Stroke Rehabilitation

[Hope for Stroke]

Hi, I wish to talk to other stroke victims. I have had so much happen. I would love to discuss it. R. Covert

Started by Ronald D. Covert in

[Don]

Having your world turned upside down is more like it, It will get better if you have the right attitude about it and a loving family

[Katie]

As a caregiver/advocate, I worry that my husband isn't getting enough rehab. He has come a long way, but I want the very best for him. We don't know how much he should be pushing himself. He has reached a plateau in his recovery. We have gotten the PBS video on "Brain Fitness", but it doesn't really give any practical ideas. I also think his medication (lortab) has stifled his improvement. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Peter]

Katie
You didn't say what they are working on with the rehab,I assume it is physical problems. My problems are brain function effecting the way I think, the only experience I have in physical problems is from my time in nursing. What I do know from personal experience, is it takes time, sometimes a long time, to get an improvement, everyone is different. I did look up Lortab, it is a mix of two drugs, one is a narcotic analgesic ( pain medication ) the other is probably an enhancer, that is a common combination. Check with your doctor on side effects. Like Don said it is often conditional on the attitude of the person and the support of their family and friends, as to how people progress in their stroke recovery, and time.
I am prone to making flippant comments, on the bright side. Most people who suffer a stroke, have some degree of ongoing memory problems. I was only saying to my wife the other day, I like some aspects of the memory loss, as I can watch all my favorite movies over and over and enjoy them, as I can't remember what happens in them. Strange thing is I can remember what my favorite movies are. I am quite happy with this situation. Something to think about.

[Don]

The question concerning rehab is to what standards? To me they make it up as they go along expecting me to do things I NEVER did in my normal adult life like put on PJ's? Drugs of any sort will damage you as I quickly found out once I got off them I started making progress to me your brain needs to be in an unaltered state to heal and re-grow, they dont give babies drugs to develop their memories or intelligence? Re-Habs are all about the money as most loved ones dont have the time nor patience to provide care so you get warehoused to one of these gulags and after they have milked your insurance for as much as they can they try to get into your pocket for out patient sessions I REHABILITATED myself as in December 2000 I was in a wheel chair with a peg tube and home alone 5 days a week for 9 hours but just kept pushing myself so I know it can be done to me its all about attitude if you think you wont get better you probably wont and thats just how it is, we dont send our babies to such stuff?

[Ronald D. Covert]

Sorry you have had such problems. Ronald D. Covert

[Dean Reinke]

Katie, read the book Stronger After Stroke by Peter Levine. Rehab can point you in the right direction but actual improvement is dependent on how much effort is put into it by the survivor. There is nothing passive about stroke rehabilitation, he will have to work the hardest he has ever worked in his life in order to recover.
Dean

[Ronald D. Covert]

Hi folks, I have no physical problems but my mind is not right. I have lost my job and cannot seem to do another one. I cannot draw anything from the government. I am truly in hell. I am a College graduate who always worked and took care of myself. The US health care system is atrocious. Apparently many of you have had problems so I am not unique. Ronald D. Covert

[Don]

Well like it or not Ron our system is designed to benefit those who dont work sadly I have a strong knowledge of this here in our liberal state of Hawaii, if you worked for a living expect no mercy? They depend on you to pay for them and dont want you to stop! How to combat it write your elected officials and expose the rampant fraud these days the most visible is the WIC program where they spend Billions on unwed mothers a situation that is totally preventable? I was getting $0 and the little girl across the street was getting visits from a public health nurse to check baby and deliver boxes of food all on my dime? And my wife had to haul me like a piece of meat to the clinic while these people get home visits I had to pay for a private nurse to come tube feed me when she was at work?

[Ronald D. Covert]

Don, Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear you are getting no help. I am not either. While I know others drawing disabilty who have little or nothing wrong. I hope it gets better for you. Sincerely Ronald D. Covert

[Don]

When I was healthy I never had any idea of how the system discriminates against those of us who were working if the Indians are right and you come back to live on this earth the first thing I am going to do is go on welfare and start taking drugs? So I will get preferential treatment in the event something happens.

[Peter]

Don! Don!
You would never do that. I think I know you well enough to Know you would probably do everything the same again. I used to get upset about blokes on DVA, department of veteran affairs, they would get all the same things wrong with them that people that never went overseas got. They would claim it was agent orange or something and get a good pension and everything paid for. But now I realise I would do exactly the same thing, if I was them. You should have been in the Australian navy, if you want to change something.
Got to go I am just heading off to Tejano classes, just joking.
Stay Well...Peter

[Ronald D. Covert]

Peter, I am wanting to hear about your life. Before my stroke I was an accounts manager. I play guitat, banjo and Harmonica and have a degree in history AND POLITICAL SCIENCE Ron Covert