Chat Room Friends Save Stroke Victim

from the feel-good-story dept

Wed, Feb 5th 2003 11:32am — Mike Masnick

If you're looking for a feel good story about the internet, then we've got one for you. Apparently, a woman who spent plenty of time in online chat rooms recently had a stroke while typing in the chat room. She frantically typed some sort of "help me!" type message, before collapsing. Others in the chat room tried calling her, and eventually got a local 911 operator who sent help over to the woman's home. On a side note, the article is amusing in that it does the reverse of what most articles do when talking about people using online nicknames. It refers to them by the nickname, and mentions that they are "also known as..." or "also goes by..." and gives their real name.

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36 Comments

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Ken, 12 Mar 2006 @ 6:22pm

pain in arm
The pain in my arm is constant. Any one help me, or suggest help?
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- Patti, 17 Sep 2006 @ 1:48am
  
  Re: pain in arm
  what does your pain feel like
  
  mine isin my left hand and it feels like it is ib boiling hot water 24/7
  
  i have severe muscle spasms as well
  
  i find that wearing a compression glove helps the spasms and my pain mgmt doc has started me on "lyrica" on 100mg 3 times a day it gives some relief.
  
  they make compression sleeves also hope this helps but try the lyrica it is in the neurontin family
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- graham, 19 Nov 2006 @ 3:24am
  
  Re: pain in arm
  ask your doctor to give you gabapentin
  i had a stroke in 2004 and i had pain all down my left side its taken almost 2years to find the right drugs that work.im taken gabapentin 600mg 3 times aday.
  tramadol 100mg 2 times aday,paracetamol1000mg four times aday,amitiptyline100mg at night.im still in pain but its noway as bad as it use to be.hope this might help ui was 33 when i had my stroke
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  - graham, 19 Nov 2006 @ 4:06am
    
    Re: Re: pain in arm
    sorry i gave out the wrong e-maill address
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  - Cathy, 20 Mar 2015 @ 12:41am
    
    Re: Re: pain in arm
    My husband just had a stroke, help
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ottawa, 8 Sep 2007 @ 2:22pm

depression drug
Hello, I am a stroke survivor for over a year. First off, I am so sorry that you too had to have one, but I hope you all are doing well. I am writing to find out if you are on any antidepressant medication? Because I am not and I am feeling down all the time and when I am ask how my health is doing by my family, I have no control of my emotions and I often start crying. For the reason, I am very much avoiding seeing them and friends. I feel so sad about this, because we were very close and now I am so jealous of them having a happy life. I know I should be happy for them. But I don't know what happended to me. It's been a year since I kept in touch. I know they are worry about me. I been told that maybe take some medication to help the chemcial in my brain to feel better. What's your take on that and I love to hear your exprience.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you
Ottawa
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- Gerry, 19 Jul 2008 @ 9:48pm
  
  Re: depression drug
  Hello Ottawa I'm also a stroke survivor since Mar 2004. I had two strokes one on the 1st & another on the 27th of Mar 2004. As for the crying I know exactly how you feel. I've been crying for over 4 years now and not much hope in sight for stopping. I've been going to therapy for over two years through the VA because I’m a Viet-Nam Vet. I’ve been on a number of different drugs for depression & the crying and thoughts of suicide.
  I think about it every day. You didn’t mention in your letter what effects your stroke had on you except the crying. My stroke left me paralyzed on the left side. I have a hard time to walk or use my left arm. I’m 100% disability and in a wheelchair. I also have a few other medical problems as a result of my contact with Agent Orange in Viet-Nam. It gave me type 2 diabetes. Now that caused diabetic retinopathy, I’m legally blind in the left eye and the right eye is going to. I’ve also had two heart attacks in 1999 & 2007. I’ve had neuropathy since 1991.
  I would like to talk to you more maybe we can help each other. Who knows this could help. Anything is possible.
  My group therapy & shrink don’t seem to help a lot. My biggest problem is my feelings of being worthless because I can’t see very well. It’s very hard to do most things one handed. I fall all the time and now I’m having a lot of trouble getting up after I do fall.
  Let me know if you’re having any of these problems. Hope to hear from you soon. Gerry
  PS I don't know anything about this web cite I'ts my first time on it tonight. So I don't know if I'll ever hear from you again.
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  - Gerry, 20 Jul 2008 @ 5:24pm
    
