Apathy

[ored13]

Hi Lovely Group. Has anyone any experience with Apathy. My husband had a planned admission yesterday for about a week to the neurology ward that he was in nmduring his acute stages . They wanted to get him an MRI but also look into starting a dopamine trial... Levadopa to be exact. Today they did a in lot of tests...3 consultants were involved, one of them a psychiatrist. So his level of apathy is some of the highest they have seen in personal experience I believe (I may hav heard this incorrectly because I was trying too hard to concentrate). I mean he's a bit of a conundrum to them.... And researchers - as one of them sort of is- love this sort of thing so it's a win/win. We get a neurologist and team who are actually interested and they get a puzzle who is up for a bit of experimentation, within reason.

I mean I think I'm struggling to actually understand the core of what I am hearing about apathy. They say his mood scored were really good so it's not that he's depressed. I'm rambling a bit, but anyone who has had doings with the "apathy" type diagnosis. Please enlighten me. I feel really dumb. And nothing like 3 medical professionals telling you things in a meeting of sorts to make you feel super dumb. Tried to ask pertinent questions...I probably in failed.

[Pairofboots]

Hi ored, I have a couple of labels from my earlier recovery. Neuro-psychiatric Syndrome, and A-Motivational syndrome. I think the later is nearest to apathy. I was informed that it was only associated with the use of illicit drugs by a snooty general nurse. I have never partaken in such practices.

I don't know if these are associated with current developments in my presentation, which has been under investigation for the last year.

I received these labels from a consultant neuro-psychiatrist. The apathy, I wouldn't say has ever been typical apathy, more an inability to display appropriate emotions, and needing an inordinate amount of time to jump into action if left to my own devices.

I'm not sure if this is anything like what you are asking about? Don't worry about rambling, I've stopped at this point, because rambling is the next stage of my explanation. 🍀

[ored13 in reply to Pairofboots]

Hi Boots,

I find the word "apathy" such an odd one. I can't seem to accept it because it sounds so negative. A friend explained it and we had a bit of back and forth trying to put it into context as far as what my husband is like at the moment.

As far as jumping.into action I suppose this is something that he never does unless he needs the toilet. However if I say...we need to do this or go here or there or you need to get up now , it is almost instant. He just doesn't initiate that sort of thing himself a lot anymore. Though he used to just independently decided it was time for a shower and to brush his teeth.

Sigh. Anyway. I don't know whether you remember me asking about Levadopa. Well they did a trial for a couple of days on quite a high dose to see whether it was a go and wether the drug would help or hurt. Seems he responded really well to it. So we start at home on the low dose and increase it over 12 weeks. It stays in the system for a few hours and then needs to be topped up. So this should be interesting!

[Pairofboots in reply to ored13]

I think I have an inkling of memory about you asking, can't remember how I my response, but then that is part of what they have been trying to diagnose for a year.

Have they suggested modifying your husband's diet? This is sometimes problematic in combination with levadopa and can lead to a fluctuation in conversion to dopamine.

I guess they have discussed this. It is good if he responded well in the trial, hope for continued positive response. Sorry if a bit wonky with response, it's getting to that time, when brain, hand, thought get out sinc.

Onward and upward for Mr O. 🍀

[ored13 in reply to Pairofboots]

Actually this is not something which they had mentioned. Should I hit the Google's for it?

[MXman]

Hi ORED13,

I have had many problems after my ABi with apathy and empathy. No care even for my kids so can relate to what you are saying.

I had no after care when I left Basildon hospital after 9 days and got my knowledge and understanding form this forum and then went for counciling which was fantastic for me. I had lost my personal empathy and apathy for all humans and really struggles to understand why…but it was a massive symptom of the injury. Frontal Lobe brain bleed, 2 of them. It takes tome to come back and I still can have problems with both of them.

I hope this helps but may need counciling which really helped me. `got mine direct from Headway.

Nick

[ored13 in reply to MXman]

Hi Nick, thanks for your reply. This subject seems so broad that I honestly feel like I'm drowning trying to understand it all. It also blows my mind that someone who has an injury like yourself would just be discharged after such a short period of time. Luckily for us my husband is still interested in the kids etc. I find that there isn't much empathy more for the likes of me. I do wonder whether that is because I'm his carer. Heck knows.

But interestingly enough he has never been offered any actual councelling (spelling). He has not got much speech which may be why. But definitely something worth looking into. Did you contact the helpline to get some help with that?