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Stroke
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What happened? The first few days after a stroke :
The event: A stroke or transient ischaemic attack
Getting medical help
Getting a diagnosis
Early care experiences
A doctor speaks – an introduction to stroke
What problems did I have, and why? :
Changes to movement
Changes in sensations
Changes to vision
Continence and cathererisation
Eating and drinking
Speech and communication
Thinking, understanding, memory and fatigue
Emotional Impact of stroke
Why me? Why now? Reducing risk of another stroke? :
Causes and risk factors
Medication to prevent another stroke
Surgery
Preventing another stroke: Changes in life style
What happens now? Rehabilitation & care :
Stroke recovery: daily activities and personal care
Stroke recovery: physical aspects and mobility
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
Leaving hospital
Life after stroke. What is the long-term like? :
Major disability
When stroke is coupled with other health problems
When stroke happens at a young age
Coping strategies and resilience
Continuing care at home and institutional care
Driving and transport
What's important in care
Social support
Support from patients and support groups
Sex life and impact on relationships
Messages to others
Finding information
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Stroke
Subject index
Topic
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Getting a diagnosis
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Getting a diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis
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Stroke
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Getting a diagnosis
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Getting a diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis
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Stroke
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Getting a diagnosis
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Getting a diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Speech and communication
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Speech and communication
Speech and communication
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Stroke
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Speech and communication
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Speech and communication
Speech and communication
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Stroke
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Speech and communication
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Speech and communication
Speech and communication
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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What's important in care
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What's important in care
What's important in care?
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Stroke
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What's important in care
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What's important in care
What's important in care?
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Stroke
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What's important in care
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What's important in care
What's important in care?
Clip
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 51
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He was given sheets of cartoon drawing to help him communicate.
He had a stroke due to a clot aged 38 which caused severe aphasia and right paralysis of his leg and arm. Medication: dipyridamole (blood pressure), aspirin (antiplatelet), simvastatin (cholesterol).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Interview 12
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She had previously been a teacher and felt that not being able to talk or understand people and struggling to read was the worst thing that could happ
She had a stroke at the age of 48 due to a dissection of the left carotid artery. Her stroke caused aphasia and epilepsy. Medication: pravastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet), Epilim, Frisium and levetiracetam (epilepsy).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 02
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Her speech therapist explained that she had been left with a communication problem which made it difficult for her to find alternatives for words.
She had a stroke after an operation to remove a malignant melanoma. The stroke caused right weakness of her arm and problems with speech. Medication: aspirin (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 51
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His wife explains that he can still speak Tamil and uses this when he talks with the family but he wants to be able to speak English again so he can b
He had a stroke due to a clot aged 38 which caused severe aphasia and right paralysis of his leg and arm. Medication: dipyridamole (blood pressure), aspirin (antiplatelet), simvastatin (cholesterol).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 51
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He was still able to sing and pray as these long established functions of language are controlled by a different part of the brain than normal speech.
He had a stroke due to a clot aged 38 which caused severe aphasia and right paralysis of his leg and arm. Medication: dipyridamole (blood pressure), aspirin (antiplatelet), simvastatin (cholesterol).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 02
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She initially found it difficult to talk to people particularly strangers. Her mum stayed around after her stroke and dealt with the telephone calls.
She had a stroke after an operation to remove a malignant melanoma. The stroke caused right weakness of her arm and problems with speech. Medication: aspirin (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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Interview 53
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He had been given a card to show to people explaining that he had a stroke and has communication difficulties. He has found this helpful and has used
He had a stroke due to a clot which came from his heart aged 55. The stroke caused right sided weakness and aphasia. Medication: perindopril (blood pressure) simvastatin (cholesterol), warfarin (anticoagulant).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Interview 12
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She found it helped to use facial expressions and gestures. It helped her to understand other people if they wrote things down.
She had a stroke at the age of 48 due to a dissection of the left carotid artery. Her stroke caused aphasia and epilepsy. Medication: pravastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet), Epilim, Frisium and levetiracetam (epilepsy).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 66-75
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Interview 17
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He wouldn't tell people that he had problems with speech and would struggle. Others from a support group encouraged him to tell people and he found th
He had a stroke owing to a blocked left carotid artery aged 66 which caused aphasia and reading and writing problems. Medication: amlodipine, bendroflumethiazide (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin, dipyridamole (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 66-75
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Interview 17
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His grandson will often pick him up on things he says and he does not like him reading to him. They have, however, played word games to help him recov
He had a stroke owing to a blocked left carotid artery aged 66 which caused aphasia and reading and writing problems. Medication: amlodipine, bendroflumethiazide (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin, dipyridamole (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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Interview 01
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The speech therapist gave him speech exercises to help regain the muscle strength in his face which he described as being like a musician warming up t
He had a stroke due to hemorrhage aged 57, which caused left paralysis, left neglect and some early problems with speech. Medication: atenolol, ramipril (blood pressure), levetiracetam (epilepsy), paroxetine (antidepressant), omeprazole, (gastric resistant tablets).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 02
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At the start she could not speak at all and had to go back to being like a child and practicing making word sounds. She also went onto have some help
She had a stroke after an operation to remove a malignant melanoma. The stroke caused right weakness of her arm and problems with speech. Medication: aspirin (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 66-75
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Interview 17
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A speech therapist suggested he practice speaking in time with a metronome but he didn't find this helpful.