    Re: Re: depression drug
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- Martin de kock, 8 Jan 2009 @ 5:17am
  
  Re: depression drug
  I had my stroke at the age of 27,I also use to cry for nohing- then my docter prescribed TRIPELINE 20 mg,its the best thing that ever happened to me.Do not worry GOD has a wonderful plan for your life-HE send this wonderful woman to cross my path.We are married for almost 2 years now,blessings Martin
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- Michael, 26 Mar 2009 @ 1:52pm
  
  Re: depression drug
  I had a stroke 3 years ago I droped my medication slowly over 12 months and found my emotions improved. all the best mike.
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- Dan, 23 Apr 2009 @ 2:52am
  
  Re: depression drug
  had a stroke in 97.cerebra hemrage..should of died,and i didnt.was depressed for the first 4 years.....best thing to do..is to get in shape....exercise...clean your mind from the pain and brain damage u have recieved.Learn how to communicat better with reality...it hurts i know...i wanted to jump in front of a truck,but,i started walking..then running.....then got in better shape....i used many differant antidepressant drugs....none of them worked.....my docter actually made a mistake and gave me welabutrin..and i had a grand ma seasure from is.so dont let them give u that if u had a seasure before.I truly dont believe meds dont work for depression..not the type that we have because our lives have changed completely...u become very emotional.and u feel helplessness@times.....like the world is going around u.and u cant catch it...it will pass..everyone doesnt look@u and wonder why cant he think fast.....it happens to all of...who have gone threw it..get in touch with your family and friends...if they are your real friends they want to help u...open up...and your depression will fade.....if u dont open up....and deal with the pain and damage u have gotten.life will be a slow and depressed living......SMILE.....
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- Pamela Latham, 19 Apr 2011 @ 1:46pm
  
  Re: depression drug
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- jolien, 4 Mar 2018 @ 7:57pm
  
  Re: depression drug
  Iam also stroke survivor.
  Call me if you like at usa-562-209 6548
  
  jolien
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- Randi, 1 Aug 2019 @ 12:28pm
  
  Re: depression drug
  I’m sorry baby my family have told me im not the same. Idk how to change back into the person they know
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meredith, 15 Oct 2007 @ 5:03am

stroke in youth
i did not ever know someone my age could have a stroke at 27 i did! a drunk driver hit me and i had one enduced by trauma my cera bellum was bruised.i feel like a fish out of water. i feel like i started over like one of my kids. unfair to say the least the hospital had me on a cathader which gave me a urinary tact infection. my girls At 9 and 4 know the one thing they can never do and drive is drink! schools say that but i do not think kids ever hear about how to know if someone is having A stroke. i wrote my government about enacting a new drinking law for barsect. i have no modesty anymore. my parents bathe me and i wear depends. can someone tell me why antidepresants cause depression? they can make men into woman but they have nothing to fix stroke damage. wth? i don't think thats a wrong thought to have my brother is a doctor and i text him almost constantly with whys.
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- Lanise, 7 Mar 2009 @ 5:50pm
  
  Re: stroke in youth
  Hi MERidith I kn ow what its like to have a stroke in your youth I am 24 and i had my stroke at 21 i have 3 children and struggle everyday i taking care of them but the weird thing is i had know side effects until 2008 it was a little bit over 2 years later if anyone can tell me if that is normal please write me meridith just wanted to let you know i love you and your not alone just trust in god and you will be ok peace
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jennifer hart, 8 Mar 2008 @ 2:11am

info
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jennifer hart, 8 Mar 2008 @ 2:24am

info
pleasw repair yoour site to updatee youe fee for aloowing meto phurchase product as a safe site
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jabir, 7 Jul 2008 @ 4:24am

maroco
jotim tot lifil
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Marsha, 12 Nov 2008 @ 10:19pm

Husband had stroke 9-15-08
I would like to talk to someone who has had a stoke. My husbands afftected his right side, totally paralized, has spent 37 days in a rehab hospital, with a little improvement. Right now we are in out patient rehab and he has gotten gout in his feet, which makes him not want to walk, his arm has the muscle separation in it and it hurts and he doesn't want to do his home exercises. I am at my wits end. The therapists really do fuss at me for not working him at home but he just hurts too much, I know that he does because he is a tough guy and never complains. Have any of you suffered with the gout, or he also had severe muscle spasms last week, let me know if any of you have suffered with this and how long did it take for any of you to get movement in your arm?
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- Carol Birkholz, 7 Dec 2010 @ 8:10am
  
