BS: Advice on Strokes

Subject: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Raptor
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 01:53 PM

My Mother had a stroke last night and I can't find much info on strokes such as recovery times, and if they are apt to recur, or anything like that.

Any storys or advice would be appriciated.

I'm told that it was a small stroke and that there was no brain damage.

But I'm kind of scared shitless.

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Jeanie
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 02:01 PM

No information to give you, Raptor, but just wanted to say I'm so sorry to hear this and sending you and your mum lots of love and all good wishes.

- jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Raptor
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 02:05 PM

Thank you

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 02:10 PM

raptor - talk to her physician - the variability in strokes regarding frequency, severity, recovery etc is so great that without an individuals medical history it's next to impossible for anyone to give you advice

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 02:56 PM

Yes, how bad, where in the brain, etc. However, USUALLY the faster they come back the better. I have known cases to be otherwise, though. Good luck, Raptor. Hugs from Auntie Sorcha and Crew.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: CarolC
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 03:07 PM

Sorry to hear about your mother, Raptor. My father had a "Transient Ischemic Attack" a couple of years ago. Those are very small strokes that are short in duration. He experiences some short term memory loss as a result of it, but he's otherwise ok, and he leads a very normal life. The only advice I can give you is to be as patient and understanding with your mother as possible, but I imagine you already know that.

Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery for your mother.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 03:08 PM

Here's a BBC site about strokes, with lots of information. The support organisations and that which are listed are British of course, but wherever you and your mother are, the other information should be relevant.

People can recover amazingly well even from pretty incapacitating strokes.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 03:32 PM

Ha! I knew there was a thread here somewhere--Click Me!

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: artbrooks
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 03:38 PM

My wife is an OT, and works with stroke patients a lot. There is a very wide range of symptoms and degrees of disability. Check out this Stroke Survival Tip Sheet, and there is a lot of information on this web site.   Best of luck to her.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Alba
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 03:43 PM

My Dad had a Stroke about 8 years ago now Raptor. I looked after Him for a Year and He recovered very well. He gets a bit muddled sometimes but other than that He's in good Health now.
I remember being scared at the time though. My Thoughts are with you.
Best Wishes to you Both and hoping your Mum makes a Speedy Recovery.
A

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Raptor
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 03:52 PM

Update: she seems to be doing good. She is talking and can move her arm somewhat and it has only been 24 hours.

I'm gratefull for the Links and kind wishes!

I'll keep you posted!

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Schantieman
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 03:58 PM

My father (aged 81) had quite a severe stroke last October. He was unconscious for two days and paralysed on one side for several more. He spent six weeks in a specialised stroke unit and several more in other wards/nursing homes etc.   He's spent the last six months at home in the flat and my mother (74) has been looking after him. He now walks with a Zimmer frame - up to 50 yards at a time and can get about the flat with care and some trepidation. She has some help daily, and for half a day once or twice a week which lets her go out. He got himself out of bed and made himself breakfast for the first time this week.

My grandmother (mother's mother), aged 96, had her second stroke last Friday. (The first was years ago - I'd forgotten all about it!) She was unconscious for a bit but they're now talking about sending her back to her nursing home as soon as she can swallow properly.

So, there is life after a stroke, even quite a severe one. The quality thereof might not be very good - or it might make virtually no difference. It partly depends on the patient's age. If it is severe the real load is probably on the carer(s) who will need breaks frequently.

Recurrence is always a possibility but lessened by the small dose (15mg) of aspirin that stroke patients are put on. This inhibits blood clotting.

It doesn't 'arf make you think.   I've never got on well with my dad but was quite shocked when I got the news. I packed my dark suit and headed for the hospital (200M away). And cried.

Within a few days I could see he was going to survive and make life a misery for my mother. (She doesn't view it like that - just gets on with it. In sickness & in health...)

So there you are. I hope that's of some help. I'd say PM me or 'phone, but I'm off sailing for a fortnight tomorrow! Back on the Cat when I get back.

All the best

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 04:03 PM

I saw some amazing recoveries years ago when I worked with stroke patients. Nowadays the medical community knows so much more, I am sure full or near-to-full recoveries are more common.

Best of luck, wishes, and all the medical community can offer to your mom and don't forget to take a deep breath and blow out the fear. Moms get scared, too, but esp. if they see their kids are scared. *smile*

Good thoughts and thanks givings for her recovery coming your way,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 05:11 PM

There's tons of information on strokes, from that for the layman to the most esoteric medical. I went to the website for the National Institutes of Health, for example, and did a search on the word "stroke." The result was

"Your search for stroke matched 8717 documents out of 173307".

That's just at NIH.

Use a metasearch engine (like Metacrawler) and see what you find.

And good luck, and lots of patience!!

