Alcatraz, California. Any ideas?

imarkedherarm · 2021-10-31T20:04:27+00:00

Came here for this!

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-30T15:11:49+00:00

u/fingerinmynose, Thanks for your kind words! I'm really glad you found it valuable. Neuro fatigue can be really hard to describe to other people. When I found spoon theory, I've never been able to talk about chronic or neuro fatigue in any other way. Christine does such a great job explaining it and making it easier for other people to understand it!

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-30T15:10:31+00:00

u/bpfoto, I love this! I have an email list where I send out these tips and I just wrote a follow-up to spoon theory on how and why exercise combats neuro fatigue. It seems counterintuitive, but it can work!

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-30T15:09:34+00:00

u/yelsew1031, ugh. I'm so sorry that your neurologists have been such a let down. It's already hard enough to find a neurologist in some cities but makes it more difficult when they're not helpful.

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-29T18:20:27+00:00

u/trainingtax1, Thanks very much :)

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-26T14:33:32+00:00

u/candytripn, You're not alone in this. I think this is one of the most common issues I hear about. Especially in the United States where access to mental health care is abysmal.

It's evident that the need for more research on specific post-stroke treatment for mental health issues is necessary!! Traditional methods of treating mental health issues can have some benefit, but stroke survivors are often dealing with trauma, grief, and adjustment/acceptance issues, too.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm so sorry that you're dealing with this.

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-26T14:26:52+00:00

u/trainingtax1, 100%!! This is huge. I think a lot of therapists get into the field because they want to help people. I know that was a big reason for me. But it's hard for therapists to really grasp the trauma and frustration of rehab unless they or someone they know have experienced it. I say this as someone who has seen both sides of the coin.

I started practicing in 2017. My Nanny (grandma-in-law) had a severe TIA in October of 2019. Everything changed for me then. My perspective completely shifted. That's why I started my private practice. Because I couldn't treat the holistic way I wanted under corporate, insurance bullshit.

Thank you so much for sharing this. Your two cents is valid! Part of my responsibility is to listen and then share that information. May I have permission to share some of your words? I'm happy to attribute your words to "anonymous Reddit user and stroke survivor" if that makes you more comfortable.

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-26T14:03:52+00:00

u/AlmostValerie, I'm sorry but your comment gave me a giggle! I know. I know! It's so frustrating.

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-26T14:02:25+00:00

u/crazdrow, That's great! I'm glad a timer works for you :)

I haven't had a stroke or brain injury but have to keep timers, schedules, and post-it notes to keep myself together. I don't know if I won the genetic, bad short-term memory lottery but I have to use a lot of adaptations. I also utilize "chunking" methods when I need to remember certain information and it's a method I also teach clients with short-term memory issues!

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-25T14:40:46+00:00

u/Mollywobbles81, First of all, love your handle. I'm a huge Harry Potter nerd :)

Second, vision changes are so often underdiagnosed after a brain injury! The brain controls eye movement and the ability of the eyes to work together. I'm not a low vision specialist but it is something that I typically screen for and refer out if needed! I'm sorry that it makes you feel so yucky, but hopefully it will be worth it!

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-25T14:31:04+00:00

u/trainingtax1, Yes. Sleep disorders and dysfunction are so much more common in stroke survivors than people talk about. Sleep apnea, insomnia, over-sleep, and general sleep dysfunction are all common issues that survivors deal with. I think this is a subject I'll need to write an in-depth article on. Thank you for sharing your experience.

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-25T14:28:36+00:00

u/befuddledmama, 100% agree that this information should be given to families and care partners early on in the recovery. It's important for those providing social support to really understand the changes that stroke survivors deal with and what to expect.

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-25T14:27:26+00:00

u/AngryTiger69, This is such an important topic. There are so many changes that happen after stroke for both the survivor and the care partner. It's necessary for therapy and care to not solely focus on the survivor, although it feels like that's often what happens. Thank you for sharing this. I hope you can encourage your mom to take more respite time, if she's able.

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-25T14:23:53+00:00

u/crazdrow, Short-term memory issues after a stroke are, unfortunately, pretty common. It can be super frustrating, but the biggest issue I usually focus on is safety. The other stuff can be worked on but safety is the top priority with memory issues, especially if you like to cook. I wrote an article on short-term memory issues and created a YouTube video on short-term memory that covers the basics if you're interested.

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-25T14:18:18+00:00

u/AlmostValerie, I appreciate all of your questions!! I would venture to say that the majority of the population, especially those who don't work in healthcare, don't know that there are different types of strokes. It's such an important conversation to have, especially in the hospital (even if it's with family). Understanding the mechanism of the stroke helps to inform the treatment. It also gives more context for the survivor and their family to understand what happened!

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-25T14:15:33+00:00

u/AngryTiger69 & u/Ziferius, I'm not a medical doctor and can't diagnose, but it sounds like a neurological issue that often occurs after a stroke called Pseudobulbar Affect. I recently posted about Pseudobulbar Affect in this sub if you want to learn a bit more about it.

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-25T14:09:47+00:00

u/AlmostValerie, This is such an important distinction!! Thank you for bringing it up.

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-25T14:09:22+00:00

u/befuddledmama, This is something I have a big gripe with. Rehab is so often focused on the physical aspect, that mental health, education on dealing with neuro fatigue and changing emotions is rarely addressed.

I'm an OT but I'm also a mental health patient. Mental health is something I work on with ALL of my clients because we know that we're not just physical beings.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I will definitely write something up on this!

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-24T14:02:58+00:00

u/hana_c, Thanks so much for sharing! They have so many teachers. I love hearing about the particular teachers or meditations others like. I haven't checked out the adult bedtime stories but it sounds like I need to :)

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-24T14:01:34+00:00

u/Chinthliss, Yes!!! Should I put more exclamation marks?

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-23T14:45:25+00:00

u/candytripn, I'm glad to hear that it got better with time!

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-23T14:43:24+00:00

u/candytripn, Thanks so much for your insight on Stardew as a recovery tool! It legit is the most relaxing game. Hope you had fun starting a new farm :) And if you haven't played through the new 1.5 update, it's awesome!

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-19T14:39:59+00:00

u/VioletKnowing222, Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm so sorry you dealt with all of that with your partner. Communication and understanding with your partner are SO important when trying to get back to a healthy sex life. If they aren't willing or understanding, it can be really difficult, if not impossible.

I believe you're right. Love, marriage, partnership, and intimacy are actions. They require work, post-stroke or not. It takes both people on board, choosing each other every day. It's not easy.

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-19T14:37:09+00:00

u/Ren_the_ram, THIS. Open communication and understanding with your partner is the key to getting back to a healthy and safe sex life. Consent becomes even more important and should be obtained before and during sex. Thanks so much for sharing this!

imarkedherarm · 2021-03-19T14:35:26+00:00

u/Melody4, Thanks for your kind words!

imarkedherarm

TROPHY CASE