Survivor Stories

John, 71, Plymouth, United Kingdom​

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My stroke went unnoticed at first. It wasn’t until four months later, after a dizzy spell led to unconsciousness and a hospital admission due to a vasovagal episode, that a scan revealed I had suffered a historical stroke. The news was unexpected, but it helped me make sense of the strange symptoms I had previously experienced.

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Looking back, I realized the signs were there: moments when my speech didn’t quite match what I thought I was saying, occasional difficulty controlling my hands, and an odd inability to release objects I believed I had let go of. These small but unsettling episodes finally had an explanation.

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I consider myself fortunate. While my lifestyle needed some adjustments, especially my eating habits, this discovery became the turning point for a more active and health-conscious life. I committed to regular physical activity, both at home and in group settings. Yoga, water and chair aerobics, breathing exercises, balance routines, and daily walks all became essential parts of my recovery. Over time, I noticed a profound difference, not only in my energy levels but also in my outlook on life.

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One other significant experience, gained from my post scan experience was to question the medication prescribed to try to prevent a repeat in the future. My initial medication, caused me frequent dizzy spells, and nausea, (which I thought was post stroke symptoms). After talking to my pharmacy, it was suggested to change one medication, and the other to take half in the morning and half at night. The transformation in a few days was amazing, and so it sometimes may be that medication prescribed to help you, does not always achieve the desired result, so worth talking to your doctor or chemist to mention symptoms and if there are alternatives. Not just assume there is no alternative!