how to help stroke victims communicate

Is there a website listing support groups for stoke victims? Does anyone know if there is a support group for stroke victims in the Owatonna or Faribault, Minnesota area? Thank you!

My brother who is 36yrs old w/no prior medical problems fell down with a massive stroke paralizing his right side according to drs brain swelling covered left side and they advised us to pull the plug**we didnt** drs stated he will never reconize us open his eyes move** he is able to do all these things w/in a week time of stroke**now drs are advising us to put a trachea in**we are very confused and dont know what we should do what is going to be the best decision for my brother>>

My mom had a stroke one week ago today. She is almost 60 and this is her 2nd hemorragic stroke. The first she was released from hospital in less than a week. But this one was worse and at the basil Ganglia. She had a tube inserted in her brain to drain the blood and fluid due to the they could not do surgery. Every day has had a new result. She has spoken to us, answered questions correctly. Regained all motor skills in her left side.

You should go back to your doctor and ask what has been done to prevent another stroke, you may need to see a new doctor, which is perfectly fine. Either way ask for what therapy should be followed to address any deficits and ask for a doctors order for those therapies, which may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy. You should never have been allowed out of the hospital without some explanation of preventative measues being taken. Does he have any deficits?

Also please read "Post Thalamic Stroke Pain". There is a man on there less than 30 years old with horrible pain from his stroke. That's another consequence that I neglected to mention.

Sorry to hear about your friends stroke :( Although I didn't go into a coma, I do know that medicos are generally pretty conservative regarding outcomes. I know of others who were in comas for weeks & know living at home etc. I hope that things start to get better soon. Please continue to be her best friend, she is going to need you when she wakes up.

Some great organizations popping up to help the town, the victims, survivors, the children. (CBS News) Whenever a community like Newtown, Conn., is hit by tragedy, Americans immediately pitch in to try and help. The first visible example of that in Newtown was a flood of stuffed animals. Other contributions are paying for funerals, helping with counseling, and creating scholarships in the victims' memory.

He was staring at me, his eyes did not appear normal, almost a bit panicked. Blank stare. I asked again. Nothing. I tried to communicate with him for several minutes with no response. After a few minutes, I asked him if he could hear me. I got about half a nod. I asked him if he took any medications, etc., ... about 5 minutes in, he seemed to snap out of it and asked me why I was yelling at him.

Told that it will take about 6-8 for some of the blood to be absorbed by the brain and that it is normal for stroke victims to sleep more then 12 hours per day. There also risk of seizers, "but hope not". It's also common for stroke victims to suffer from OCD after the stroke. Taking walking for granted and learning to walk was the most frustrating for me. Wish you and Mom well.

Usually it is helpful if you have a large family such as if you have several siblings for the doctor to only communicate with one to help the doctor save time as well as to make sure information that is given is accurate. Did your mom sign any legal papers regarding who would have control in case she could not make decisions such as a medical power of attorney or a power of attorney (it can vary by state)? I would talk to a social worker at the hospital about what to do if she does not.

I was just wondering how much support is out there for the younger stroke victims maybe in the format of groups or chatrooms or something.

I enjoy reading that research is leading to new breakthroughs to help victims of stroke. I have also read that although most recovery for stroke patients is seen within the first 6 months, that patients may recover for YEARS after stroke. I personally believe that a persons will and the support they receive greatly assist in their ability to recover. Researchers are also making breakthroughs to assist in the treatment of aphasis, dysphagia, paralysis etc.

If the sleep apnea, especially central sleep apnea arises out of the stroke, the treating doctors should refer the patient to the appropriate specialist. There have been reports of central sleep apnea resulting from stroke.

How can we help diabetic victims of Hurrican Katrina? This is a question many of us are asking. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) recognizes that the families of type 1 diabetics in areas devastated by Hurrican Katrina face special needs as they relocate to host cities. The letter below from Peter Van Etten, President and CEO of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, describes what JDRF has set up in the way of hurricane victim relief.

Wish they would have reported the numbers/instances of MSers and stroke victims that have this. And, how they identified the enzyme...i.e., was it through autopsy? And, if there is a way of knowing these percentages of MSs and alike that have this enzyme, etc. while we are alive and kickin.

I would like to be able to communicate with him better. Can you suggests games, tools to help. I gave him a computer to see if he could type his messages but he could not. Are there other tools I can use? please help.

t say what your relationship to her is. How many family members would give anything to have their stroke survivor be able to talk well, have good memory and have long periods when she is alert and can communicate well. So many people can never communicate again. Does it matter if she sleeps a lot or doesn't communicate for long periods of time? I need to sleep at least 12 hours a night since my stroke or I get terrible migraines--ER ones.

I am sorry about your dad's stroke. It looks like he is on his way to recovery. It will just take some time. It will be helpful if you could take big pictures of your family members with their names on post it notes. Everytime you see him, show him the pictures and say the names out loud. Hope it helps.

This is serious stuff and quite honestly, my symptoms have improved but not gone away. 10% of TIA victims go on to have a major stroke within 90 days (1 in 10), and you now have a 35 to 40% chance of having a major stroke. I don't want to scare you, but you need to press the issue with your Doctor.

How are things going? We do have a relationships forum too that has people you can talk to about things and get support. :>))) That is such a shame that they didn't properly diagnose him immediately so that the damage was more severe. That's the thing with strokes, the earlier it is known that it is happening, the more damage they can stop. But perhaps because he was so young they were just not looking at that. Anyway, is he willing to work with a couples counselor with you?

Yes a person can get a stroke from too much Morphine...I am a R.N. and work with stroke victims , Look up water shed strokes...

How to help stroke victims communicate

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