lgf91
11-20-2006, 11:01 PM
I had a brain stem stroke in June, was paralyzed and in intensive care for a month, on life support and most unconsciencious. It's a miracle that I am not only alive but have come this far to even work the computer. I've been in rehab since July 15, both in and out-patient. I was on a catheter for 6 weeks and since then have had problems with bladder control, although it is better than at first. When I leave the house for rehab (I walk w/a walker) or whatever, I put on a Depends or similar product. When home, I wear a maxi pad to catch uncontrolled leaks or similar. I don't wet the bed anymore (YEH). I have an appt with a urologist but wonder if anyone has experience with incontinence due to stroke. Does it eventually go away or am I perhaps looking for surgery (I sure hope not - I've had enuf of hospitals and doctors although of course I'm not through with either yet). I figure I have another 3-6 months of rehab left. What a journey!! Thx for any input. Leah
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Alberta1967
11-21-2006, 11:58 AM
Do you drink alot of coffee? It's the caffeine. Stay away from it. That is what they told me to stop drinking, but I can't do without my coffee or tea. I have learned to control it better, it just takes time. I am almost 2 years post stroke.Christmas Day will be 2 years. I also learned that when I frist feel the urge, Go! Do not wait. May God Bless you & take care. Alberta
lgf91
11-21-2006, 01:21 PM
Thanks, Alberta. I don't drink hardly any coffee any more (I used to drink quite a bit). I drink 1-2 cups only about 4 days a week and in the afternoon I drink uncaffinated tea. And I don't drink soft drinks, just water or juice. I think it will improve with time...as I'm sure you know, patience is really needed after a stroke and it's only been 4-1/2 months since I got out of ICU. After reading a bunch of posts, it again made me realize how fortunate I am with the recovery I have had. For me, it definitely could have been a lot worse (I was completely paralyzed). Happy Thanksgiving, Leah
Alberta1967
11-21-2006, 01:53 PM
Yes I know what you mean. When I went to see the Neurosurgeon after I got out, he looked at me & said he was surprised to see me alive. He was happy I wasb still he was surprie. A little background for you. I was a 37 yr old mother of 5. My youngest child was only 5 months old at the time.One of the kids was a step-son. His father & I have since seperated. I took all 4 of my kids with me , but I couldn't take him. My daughter & I both learned to walk at the same time.Of course she can run. I have 3 boys & 1 girl.
lgf91
11-21-2006, 03:30 PM
Wow...having 4 children to care for and recovering from a stroke is a miracle in itself...I don't know how you did it. I don't know if you are a believer but I know God has been instrumental in me being alive and in my recovery. I never feel alone. I am 63 and have a very helpful, loving husband who is helping me through everything. He is still doing most of the dinners although I am now able to do some kitchen clean-up. I tire very easy which is frustrating. I was a type A personality who was great at multi-tasking and now I'm lucky to get a couple things done each day. I live literally one day at a time. Bless you. Leah
Alberta1967
11-21-2006, 07:25 PM
Oh yes mam, I am a believer. If it wasn't for my family praying for me I would not be alive today. And I Thank God everyday. :angel: Lucky for me He listend to my family. My oldest son is 15 now I also have a 9 yr old & a 3 year old sons. My daughter is now 2. :wave: I Thank God everyday for letting me be here with them. May God Bless you, Alberta
coupe
11-22-2006, 05:58 PM
hi Leah, like you, i too was in ICU. for some time, until Bruce Willis' father had a heart attack and they took me out so he could have my bed! you are still young in the recovery process following stroke. it's just over 14 years for me.
like you, i too had several months in hospitals and rehab, for me it was a total of about 30 months. my hospital records have me listed as "brain dead" at time of admittance. as well as being clinically dead for 8 minutes during my early hours of being there. i was in a coma for 9 days, after i woke up my wife had to tell me I'd had a stroke and my entire left side was paralyzed, still is.
as for your incontinence, you might ask your doctor, if any of your meds are diuretic? like you, i had that problem myself. when i had to go, i had to go! no time to wait and us stroke survivors don't move as fast as we used to. it gets better, but not over night! think was about a year for me? in fact the doctors told me it's usual for stroke survivors to have the need to urinate more frequently that before the stroke? I seldom ever need to get up at night anymore, but will go several times during the day.
I'm happy to hear you have recovered so much? me too except I'm still completely paralyzed on my entire left side. and I used to be left handed!
I think we all feel lucky to be alive? once the shock has settled in and we begin to accept what has happened to us. my doctors told my wife for three weeks or more? I'd most likely not live through the night. but, here I am still kicking! just not kicking as high as I once did
may god bless you, hang in there & never ever give up!
may god bless us all
Larry/coupe
like you, i too had several months in hospitals and rehab, for me it was a total of about 30 months. my hospital records have me listed as "brain dead" at time of admittance. as well as being clinically dead for 8 minutes during my early hours of being there. i was in a coma for 9 days, after i woke up my wife had to tell me I'd had a stroke and my entire left side was paralyzed, still is.
as for your incontinence, you might ask your doctor, if any of your meds are diuretic? like you, i had that problem myself. when i had to go, i had to go! no time to wait and us stroke survivors don't move as fast as we used to. it gets better, but not over night! think was about a year for me? in fact the doctors told me it's usual for stroke survivors to have the need to urinate more frequently that before the stroke? I seldom ever need to get up at night anymore, but will go several times during the day.
I'm happy to hear you have recovered so much? me too except I'm still completely paralyzed on my entire left side. and I used to be left handed!
I think we all feel lucky to be alive? once the shock has settled in and we begin to accept what has happened to us. my doctors told my wife for three weeks or more? I'd most likely not live through the night. but, here I am still kicking! just not kicking as high as I once did
may god bless you, hang in there & never ever give up!
may god bless us all
Larry/coupe
lgf91
11-22-2006, 09:57 PM
Larry: Thank you SO much for your reply. You are indeed a miracle, as I feel all of us stoke victims are. I am so grateful that I am as good as I am already and I give the credit to God first of all, and then the doctors, my intensive rehab program and I have to take credit for working hard myself even when I didn't want to. Thank you for the words on incontinence. You give me more hope. My husband was on the wire for about 2 weeks about whether I would live or die - I know I have some sort of purpose so I will keep on getting better and helping others. God bless you and Happy Thanksgiving. Leah
doloresmc
12-10-2007, 10:54 PM
Hi Leah, I experienced incontinence while in the ICU right after my stroke.(right side of my brain/left side of my body) They told my mom right then that it would get better and it did, but as most women that have had kids I still have some leaking when I cough or sneeze/laugh really hard and just as Alberta said I learned to go right away and not wait. So 4 months after my stroke I was out of diapers thank God!.
Hope it gets better for you soon!
Dolores
Hope it gets better for you soon!
Dolores