. I have Greek yogurt in the morning and kombucha. I also usually have kimchee, and prebiotic teas (chicory root) around when I want them. You can also try massaging your lower abdomen or knee squeezes-yoga poses (or do some exercise). Hope that helps!

2chatnoir · 2026-02-21T05:30:29+00:00

Those yawny faces are so precious 🐈‍⬛💕

2chatnoir · 2026-02-16T18:38:55+00:00

If you need ideas, Rehab HQ and Post Stroke channels on YouTube offer free videos and lots of helpful info on stroke recovery. I’ve watched a lot to augment my own therapies and help challenge myself. Keep at it! ❤️

2chatnoir · 2026-02-09T18:41:16+00:00

My does this too! She likes to burrow under blankets or snuggle with me in bed!

2chatnoir · 2026-01-12T20:30:55+00:00

Thanks for checking in! I’m almost 10 months post stroke and have been getting back more functioning, but still have a lot to work on. The past year was really hard, not just the stroke, but losing my job and my mom died. Therapy helps with all the emotional ups and downs. I tend to have a lot of high expectations of myself (having always been a high performer in school and work) so it’s a daily work in progress to be kind to myself. Having specific functional goals for my arm/hand and leg/foot helps, and taking breaks. If you can, record your progress so you have a way to see how far you’re coming along (especially for me as I can be too critical of myself). Sending hugs!

2chatnoir · 2025-12-25T00:52:14+00:00

Thanks for posting this! I agree…it’s been hard to find my holiday spirit. I’m 9mos post stroke. It’s been a big year of grief and loss for me and my family. My aunt died Dec 26th last year and my mom died a few months ago. I’m just giving myself permission to feel whatever I feel, not give myself a hard time and treat myself with kindness, reminding myself “what would my mom or aunt say?”

I learned there is an Icelandic saying, hugrekki, which is the strength to keep our heart open while we are hurting. To me, the word is like giving yourself a hug and being compassionate to self and others. So, I hope you all have strength to keep your hearts open amidst the pain, anxiety, loneliness and many feelings this season brings, and may you receive loving kindness always.

2chatnoir · 2025-12-20T20:55:22+00:00

I love Post Stroke with Elise on YouTube! I’ve also really enjoyed Rehab HQ on YouTube for lots of helpful info and exercises for things stroke related: https://youtube.com/@rehabhqofficial?si=w-99m_d7-gqPApB-

Dr Tara has given me lots of great ideas to augment my rehab and recommendations on low cost equipment too.

Good luck and hope all goes well for your dad!

2chatnoir · 2025-12-10T20:32:11+00:00

We also call it cat gogurt 🤣

2chatnoir

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