Any n All suggestions for Stroke recovery
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enjoys freebies · Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:57 am Quote

THANK YOU for all the many well wishes..prayers..good thoughts!!!! He is told that leg will recover much more than arm..he said Dr. pretty much used term 'dead' in relation to arm...any things that you or Dr have used that worked..let me know! Thanks Sharky n Murmur for ideas.

enjoys freebies · Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:46 am Quote

That is EXACTLY what they told my Dad; that he would regain his left leg but that his left arm was essentially "dead"...A year later he can lift his arm up to his face, squeeze his hand and lift light objects...he has even started to play the piano again (with a very light touch, of course)...Don't give up - and don't let your SO fall victim to the suggestion that his arm won't come back. The brain tries desperately to rewire itself so that movement is regained...and my Dad is proof that it can be done (remember I told you in a past post that my Dad couldn't even hold up his head when he suffered his stroke last August)..It can be done!!! There have been some really cool studies done regarding the relationship between the brain and the eyes...and how important in stroke recovery it is to "look at" whatever limb is is that you need to revive...and to look at the limb while you try to move it - or while you try to move through exercises....Your SO might also start to ignore his left side somewhat or dissociate a bit....perhaps behave as though his arm isn't a part of him anymore....In therapy my Dad was told to "talk to his arm" (tell it to move, etc - to pay attention to it)...It sounds totally crazy, I know, but apparently it may help in the reestablishing of the neural links between the brain and the arm...Apparently,by speaking to/and looking at the limb while you try to move it, you are using recognition methods (which are second nature to us as human beings) that some suggest may help to reintroduce the limb to the neural system...and somehow assist with the necessary neural rewiring that will allow him to move his hand/arm again. I know it sounds crazy but my Dad did this (in addition to the formal rehabilitation). He entered the rehabilitation centre as someone who couldn't hold his head up without assistance - and four months later he walked out of there - without even a cane. He's 67 and while he doesn't have full strength in his arm back yet - he is convinced that he will recover fully. Stroke is an attack on the brain and any honest neurologist will admit that we don't really understand how the brain works or why some people recover from stroke and why others don't. Very early in recovery, the term "dead" is too often used to describe a stroke victim's plight. I disagree with this (and let my Dad's neuro know my feelings about it). Your SO has to believe that he'll use his arm again...there's a really great book out there - I can't remember the name of it (I"ll ask my mom)and let you know...It was my Dad's "bible" so to speak....you and your SO might benefit from taking a look at it...Anyways - enough said by me Smile

Sorry to go on for so long but my Dad's stroke has nearly completely taken over my life over the past year (which is why I haven't been posting very often)...I hope you get lots of good, loving advice during this difficult time - It is hell - I know - there is no other word for it.
Pudoodles

enjoys freebies · Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:13 pm Quote

Remember to also give him good supplements and nutrition rich diet during his time of recovery.

Top him up with good quality protein and Omega-3 to help his nervous system heal.

We have a close family friend who suffered a "faux" stroke, he had extremely high blood pressure that went unchecked for a long time and he just began taking copious amounts of Omega-3 and other nutritional supplements at the time in an effort to turn his health around. The doctors were so surprised that he only had a migraine at the time they found out his blood pressure was something like 240/130..

enjoys freebies · Thu Nov 02, 2006 8:10 pm Quote

yes, please don't lose hope. My mom is getting better every day from her stroke, thank god! its so painful to see someone you love struggle at the most unexpected times:(

enjoys freebies · Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:52 pm Quote

Sixty,

You probably are already doing this, but
my advice is to add the mind exercises into the mix. My mom's cognitive ability was marginally effected when she had her stroke three years ago, but she began a steady decline soon afterward. She's not into crossword puzzles, so I am going to get her the 'Brainage' game for Christmas. She used to be an avid reader, and now she reads very little, which I think has been a big factor.

Good luck, and don't forget to take care of yourself during this tough time.

-- Bee

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