  Re: Husband had stroke 9-15-08
  Hi I see you wrote this comment a few years ago, how is your husband coming along now? I had my stroke in May of o9. My stroke effected my right side also. I am using a walker to get around in the house, but I use a wheel chair to go places with. I had lots of people working with me too, and I still could use more. I wear a brace on both legs, and my right arm and hand are not doing well either. Its been a terrible long haul for me too.
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  - jolien, 5 Mar 2018 @ 7:20am
    
    Re: Re: Husband had stroke 9-15-08
    hello, carol,
    
    I had my stroke in November 19, 2017 .
    
    my stroke my right site for 4 weeks completely paralyzed.
    Now I walking/limp small steps behind walker. sometimes 700 steps outside with Brecks/siting...and have pain in right shoulder and knee too. have home physical therapy and occupy. therapy as well. I exercise obey and pray. how are u today? call me if you like 562-209 6548
    god bless
    joien
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- trish chamberlain, 27 Aug 2011 @ 12:48am
  
  Re: Husband had stroke 9-15-08
  hi marsha i have had 3strokes my 3rd one was at the rehab n.s.w ,i was in severe muscle spasm as well.i cant tell u what they give me . cause we are on here. it took me a whole year to stop the pain. but now cause i had 3strokes on the same side .i have severe osteoarthritis arthrist im going back on forth to the doctors all the time. the spasm was in my leg could not walk for long time give me a wheel chair to come home in.
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ellen fuchs, 1 Dec 2008 @ 5:38pm

daugher of a stroke survivor
my mother had a massive stroke in January of 2008. she is paralyzed on her left side and cannot speak anymore. she is in a gerry chair and bed ridden. is there any hope for her.
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- trish chamberlain, 27 Aug 2011 @ 1:08am
  
  Re: daugher of a stroke survivor
  i had my 3rd stroke now in 1996 i was driving hit a truck had a bad stroke. i dont rember munch of it but my family said i could not talk i saw people come who was teaching me how to talk and walk ,,it was long time before i was able to walk. so help your mum get somone to help her out of that chair. i did that myself. hospital give me a wheel chair said u have to stay in it.1 time i walk out of reha other time i was ina wheelchair.i got home done my exercies and now im walking.
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pam, 6 Dec 2008 @ 10:30pm

my granmothers stroke
my granmother we call her nanny has had a small stroke . we put her in cobblestone. this place was to help her get better wirh therepy. she walked in this place and when she left she was in diapers and could not feed herself.she is not doing good, we do not understand strokes.we need some help with this; we have stayed with her. she has not been alone. we have took turns staying with her. we are becoming so tired but she will never be in a goverment nursing home.but there are no beds at any nursibg home, tonight the doc said that she needs to be in an assited living homeat this point she does not evennow here she is at
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hannah, 17 Jan 2009 @ 9:24am

i had a stroke
I'm 18 years old, at the age of 16 i had a strokes causing irreparable damage.caused a lot of pain, i was in hospital for seven months, from November to June of 2006/7. Since then, i have improved 'several setbacks'! Due to my disability, I have lost several friends. They can't deal with the fact that I can't do things that we had in common before the stroke. But my mum won't stop fighting or finding out a way to help, she just wants me to have a normal life. I had to learn to walk again. I walked like a doll, kicking out my left leg, like the dolls in the Nutcracker (ballet) and had to work on my left arm and hand daily to gain my strength back, as i could't evan lift it or a finger. i wore a brace on my left leg and foot at night to straighten my foot and toes that still want to curl as a result of my stroke. You wouldn't Evan notice as of today that i was a stroke victim.
I am now a lot healthier, fit and have my confidence back to go out and have a great time without having to look around to see if people are staring at me.
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- rita, 7 Aug 2016 @ 6:40pm
  
  Re: i had a stroke
  i had a stroke at 20 years old and left me with left sided paralysis, my leg is getting better but my arm is still very weak. im wondering how long was your recovery and when did everything come back?
  
