Advice on support

[robmb]

Hi I’m new here and am looking for support and advice, my husband had a TBI in July and we’re stuck in a rut. He was discharged from hospital in Sept after 9 weeks in Salford Royal 3 of which in a coma, he has learned to walk and talk again, but feel he is lacking motivation and stamina at the moment and I have no idea how to help him with this.

[pinkvision]

Hi, ring the helpline in the morning. Get some good advice and set a path. Come back then and have a chat with the forum about experiences in dealing with issues and support etc.

[Pairofboots]

Hi. Even in these strange times we currently live in, there should have been a discharge plan in place. This would inform the GP of medication, who has the main responsibilities, what community services should be involved, a rehabilitation plan. It would be worth having a chat with the hospital, and your GP.

Also give Headway a call, they can give advice and support for you husband, and yourself. Their contact details are pinned to this page. 🍀

[FlowerPower62]

I would request an endocrinology appointment. My husband was 2 years post TBI before this was suggested, and a year later he's just started hormone replacement treatment. We are very hopeful of this

[cat3]

Hi Robmb. After treatment for a brain haemorrhage I was discharged from Salford Royal into the care of my GP, but with a 3 month follow-up appointment with surgeon. After the follow up I was referred to an endocrinologist for hypopituitary tests and for 12-monthly follow ups with a neuro-consultant.

See your GP and ask for referral back to a neuro-psychologist ; or you could phone the specialist nurse at Salford at any time for advice with aftercare.

But do bear in mind the lengthy recuperation period after any brain injury (5 months is still early days). Your husband may be exhausted and/or traumatised from his TBI and, depending on fitness and age, people fare differently. I'd say it was 2-3 years before I'd reached my equilibrium and started to let go of my past life.

In the meantime you could get extra advice from the Headway helpline on 0808 800 2244 (freephone - office hours) or ask your man's GP for medication to help life his spirits as he struggles to adjust.

I hope you have occasional respite for yourself m'love ; caring for a loved one's needs after brain injury, and dealing with the changes in their demeanor, is really challenging .

Cat x

[robmb in reply to cat3]

Thanks Cat,I have an appt to see our GP tomorrow I'm just confused as to what I'm asking for, he seems to be managing his fatigue quite well and does now rest up in the morning or go to bed early. I think the problem is he has achieved so much since his accident he doesn't understand why he can't drive why he can't work and its a hard one for me to explain, apart from it just takes time love .

[cat3 in reply to robmb]

Depending on how clued up your GP is on brain injury they might or might not be aware of the devastating after-effects of brain injury. I guess your man's mood is a starting point for discussion with the doctor.

Fatigue to the point of exhaustion is common after damage to the brain, but low mood can result from unrealistic expectations of 'getting back to normal'. I remember the shock of realising my new limitations, but acceptance of our new selves is a lengthy process.

The loss we feel for our old selves is natural, but a hard hurdle to overcome, even with positivity, and for your husband to move on to his 'new beginning' he might need help to lift his mood and your GP can help with that.

Antidepressants sometimes get a bad press but, for those of us who use them and have been helped through traumatic events and illness, they are a Godsend. ......Just my personal take on things m'love.

Counselling is another option of course but waiting times are silly.

Best wishes going forward whichever route feels right for you both..

Cat x

[sashaming1]

All I can think of is his testosterone level could be low. Have the level checked.

Check out: Contact our helpline free on 0808 800 2244 or [e-mail]

[Lynd]

Fatigue is very common. My Husband can not stay awake after lunch.We try to get things done in the morning.

You will eventually see a pattern and work round that.

Still very early days.

[New_beginning]

My husband 43 now approaching 21months with TBI he is nearly on 2nd week with no naps in day. Its a slow process. All the best x

[tunas]

Depression is very common after this injury, I was put on an anti-depressant in the first month in hospital. I was suprised to find that but in the long run it is neccesary for me.