He had a stroke owing to a blocked left carotid artery aged 66 which caused aphasia and reading and writing problems. Medication: amlodipine, bendroflumethiazide (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin, dipyridamole (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 66-75
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Interview 17
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He was given help with reading and comprehension and writing cheques and letters.
He had a stroke owing to a blocked left carotid artery aged 66 which caused aphasia and reading and writing problems. Medication: amlodipine, bendroflumethiazide (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin, dipyridamole (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 51
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They felt the speech therapy had been excellent are encouraging their daughter to train as speech therapist.
He had a stroke due to a clot aged 38 which caused severe aphasia and right paralysis of his leg and arm. Medication: dipyridamole (blood pressure), aspirin (antiplatelet), simvastatin (cholesterol).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Stroke recovery: communication disorders
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Stroke recovery: communication disorders
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
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Stroke
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Stroke recovery: communication disorders
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Stroke recovery: communication disorders
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
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Stroke
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Stroke recovery: communication disorders
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Stroke recovery: communication disorders
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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Interview 53
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He would have liked more help from speech therapy and felt it stopped because of lack of funding.
He had a stroke due to a clot which came from his heart aged 55. The stroke caused right sided weakness and aphasia. Medication: perindopril (blood pressure) simvastatin (cholesterol), warfarin (anticoagulant).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Interview 12
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She bought children's books and practiced speaking by copying the news readers on the television but found it difficult not to be able to join in conv
She had a stroke at the age of 48 due to a dissection of the left carotid artery. Her stroke caused aphasia and epilepsy. Medication: pravastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet), Epilim, Frisium and levetiracetam (epilepsy).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 76-95
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Stella & Deborah - Interview 55
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Stella’s daughter comments on the lack of attention to small matters (including dressing and clothing choices) in an understaffed community hospital w
Stella had a stroke in 2009 and her left side was paralysed. She spent several months in hospital and now lives in a nursing home. Since the stroke she has had several TIAs, which often leave her feeling tired, but she does not remember much about them.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Clare - Interview 56
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Clare spoke regularly to her father which helped her recover her speech.
Clare experienced a stroke while at home with her husband. She had blurred vision which she initially thought was a symptom of her diabetes. In addition to diabetes and stroke, Clare has had lifelong health issues including kidney problems, for which she is undergoing dialysis.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 66-75
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Malcolm - Interview 59
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Malcolm says, “I’ve had a stroke but I’m not stupid.”
When Malcolm had his stroke he initially thought that he was having an angina attack. Malcolm has other health conditions including angina, diabetes, epilepsy, sleep apnoea, and is registered blind.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Clare - Interview 56
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Clare wrote letters to her aunt with her non-dominant hand as a form of therapy.
Clare experienced a stroke while at home with her husband. She had blurred vision which she initially thought was a symptom of her diabetes. In addition to diabetes and stroke, Clare has had lifelong health issues including kidney problems, for which she is undergoing dialysis.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Gavin - Interview 63
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Gavin spoke about his determination to get better and how incorporating his interests into his lifestyle helped in his recovery process.
Gavin is a 47 year old media representative/spokesperson. He lives at home with his wife and two children. He is not working right now because of his stroke, but hopes to return to some type of work one day. His ethnic background is White British.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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Jackie - Interview 64
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Jackie commented that she felt she was less passive since her stoke; the “filter” that kept her from speaking up in the past was no longer there.
Jackie suffered a stroke in 2003 while home alone and was found by her daughter 28 hours later. She voluntarily chose to retire from work so she would have enough stamina for other things including recreational activities in the community.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Michelle - Interview 65
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Michelle felt that staff did not explain what was happening to her.
Michelle experienced her TIA at the age of 26. She experienced visual disturbance and was unable to speak coherently but after five or ten minutes the symptoms gradually subsided. She had several of these episodes over the following months which were not diagnosed specifically as TIA and then later went on to experience a full stroke.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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David - Interview 61
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David was told by his doctor that he would never walk again, but in time he has regained some mobility.
