Morning all The pain in my left hand got so bad last night that I struggled to sleep. I had to remove my wedding ring at one point. I’ve been prescribed amitrypiline but I don’t like taking i. It does relieve the pain. But the affect it has in me the next day is horrific. Tends to take me 6/8 hours to come around. I was told to try Viltarol last week. Any other suggestions. It’s certainly getting worse worse

Thanks to everyone for today's meeting. It was a real pleasure to catch up as always. Could I ask a small favour please? I've recently joined a website where doctors get online reviews. As I have only just joined I currently haven't got any reviews and wanted to start with yourselves to get the ball rolling. Would you mind please clicking on this link and submitting a review for me? Thanks for your help. https://www.doctify.com/uk/review/JWE8oi/single

Hi, I am curious to know how other people's experience has been who were not treated on the stroke ward for whatever reason. I feel, from my experience that there is a huge difference in the stroke specific support you receive and when this happens early on, it negatively impacts your recovery. For example, I was on a vascular ward for 4 weeks (my stroke occurred during surgery), I saw the Stroke team once, I didn't see any of the stroke therapy team and therefore was not given the physio etc I needed until I reached a neuro rehab ward, but which time i had additional problems such as a frozen shoulder. I have had eye problems since the stroke and the consultant I saw today was shocked I hadn't been referred to a specialist Stroke Optometrist when I was still in hospital. I was not given any contact at the Stroke Association until I joined the Stroke group in Aintree (who informed me this was normally done before you left hospital)). My stroke was last July and I feel it's become more and more apparent that if you are not treated on a stroke ward, you do not get the same level of stroke care or follow up. I can't be the only one. How many of us slip through the net? I feel it is an area that needs attention to make sure everyonehas the same care/experience. I understand staffing issues, I am a nurse, in the same trust. The focus is very much on the acute care a the time of the stroke, which of course is important. But if you are just left after that and only then get help if you are lucky enough to join a group, or see the right eye doctor, or ask the right questions (if you can) that surely is not ok?

Just a quick reminder that we have a catch up in the dairy tomorrow at 7pm. Really looking forward to hearing how everyone is getting on. See you tomorrow.

Good afternoon. With it being Easter weekend a lot of people, including myself are away on Sunday. As such I'm going to cancel our usual Monday catch up, but we will post in the group and arrange a catch up after Easter. Wishing everyone a lovely bank holiday weekend.