Post traumatic amnesia after brain injury

[DanielaBuck]

Hi all, my husband sustained a severe brain injury 6 weeks ago. He is in rehabilitation now and he is able to walk and talk, however, when we spoke to the doctors today, they explained that my husband has been in post traumatic amnesia for 4 weeks and it doesn't look like he is emerging from it and there is a possibility that he may stay in this situation permanently. I know every person's recovery is different but I would like to know experiences of post traumatic amnesia. Thank you! 🙏

[AKAICUsurvivor]

Here are two links - I hope there is info in both that is helpful to you

headway.org.uk/about-brain-...

icustepschester.org/informa...

There are a series of guides on the second link 😀

[DanielaBuck in reply to AKAICUsurvivor]

Thank you so much for this, really helpful! 🙏

[DrARDS]

I have a family member who has been through the exact same situation, albeit many years ago.

Their quality of life deteriorated rapidly and they got depressed, but with a courpl of years of rehab they’ve made a massive turnaround and although they haven’t gone back to work, they are much better than before.

Keep the faith and stay strong. It could be a long long battle, but there’s hope. Ask for more neuro rehab support-I think they have family/carer groups.

[DanielaBuck in reply to DrARDS]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Yes, we are trying to keep the hope but it is so difficult when there are no answers to this. Thank you!

[Maithalouni]

Hi Danielabuck,

Best wishes for your husband. How is he doing now? Any new news from the doctors?

My mom had a cardiac arrest 6 weeks ago and also has PTA since she regained consciousness 4 weeks ago.

Best,

M

[DanielaBuck]

Many thanks Maithalouni,

I am so glad your mum regained consciousness and thank you for replying to me.

My husband is still in rehabilitation. He is talking, walking and eating but this is his 5th week on PTA. The doctors said that the longer he stays on PTA the worse the outcome. It is so stressful!

All the best for you and your mum.

Dxx

[loulau02]

Hi DanielaBuck,

How is your husband doing now? I sincerely hope his condition has changed for the better.

I am now going to the same type of situation after my partners anoxic brain injury. He became conscious 2.5 weeks ago, but seems completely disoriented to place, time, people ect.. at times he even thinks he is 22 (he is 34..).

Anyhow, I really hope your hubby has improved by now! x

[DanielaBuck in reply to loulau02]

Hi Loulau02,

Thank you for your comment.

I am sorry you are going through this. It is truly awful.

My husband is 7 months out and still no short term memory and he gets confused a lot. I don't think he is in post traumatic amnesia anymore.

How long ago since your husband's accident?

It is very important that you take care after yourself, it is a long long road to recovery!

I hope you are coping okay.

Daniela

[loulau02 in reply to DanielaBuck]

It's been 3 weeks now since it happened. I suppose it's still far too soon to speculate any outcome, but nursing staff is not expecting much progress from now on. I now hope he will be transferred to a rehab facility soon so he might be able to get some more help on this..

I am so sorry to hear your husbands short term memory has not returned to him. Is he still in rehabilitation now?

Thank you so much for responding and take care of yourself too!

[Sepsur in reply to loulau02]

After critical illness and the care lots of us end up with varying degrees of cognitive dysfunction - my short term memory is appalling so I have to write everything down. I repeat myself, which drives my partner round the loop a bit 😊.

But this is far from the prognosis offered whilst I was in ICU. They believed I would be extremely brain damaged because of hypoxia & multiple organ failure.

I don’t think like I used to, so I’ve just had to adapt.

Good rehab and stimulation helped me.

[DanielaBuck in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you so much Sepsur for sharing. My husband is still in rehab but we are hoping he will improve!

I am so glad that rehabilitation has helped you. It is a very cruel injury.

Thank you!

Daniela

[DanielaBuck in reply to loulau02]

Hi Loulau02,

It is very early days. Don't lose hope. Have you contacted Headway? If not, please do, they are fantastic in explaining everything regarding brain injuries. I have also find it helpful to read the rancho los amigos scale. There is lots of videos in youtube.

My husband is still in rehabilitation and can do most things independently but needs lots of prompting.

Do let me know if you have any questions, it is extremely difficult to go through something like this!

I hope you are coping okay.

Daniela