Hi Sufferlandrians
On 21 June, I suffered a massive right side ischemic stroke which left me with hemiplegia on my left side - my recovery is progressing well - I am walking effectively with a cane and an AFO but very little functional movement in my left arm yet.
I’ve recently started back on the bike, doing around 10-15 minutes every day or so and am pretty much exhausted after that. Happily, my once paralysed left leg is responding well to cycling and it’s really improving my walking as well. As a long-term Sufferlandrian, I’m stunned by how much fitness I’ve lost and a curious as to whether any other Sufferlandrians have experienced similar neurolgical injuries resulting in physical deficits and whether they have any tips or ideas to improve my recovery or even sharing their own experiences?
Welcome @Eddie!
I’m very sorry to hear about your stroke, and want to wish you all the best with your recovery. It’s great to hear that cycling is helping with the process.
Hi, Eddie. I hope you keep finding inspiration so that you can continue to crush that recovery. You’re doing an amazing job already.
I don’t think he’s on the forum, but Sir Andy Dobinson suffered something very similar a couple of years ago. He’s doing some stuff on instagram at andy_stroke_of_luck and looking to help others in a similar situation.
Hi Eddie
use it 
don’t lose it. the more you try to work the affected side, the more it’s gonna improve. do you see a physio? if you don’t (yet) try to find one who’s specislized in active neuro treatment, these guys can do s great job and really get you going.
all the best and stay strong 
Thanks @Sir_Richard_KoS! Hi I looked him up on Instagram - inspirational fellow!!
Thanks @IsiSchneider_KoS, yes I’m actively engaging my affected side constantly through walking, exercises and cycling on the Wattbike. I’m currently working with a neuro-specialist physiotherapist and that’s going very well and I’m making great gains. I guess I just need to keep working hard and be patient 
I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you gave him a shout on insta for any advice or support. He’s a great guy, runs my cycling club (Glasgow Green Cycle Club), and as you can see, is an addicted ultra runner too.
hey that sounds good!!! 
keep on going, I wish you all the best. and never forget you’re a Sufferlandrian, that helps to keep you in the right mindset. sure you can be proud of the progress you’re making 
Hi Eddie,
Thanks for your post, albeit almost 2 years ago. I hope that you continue to improve.
I also suffered a stroke in January this year. I was reasonably fit in my mid-50s and had no lifestyle contributors. The stroke hit from the blue. It was caused by a hole in my heart since birth. Apparently, 1 in 4 of the population has a heart hole! I had surgery to close the heart hole in July and am now working my way to wherever I can get from a fitness and exercise standpoint. I had previously enjoyed using this app so it was natural to consider how I might re-employ the app on my road to recovery.
I lost use of my left leg and for a few days my left arm suffered also. The stroke affected my cerebellum, so my balance was affected too. This meant relearning how to walk. I suffered badly with fatigue and discovered that post-stroke, energy is a limited commodity, and I had to ascertain how to use that daily reserve. I also found that post-stroke fatigue is linked to brain work rather than traditional physical activities so stimulants like too much reading or noise or conversation could be just as tiring as walking. My stroke physiotherapist prescribed spinning my indoor bike as a means of rehab but, in the early weeks and months indoor biking meant I had no energy left for walking. So, the idea of indoor cycling went on the back burner for a while as I prioritised a daily walk, fresh air and chatting to people. Even then, I got it wrong. I identified three walk routes categorised by the number of steps. These were 1k, 3.5k and 5.5k. Typical for me, I aimed for the longer of those walks and tried pushing myself, but found it took too much out of me for the remainder of the day and subsequent days suffered also. My occupational therapist was a great help and she educated me on how to use my daily energy reserve, which was basically characterised by doing less. This meant doing the short or mid distance walks. It also meant turning on a computer for say 15 mins. and then turning it off again. It’s a hard discipline if pushing yourself physically and mentally is your norm but, it is necessary.
