r/StrokeRecoveryBunch

What I read is

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure that implants a pacemaker-like device under the skin to send electrical pulses to specific areas of the brain. It regulates abnormal signals to treat movement and psychiatric disorders when medications are no longer effective.What DBS TreatsParkinson's diseaseEssential tremorDystonia (muscle contractions)EpilepsyObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)Tourette syndromeSystem ComponentsElectrodes (leads): Thin, insulated wires placed in targeted brain regions through small skull openings.Extension wire: Routed under the skin of the head, neck, and shoulder.Pulse generator (neurostimulator): A battery-powered device implanted under the skin in the upper chest or collarbone area.Procedure Overview Brain surgery: Leads are placed in precise brain targets, often while the patient is awake to test electrical responses.Chest wall surgery: The battery-operated pulse generator is implanted under general anesthesia and connected to the brain leads.Programming: Weeks later, a specialist programs the device externally to optimize symptom relief.If you are exploring treatment options in the area, specialized neurological care and DBS evaluations are available at major regional facilities like Manipal Hospitals or Kauvery Hospital.If you'd like, let me know:What specific condition you are researching DBS forWhether you need help finding a specialized neurologist or neurosurgeon nearby

I'm wondering if it can be useful?

Everyday after a stroke when I get up I feel like I have left with no energy to get up. I struggle with myself to get up and follow my morning routine at a pace one eighth the pace I used to have. But slowly I pick up and in the afternoon I am getting it to one fourth but evenings feel better with half the pace rest you all know. What about you all? How do you coop?

I'm hoping I can find some positive stories because right now things are extremely dark.

My wedding was supposed to be August 17, in Tofino British Columbia. My mom had a stroke either Monday night or Tuesday morning. I had texted her the night before with no answer. That was extremely unlike her, so I freaked out and asked my fiancé to go check on her (I had our kids). When he got to her house she was lying on her side, on the floor and conscious. He called 911 and we found out she'd had a pretty big stroke.

I'm not sure all the details because my brain has been mush this week. She's paralyzed on the left side, and when she's awake enough she can
Answer us. She's moving her right side a lot, and does feel pain on the left side.

We ultimately decided to cancel the wedding, I didn't feel right leaving her when we're still in the woods. I feel so angry at the world. Angry at myself for not sending her help earlier. Angry that every major life event I have is destroyed by something traumatic happening.

Just desperate to hear some positive stories and encouragement. I'm drowning.

My SIL (35F) had cardiac arrest almost two weeks ago. It took several moments for a pulse to detected and in that time she had no oxygen to the brain and swelling appeared. The swelling has reduced and things are progressing extremely slowly. We are so worried about her and hoping to hear success stories about similar situations and hoping ahead will regain cognitive abilities. She’s showing signs of alertness but she’s intubated and having on and off fevers that require sedation which delays efforts to work on her recovery.

Does anyone else’s body do like a reboot in the morning when you wake up? I haven’t voluntarily lifted my toes and foot since before my stroke in December 25, but every morning when I wake up, my left arm and leg go through full ranges of motion: toes point down then back up, fingers curl into fist then straighten out. It’s like my body decides to do a hard reset every morning.

Does anyone else’s body do like a reboot in the morning when you wake up? I haven’t voluntarily lifted my toes and foot since before my stroke in December 25, but every morning when I wake up, my left arm and leg go through full ranges of motion: toes point down then back up, fingers curl into fist then straighten out. It’s like my body decides to do a hard reset every morning.

Didn't really think the one year anniversary of my stroke would invoke so many emotions.

A year ago I woke up and nothing seemed right, it was like I was in a fog. I fell 3 times. I couldn't climb back into my bed. Luckily my daughter at college facetimed me and saw the tell tell signs of a stroke and called her brother to get an ambulance to me.

Blueberry sized blood clot at base of skull, origin, still unknown. I will probably never know what caused it at this point.

I think I mourn the life I had. Now I have constant nerve pain (just varies in how acute it is). I get so tired, I have to plan my days to no more than one event. Brain fog, losing words when I'm tired. Sounding like porky pig when it gets really bad, I call it a day when I get that bad.

I was about to be an empty nester. We were going to travel. I had plans for my yard, big projects, manual labor by me in my garden.

Didn't really think the one year anniversary of my stroke would invoke so many emotions.

A year ago I woke up and nothing seemed right, it was like I was in a fog. I fell 3 times. I couldn't climb back into my bed. Luckily my daughter at college facetimed me and saw the tell tell signs of a stroke and called her brother to get an ambulance to me.

Blueberry sized blood clot at base of skull, origin, still unknown. I will probably never know what caused it at this point.