David experienced two strokes in 2003 in addition to two episodes of pneumonia. The stroke, which affected his mobility, balance, and ability to drive, led to an early retirement from his job as a monitoring officer for the local council.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 49
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She would have liked more help with reading because she wanted to be able to read more than children's books.
She had a stroke due a clot caused by a hereditary clotting disorder age 29, which caused aphasia, right paralysis and epilepsy. Medication: lipitor (cholesterol), warfarin (anticoagulant), tegretol, epilim (epilepsy), baclofen (spasms in arm).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 76-95
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Interview 42
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He felt the speech therapists gave up on him because they couldn't make out what he was saying which made him feel rotten.
He had a stroke during a heart bypass aged 74 which caused right weakness & speech, memory & emotional problems. Medication: perindropril, furosemide (blood pressure) simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin, dipyridamole (antiplatelet), dosulepin (depression).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Interview 08
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Felt that despite his aphasia communication with hospital staff was good because they encouraged him to take his time.
He had a stroke due to a clot aged 49 which caused right paralysis and speech problems. Medication: bendroflumethiazide, perindopril (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin, persantin (antiplatelets), baclofen (muscle spasms).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 51
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He was given sheets of cartoon drawing to help him communicate.
He had a stroke due to a clot aged 38 which caused severe aphasia and right paralysis of his leg and arm. Medication: dipyridamole (blood pressure), aspirin (antiplatelet), simvastatin (cholesterol).
Nerves & brain
>>
Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 49
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Finds it helpful to meet other people with aphasia at Connect meetings and found lots of other people have aphasia through attending.
She had a stroke due a clot caused by a hereditary clotting disorder age 29, which caused aphasia, right paralysis and epilepsy. Medication: lipitor (cholesterol), warfarin (anticoagulant), tegretol, epilim (epilepsy), baclofen (spasms in arm).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 49
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Likes meeting other people with aphasia at Connect meetings and found lots of people she meets there have aphasia.
She had a stroke due a clot caused by a hereditary clotting disorder age 29, which caused aphasia, right paralysis and epilepsy. Medication: lipitor (cholesterol), warfarin (anticoagulant), tegretol, epilim (epilepsy), baclofen (spasms in arm).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 51
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Finds it helpful to go to Connect meetings to discuss news and other issues and to share experiences with people who have the same problem.
He had a stroke due to a clot aged 38 which caused severe aphasia and right paralysis of his leg and arm. Medication: dipyridamole (blood pressure), aspirin (antiplatelet), simvastatin (cholesterol).
>>
Stroke
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Stroke recovery: communication disorders
>>
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
>>
Stroke
>>
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
>>
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
Nerves & brain
>>
Stroke
>>
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
>>
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
Nerves & brain
>>
Stroke
>>
Age 56-65
>>
Interview 53
>>
He would have liked more help from speech therapy and felt it stopped because of lack of funding.
He had a stroke due to a clot which came from his heart aged 55. The stroke caused right sided weakness and aphasia. Medication: perindopril (blood pressure) simvastatin (cholesterol), warfarin (anticoagulant).
Nerves & brain
>>
Stroke
>>
Age 21-45
>>
Interview 51
>>
They felt the speech therapy had been excellent are encouraging their daughter to train as speech therapist.
He had a stroke due to a clot aged 38 which caused severe aphasia and right paralysis of his leg and arm. Medication: dipyridamole (blood pressure), aspirin (antiplatelet), simvastatin (cholesterol).
Nerves & brain
>>
Stroke
>>
Age 76-95
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Interview 21
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Her GP apologised that he had not picked up that her balance problems were the start of her stroke.
She had a stroke due to a clot aged 82 which caused left weakness. Medication bendroflumethiazide, ramapril (blood pressure), aspirin (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
>>
Age 76-95
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Interview 45
>>
A woman who only spoke Punjabi knew her symptoms suggested a stroke but could not tell the doctor and was sent home from hospital. (Video & Audio clip
She had a stroke due to a clot aged 72 which caused left weakness of her leg and arm. Medication: amplodopine, doxazosin, enalapril (blood pressure) furosemide (water), simvastatin, aspirin (cholesterol), fluoxetine (depression).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
>>
Age 76-95
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Interview 24
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Felt that she was shown great kindness in hospital and treated like a VIP.
She had her stroke during a hip operation at the age of 78. The stroke caused right partial paralysis and some pain in the leg. Medication: aspirin (antiplatelet) panadol (pain).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 09
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The staff in A and E did not realise her symptoms were due to stroke because she was young. They kept asking if her husband had hit her.
