Can anyone give me some information on post traumatic amnesia?
My partner is suffering from this at the moment after suffering a cardiac arrest last month and I don't know what to do when he gets agitated about not coming home yet.
Is there anything I can do to help him?
The problem is every time he asks it's the first time.
How long has he been in Post traumatic Amnesia? mine lasted a few days give or take, though I remember very little of that entire month.
I am naturally very calm, and am used to hospitals, so I'm told I hated having the neck braces on, and wanted them off, and asked every few seconds for them to be removed.
i've have seen others in a similar state, because it is fight or flight, people can get agitated due to confusion.
After my surviving cardiac arrest (3 years ago), some of the things that helped me the most was getting plenty of rest, listening to soothing music, short time spent out in nature, whether just sitting or if possible a short walk. Another thing was getting my focus changed, kind of like one might do with children, so I was not focused on not being home or whatever else I was stuck on. It is not so much about coming home as it is about our mind getting stuck on one thing, as irrational as that is. Once my focus got changed then those stuck ideas "not coming home" got replaced with other things and things seemed better. For me watching comedic movies and other positive movies on TV seemed to help. I also found when I was fatigued getting stuck on things was worse. So the rest and sleep really helped that. The other thing that I hope helps you is that you may feel alone, but he still loves you and just isn't able to express it to you, which can also be very frustrating for both of you. Things improve with time, just know it's a long term journey. I take it one day at a time, otherwise it can get overwhelming. I am sorry you're having to go through this. I wish you well. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.
Hi, my Dad suffered a severe hypoxic brain injury 2 years after a cardiac arrest. Headway provide very helpful leaflets on various topics including on hypoxic brain injuries and on memory problems following brain injury. To begin with Dad found it very hard to retain new information for even a short time, and we had to be very patient repeating things over and over again. Best wishes, I am sad that this distressing thing has happened in your family too.
Aww - the days in hospital can feel so long and there is limited ability to do interesting things there. I set up a timetable of visitors and went on walks and mini excursions (with help). Are you allowed to take him out of hospital for a trip to a coffee shop etc? I did this if there was someone else with me. We also kept a diary that showed who had been to visit and any events - like a physio session etc. As for the amnesia - it must be so hard to see him agitated etc - I only experienced this a few times and actually took myself away as I felt that having 2 agitated people was worse than one so I'm not sure thats much help. Is he still waiting for a bed in neuro rehab - have you got any idea of a date?
He is on the neuro rehab ward and is seeing OT for half an hour per day! They also put him on a DOLS without our knowledge. I am stuck as to where to get help as I believe that he will improve much quicker at home.
He will come out of this, my other half also suffered from this after a serious motorcycle crash, he too was put on DOLS and had to have someone with him at all times as he kept trying to get out of bed and discharge himself despite multiple fractures. Thinking back now some of this was quite funny as well as frustrating he did not have a clue where he was and kept accusing me of not being to see him for a fortnight when i had only popped to the bathroom. Home care is not the answer i have had him home now for 6 weeks and it is hard trying to juggle work and think for him arrange his appointments remind him of meds etc. In some ways I wish he was still in the hospital and we never got a chance of rehab, first neuro appointment is in 2 weeks time. Take some time for yourself, i wish i had listened to this advice as i am constantly on the run and tired these days, things will improve but anything like this is long haul. Find the funny side and keep a diary.
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