The ‘Survivor’s Guilt’ Nobody Talks About - Stroke Etanercept: 18 Months Later Andrew Stopps

Eighteen months after his stroke etanercept injection, Andrew returns with an honest update: what changed fast, what kept improving over time, and how he processed the PESTO trial results saying etanercept wasn’t more effective than placebo.

In this follow-up conversation, we explore the real-world complexity stroke survivors live with every day:
•Andrew’s biggest early shifts (including cognitive fatigue, sensory overload, and emotional regulation)
•What changed in his hand function—and why he believes recovery is still ongoing
•Why some people report big wins and others feel devastated
•A possible missing piece: the blood–brain barrier (and whether stroke, surgery, or radiation therapy could change permeability)
•How to think about “hope” responsibly when a treatment is expensive and controversial

If you’ve been told “3 months is all you get,” this episode pushes back on that idea—without selling false certainty.

Highlights:

00:00 Introduction and Background
06:15 Exploring Treatment Options
08:59 Stroke Etanercept Injection And It's Impact
12:14 Research Findings and Controversies
17:59 Conversations with Other Survivors
23:26 Reflections on Treatment and Guilt

For more details and to download the full transcript and audio, click the link below...
https://recoveryafterstroke.com/strok...

✅ Watch Andrew’s original etanercept interview here:    • Etanercept for Stroke Recovery: MYTH? or R...  
✅ Related episode (PESTO trial interview):    • Professor Vincent Thijs walks us through t...  

Join the conversation
Have you looked into etanercept? Did a treatment help you in a way research couldn’t explain? Share your experience in the comments—your story might help someone make a more informed decision.

Medical note: This episode is for informational purposes and personal experience only, and does not replace medical advice. Always speak with a qualified clinician about your situation.

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