I think I mourn the life I had. Now I have constant nerve pain (just varies in how acute it is). I get so tired, I have to plan my days to no more than one event. Brain fog, losing words when I'm tired. Sounding like porky pig when it gets really bad, I call it a day when I get that bad.

I was about to be an empty nester. We were going to travel. I had plans for my yard, big projects, manual labor by me in my garden.

Two weeks ago, the symptoms started. I figured it was a UTI. I get them sometimes and urinary tract issues run in my family. So I got on Wisp, did the consult, got the antibiotics. Antibiotics run out but the symptoms haven't changed. Go back to Wisp, get a second round. Same result. So now I'm starting to wonder what the heck is the problem. So then I did the big bag thing. I googled it. Google had lots to say about neurogenic urinary dysfunction. My issue is the time frame. It's a full month later when this started. Google had something to say about that. So I decided to double check Google by looking as NHI and various journal articles. 98% of what Google said is accurate. I just can't find anything to back up this 4-6 week post stroke delay of urinary symptoms.

My symptoms are: increased frequency, constant heaviness like a full bladder, stress incontinence, spasms in the urethra, shivering and goosebumps when I pee. I have a good solid pee in the morning and then it just gets worse thriving the day. I wake up all night having to pee. Always feel super full. The spasms happen several times a day. They're awful and bring tears to my eyes. Has anyone else experienced this? Especially 4-6 weeks post-stroke. What was your diagnosis, if you're willing to share? Had anyone heard of this before?

Using AI to summarise the text

Hi everyone, I’m posting here hoping to get some advice from people who have gone through something similar.

My mother is 53 years old and recently suffered a severe ischemic stroke. She was admitted to the ICU and has been under treatment for the past few days.

Her MRI/MR angiogram showed an acute infarct in the left fronto-parietal/left ACA territory, with thrombosis (blockage) of the A2/A3 segments of the left anterior cerebral artery. The scan also showed some older infarcts and chronic small-vessel changes.

A follow-up CT after about 2 days of ICU treatment showed the acute left ACA territory infarct, but thankfully the report did not mention significant brain swelling, midline shift, or bleeding.

Initially, she was on a ventilator and was not responding to commands. Thankfully, there has been some improvement. She now opens her eyes/responds when we call her, and the doctors feel she is stable enough to move from the ICU to a private room.

However, she currently:

Cannot speak

Cannot swallow

Cannot move the right side of her body

Is still unable to follow commands normally

The doctors are now talking about the next phase of treatment and rehabilitation.

We are currently in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, and I'm trying to understand what would be the best approach for her rehabilitation once she is medically stable.

I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has been through a similar stroke recovery:

1. How soon should intensive physiotherapy/rehabilitation begin after a stroke like this?

2. What should we prioritize first — physiotherapy, speech therapy, swallowing therapy, occupational therapy, etc.?

3. What should we look for when choosing a good stroke rehabilitation centre?

4. Are there any good stroke rehabilitation centres in Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, or elsewhere in Andhra/Telangana that you would personally recommend?

5. If your family member had a similar severe stroke, what helped most during the first few weeks/months?

6. How long did it take before you started seeing meaningful improvements in movement, speech, swallowing, or awareness?

I understand that every stroke is different and I'm not looking for a diagnosis or a guaranteed prognosis. I'm mainly looking for experiences from people who have actually gone through stroke rehabilitation and recommendations for good facilities/doctors/therapists.

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to share their experience. 🙏

TL;DR: My 53-year-old mother recently suffered a severe ischemic stroke involving the left ACA territory due to A2/A3 artery thrombosis. After a few days in ICU, she is now stable enough to move to a private room and responds by opening her eyes when called. However, she still cannot speak, swallow, or move the right side of her body. The follow-up CT showed no major bleeding or significant brain swelling.

We’re now looking for experiences, advice on stroke rehabilitation, and recommendations for good rehab centres in Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Vizag, Hyderabad, or elsewhere in AP/Telangana. Any advice on physiotherapy, speech/swallow therapy, occupational therapy, and what to expect during recovery would be greatly appreciated.

Hello,
I guess I am looking for some hope.
My 46 yo husband suffered a left MCA Ischemic Stroke in May.

He was in the ICU for a few weeks and then started rehab. Now he is able to walk with a walker. Has some movement on his fingers. He has aphasia and apraxia. He says a few words and phrases but the rest is gibberish. Two days ago he had a seizure and fell but seems ok now. They put him on anti seizure meds.

It breaks my heart everyday to see him struggle with things that came so easily to him before. He struggles to communicate at times and I get exhausted trying to figure out what he is saying.
I am just looking for some positive stories of ppl who overcame the issues I mentioned above.
Prior to the stroke he was a director and I guess he can never do that job again and that makes both sad since he loved it so much.