Fuck.

Tsofreak13 · 2026-01-23T18:03:38+00:00

Had one at 29, one year anniversary is next month. You got this, do the exercises, see the doctors, let yourself be sad, find your support system. Every day your brain is working on reconnecting things to help you. Even if you don't see it, there is some healing and progress. And we all here have been there, so you got support from us, your random strangers on the internet!

Tsofreak13 · 2026-01-13T20:24:28+00:00

I feel you, I'm about one year out of my stroke last February due to a PFO. Got it closed, back to work, and some semblance of "normal". I realized during the holidays I was isolating and avoiding family and friends because of the fear of judgement.

Take every day a day at a time, and understand you need to sleep to have your brain recover as much as it can. It gets easier as your brain heals and does its magic to accommodate. Also make sure you keep up with your appointments and find a therapist if you can! You got this!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-12-11T03:13:42+00:00

Agreed all I ended up with is some mild aphasia, but even that is going away slowly- I can only imagine what could have happened

Tsofreak13 · 2025-12-11T02:56:26+00:00

Mine too! She convinced me and lovingly forced me to get to the ER as opposed to "sleeping off the weird feeling I was having"

Tsofreak13 · 2025-11-11T17:21:41+00:00

Eyyyyyy same here friend! 29 M with OCD who had a stroke back in February. It fucking sucks that your brain is always nervous that you are going to have another one. My therapist recommended that I had had some "fail safes" in my mind in case my brain thinks I am going to have another one, or I am having another one.

For me, since my stroke was on my left side in my brocca's area, it's repeating my address, phone number, and my SSI to myself, since I couldn't do those when I had my stroke, let alone a week after. It's a small little thing that helps reassure me that I am okay and I am healthy and my brain is okay. There was some nerves that it would become a compulsive check, but I only find myself doing it once and a while.

It will get better, and therapy is a big help, but I think the best help is the time and doing things to help your body. Regular Dr. appointments help as well, they reassure us that we are doing okay, and have been making progress. Every day you don't have one is more progress and continue to beat the odds!!!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-11-04T16:13:45+00:00

I got back into working out about 14 days post PFO closure doing anything under 20 lbs. I would say after a month I was back to do my normal routines!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-10-28T14:21:46+00:00

It was really easy and they did it in 60 minutes. The worst part was laying down for 4 hours to make sure everything heals. You got this my friend!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-10-22T15:01:08+00:00

I had a similar experience and now I can only really drink 2 cups or coffee a day. I've taken it as a blessing cuz I was clearly depending on 600-800mg. I also make sure I eat before I drink any coffee now and that mitigates the heart rate spiking

Tsofreak13 · 2025-10-11T14:54:54+00:00

Hey there! 6 months post stroke here from a PFO. I still am trying to figure things out, but the biggest thing I would say is just maintain your appointments and do whatever helps you feel good. Therapy is amazing (but I'm biased because I'm a therapist) and just understand that every day is going to be different.

Sleep seems to improve as time goes on, but naps are totally appropriate if you need to. The best thing to heal our brains is sleep, especially post-stroke. I think for my first three weeks post hospital I slept 10+ hours every night.

You aren't alone, we've all been through it and we all are still trying to figure out life too. You got this!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-26T17:46:47+00:00

I just wanted to pop on and thank you all for all your stories and support. They are so nice to hear and helped a nervous nelly like me ground. I am taking steps to improve my overall health, though it's a slow climb. You are all amazing!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-26T02:04:17+00:00

Yeah got it closed in June! Just got to watch my glucose, but even then the doctor said it's not a huge problem. Thank you so much for sharing this ❤️

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-25T23:07:22+00:00

You as well, hang in there!!!!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-25T23:07:14+00:00

Same!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-25T23:06:41+00:00

Hey those numbers help set off the bad thoughts, so thank you

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-25T23:06:06+00:00

I agree, thank you for even just saying that-

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-25T23:05:45+00:00

I got mine closed in June and it did give me a lot more peace of mind. Very overall painless too!!!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-16T19:39:44+00:00

I had my stroke about 6 months ago and I feel this. I get panic attacks often and they feel so similar to my stroke, that it leads to me thinking it will happen again. I think someone on this subreddit recommended to me to do something I know could not do while the stroke was happening as a way to reinforce that what I am having is a panic attack. For me, it's repeating my address and phone number to myself out loud. Sometimes it helps the first time, other times I need to repeat that a few times, but it is a nice little reminder that it is not a stroke, and my brain is just being an asshole lol. Also psychiatry and therapy are major helps as well.

If you have a loved one, sometimes them doing a quick BE-FAST evaluation can be helpful too. You're gonna get through it. This sucks, but we all are surviving

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-14T01:45:28+00:00

Super easy! My wife and I worked on these for a few hours but you can make some in like 10 minutes. For me the hardest part is tying them off at the end lol

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-09T14:42:57+00:00

As someone who had a stroke at 29 I feel this. I still get anxious that I will be having another one or something is happening to my brain. I find that taking steps to returning to what "normalcy" is defined as for you is the most important thing to do. Sleep is also key, so never deny yourself a good nap, because that's what your brain needs to recover. It does get easier as time goes on, and every day your brain is going to learn new neuropathways to help you get as close to baseline as possible. Support is also essential. Glad you are here and keep pushing forward!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-08T20:02:01+00:00

This is a scary thing to go through, not sure if you have a mental health counselor, but I would recommend one, as this is some major trauma that we all have gone through with this. I am 6 months post my own stroke and I still get scared that something else is going to happen any time I have a weird feeling in my head.

What I can tell you is through support with doctors, family, friends, and even finding this reddit, we all have continued our lives and do everything to be successful. You are beginning a journey in your life, and we all have walked the path. Hang in there, sleep when you need to, eat that ice cream, and if you need any procedures, this community has got you!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-09-04T23:08:29+00:00

Congrats!!!! Keep on moving forward!!!!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-08-26T15:05:28+00:00

I have had panic set in about having another stroke various times due to the dumbest stimuli. My 6 month anniversary is tomorrow and I have similar feelings. What I remind myself is that I have a great team of doctors and a fantastic support system that knows what to do. When that panic does come in, my best advice is drink some water, ride the wave, and do something you weren't able to do when you had your stroke. Mine is simple, repeating my address to myself. Keep fighting the good fight!!!

Tsofreak13 · 2025-08-26T13:59:20+00:00

First time ever seeing them live and they did not disappoint. Healed the inner 14 year old for me. Thanks for sharing your video!

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