So, in September I managed 5 indoor bike sessions. I’ll hopefully build on that this month, and I expect my response will largely be driven by fatigue and continuing to manage that imposition. Considering that I now have an implant closing my heart hole, I’m going carefully at this. Although, my cardiologist said I can resume a normal life and there are no restrictions on my exercise aims from a heart health standpoint. That said, common sense dictates being sensible. So, I’ve begun by choosing simple 1 to 3/10 sessions and limiting myself to 30 mins cycling or thereabouts. The aim for the time being is to spin my legs and get my blood flowing. Fortunately, I’ve discovered that pre-stroke cadence levels have not suffered so I can spin the pedals like before. I’m riding according to my pre-stroke Full Monty test and although there is merit in doing another test and beginning again on that front, I want a few weeks training in my legs before committing to that.
Post-stroke the doctors asked me what I wanted to get back to. I said everything. This meant running, swimming and cycling like before. I’m yet to discover if my heart will work differently now that the heart hole is closed and only time will tell. But, I’ve since amended the expression ‘get back to’ to ‘what do I want to achieve’ or ‘where do I want to reach’ because, although I’ll give it a good go, some past physical attributes might not work entirely like before.
I’d be happy to exchange notes with you or anyone else in a similar position. All the best.
Remarkable. You have a very amazing story, and you are true inspiration. Thank you for sharing your positive mind set and bringing your light into this community. Continue to shine bright good sir!
Truly an inspiration to all and I hope you are recovering really well after the surgery, Brendan. 
I picked up a very good pointer from you here and ‘getting back to’ is sometimes demotivating especially when comparing to past peak performance figures be it in terms of exercise or otherwise. I guess, adjusting and aligning our goals with what we can achieve at different stages and circumstances in life is rather useful to help keep up motivated.
All the best in your journey to recovery!
Hi Brendan,
Thank you for making contact and apologies for my tardy response. I’m glad to hear you’re progressing well. I completely empathise with the whole “Energy budget” situation you’re dealing with. I’m pleased to say that at 2.5 years since i survived the stroke, although life has been a struggle, I’ve achieved much.
My once paralysed leg continues to improve and I’m now riding RGT and SYSTM workouts regularly, even though my left arm is still mostly non-functional. I secured a new role as Engineering Manager in a large organisation here in Tasmania (luckily my cognitive abilities have not suffered much) and my goal last year was to ride a 2 wheeled bike again, which i achieved before Christmas. Like you, as a goal oriented person, i find myself setting greater and greater goals for myself as I achieve more in life. I accept that I’ll probably always have some degree of disability but I won’t let it define me nor stop me from achieving goals. The goals give me purpose and serve to fill the gap left by not being able to ride outdoors like I used to.
My goal/challenge this year will be to complete the Wahoologan Tour and then climb one of the highest mountains in Tasmania, the mighty Mt Wellington which is 21km in distance and 1275m (4183feet) in elevation.
Keep up the awesome work and never give up 
Hi Eddie and great hearing from you and about your progress. My stroke anniversary is in 10 days. I was gaining some momentum when originally contributing to your post, but then had a bad Covid dose. That and some medication issues have been a pain, so my doctor has proposed stopping statins as a trial to see if things improve. I hope that the energy returns enough to dip back in. My last swim was 24 January last year and I’m hoping to return to the pool in the next few days. The occupational therapist (and my wife) has warned me to just get in the water and enjoy only that. But, I kind of know I won’t be happy unless I can attempt to knock out a few lengths. Interesting that you found a new job. My cognition seems okay but coincidentally I volunteered for cognition testing that I undertook this morning, so I’m awaiting those results. Like you I have goals that include riding my bike outdoors again and I agree that goals give purpose. But, I will no longer use firm dates to achieve those goals and instead just have ball park targets that would be nice for this year say. I say this because I’d previously considered the end of 2022 as a line in the sand and a new beginning. But, as last year drew to a close it became more apparent that I’d be carrying stroke issues with me into 2023. They are two brilliant goals you’ve set yourself and I’m thinking along similar lines. But, nowadays I think more about doing what I can today, because I don’t know what tomorrow might bring! Likewise keep up the good fight! Brendan
Incredibly inspiring both of you, and thank you for sharing these updates. All the best with your recoveries in the future.