Rick Lau's experience with the stroke:
I had what is described as a "classic Wallenberg Syndrome" stroke in March 2000 and, not surprizingly, have (or had) most of the symptoms described on your web site. My sroke was apparently caused by the di-section of my left vertebral artery causing blood flow to bypass my PICA.
I now have little outward (visible) symptoms of my stroke, but
for several month after my stroke, I practiced balancing maneuvers, speaking, etc. daily for hours at a time.
Also, I must say I was blessed in not having any "dragging arm or leg" etc. I pridefully went back to work in about 3-1/2 months which my doctor said was "amazing", although he wisely cautioned me not to be too surprized if I fatigued easily. I was still very numb on my right side, but had full use of my right arm and leg.
Unfortunately, my reasonably good recovery hit a "brick wall" about 6 months after my stroke when severe nerve pain problems began developing from the numbness I had been experiencing to that point. Parts of my right side felt like they were extremely sunburned, and other parts felt like they were in the deep freeze.
Also, I began experiencing substantial pain over my left eye which had been very "blood shot" for about a month immediately following my stroke.
Conventional pain medication did little to help, although the pain was mitigated somewhat by covering the affected skin area by, for example, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants (even in summer) and a hand glove.
I began taking an anti-seizure medication called Neurontin for
the pain and it has worked reasonably well in this regard. I am now taking a fairly large dose of Neurontin daily. While this has helped my pain problem, it has greatly increased my instability and I typically need to use a cane especially on uneven or surfaces. Thus, my recovery is now hindered by dizziness which the medication seems to exacerbate.
I would greatly appreciate hearing from any of your members who can share similar expeiences with me. I would especially like to communicate with someone who may have had similar problems earlier than CY 2000 to see if they have experienced any spontaneous recovery over time.
My doctor seems very unsure of this (maybe everyone is different, but doctors have to be careful of what they predict I guess). He says reducing the Neurontin any time soon, to check my actual recovery, may be very risky as a potentially necessary return to the medication may be less effective the second time around.
By the way, I was 60-years old when I had my stroke, but otherwise in very good condition.
Thanks for your help
Richard (Rick) Lau
