Dads stroke….depression

[CandiR]

Hi everyone, just wanted to know if any of you (stroke patients) are taking of considering taking antidepressants?

I’m just wondering as my dad (75) is recovering from a ischemic stroke and is really struggling mentally .

Thank you very much in advance 😊

[Rene78]

Hi - my husband had a hemorrhagic stroke in 2018 at the age of 50. He was prescribed antidepressants in rehab and at home when he was released. Unfortunately the medication had adverse effects on him and made him very manic. Not to say that happens in every case but they weren't for him. He still gets very depressed, moody, and angry. We've tried to get him to attend counselling with a therapist to discuss his feelings but he refuses. I sense that stroke survivors are often mourning their past life which is understandable and leads to depression. Not sure I helped, but want you to know you're not alone.

[CandiR in reply to Rene78]

Hello Rene78, so sorry for the late reply! And so sorry to hear your husband/you have had to go through this so young. It must be so hard for you both, it changes everyone’s life.

Re the manic thing, I did worry about this, dads very ‘wired’ and impulsive (was always on the go at 100 miles an hour before the stroke) So yes, this does concern me! He’s got the prescription now and is willing to try, so guess we’ll see, I suppose there are different types to try if this one isn’t suitable!?!

Thank you for your advice and yes, it does help to know we’re not on our own, thank you very much 😊

[peege in reply to CandiR]

Just to say, I was once prescribed Sertraline antidepressant, the GP told me to take half of the tiny tablet per night for two weeks before taking the full dose. It was to prevent nausea but I think it's probably useful to introduce a new drug gently anyway - but that's my personal opinion.

My sis had a massive stroke in September 21. On her return home (carers 3 × daily, hoist etc) she was prescribed antidepressant AND sleeping tablet as well as paracetamol 4 × daily & many other medications.

[CandiR in reply to peege]

Hi Peege, so sorry for the huge delay in replying and thank you for all that advice!

Ironically after you saying all that (and unfortunately) my dad had an awful reaction to his newly prescribed Sertraline! ( I felt awful because I’d recommend them!) Seems they didn’t mix with all his other meds, so had to have the paramedics out. (I still maintain his stroke nurse is wrong in saying that it’s ok to take ALL his meds together at the same time!?!!!)

But luckily he’s over it now and on the mend (took a while for the tablets to leave his system) but he won’t try any antidepressants again, which is totally understandable given the circumstances!

So sorry to hear about your sister, it’s so hard watching a family member struggle, sending best wishes 😊

[peege in reply to CandiR]

So glad your dad is on the mend and I'm so sorry about the Sertraline 😬.

I saw my sis a few days ago, at last she's made some physical progress. With encouragement she uses a floor based. pedal thingy to exercise both legs. I cried for joy as she's 14 months post stroke.

Lovely to hear from you, thank you 🙏

[CandiR in reply to peege]

That’s wonderful news, and I know the things your taking about as every time my son sees the advert for them on the tv he’s shouts ‘grandad needs one of those!’ 😆 Thankfully though, my dad can walk short distances, but it really burns him out mentally the further he walks (he’s learnt that now!)

Take care and all the best to you and your sister 😊

[peege in reply to CandiR]

Forgot to mention, my sister's mind is really improving now after 14 Months....the covid and a post stroke seizure both set her back a lot.

Hope everything improves for your Dad too 😘

[Annabella1976 in reply to Rene78]

I find hemp oil helps a lot

[john-boy-92]

I had a stroke in July 2016 that affected my eyesight, that meant I lost my driving licence. Dealing with the DVLA Medical Group continues to be a frustrating experience, as they currently require an application for a PDAL to be accompanied by medical evidence that I meet the visual requirements of someone with normal vision! During COVID I was classified as clinically extremely vulnerable, so no surprise that for a short while I was on amtidepressents. Initially I was prescribed serotonin reuptake inhibitor but that made things worse. I was then moved to low dose diazapam.

