Update on mum. 2 months post op and doctors ar thinking dementia? Could stroke cause dementia?

[Melangel]

Following mums heart operation and bilateral strokes , doctors said its delirium. Now they are saying it might be dementia. They did MRI scan yesterday and dementia specialist are assessing her today. We are terrified. We are hoping its not dementia? Anyone been through this?

[Pairofboots]

I'm sorry to hear this. Sadly someone who experience a stroke is more likely to develop vascular dementia. I don't know exactly what the diagnosis criteria is. It is best to talk to you mum's care team, and also Headway helpline.

Dementia progresses at different rates in different people, and can have different symptoms. Knowledge is your best friend in understanding and debunking some of the misconceptions. It might help to reduce the terror you express.

[cat3]

Mel, I expect the doctors are considering all possibilities, but it's too soon for you to be thinking the worst. Confusion and odd behaviour really is the norm after most brain injuries ; I talked nonsense, hallucinated and failed to recognise my own family for most of my 2 month stay.

The uncertainty of your mum's condition will be agonising for you throughout this time of monitoring and guesswork, but the brain is complex and, unlike other organs, takes much longer to regain function.

Ask to talk with the neuro team, although I suspect they may need more time to offer a firm opinion.

Wishing you and your family better times ahead.... Cat x

[stepclass123 in reply to cat3]

Hi cat

I haven’t been able to see my partner because of Covid he had meningitis then got mini strokes his cognitive is damaged.

They don’t give him food they want him to be aware even though he had a good swallow and doesn’t walk but moves so much in bed.

I don’t know if he knows who I am or his kids because on FaceTime he is quite and just looks at us. So confused all they say when he comes home it will be better for him.

It’s so hard I just don’t know what the future will bring

[cat3 in reply to stepclass123]

It's heartbreaking what so many people are going through during this pandemic. My poor cousin was found dead two days ago, alone and depressed owing to isolation, whilst her sister is waiting for cancer treatment and now grieving.

The neglect resulting from the present crisis beggars belief and it would seem the sooner your man is home the better. But please make sure you have a definite care plan in place m'love. If your partner isn't yet mobile and has eating issues you'll need specialist therapy & aftercare guaranteed.

I really hope you can get everything needed into place before Christmas, and that your man begins to rally once back in familiar surroundings. Stay strong stepclass, and try to only think as far as one day at a time.....

Cat x

[stepclass123 in reply to cat3]

Thankyou cat

This is a lovely message I’m

So glad I joined. I’m waiting for the care plan to be written in writing before they send him home. Isolation is a killer I wish I could just go to my families freely but I can’t because of the pandemic.

Being alone and grieving over not seeing my partner or comforting him upsets me.

He just shouts in the FaceTime.

It’s been challenging to bring him home as I have hope and believe in positive outcomes but others do not.

All we can do is pray and hope with brain injury x

[cat3 in reply to stepclass123]

🌷 x

[Headshrink]

yes

[New_beginning]

My husband (now 42) had full on Post Traumatic Amnesia; there is information on Headway Website to understand this in best possible way. Dont just google it, as its too scary, read Headways version. Put your concerns with medical professionals to consider. No one could tell me how long it would last, but he did come out of it 4.5mths later but has continous traits. This was March 2020.

All the best.

[Oldmasons]

My husband had AVR and 3 days after had bilateral strokes. His confusion, hallucinations and delirium were frightening (for all of us). They did dementia testing after 10 days which was inconclusive and I think they were just ruling it out. Now 10 weeks later the confusion is just starting to reduce and his old self is emerging. We have been told he will not recover 100% but it will get significantly better. Don’t panic about dementia, get lots of advice and help from the neurology team - they are the real experts here. And good luck x

[stepclass123 in reply to Oldmasons]

Hi old masons

Did your husband have any cognition damage and is he walking and eating?

My partner 42 he is recovering from phennacocal meningitis where he for bilateral stokes we haven’t had any input because of Covid but I feel it will be better when he comes home x

[Oldmasons in reply to stepclass123]

He lost his sight, which is back about 50%, his memory and his ability to construct sentences. Physically he was fine. His neurology team is very supportive. Good luck with your journey

[stepclass123]

Thank you

He moves all his limbs but they don’t give him physio so he hasn’t walked I suppose when he comes

Home I will work at it all

It’s a hard journey but look back the

Worst to keep

Going x