cerebellar problems

[irishrose48]

hi guys when I phoned the hospital about scott the other day.they did mention he could have cerebellar problems ? what is this

[cat3]

Hi again Sue. I know that the cerebellum is the rear section of the brain close to the brain stem. Damage to this area can cause a multitude of issues from poor balance to disorientation and confusion.................and more.

I understand that, with the passage of time and subsequent healing, there is often great improvement of the symptoms. And it is a very short time since your husband's injuries so his brain still has a lot of healing to do.

I'd say it took me 3 months before I was even starting to mend after a haemorrhage, and I understand your man's accident was less than a month ago.

Let him sleep as much as he wants to but with regular light exercise when possible. His condition will improve I'm sure, though I'm still amazed at how soon he was discharged from hospital care.

I hope you'll begin to see some changes for the better in another few week's time. Love Cat x

[irishrose48 in reply to cat3]

They said it was a mild head injury ? And the fact he was shouting the ward down didn't help they said it was a small brain bleed and he had moblelised as I said he hates hospitals he is sleeping alot but when awake his mobility is a problem and the slurred speech I have also said his short term memory is not good yet his long term is ? His eating not good either but he has a doctor's appointment for Monday and at times he just looks as though he is not there at all but we will get it sorted x

[moo196 in reply to irishrose48]

It's very early days - try to see if he can eat well and let him sleep as much as he needs to. Is there anything he can do ? I know that after a few weeks I was ready to DO something - and mine turned out to be cooking - but lots of people find something creative but "unimportant" useful - like the colouring books ... wish I had been told about those !! Otherwise I "organised" lots of cupboards ( several times probably) and put pairs of socks together ... Audio books were also great - as I wanted to try to follow something - but couldn't watch telly and definitely couldn't read. Got my audio books from the library for free - they treated me like a blind person on their books. Was good to follow a story but have plenty of opportunities to go back and revisit the last chapter if I had forgotten what was going on ......

Don't worry about the shouting at staff / people as such - think it's quite "normal" - though I did apologise a bit at my 6 month check cos my kids told me I had been very aggressive and sworn at staff in the early days.

DO ask Headway/ GP for more help - could be a while yet - and look after yourself too x

[Matt2584]

Hi Rose,

I have cerebellar problems or cerebellar damage from a cyst/tumour that was pressing/causing pressure due to radiotherapy.

Like Cat was saying, the cerabellum controls/balances certain parts of your body. For me, the damage made my walking balance terrible.

The cyst was causing pressure because the radiotherapy was supposed to get rid of it completely but scans were showing that the cyst was pulsing, bigger to smaller, bigger to smaller and the reason why was because I had some fluid in my cyst!

It was at this stage that my walking balance was terrible and my parents both had to hold me upright in order to walk!

I had further surgery down the line and I can now say that the cyst is no longer a problem :). My walking balance has greatly improved, it's not perfect, still bad but I don't need anybody to hold me upright. I just use a walking stick now.

Also, from my brief look on the internet of the cerabellum, the cerabellum is responsible for your gait/ataxia. I stand/wLk with a wide gait. The narrower my gait, the harder it is to keep balance. I have been asked by doctors to pretend I am walking a tightrope accross the mouth of a volcano. It is virtually impossible for me to accomplish.

Take care,

MJ

[irishrose48 in reply to Matt2584]

Hi all I am going to make a list to take to the doctors tomz I also have a appointment on the 20th with CAB I really don't understand how they say he had mild brain bleed .yet he is left with all theses problems ? From talking to the ward nurse she thinks that he should be fine .am n9w thinking maybe they don't really know how the brain acts after a head injury

[Matt2584 in reply to irishrose48]

I don't understand how docs can call it a MILD bleed either. A bleed is a bleed is a bleed. And also to have several problems to go with it.

You are right to think that the docs know little about brain injury and the affects. Some doc, nurses, professionals are very good at understanding the affects of brain injury. A lot of docs are crap.

I had my ops mainly during the 90s, 96 was my first set of ops on my head. The docs and nurses were great for treating me but afterwards, I was basically back to reality. They never pointed me in the right direction for something like Headway. I only really found out about Headway by me and my mum!

It was late 2006/early2007. I had a checkup at my hospital. My mum picked up a leaflet while I was there and it was for Headway. When we got home, I got more details on the internet and joined them in May that year, I think.

When I went back to the hospital the docs were asking me what I was doing with myself and I told them I was going to Headway and they had no idea what Headway was!!

Take care,

Mj

[Elenor3]

Hi

All the things you describe are very normal for brain injury. As everyone has already said, it's a really slow process just to get back to 'minimal normal I things' and it's only a month ago - it's really early days. I'm afraid that after enlisting the help of several staff who I managed to convince I was doing fabulously - I also discharged myself from hospital, but paid for it later. This is the time to make sure the G.P knows exactly how things are......Don't be afraid to ask for help. Explain the issues you're having (perhaps make a list to take with you?). Have you called the Headway Helpline? It's always highly recommended by others in the forum. Wishing you all the very best with the GP appointment and Sending you a

[Elenor3 in reply to Elenor3]

Sorry - sending you a hug - brain working slower than fingers this morning

[irishrose48]

well I have decided to write a list before we go doctors .scott went to bed for a hour after his sunday dinner bless him .when he woke and got himself down stairs he asked me to do him a coffee which I did ,he then asks me what is for dinner I told him ,you have not long had your sunday lunch which he said yes I know that was yesterday ? so what we got today I did tell him it was still sunday ,then came the rage that I was lying and he was right and I was wrong :{ just hope the doctors can see this for themselves

[moo196]

Morning....keep making notes and mention everything to them....though as many of us here have learnt the hard way, all of what you describe is "normal" for early days after bi......one of the reasons I had to have carers in was that I did not remember whether I had taken my meds or not.

Also, ask about community neuro rehab team. Make contact with them and headway today. X

[irishrose48 in reply to moo196]

Ok he in to see docs at 10.50 this morning I have got my list with me x will ring headway later

[CindyBurton10]

Hi Irishrose48,

I had a massive brain haemorrhage (bleed) 8 plus years ago. It was very severe and my family were told it was more than likely I would die. I was in a coma after a 5 hour brain operation. I came around (luckily) after 1 day and thought I was ok. I clearly wasn't because apparently I was talking to my mum who at that time had been dead for 2 years. I held conversations and appeared ok, but I wasn't. I was hospitalised for some 3 months and it's been a long and difficult journey and much has happened.

Please ask any questions whatever they may be, because it really does help to ask those who have experienced what you are currently going through.

Also my hubby videoed me on his phone...because like Scott I was adamant I'd done things and by God did I argue the toss that I'd done things......... I couldn't believe it when hubby showed me videos...But I'm so glad he did

Take care

Jo