Hypoxic brain injury update

[Devaiur59]

Hi, not been on here for a while as been having tough time with my dad. It’s coming up to two years since his cardiac arrest and he suffered brain injury and things are really bad at the moment.

He literally doesn’t sleep any more, and survives on couple hours sleep a night so my poor mum is shattered and looks ill. His aggression is worse than ever, and he throws us out most nights his temper is that bad because he is paranoid and extremely aggressive.

His memory has improved slightly over time, and he is improving slightly cognitively and some days he is more aware than others . The whole thing is starting to tear the family apart and we are all struggling at the moment.

We can’t get any respite because of his aggression and it’s literally getting harder and harder. We also can’t risk him getting sectioned again because last time he really wasn’t treated well, and they really did not know how to deal with someone with hypoxic brain injury .

We all feel like our whole lives have been turned upside down, and are really hoping this aggression will eventually stop.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[StrawberryCream]

My sleep cycle was none existent after my abi as well. It certainly does affect your mood because you are constantly in a state of sleep deprivation. GP gave me sleeping tablets but I was to only take them occasionally and I didn't really want to take them so just did very occasionally. It wasn't a long term solution though because my sleep difficulties weren't improving. I did all the 'sleep hygiene' things to try and improve my sleep cycle but it didn't. I then became aware of Circadin prolonged release, which is the natural hormone melatonin. I asked the GP if she would prescribe them for me to see if they would help and she was happy to do so. They are not sedative but in the evening we should naturally produce melatonin in our brain for our sleep cycle. I take 4 mgs (2x2mgs) and it has made a huge difference! After about an hour of taking circadin I drift off to sleep, go into a much deeper sleep, and only wake once or twice in the night but will go back off to sleep much more quickly. Because they are not sedative I still sometimes have a sleepless night like everyone does when thoughts are running through your mind. However, mostly I am getting much more sleep and therefore my mood is not so extreme with irritability and anger etc during the day. I was like that for about 5 yrs until I started taking circadin and I so wish I had known about it and asked for it much sooner!!

[Devaiur59 in reply to StrawberryCream]

Hi, yes he takes melatonin, and sleeping tablets but he unfortunately has the ability to stay awake even with these. If his brain is working overtime, nothing stops him unfortunately. Thanks for advice tho x