She had a stroke at the age of 30 due to a clot which possibly originated from a hole in her heart. The stroke could also have been caused by smoking. Her stroke caused visual memory and visual field defects. Medication: simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (anticoagulation).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
>>
Age 21-45
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Interview 02
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She completely lost her speech after her stroke which she said felt like being trapped in a box. She tried to communicate with her eyes but it did not
She had a stroke after an operation to remove a malignant melanoma. The stroke caused right weakness of her arm and problems with speech. Medication: aspirin (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
>>
Age 21-45
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Interview 10
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Felt judged and blamed and that she wasn't treated as a person because she was young to have had a stroke but also experienced warm and human care.
She had a stroke (aged 41) due to a clot from a hole in her heart which caused left-sided paralysis, numbness and central post stroke pain (CPSP). Medication: simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet), gabapentin, amitriptyline (CPSP).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 66-75
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Interview 43
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Felt that nurses made assumptions about him without knowing who he is or what his background is. He thought that simple interactions would help build
He had a stroke due to a haemorrhage age 70 which caused right sided weakness and problems with balance and speech. He as also had some depression and anxiety. Medication: enalapril maleate (blood pressure), furosemide (water), citalopram (depression).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Interview 19
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Contrasted the kind, personal, care he received from therapy staff with that from nursing staff in his hospital and advised health professionals to ma
Stroke at 45 due to dissection of right carotid artery. Caused left paralysis, spasms & painful spasticity. Medication: perindopril (blood pressure) statin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet), citalopram (depression) clonazepam, tramadol (spasms/pain).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
>>
Age 46-55
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Interview 12
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Person with aphasia felt that the speech and language therapist was rude and did not care about her as a person.
She had a stroke at the age of 48 due to a dissection of the left carotid artery. Her stroke caused aphasia and epilepsy. Medication: pravastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet), Epilim, Frisium and levetiracetam (epilepsy).
Nerves & brain
>>
Stroke
>>
Age 56-65
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Interview 18
>>
Told the occupational therapist that she was feeling depressed by not being able to do things and was told she should pull herself together.
She had a stroke aged 59 which caused right weakness, pain, vision & memory loss. Medication: perindopril, amlodipine (blood pressure) pravastatin, Ezetimibe (cholesterol), aspirin and dipyridamole (antiplatelet), escitalopram (depression), carbamazepine (pain).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
>>
Age 46-55
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Interview 34
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She lacked confidence when her GP tried to change her medication even though she had been told she needed it in the hospital and advises others to tak
She had a stroke due to a dissection of the right carotid artery at the age of 55. The stroke caused left paralysis of her leg and arm and problems with eating and speaking. Medication: simvastatin (cholesterol), warfarin (anticlotting).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
>>
Age 56-65
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Interview 15
>>
Felt that one of the good things about care was being able to ask questions.
He had his stroke due to a clot aged 54 which caused right sided paralysis and muscle spasms. Medication: amlodopine, perindopril (blood pressure), ezetimibe (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
>>
Age 66-75
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Interview 35
>>
Felt would have liked someone to talk to because felt very unsupported in their decision for the wife to care for husband at home after he was severel
He had a stroke due to a haemorrhage aged 65 which caused left paralysis and problems with incontinence, memory and mood. Medication: perindropril (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), loperamide (to constipate), fluoxetine (aggression).
Nerves & brain
>>
Stroke
>>
Age 76-95
>>
Interview 42
>>
He felt the speech therapists gave up on him because they couldn't make out what he was saying which made him feel rotten.
He had a stroke during a heart bypass aged 74 which caused right weakness & speech, memory & emotional problems. Medication: perindropril, furosemide (blood pressure) simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin, dipyridamole (antiplatelet), dosulepin (depression).
Nerves & brain
>>
Stroke
>>
Age 46-55
>>
Interview 08
>>
Felt that despite his aphasia communication with hospital staff was good because they encouraged him to take his time.
He had a stroke due to a clot aged 49 which caused right paralysis and speech problems. Medication: bendroflumethiazide, perindopril (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin, persantin (antiplatelets), baclofen (muscle spasms).
Nerves & brain
>>
Stroke
>>
Age 21-45
>>
Interview 49
>>
She would have liked more help with reading because she wanted to be able to read more than children's books.
She had a stroke due a clot caused by a hereditary clotting disorder age 29, which caused aphasia, right paralysis and epilepsy. Medication: lipitor (cholesterol), warfarin (anticoagulant), tegretol, epilim (epilepsy), baclofen (spasms in arm).
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Stroke
>>
Speech and communication
>>
Speech and communication
Speech and communication
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Stroke
>>
Speech and communication
>>
Speech and communication
Speech and communication
Nerves & brain
>>
Stroke
>>
Speech and communication
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Speech and communication
Speech and communication
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