Full list of topics

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

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Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Social support >> Social support

Social support

>> Stroke >> Social support >> Social support

Social support

>> Stroke >> Social support >> Social support

Social support

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 66-75 >> Interview 35 >> He feels his wife has been there for him 100% but he has taken out a lot of his frustration at not being able to do things out on her. He has been giv

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 21-45 >> Interview 51 >> He was frustrated because he could not speak and sometimes was impatient with his young daughter.

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 21-45 >> Interview 02 >> 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 >> Stroke >> Age 66-75 >> Interview 17 >> 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 >> Stroke >> Age 46-55 >> Interview 19 >> Enjoyed visits home from the hospital and out in the evening, although they made him very aware of his disability and the problems he would face in th

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 >> Stroke >> Age 66-75 >> Interview 14 >> She felt very vulnerable and frightened at being home and thinks her husband did not understand. She would like to see more support for people when th

She had a stroke due to a hemorrhage aged 60, which caused left paralysis, spasms, central post stroke pain (CPSP) and depression. Medication: bendrofluazide (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), fluoxetine (depression), gabapentin (CPSP).

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 46-55 >> Interview 06 >> When he first got home he found even getting washed and dressed very tiring and was very dependant on his wife.

He had his stroke at the age of 53 during an emergency heart operation. His stroke caused partial right-sided paralysis and vision loss. Medication: bisoprolol (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet).

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 66-75 >> Interview 35 >> The nurse persuaded her that her husband should have respite care. The first time was not successful but the second time they found somewhere with you

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 66-75 >> Interview 25 >> Her husband initially went into care because she was ill and couldn't look after him. She realised there was more going on in the home for him so he s

He had a stroke at the age of 63 and a second stroke aged 68 both due to a bleed. After the first he had right paralysis and could not walk. Since the second he is in a wheelchair and suffers some confusion. Medication: atenolol (blood pressure).

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 76-95 >> Interview 42 >> He realised that his wife could no longer lift him if he fell so he decided it would be better for him to go into a care home.

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 05 >> Her parents were badly affected by the stroke and didn't initially come to visit her. She wanted to protect them so only cried in front of a social wo

She had two strokes 3 months apart (aged 43) due to haemorrhages from arterial venous malformations. The second stroke caused right-sided paralysis and muscles spasm. Medication: baclofen (spasms), phenergan (anxiety), phenytoin (epilepsy due to a brain tumour age 41).

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 21-45 >> Interview 10 >> She tried to keep things as normal as possible for her daughters but worries that they have been affected. People have reassured her that it may make

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 >> Stroke >> Age 21-45 >> Interview 11 >> A few years after her stroke her son needed some counselling because the experience had caused him some deep seated worries.

She had a stroke caused by a clot at the age of 34. The stroke caused left-sided paralysis, left hemianopia (loss of vision in left field) and epilepsy. Medication: aspirin (antiplatelet), epilim, tegretol (epilepsy).

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 46-55 >> Interview 06 >> He felt guilty seeing his wife go out to work and then come home and do the house work.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 21-45 >> Interview 10 >> She had several disagreements with her mother because she was helpful after the stroke but was reluctant to let her get back to doing things herself.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 66-75 >> Interview 33 >> Advises other people's families to not discourage the person from trying to do things for themselves and give them space.

She had a stroke due to a clot aged 67, which caused weakness of her left arm and face and some initial speech problems. Medication: perindropril (blood pressure) simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin, delayed release dipyridamole (antiplatelets).

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 56-65 >> Interview 22 >> They think that support is mainly given to the patient and should be more readily available for the family. They eventually got help through a stroke

He had two stroke due to clots aged 59. The strokes caused ataxia, dysphagia, dysarthria and double vision. Medication: atenolol (blood pressure), bezafibrate (cholesterol), warfarin (anticoagulant), hyoscine (reduce saliva), Thick 'n' easy (thickens drinks).

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 66-75 >> Ralph - Interview 60 >> Ralph feels that care providers should not assume that family and friends are always available.

One morning Ralph awoke to feelings of pins and needles in his arm and leg. Recognising that there was a problem, he immediately called NHS Direct. Ralph was happy with the quick response, but felt that things fell apart afterward. Since he lived alone and had no social support network (i.e., family to call), he discharged himself from the hospital.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 66-75 >> Interview 33 >> Advises other people's families to not discourage the person from trying to do things for themselves and give them space.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 56-65 >> Interview 22 >> They think that support is mainly given to the patient and should be more readily available for the family. They eventually got help through a stroke

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 21-45 >> Interview 10 >> She had several disagreements with her mother because she was helpful after the stroke but was reluctant to let her get back to doing things herself.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 46-55 >> Interview 06 >> He felt guilty seeing his wife go out to work and then come home and do the house work.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 56-65 >> Interview 22 >> Set himself a goal of being able to speak and stand for his daughter's wedding and got a standing ovation when he gave her away.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 21-45 >> Interview 11 >> A few years after her stroke her son needed some counselling because the experience had caused him some deep seated worries.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 46-55 >> Interview 34 >> Worries about holding her young grandson because of loss of sensation but hopes that things will improve.

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 >> Stroke >> Age 21-45 >> Interview 10 >> She tried to keep things as normal as possible for her daughters but worries that they have been affected. People have reassured her that it may make

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 46-55 >> Interview 05 >> Her parents were badly affected by the stroke and didn't initially come to visit her. She wanted to protect them so only cried in front of a social wo

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 56-65 >> Interview 22 >> Their daughter's son was initially wary of her husband because his voice had changed by the stroke but with time has adjusted.

>> Stroke >> Social support >> Social support

Social support

>> Stroke >> Social support >> Social support

Social support

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Social support >> Social support

Social support

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Social support >> Social support

Social support

>> Stroke >> Social support >> Social support

Social support

>> Stroke >> Social support >> Social support

Social support

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 46-55 >> Interview 08 >> He moved to a more suitable house because of his mobility problems and found it hard that his wife had to organise the decorating as before he would h

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 46-55 >> Interview 05 >> Her parents were badly affected by the stroke and didn't initially come to visit her. She wanted to protect them so only cried in front of a social wo

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 21-45 >> Interview 10 >> She tried to keep things as normal as possible for her daughters but worries that they have been affected. People have reassured her that it may make

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 21-45 >> Interview 11 >> A few years after her stroke her son needed some counselling because the experience had caused him some deep seated worries.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 46-55 >> Interview 06 >> He felt guilty seeing his wife go out to work and then come home and do the house work.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 21-45 >> Interview 10 >> She had several disagreements with her mother because she was helpful after the stroke but was reluctant to let her get back to doing things herself.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 66-75 >> Interview 33 >> Advises other people's families to not discourage the person from trying to do things for themselves and give them space.

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 56-65 >> Interview 22 >> They think that support is mainly given to the patient and should be more readily available for the family. They eventually got help through a stroke

Nerves & brain >> Stroke >> Age 46-55 >> Clare - Interview 56 >> 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 >> Stroke >> Age 56-65 >> David - Interview 61 >> David describes a near death experience where his family is behind him and a white figure in front of him.

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 >> Stroke >> Age 46-55 >> Gavin - Interview 63 >> The stroke initially took a toll on Gavin’s marriage but him and his wife are finding ways to make it work.

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.