Stroke carer

[nottinghamforest]

This is the first time on this site my husband had a stroke in 2012 and has communication difficulties and has trouble finding words he knows what he wants to say but the words won't come out, he also has difficulties socialising as he finds loud noises distracting which is very upsetting for me to see him like this, my question is when a person has had a stroke and you say something to them do they sulk like when they child like.

[Elenor3]

Hi,

That sounds like a difficult situation. I wonder if your husband is struggling with feelings of frustration if he's stricken by word finding problems? He may be feeling overwhelmed by it? Has he had speech and language therapy? Is it worth contacting the speech and language therapists at your local hospital. Speech and language therapy is a service you don't usually require a GP referral to access. You are allowed to refer yourself. I wish you both all the best in finding some help. x

[nottinghamforest in reply to Elenor3]

Hi Elenor3

Thanks for getting in touch and for your advice he did have speech therapy but he has got to the point where he won't get any better than he is now.

Nottinghamforest

[Elenor3 in reply to nottinghamforest]

Hi I’m so sorry - it must be very difficult. Have he tried using earplugs or head phones when you go out in public? I keep earplugs in all my coat pockets . They wee really cheap for a large bag of little sets of two on amazon. They take the edge off the volume of public places. They don’t cost much so I have them at the ready in case I need them. It wouldn’t matter if they get lost, they’re not the super noise limiting ones. There’s also expensive sets you can get which allow you to hear a reduced volume of whats going on but generally I’d rather not hear any of it. When I’m on public transport I use proper headphones and often download something to listen to on iplayer radio - but sometimes I just wear the headphones with nothing to listen to as they’re better for cutting out loud noise than the earplugs.

Thinking about word finding - some rehabilitation centres use Velcro boards with laminated pictures. It might not be appropriate for your husband to use that kind of thing, but making him a set picture cards to use for regular things like foods / drinks might be an option?Or would using very basic sign language help perhaps? With word finding it can be the frustration more than anything that’s problematic. I hope you are able to find something that works for you. This is a kind of picture exchange card set butvtheres lots of different ones available and there are apps for iPads and tablets which might be easier ? Have a look.

amazon.co.uk/Picture-Exchan...

[nottinghamforest in reply to Elenor3]

Thank you for the advice you keep your chin up 😀

[Danger19 in reply to Elenor3]

Hello my lovely,

My heart goes out to you and your lovely husband. It is so hard and can be life changing when someone we love is hurt or becomes ill. For you my lovely I understand it is even harder for you as the stroke has had such an effect on your poor husbands ability to communicate.

As a nurse I have looked after many that have suffered strokes. You may know that whatever side of the brain is affected by the stroke, the opposite side of the body is usually affected. I have cared for many who’s speech or ability to swallow is affected by the stroke. I have known some who’s speech has gradually returned. But with many they find it difficult to think of the correct way to express verbally what they want to say.

Doctors especially neurologists can sometimes tell you which parts of the brain are effected and what abilities may be troubled. If they tell you I’m wrong, it’s just because they can’t be bothered to take the time to go through it with y you.

I really hope I have been a little help to you. I wish you and your family peace, happiness and lots of future luck.

Take care,

Vikki

[nottinghamforest in reply to Danger19]

Thanks Vicki

A big help just that I'm not on my own as sometimes that's how I feel 😀 x

[Danger19 in reply to nottinghamforest]

Hello my lovely,

You most certainly are not alone my love. Anything I can do to help and I’m on it. Being a nurse I have a lot of knowledge and information. Anything I do not know I can ask other medical professionals that are friends, so anything you want to know I will help wherever I can. After an injury that affects any part of the brain, it can be life changing not just for the person with the injury but anybody that loves that person or is a friend. I simply fell down my stairs. It caused a massive traumatic brain injury, broke the base and most of the right hand side of my skull, subarachnoid haemorrhage, and three blood clots. But I had an instant recovery when I woke from my coma. The medical staff told my family including my two children numerous times that I would die. They then told them to find me a care home as I would never walk, talk, know who anybody was or have a memory. But we experienced our own miracle as I don’t even look like I have had an accident. I told you this just so you know that just because they are professionals doesn’t always mean they are correct. Hang in there my love and give your hubby lots of time to work on any disabilities he may experience. He could surprise many.

I wish you so much peace and your husband all the luck God can send his way. You both will be in my thoughts,

Vikki

[nottinghamforest in reply to Danger19]

thanks for that lovely reply Vikki will be in touch soon

Carey

[Danger19 in reply to nottinghamforest]

Hello my lovely,

You are so welcome and please don't worry about asking me any questions you may have. I am more than happy to help and give advice and support wherever I can. It is so hard to see somebody you love suffering especially when it alters their ability to just function as that person you know and love.

I hope a whole lot of peace, happiness and luck comes to both of you.

Vikki