[CandiR in reply to john-boy-92]

Hello John-boy-92 and thank you very much for your reply.

You really have been through it, so sorry to hear you lost your license, what a blow!

Coincidentally, dad has his eye appointment at hospital on Monday! Really nervous for him as he has always driven and does miss the freedom of driving, and as you say, it sounds as though it’s very difficult to get that permission to drive again!

There’s no wonder stroke patients suffer from depression, obviously the neurological damage but also due to the constant hurdles and struggles.

He now has a prescription for some antidepressants, but it all depends on what they are, like you say, SRIs could make things worse, it’s very interesting you mention Diazepam because I feel he could do with something that lifts his mood a bit but that’s also not going to make him agitated/hyped…..he needs calming if anything!! Are you on Diazepam ‘permanently’ then if you don’t mind me asking please?

Thank you again for your valuable advice!

[john-boy-92 in reply to CandiR]

I have a packet of diazepam as a "life belt". I rarely take them, but it's reassuring to know that they are there if things start to get a bit haywire. My wife checks the validity date of medications, so I have to make sure that she doesn't throw them in the bin.

As an antidote to feeling down, I volunteer for various things:

* nature conservation volunteer cutting scrub in a nature reserve;

* mystery patient for medical students;

* a variety of stroke /AF studies and web site changes for local and national organisations, and Universities.

I also write submissions to parliamentary committees; two published so far. I've just started a new one that's a call for evidence about the backlog in the DVLA. Given six years of hastle with DVLA Medical Group, I think I can write about that one. Incidentally, I sense a move to repeal the EU legislation regarding the visual field - that's the reason many car drivers have their licence revoked after a stroke: more on that story later (I hope).

Anyone who has had a stroke or brain injury mourns the person that they were. That also applies to family and friends who now have a different person from the one that they knew.

By the way, I've just turned 76 if that helps to contextulise my post.

[CandiR]

Hello again John boy and so sorry for the huge delay in replying!

For what it’s worth I think the fact that you do all these activities as a stroke survivor is wonderful, really admirable.

Unfortunately my dad had an awful reaction to his newly prescribed antidepressants (I felt awful because I’d recommend them!) seems they didn’t mix with all his other meds, so had to have the paramedics out.

But luckily he’s over it now and on the mend (took a while for the tablets to leave his system) but he won’t try any antidepressants again, which is totally understandable given the circumstances!

Hope your keeping well and really appreciate all your advice and knowledge 😊

[annemarie1976]

I'm on antidepressants after my stroke I'm 45was35 when got stroke

[Ant27]

I was very upset though my stroke when I think now it was more I couldn’t speak it was told by my consultant for another illness told me it from the stroke in brain some are emotional and some are angry , I had stroke in October last I was put on a tablet called serline I think it’s called I mite have wrong spelling due to my memory loss short term and I get confused too but I noticed that I had lost interest in things i loved was on them 6 months only small dose 50gm but I decided myself to go off them slowly u now I am better off them all together but other people are different, I do have my good days and Bad sometimes I laugh with the doctor my short term memory loss helps me too I forget about pain forget a lot and dueling the day I can put my mind on something to keep from thinking too much listening to the radio and my music I go a walk u have to be headstrong don’t let things get to you don’t let the stroke get to you and if things are getting to you family will get to you at times just put ur coat on and get out for a couple of minutes or an hour even sit outside on your own listen to your radio or music it helps ! Stay strong be headstrong for yourself u can beat whatever illness god bless

[Sukindred]

Hello all. My husband had 2 slightly strokes and a crescendo TIA .He is on sertraline and has had some success with CBT .He also takes pramipexole for restless leg syndrome which make him tired . I think the worst thingfor him as you no doubt realise is the tiredness and lack of motivation . He was an activity sporty person. It has also affected his relatwith one of our sons (who is actually a medical professional! ) who kind of thinks 'o well He should be over that by now. ' I think that is the hardest part some bits remain don't they . Just hope your dad gets as much help and kindness as He needs .