hypoxic brain injury

[ronnie1228]

Any advice would be great, my 14 year old nephew has suffered a severe brain injury through loss of oxygen, 4 weeks in and now off ICU and in a Neuro Rehab ward having physio etc daily still not communicating any similar experiences and positive stories would be kindly appreciated

Thank you xx

[randomphantoms]

Hi Ronnie

Do you know if the damage was in one area or more widespread?

There is always hope and a lot depends on the persons determination.

There are a number of members here who were not expected to survive.

Please ring Headway. All the contact information is in one of the pinned posts on the right hand side of the page.

Wishing you both well.

Love n hugs

Xoxo

[Hidden]

Hi

not had the experience but why not try phoning Headway for advice

Best Wishes

[Kirk5w7]

Hi Ronnie, your nephew has youth on his side, I'm sure with support and the right rehab and his own determination he will be able to achieve a lot. Be prepared for a long journey, with many ups and downs, even what may appear to be steps backwards.

Best wishes Janet x

[ronnie1228 in reply to Kirk5w7]

Thank you for your reply xx

[cat3]

No personal experience Ronnie as my bi was a spontaneous haemorrhage. But there are many people on the forum who have suffered catastrophic brain injuries and who, in time, have regained a good quality of life.

Not the life they knew before the injury, and usually left with issues such as short term memory problems, ongoing fatigue, inability to cope with too much stimulus, and others.

There are some who've escaped with only minor after effects, although this is less common. No one will ever predict the after effects of brain injury as they're a complete unknown, dependant on so many variables ie severity, location of damage, attitude of patient, age, etc.

Your nephew has the great advantage of youth but you & all his family should expect slow progress, which can seem daunting at first, but healing of the brain is a long, slow process which can't be rushed.

I hope this young man will be one of the luckier ones, and that he'll exhibit some positive signs in the next few weeks. Please update us with his progress.

All best wishes, Cat x

PS As others have advised, phone the Headway helpline and ask for all relevant printouts on brain injury and its after effects. It's 0808 800 2244.

[Erherh]

My partner was hit by a car sustaining multiple skull fractures, several 10 minute tonic clonic seaziyres and then coma. He remained as such u til his brain was so swollen they removed half his skull to allow brain to swell out. He was in a bad way to say the least - but ibky in his brain. I was rushed to hospital by police at 1am following the accident and was prepared for the worst. At every stage that was the case. Two years in, (10:feb). He walks talks eats and has survived the most impossible. The doctors are amazed. He has his own demons and as a family it has been and continues to be a journeyy to recovery. Like ithers have said be prepared for the ups and downs, and backwards. Bit like the craziest rollercoaster ever, and where the ride is sown times in fast motion, sometimes slow Motoib and sometimes freeze frame it feels. Please just hold onto hope and will them on. The mind is a powerful thing. Try abd stay string. Ps : headway are amazing : give them a call 😉😄 x

[ronnie1228 in reply to Erherh]

Thank you for your reply XX

[dedicated_daughter]

This breaks my heart - my dad suffered a severe hypoxic brain injury in 2014 aged 70 and, having 2 young children of my own, I find it very difficult thinking of something like this happening to a child. The leaflet from headway on hypoxic brain injuries is useful. Think of it as having a 'global effect' on all areas of functioning but most noticeably on mobility, short term memory and 'speed' of processing information. I gather that the outlook is better in younger people and particularly in terms of getting up and active again, your nephew is likely to do much better than my dad. But my dad can speak, walk etc again. Your nephew has suffered a very serious injury but I think he will surprise you with what he now achieves. My heart is very full of hope for him. Best wishes,

[ronnie1228 in reply to dedicated_daughter]

Thank you so much for your reply so great to hear about your dadxx

[dedicated_daughter]

Ps 4 weeks in is very early days.

[Angie1968]

Hi Ronnie

My husband suffered a hypoxic brain injury about 9 weeks ago. He wasn't expected to wake from his coma but he did. We were told not to expect a good recovery but he has started to talk, can walk a short distance and still has his sense of humour. My husband is 51 years old but has always been physically fit. Statistics say that youth and being fit and healthy give the patient a better chance at recovery.

Try and stay positive, read the Headway leaflets and develop a good relationship with the rehab staff is my best advice as well as accept any help that is offered.

I hope all goes well for you all.

Angie

[Deemoore12 in reply to Angie1968]

How long did it take for your husband to wake from his coma?

[Angie1968]

My husband woke up after about 4 days. The quicker they wake up, the better the prognosis but the consultant said that no matter what they think, people always surprise them with their recovery.