Stroke and Severe Loss of Appetite - Stroke Message Board

SNYP40A1 · 01-06-2007, 12:40 PM

My grandfather has had a few strokes. I am not sure how severe they were, but they are known as TIAs and have impacted his cognitive ability. I can have simple conversations with him such as discussing the weather and what he did today, but he does not do much anymore. His wife takes care of him and he often needs help with simple tasks such as taking showers. I feel sorry for him because his quality of life is not good. He has everything he needs to live and aside from being a mild diabetic, he is physically healthy and has a strong heart. Recently, however, he has had a couple of strokes within the past two months that have sent him to the hospital. It seems that he is also having minor strokes more often which are less severe and may even go unnoticed by his wife. What is most concerning is that he no longer desires to eat. He has become very stubborn and shows many signs of anger and frustration (I would be frustrated too in his situation). When he goes to the hospital, he recovers fast and is able to live at home with assistance from his wife and now caregivers which will be stopping by the house a few times per week. His wife absolutely does not want to put him in a nursing home.

I think part of the problem that he has difficulty eating is that the strokes removed part of his ability to swallow correctly. Sometimes when he swallows, food "goes down the wrong pipe". I think he has lost the ability to control or has only partial control of some reflex essential to swallowing. He sleeps from about 6:30 PM to 8 AM and eats very little. At his current rate of intake, he will surely die after a few months. He has lost a lot of weight. I think his limitation is psychological. He may no longer see the point of living and may not feel like eating because eating is often frusterating for him. Anyway, what should be done to preserve his life?

sawbuck44 · 01-12-2007, 08:58 AM

Hi, my father had a stroke and we didn't get him to the hospital until at least a week later. He did not complain about anything, but we began to notice that his eye was drooping and he was very shaky when he walked. He was in the hospital for a week and had in-home care. That was 6 months ago, now he is being evaluated for oxygen use. He lays on the floor all day - says he's most comfortable on the floor (lots of blankets and pillows) and needs help showering (has a shower chair) and cannot cook for himself. My mom does it all. Anyway, my dad has a lot of health problems, emphysema, diabetes, copd, and his left artery is 75% clogged. He is not well enough to withstand the procedures to unclog the artery.

One of the things I discovered in my research about stroke is that depression is a big factor. I was laid up for two solid days and nights with my foot over the holidays. I can't imagine doing this day after day. We are watching my father for depression as they would prescribe meds. Don't think he'll take them though. We keep telling my parents to do more than just watch tv. Got them books, chess game, and just get out when it's nice. With winter upon us, that won't happen. My dad has to be in a wheelchair when he's out and mom can't get it in and out of the car either.

One way we got him stronger was to give him his favorite drink, 'chocolate milk' but it was choc Ensure. Gatorade was good too as it puts back electrolytes. Dad's sodium levels were too low and that's why he was so off balance. In the hospital they gave him sodium iv (if that's exactly what you call it, I'm not sure).

Stubborness is a direct result of a dibilatating stroke. My father was stubborn to begin with and losing control of decision making and movement, never to drive again is very maddening. I asked him the other night how he was doing. He always says 'ok.' I said, you don't complain much do you?' he said, what good would it do? We need to 'make' him complain so we know the care he needs. He does not want to go back to the hospital and we told him if he didn't do his exercises for strengthening his arms and legs, he would have to because mom couldn't continue to care for him. She is very frail too. Dad is 76 and mom is 72. She has type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, arthiritus, she's had a hip and knee replaced and needs the other knee replaced, but is putting it off because she, and we do not know how dad would be cared for.

Getting help for them is another issue. they have no money - are in the negative every month. They never saved for the future and dad always worked for himself - no retirement or health insurance. Frustrating, but like I said, another long story.

My dad also had problems swallowing which after using the techniques taught to him have been alleviated. We were so scared when they told us that food could go down the wrong pipe and if food gets into the lungs you could get pnemonia. If he doesn't have exercises, he needs to get them and do them every day. One suggestion to help swallow was to tuck your chin into your chest and swallow.

So look into antidepressants. It may be the spark he needs to overcome the sadness. God Bless