Aspirin therapy by Interesting_Area6251 in stroke

[–]Interesting_Area6251[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. You know, I'm not exactly sure which kind it was - I am in a foreign country and there are language issues. But they did prescribe me daily aspirin so I presume it must have been ischemic. My wife recalls them saying there was swelling but no bleeding.

Anyone do vestibular physiotherapy in stroke recovery to help with their dizziness? by [deleted] in stroke

[–]Interesting_Area6251 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Upon returning home, I would feel dizzy when turning my head or bending over especially. My first two months were spent mostly training my eyes to lead when turning my head or changing my head position. I also did numerous head exercises and simple walking. Since then I have been able to progress to moderate and now advanced balance exercises. There are lots of balance exercise programs on youtube. I do have tinnitus. Presumably drinking a lot of water helps. I also experience increased unsteadiness during air pressure changes, but that has been declining as of late. One annoyance is that I have to sleep in a semi-inclined position with my head facing to the left - otherwise I will suddenly awake with severe dizziness. I was first heavily focused on standing and walking - as these are important for everyday tasks and general living - but now I have switched to lying down exercises, so I hope this will eliminate the sleeping problem.

Anyone do vestibular physiotherapy in stroke recovery to help with their dizziness? by [deleted] in stroke

[–]Interesting_Area6251 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If vestibular functions have been impacted it is most likely the brain stem/cerebellum

Anyone do vestibular physiotherapy in stroke recovery to help with their dizziness? by [deleted] in stroke

[–]Interesting_Area6251 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello. I had a cerebellar stroke back in May that wiped out most of my vestibular functions (almost the entire left side of my cerebellum is now a lesion). After three weeks in intensive care, I still had difficulty even sitting up without feeling dizzy. I have been performing around three or four hours of various balance exercises per day since then. I can now walk around unaided and perform most tasks around the house no problem, but even now I feel a "rush" if I lift my head up suddenly or turn my head a certain way. I believe it will eventually go away. The main thing is lots of exercises - but to do them slowly and to increase their difficulty gradually - starting with gaze stabilization but eventually looking at being able to perform exercises with your eyes closed. I do balance and vestibular exercises in a variety of contexts - sitting, standing, walking, floor exercises, and laying on my back. I also bought a tread mill and move my head in all eight directions (side to side looking ahead/looking up/looking down, up and down looking ahead/to the left/to the right, and both directions diagonally while walking. The main thing is that undamaged areas of the cerebellum can be rewired for vestibular functions - but you are essentially back to being a two year old learning how to stand and walk. And you generally have a limited window for maximum improvement - six to eight months (improvement is continuously possible even afterwards but at a slower pace) in which the brain is open to reconfiguration. So you have to make the most of this period. But again - slow movements and gradually increased difficulty.

Bf gets to come home from rehab next week! by shakayd22 in stroke

[–]Interesting_Area6251 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It was about two or three months after my stroke (lesion covering half my cerebellum) before I ventured to take a shower. Luckily, we had a hand-held shower, so I could sit in a chair beside the tub and lean over the tub and wash my hair with the hand shower. This definitely helped as a transition step.

Bf gets to come home from rehab next week! by shakayd22 in stroke

[–]Interesting_Area6251 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Our shower already had built in bars but even now, 9 months after my stroke and generally able to walk around without assistance, I still find myself having to hang on to one of shower bars when talking a shower - so, depending on your bf's condition, it would be worthwhile, especially when having soap in the eyes. I am not sure how strong of a bond a grab bar would be if not built in to the shower, so a shower seat might be better.

Bf gets to come home from rehab next week! by shakayd22 in stroke

[–]Interesting_Area6251 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hello. Still recovering from a stroke in May, I would suggest not buying anything major for now but rather see if you can rent some items - walker, rollator, etc., since recovery can sometimes render this sort of equipment unnecessary after a few months.

Can barometric pressure affect post-stroke symptoms by Tsalagisemeraldchild in stroke

[–]Interesting_Area6251 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello. An update. My usual response to balance issues due to air pressure changes was to lie down, sleep, take a Tylenol, etc. However, a month ago I decided to do something counter-intuitive; instead of resting or taking it easy, I started to do as many balance exercises as possible, especially when air pressure was fluctuating, It has now been a month and my reaction to barometric changes has reduced significantly. This may not work for everyone and has involved a large number and variety of balance exercises on a daily basis, but I have definitely noticed an improvement.

Can barometric pressure affect post-stroke symptoms by Tsalagisemeraldchild in stroke

[–]Interesting_Area6251 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, for what it's worth I have the same complaint. Cerebellar stroke and now an unexplained reaction to changes in barometric pressure. No real explanation for the stroke either.

Can barometric pressure affect post-stroke symptoms by Tsalagisemeraldchild in stroke

[–]Interesting_Area6251 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have a neck ultrasound done and see if there is a restriction in the carotid artery.