tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994819168305583120.post7003627279740630245..comments2023-09-20T05:14:23.084-04:00Comments on The Stroke Thrivers: My StoryMarilyn Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11235929173072831740noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994819168305583120.post-50360140040543853292011-03-25T15:07:21.397-04:002011-03-25T15:07:21.397-04:00Hi Dinesh
Your Dad seems to have made tremendous ...Hi Dinesh<br /><br />Your Dad seems to have made tremendous progress in 7 months, please give him my best regards and wishes for a speedy recovery.<br /><br />7 months though, is very early days in terms of stroke recovery and it is this lack of immediate progress that is a huge frustration for most stroke thrivers and their families. It took 6 years to recover most of the function of my affected arm but my hand has not responded to treatment, and I may never regain function there. But I'll keep on trying! <br /><br />It's the reality in severe strokes that the arm and hand are usually the last to recover and may take up to two years or longer to show improvement.And total recovery is not certain. No one knows why this is so. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada has funded research in regaining hand function after stroke at Queens University and they have done some interesting work. To read a synopsis of their work, click on the following link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/43511.php<br /><br />Swelling may occur because of poor muscle contraction in the arm.Muscle contraction helps blood and lymph to circulate around the body, and poor contraction may cause pooling of liquids in the arm.This will improve as your Dad moves his arm more consistently. Saying that though, is it important to keep his physician apprised of the swelling, especially if it gets worse. <br /><br />There are other reasons for edema which should be assessed properly by your doctor.One in particular is excessive salt intake. Salt in the blood system acts like a sponge and can draw in more fluid to the area. Meanwhile it will help your Dad to keep his arm elevated slightly on pillows when he is sitting or lying down,preferably just above the height of his heart to encourage blood return,just the way you need to put your feet up when they are swollen from too much walking.And he may need a splint on his arm for extra support when he is up.Your physiotherapist or doctor can advise you. The best cure is arm movement and use of those muscles. Tell your Dad I can lift over 10 pounds now with my affected arm and I had no movement at all at the beginning.<br /><br />Do you have access to a physiatrist? This is a doctor who specializes in rehabilitation. She or he may advise Botox or other therapies to enhance arm movements.<br /><br />Encourage your Dad to keep on trying with his therapy, because he can do much to help his own recovery by not giving in to despair and soldering on.Unfortunately it is often up to the stroke survivor to keep up the good fight. No one else can do it for us.<br /><br />Let me know how he does.<br /><br />Best regards,<br />MarilynMarilyn Kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11235929173072831740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5994819168305583120.post-35528639652444470522011-03-20T00:08:14.402-04:002011-03-20T00:08:14.402-04:00This is so very helpful. Thanks.
We live in Bangal...This is so very helpful. Thanks.<br />We live in Bangalore, India.<br />My dad has had a stroke 7 months back and he had lost speech and strength on right limbs. Now he is able to speak well and walk. Only challenge is his right hand is still not back to normal. He can hardly lift his hand and fingers have no grip. Fingers keep swelling and become difficult for physiotherapy. Kindly advise <br />Thanks <br />DineshDineshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01777968392099153427noreply@blogger.com