10/03/2022
FATIGUE and TIREDNESS
What is post-stroke fatigue?
Fatigue is different from normal tiredness, as it doesnât seem to get better with rest. It can happen after any type of stroke, big or small. It can also happen after a transient ischaemic attack (TIA, or mini-stroke).
The signs of fatigue vary between individuals, but you may feel like you lack energy or strength, and are constantly tired. It is not necessarily caused by being more active or working, so it is not like typical tiredness. You might need to rest more than normal or want to sleep during the day. Fatigue could make it difficult for you to take part in everyday activities. It can also affect your recovery and rehabilitation.
If you think you have fatigue, itâs a good idea to speak to your GP or therapist, as you may be able to get treatment for the cause of your fatigue. You can have help to understand the triggers for your fatigue, and how to manage it.
Fatigue can get better over time, and you can help to improve your recovery by getting support and trying techniques for managing fatigue.
Who is affected by post-stroke fatigue?
People have different levels of fatigue, from mild to severe. It can happen after any type of stroke, and you can have severe fatigue after a relatively mild stroke or a TIA. Even if you have made a full physical recovery, or your stroke was some time ago, fatigue can still be a problem. Fatigue can start immediately after a stroke, and often improves over time, but it can also appear sometime later.
Post-stroke fatigue may be more common among older people and women. It is not caused by depression and anxiety, although itâs possible for someone with depression or low mood to also have post-stroke fatigue. Many people describe fatigue as the most difficult and upsetting problem they have to cope with after a stroke. You may not feel able to engage fully in rehabilitation because you feel so tired. It can affect your ability to regain your independence in day-to-day life, and it can be difficult to return to work or to socialise and enjoy everyday activities. It can also affect your quality of life and relationships, as family and friends may not understand how genuinely exhausted you feel on a daily basis.
Why do I feel so tired?
It is likely that a mixture of physical and emotional factors are contributing to you experiencing fatigue after stroke.
Physical causes
The physical impact of the stroke on your brain and body can trigger fatigue. In the early weeks and months after a stroke, your brain and body are healing.
The rehabilitation process can involve trying to do things in a completely new way, or learning and doing exercises, which can be very tiring.
You may have lost mobility and fitness while in hospital, or because of the stroke, and being physically inactive is linked to fatigue.
If you have muscle weakness after your stroke, this can mean you use energy in different ways. For example, walking and completing other daily activities may well take up much more energy than they did before your stroke, making you more likely to feel tired. However, even those who make a good physical recovery can still experience fatigue.
Emotional changes
Feeling low or anxious is common after a stroke, and can come with a sense of fatigue. If you feel your mood is low or you are constantly irritable or tense then donât ignore it. Your GP can prescribe medication or refer you for practical support such as counselling. Read more about emotional changes after stroke.
Other factors
Other factors that can affect how tired you feel include sleeping problems such as insomnia and sleep apnoea (interrupted breathing). You might have trouble sleeping due to muscle stiffness or joint pain.
If you have trouble with swallowing or chewing, this could affect the amount of energy and nutrients you gain from your food.
Some health conditions such as anaemia (low levels of iron in the blood), diabetes or an underactive thyroid gland can also make you feel tired.
If you have pain after a stroke such as muscle pain or headaches, this can also affect your energy levels.
Some common medications have fatigue as a side effect, such as beta-blockers for high blood pressure, epilepsy drugs and antidepressants. Don't stop taking any medication without speaking to your GP. You can ask for your medications to be reviewed if you think it could be a cause of your fatigue.
Getting help with fatigue
It is important to get individual advice from a GP or other health professional, to ensure that you have identified any underlying health problems. They will also help you to get the right support with your fatigue.
1. Find out the cause of your fatigue
Try to find out if there are any treatable causes for your fatigue. Your GP or stroke nurse can check if you have any medical conditions that could be making you feel tired.
