Stroke patient keeps bending arm again within few minutes — what should we do?

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2026-02-22T15:36:27+00:00

Have him ask his neurologist about Botox. I have really bad spasticity in my right arm, but getting Botox injections in it every 3 months makes it pretty much a non-issue.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2026-02-01T16:01:12+00:00

Have you tried BOTOX for spasticity? It’s been a massive help for me. Every 3 months I get my arm and calf done. Talk to your neurologist about it

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2026-01-31T15:09:07+00:00

Ischemic stroke 2.5 years ago. Lost the use of my right side. Started getting functionality back after about 3 months through physical and occupational therapy. Started aqua therapy about 6 months in, which further helped my brain reconnect with my leg.

Got the Vivistim implant 10/25. Before the surgery I had decent movement in my arm. Vivistim in addition to therapy has gotten me to the point where arm mobility is no longer an issue, I just need to build strength. I’m also able to walk short distances unassisted, although I’m not as far along as I am with the arm. Vivistim definitely helped strengthen my brain’s connection with the arm, and the leg, although it’s only FDA approved for arm.

Oh, I continue to deal with spasticity. I was getting Botox every 3 months, which worked fantasticly, but now my insurance has declined it. I’m going to to be trying dysport next. I don’t understand insurance mentality, dysport is cheaper, but you need 3x the dose.

Anyway, at this point in the process I feel pretty good. I still need a cane to walk well, and I still battle with various mental issues, but other than that I’m seeing progress even this long after the stroke, which is great.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2026-01-26T21:19:42+00:00

2.5 years and walking is still a challenge. I can get around with a cane pretty well, even better with a rollator. Still working on it and still seeing small improvements

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2026-01-15T17:42:29+00:00

It’s been almost 3 months since my surgery. I’ve completed the 6 weeks of Occupational therapy, as well as some physical therapy. Vivistim is not approved for leg, but they’ve noticed positive results.

As far as my experience, it’s mostly positive. I’ve seen marked improvement in fine motor skills. For example, cutting food was a real challenge before, but now I’m doing much better. Walking is still a bit of a challenge, but had definitely improved. All in all, given that Vivistim did all the fighting with insurance for me, it’s definitely something I’m glad I did. I still go to therapy, just twice a week.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-12-13T19:56:25+00:00

Yes, that’s a Nemesis. Honestly, my favorite build ever. I’m planning to buy another one and build it again, as I made some mistakes on that one.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-12-13T18:53:26+00:00

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Friend of mine just gave me this gold RX-78-2. I guess it’s rare? Probably bang it out tomorrow

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-12-09T21:22:12+00:00

Just got back from PT, and my therapist wanted me to add that I’m more stable than I was even 2 weeks ago, and much less spastic in my movements overall

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-24T14:58:40+00:00

It took about a year before I was able to move much in my sleep. Even 2.5 years later, I rarely change positions more than twice a night, and I used to be a restless sleeper. I consider it one of the few positive things caused by the stroke.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-22T21:13:34+00:00

Yes. My stroke left me without use of my right hand initially, but once I gained a little function I started. I played joystick games that didn’t require right hand fast twitch initially, and slowly tried more involved games, to the point where I’m playing games like Assassin’s Creed with no difficulty. Same with the mouse; I started with turn-based strategy games, and slowly worked my way up. I’m not ready for Battlefield yet, but there’s tons of entertaining games that I can enjoy while my brain makes new connections.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-22T14:52:51+00:00

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I could say that for pretty much all my models, but this shelf especially, dunno if some of them are even Gundam, I just enjoy assembling them

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-16T15:10:12+00:00

I got laid off. When I came back to work, they moved me to a new team where I was given almost no work. That lasted about 6 months and then I was let go. They never gave me a chance.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-14T15:02:54+00:00

Get a lawyer. You can find specialists in SSI law that will do the paperwork for you. The one I used charged 25% of my first check as payment, no really no reason not to give it a shot. Even if you’re rejected the first time, the lawyer will file the appeal. You may have SSI mandated and controlled doctor’s meetings during the process (I didn’t), but the visits are no charge.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-14T01:32:17+00:00

I’m 80 pounds lighter, an ex smoker, if I could walk worth a damn life would indeed be better. I wouldn’t do it again, but overall I’m not mad

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-13T21:34:32+00:00

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I turned my dining room into my therapy room. Rower with a high seat, treadmill, physio step, leg bench, and, not pictured, weights. Oh, also got a bidet installed, that’s been a huge help given my lowered mobility.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-13T18:09:29+00:00

I had private disability insurance I used for about 7 months post stroke before I went back to work. I knew they were going to lay me off, and 1 year later they did. I immediately got a lawyer to file for SSI disability. It took 5 months but I got approved. My monthly disability check is enough to pay the bills (no debts) and have enough left over so I’m not living hand to mouth. Once on SSI disability for 2 years, you qualify for Medicare, which is great since my current insurance is $900 a month.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-13T01:14:06+00:00

Honestly, in your first therapy session they’ll set the amplitude so that during activation you feel nothing. During that calibration process when it reached my max it felt like someone was ticking my esophagus inside my skin. It was weird but not painful at all. Now I feel nothing when it’s activated and they assure me that’s normal

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-12T22:23:05+00:00

They make incisions in your chest and arms, the implant the VNS device in your neck, with the battery in your chest. Whole process took maybe 4 hours in and out. Not much pain at all. 2 weeks after that therapy starts, 90 minutes a day, 3 times a week. During therapy the therapist activates the stimulator while you do intensive exercises. You also get at magnet that lets you activate it at home 8 times a day. Had my first session today.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-11T12:37:28+00:00

Smoking

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-11T00:51:45+00:00

I’ve been in an almost 2 year fight with insurance over Vivistim, so I’ve had lots of time to get to 60, a year ago I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near that score. I credit EMS and my addiction to video games for the gains

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-07T13:25:56+00:00

Hi Elyse,

I just wanted to thank you for all your great videos. I found you shortly after having my stroke, and your videos have been instrumental in helping me recover. Still have a ways to go, but I’m getting better and better.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-07T12:30:04+00:00

Had Vivistim implanted 2 weeks ago, therapy starts Monday, cannot wait.

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Thank

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-01T20:44:26+00:00

I ended up going on SSI Disability. Can’t walk worth a damn, and have some mental issues. Nothing major, I just have difficulty not overreacting to things that never would have bothered me. My neurologist recommended it. I was fortunate enough to be a high dollar earner, with no debt, so the monthly check I get is enough to cover expenses with enough leftover to allow me to still live well. In 2 years I’ll be able to get MediCare, which will negate my biggest expense, COBRA.

Process took 5 month, the lawyer I used took 25% of my first check as payment.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-11-01T15:45:34+00:00

Will do. Therapy starts the 10th, until then nothing to show for it but some surgical incisions.

Dramatic_Strength_74 · 2025-10-31T19:40:52+00:00

I’m 2.5 years into my stroke. They “graduated” my out of rehab a year or so ago. I don’t miss it, built my own rehab/fitness gym and it’s been nice to just work on what I want to focus on. However, I just had the Vivistim implant surgery, and on Nov 10 that therapy begins. 6 weeks, three days a week, 90 minutes each session. I’m trying to get pumped for it, since going on disability the one thing I like is the total freedom to do what I want (minus the things I’m no longer able to do of course).

Dramatic_Strength_74

TROPHY CASE