  im so sorry about your stroke but id love to chat with you about your experience.
  
  hope all is well.
  thanks
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Hannah, 17 Jan 2009 @ 9:36am

i had a stroke
My life has changed so much, my ex bf is to blame!
I'm 18 years old, at the age of 16 i had a strokes causing irreparable damage.caused a lot of pain, i was in hospital for seven months, from November to June of 2006/7. Since then, i have improved 'several setbacks'! Due to my disability, I have lost several friends. They can't deal with the fact that I can't do things that we had in common before the stroke. But my mum won't stop fighting or finding out a way to help, she just wants me to have a normal life. I had to learn to walk again. I walked like a doll, kicking out my left leg, like the dolls in the Nutcracker (ballet) and had to work on my left arm and hand daily to gain my strength back, as i could't evan lift it or a finger. I remember the doctor telling me that i would never be able to move my left arm again, with many days and hours of phisio i ended up prooving my doctor wrong! I wore a brace on my left leg and foot at night to straighten my foot and toes that still want to curl as a result of my stroke.

You wouldn't Evan notice as of today that i was a stroke victim.
I am now a lot healthier, fit and have my confidence back to go out and have a great time without having to look around to see if people are staring at me.
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Lori, 16 Mar 2009 @ 4:46pm

Help Raise Awareness and Raise Money for Stroke
I am an occupational therapist and I work specifically on a stroke specialty unit. I became a therapist because my grandmother had suffered a stroke when I was 8 years old and stroke has been my passion ever since. I owe it to my grandmother for such a successful career I've had. My other grandmother now has suffered 2 strokes and let's face it, it runs in the family. I am now focused on running a 1/2 marathon on June 28, 2009 for the American Stroke Association through the Train To End Stroke program. I am raising money and have a hefty goal to reach before my race. It's 4,900.00 a person and my husband and I are both running as well as spreading awareness of stroke. Please help me if you can raise money for the American Stroke Association in support of those who have been afflicted by stroke. Please donate at http://ttes.kona2009.kintera.org/beal

Thank you
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Carol Birkholz, 6 Dec 2010 @ 6:11pm

Stroke
I had my stroke May 22, 2009. I had 3 aneurysms clipped that they found by accident during a MRI for eye surgey that I had to have. 18 months later I decided to go ahead and have the aneurysms clipped on my left side of my brain. I still have an other one on my right side they are watching.After the surgey a day later one of the aneurysms blead and caused my stroke. It has effected my whole right side of my body. I think I have come pretty far since then. I wear a brace on my right leg and my left leg I have worn a brace for 8 years do to an other problem. I can walk with a walker short distances, but my right arm and hand are not doing as well. I also had speach problems for awhile too, but that has got lots better.

What I would like is to talk to someone that does have like problems.Feel free to contact me by e-mail.
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Dec 2010 @ 5:31pm

My stroke
I had stroke august 2005 affected left side. My husband has been an angel taking care of me and doing everything. He said that I did all for first 23 years and that he would do the next 23 years. God bless him. He is doing it so far.
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Dec 2010 @ 5:32pm

My stroke
I had stroke august 2005 affected left side. My husband has been an angel taking care of me and doing everything. He said that I did all for first 23 years and that he would do the next 23 years. God bless him. He is doing it so far.
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- Renee Falcone, 3 Jan 2011 @ 1:08am
  
  Re: My stroke
  God bless him. My husband has been an angel as well. I have had 2 strokes and he has been doing everything foe me, around the house and working full time as well. He refuses to give up on me. Even when I am willing to give up on myself. We are both blessed to have such good, kind men who love us. I wish you the best. ~ Renee
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Renee Falcone, 3 Jan 2011 @ 1:02am

Would like Advice
i would just like to perhaps speak with others who have had strokes. I am 37 years old and I have had 2 strokes. Both within a few months of each other. I am very saddened and discouraged with the loss of use of my left arm and hand and I was just wondering if anyone else was dealing with the same issues and if perhaps they had any suggestions as to who I can speed up my recovery.
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Debbie, 29 Apr 2018 @ 11:20pm

Husband had a stroke last November
No one told me how much he would change. He is working but his personality is so different. He's mean, verbally abusive, and so difficult to reason with. Anyone else?
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