Ask the GP for a review of your current medication. If your fatigue is partially caused by side effects of your medication, it usually improves with time or once you start a new medication. Never stop taking your medication suddenly, and ask your GP for advice if you have any problems with side effects.
2. Help others understand your fatigue
Your tiredness may not be obvious to other people so they may not understand how you feel. This may be frustrating for you. Show your family and friends this guide to help them understand what you are going through. They can offer you support with your recovery and dealing with tasks.
Work and fatigue
If you are working or thinking of going back to work, fatigue can have an impact on you. These practical tips may help, as well as seeking professional support and advice.
Your workplace could be assessed by an occupational therapist. They will advise whether to adapt any equipment you use or change work practices. If you donât have an occupational therapist, your GP can refer you, or your employer may appoint one.
Give yourself plenty of time to recover from your stroke before going back to work. Putting pressure on yourself could make it harder.
Talk to your employer about your stroke and how it has affected you. This can help them to make any reasonable adjustments needed to help you to do your job, such as having more frequent breaks.
You could talk to your colleagues and explain your post-stroke fatigue. Because the tiredness is not visible, it is unlikely they will know about it unless you tell them.
Think about having a phased return. This could mean returning to work part-time to start with, sometimes only for a couple of hours each day or every other day. Some people find that fatigue occurs later in the day and feels like âhitting a wallâ. To help you manage your energy levels, you can start with tasks and working hours that are manageable for you and build up slowly. Talk to your employer and agree on a plan that works for both of you.
For more information about work, stroke and your legal rights, see our guide 'Getting back to work after stroke'
Tips for reducing and managing fatigue
Although there isnât a clearly defined treatment for post-stroke fatigue, there are some practical steps that you can try to reduce your fatigue. This can help once you have ruled out other causes such as the side effects of medication, or diabetes.
Give yourself plenty of time. It can take many months before post-stroke fatigue starts to lift. Accepting that it takes time to improve can help you to cope better.
Keep a written or visual diary of how much you are doing each day. Over time, this really helps to remind you of the progress youâve made and will help you understand how much activity you can cope with, and what triggers your fatigue. Donât push yourself to do too much if youâre having a âbetter dayâ. Although it is tempting, it may leave you exhausted for the next day or two.
Celebrate your successes. Many people feel frustrated by what they canât do and forget to feel good about what they have started to do again.
Learn to pace yourself by taking proper breaks before or after doing things. Even gentle activities like talking with friends, a car journey and eating a meal can be tiring.
Rest and sleep: you might need to rest or nap during the day. But if you are having trouble sleeping at night, avoid sleeping during the day. Look for other ways to sleep better such as comfortable bedding and cotton sheets.
Donât make it hard for yourself by trying to do all the things you used to do, or at the same speed. It can be helpful to lower your expectations of what you can achieve for a while, so you can build up stamina and strength again slowly.
Find out how much you can do in a day and stick to it. For example, if you can achieve about four hours of activity a day (with rests in between) without being too tired then that is the right level for you. If you do too much, you will probably soon realise, as you will need to rest more or have to spend a day in bed to recover.
Build up stamina and strength slowly or you may well feel you are going backwards if your fatigue worsens. Increase your activity gradually. Read our ideas and tips about moving more after a stroke.
Start to wind down during the evening and get into a bedtime routine.
Try to do some exercise, as this may help to improve fatigue. Start gently, for example, a very short walk or a few minutes on an exercise bike, and slowly build up without overdoing it. Ask a physiotherapist for help with this.
Eat healthily. Carbohydrates such as bread and pasta are good sources of energy, and try to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. If you have trouble swallowing or eating after a stroke, you will need support from a dietician to help you eat the right types of food. Ask your GP to refer you for help.
Seek support. Your GP or occupational therapist can help put you in touch with different types of support, for example, stroke clubs, counselling, relaxation programmes, exercise groups or alternative therapies.
Many people find that peer support can help.