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: vindelis
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 06:02 PM

Keep your sense of humour and be positive. My grandmother had a stoke when she was eighty. It left her with three A's: One Arm, One Ass and One Ambition! We never did find out what the ambition was. Good luck to you all.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Gareth
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 06:27 PM

Alas - I can not give you any positive information that has not been previously posted, but my thoughts and wishes are to you and your fammilly.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: open mike
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 09:19 PM

which arm was affected?
likely the C.V.A.
(cerebral vascular accident)
occurred in the other side.
A stroke can be the result of
too little (blockage or clot)
or too much (hemmorhage) blood
in the brain. If the event is
in the left side, the right side
of the body is effected. Results
may be paralysis, and language
problems. Inabilty to speak is
called aphasia. If the stroke
occurs in the right side of the
brain, the result may be vision
difficulty, and paralysis on the
left side.
When emergency Medical tech's
assess the patient they may ask
them to smile in order to see if
the facial muscles are equally
symetric. Also ask the patient
to move and or squeeze hands and feet
to determine if strength is equal in
both sides.
the American Heart Association has
information available as does
Heart Center/Stroke Center
and this organization which is a division of the Amer. Heart.
http://www.strokeassociation.org
My father had a massive stroke 16 years ago and
lived for 15 years after. He had difficulty walking,
and very limited speech, and needed to have a catheter.
He was able to draw with his left hand, and could
communicate some with graphic images, though he was
not able to gain the use of language, either written
or spoken. It must be a differestn aprt of the brain
which is able to communicate in pictures, the right.

I hope your mom has better luck and is able to re-gain
her abilities soon. They have new drugs now to help
repair the injuries.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 09:36 PM

Hey Rapaire, Hope your mom gets better. My dad had a stroke a few years ago and pulled out of it. It affected the strength in his arm but he's doing good. Now what really has me bummed out is my dog had her second stroke this week-end. She isen't so good this time. My poor baby is kind of blinded and walking lopsided. I hope she pulls out of this. I have been giving her a baby asprin a day to keep blood thin.
Anyway, strokes can be scary and you just have to hope they don't re-occur often. Best of luck to your mom.
Peace, Rustic

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 09:38 PM

I'm sorry I meant that message to go to Raptor. Rustic

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: LadyJean
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 12:18 AM

I saw my mother through 3 hip replacements, (1 didn't work.) a mastectomy, the removal of a malignancy on her lung, chemotherapy, and her final illness. Look after yourself while you're looking after your mother. It's going to take a toll.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: John Hindsill
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 12:45 AM

As the husband of a stroke survivor, I know that full recovery is possible, and likely probable. Mrs. John was in her mid-fifties, ate healthily, kept her weight down, exercised daily, and was under tremendous pressure at work. Yet she had a minor stroke!

Seven years later she is 99.7% normal. Our wish for your mother is the same. Be of good cheer and be supportive. Assure that she follows doctors' orders. Please let your friends here know of her progress.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Raptor
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 09:28 AM

I am amazed by several things :

1- That there are so many fantastic people on the mudcat with huge hearts.

2- That within 24 hours one can learn about anything with the internet and some guidence.

3- That someone who considered himself Independant and tough emotionaly can be reduced to a scared little boy when his "Mummy" gets sick.


I saw mum last night and she is doing well. She can move her legs and arms and can almost make a fist! She is talking and is in good spirits.

Thanx again.

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Schantieman
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 10:42 AM

That's good news, Raptor (I haven't gone just yet!) We were amazed at how much my dad improved in a week, then in a month etc.   If your mum can move all her limbs already, she may recover very well.

All the best

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From:
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 11:44 AM

Raptor.......my mum-in-law had a stroke at Christmas and has made an almost total recovery........she's 75. Many years ago my Uncle had a stroke and was completely paralysed for 3 months, you wouldn't know it to see him today. Chin up.....positive thoughts and attitude are the order of the day.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: GUEST,Guest stroke survivor twenty years later
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 11:51 AM

Good luck to you both. It's good luck for your mom that she was looking well last night.

After 24 hours most strokes are as bad as they will get. It's improvement from then on.

Frustration frequently accompanies recovery from a stroke. Expressive aphasia can be mind bending. The sudden realization that a once simple physical action now takes twenty minutes to complete can ruin a large part of the day.

Patience, remembering that I would most likely improve, and learning to live in a different body helped me.

Good luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 12:22 PM

So sorry to hear about your mum. I had a CVA (stroke) last year and a few TIAs (mini-strokes) since then (last one at Alcester Festival). Harrow Stroke Unit at Northwick Park Hospital saw me through. If your mum shows REAL determination she will find that the staff on these stroke units will match her and drive her even more. I was determined to get out as soon as possible and I tried walking every hour or so until the feet started responding properly. I had one or two silly times with this incidentally - including getting myself stranded on some steps in the gym at 5.45am! I had been able to work out how to walk UP the steps but couldn't work out how to get down again! Had to wait to be rescued.

I can appreciate your terror about this and suggest that you get in touch with the Stroke Association. They have a helpline and relatives can phone and get reassured as necessary.

Your mum's main mental problem will be intense frustration! You cannot imagine how it feels for your mind to tell you that your limb is working but nothing is happening - it is like someone has cut a cord. You are still working the cord but the end of it is running free!

Incidentally I had my CVA at Herga Folk Club on the night of Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman's farewell gig. I never did get to see the last part of their set!

ZM

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Raptor
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 09:20 AM

UPDATE: Mum is doing better and can shuffle to the restroom in her hospital room and back!

Thanks again too all of you who offered support and direction!

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Mr Red
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 02:33 PM

Small strokes are a warning.

My cousin in Toronto has her BP checked every time she is in the pharmacy. She had minor effects which were all gone within 3 months when she cam over to visit. Enid is now an evangelist for aspirin tablets (Acetylsalicylic acid, C9H8O4) 1/4 a day I think though in the UK I know you can get whole tablets of the right dosage. It slows the clotting that causes the strokes.

Best of luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 01:14 AM

hi guys
my mom is 53 and had a stroke about 3yrs ago. She is doing good but she has lost alot of her mentality and memory. Me and my dad take care of her. I just wonder why she acts like this? I mean I love her and I am just glad I have her but she used to be my best friend (and still is) but I cant really talk to her because she doesnt understand. I can tell her things but its like she doesnt comprehend at all. She also forget really quick. She will watch "friends" all day and not even remember it. I am just scared b/c I am 21 in college and have two jobs, I am with her every chance I get but I have things I have to do to so I want her to be able to take care of herself, She wouldnt fix herself something to eat unless someone fixes it or tells her how to. I just wondered if anyone knew any memory tricks or advice I could use to get my mom back!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: open mike
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 02:35 AM

if she is under a dr's care i am sure they are checking to make sure all the best recovery is happening..it takes time. If she is in therapy..both physical, and vocational, speech etc. this can help to
build the pathways which may have been blurred or damaged by the stroke.
You may need to contact a stroke support group and get some help..
some respite care...so you and your dad can take a break.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Peace
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 03:02 AM

GUEST

Both my aunt and my mom (sisters) had strokes. My mom didn't 'fight' it during the recovery. She became very dependent. My aunt did 'fight' it. She is lively, with it, plays bridge, drives, etc., and sh is 72. My mom died seven years after her stroke. My aunt's was more severe.

I wish I had an answer for you. I think open mike has given you excellent advice. I am going to look tomorrow for some internet sites that can offer support from other people who are living with/caring for folks who have had strokes. I will post what I find here. I don't doubt you will be hearing from other 'catters, too.

RAPTOR,

I do apologize to you. I had not seen this thread before today. Although I don't have much in the way of info to share, I would have offered whatever support I could. Sorry. I hope your mom's doing lots better, and I pray you are doing well, too.

Bruce M

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: GUEST,Patrish
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 04:09 AM

That link from Sorcha certainly brought back memories for me.

Some advice that I can give regarding looking after someone with a stroke is that they don't always like to be helped, there is a loss of being in control. There is also a bit of frustration at either not being able to do things for themselves. This can cause short tempers. Be patient and try to allow for these feelings. My love to you and your mum.

love

Patxxx

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Trevor
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 09:46 AM

I just had a minor stroke (end of June). It happened at a band practice and I could hear the others saying, from about a hundred miles away, 'ok Trev, you can get up now...', and feel them poking me with their feet!

It wasn't until the next day that I realised I was losing sensation in one side of my face, went to the docs and the panic button was hit. I'm not overweight (well not much, anyway!), my cholestrol levels are low, but, get this,my BP was for some reason through the roof. I had no idea - I hadn't been poorly so I hadn't had it checked. It was only afterwards that I made the connection with headaches and nosebleeds, and a couple of days after the episode a blood vessel in my eye went pop. I looked even more like Freddie Kruger then usual.

Everything is more or less back to normal now - the doc even says I'll be able to play the guitar eventually - improvement there then! The moral, for me, is obvious - my BP is going to be tested regularly, for ever and ever - mind you, it seems I'm going to be taking pills for ever and ever as well.

Good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: open mike
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 02:36 PM

trevor--sorry to hear that you have been experiencing this..
poking you with their feet?! that was almost worse than falling
off you chair, like you did.
best of luck and glad it was minor!

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: open mike
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 02:40 PM

i just got a message from an acquaintence
whose mother jsut had a stroke, and i searched
and found this web site which is new to me.
i am poosting it here so if anyone else has
this happen they can find this support group.
Stroke Network

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Robin2
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 09:49 PM

Rapter,

Sorry to here about your mom, but it sounds like she is going to make a good recovery!


I suvived a major stroke two years ago, and I think it is scarier for the family than it is for the victim in some ways. The stroke patient isn't always aware of how different they behave, due to mental confusion. One thing that helped me was for someone to be present to make sure any instructions by docs were written down and explained to me (sometimes over and over at first)

Also be aware that a stroke can really mess up balances in the brain, which can cause depression, crying, and temper. These things go away as the brain heals, so be patient!

Your mom is going to be fine!! My stroke left me at first unable to walk, unable to read, and my right side unable to move, and blind in my right eye. I'm back to working full time, I have regained all but fine small movements in my right hand, and I still see improvement every month!

Robin2


A great magazine that's free, check it out!
http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2533

Subject: RE: BS: Advice on Strokes
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 11:14 PM

Raptor, take advantage of Robin's expertise. There are things that can and should be done quickly. You'll learn the ropes soon enough, but an experienced guide can help tremendously in these first hours when time is of an essence.

All the best to you both.