hemorrhagic stroke

[Bubbles2go]

Does anyone have any experience of this? My poor mum who is 63 had one 48 hours ago and is now on an acute stoke ward. Luckily I was on the phone to her the time and regcognised what was happening so she was in hospital within 40 min of it happening.

Her blood pressure was through the roof which is what has caused this, they are struggling to control it at the moment. She can speak and she scored 15/15 on her cognitive test, she just very tired but when the rouse her she knows where she is. She has lost movement in her left arm and leg.

I live 5 hours away and with covid I can’t even visit, I’m completely beside myself and devastated, we are so close.

Sorry to hear this happened to your Mum. I have no medical training, but I know that prompt treatment is key in a good recovery, and thanks to you she got that. I hope she recovers well and you get to see her soon!

My father had one in his mid 50s. In his case it was due at least in part to a lack of self care on his part - too much rich food & alcohol, rather overweight, refusal to address any of this for many years. I first found him, but we all thought it was a migraine, which was the other risk factor, he hadn't been controlling them well (too much of the wrong food etc, also high stress job). We didn't realise for several hours that something was really wrong, unfortunately.

He was in hospital for about 3 months & has still got significant issues. But, I think in his case, part of it is due to the length of time it took for us to recognise there was an issue (we thought it was hangover migraine - he's an alcoholic). Part of it is his refusal to properly take responsibility for his own health, he's now borderline T2 diabetic & still eating badly, & drinking.

In your case I would ask to speak to someone on his ward (sorry I don't know how it works, I was no longer living at home so my mother dealt with most of it) & ask about his immediate prognosis. AFAIK if haemorrhagic stroke patients can get through the first bit they can often make a good recovery but it takes a lot of work & determination. I don't know how the covid would affect that though, obviously.

I don't know how much comfort this will be to you. Hopefully as your mum got to the hospital really quickly her outlook will be much better. Well done to you for realising there was a problem.

Thank you both for your replies. She is making progress. I have had a few phone calls with her and her memory doesn’t seem to have been affected, her speech has improved a lot since it happened 4 days ago so we could have a proper conversation. Her BP is now where is should be and she is being moved to the lower grade ward when a bed becomes available.

If I’m honest I’m still in total shock, I feel desperately lost and scared with the road ahead but she’s here.

Hi. I'm late to this thread, having searched haemorrhagic stroke. This happened to my brother-in-law last week, and I'm trying to find out everything I can to help my sister.
How is your mum now, OP?

@supersop60

Hi. I'm late to this thread, having searched haemorrhagic stroke. This happened to my brother-in-law last week, and I'm trying to find out everything I can to help my sister. How is your mum now, OP?

I’m so sorry to hear this. My mum is now 10 weeks post stroke and still in hospital, she has left sided weakness and has been very confused but this is improving. She has a lot of neuropathic pain in her left side and her balance is still wonky but improving, she is going to be in hospital for another 2-3 weeks yet as she is not walking and has to be hoisted but this again is improving.

It’s been a very long hard road for the whole family, I’ve really struggled especially as I have a 12 year old as well and my mum was very involved with our lives. The stroke association have been really helpful and so have the physio team.

You might find you have to fight for information from the hospital, it’s been a hard slog and things get confused with different doctors. Just hang in there and take each day as it comes.

Hi Op,

I'm going through this too, with my mother although she's been in hospital for almost 6 weeks now.
She had an Intraventricular Brain haemorrhage and my dad found her in the bathroom, we think she was found pretty fast because she'd vomited on the floor in the living room and my dad went to check on her.

It's been so tough, she was in an induced coma for 5 days, on a ventilator for 2 weeks with sedation and then a tracheostomy tube for a week or so whilst they weaned her off the ventilator.
She had surgery for her bleed, and we've been told all the time how severe it was.

The bleed was on her right side, so left sided weakness. Initially she could feel pain on the left side but she couldn't move it but gradually over the last few weeks she's got movement back and in the last couple of days she's started walking by herself although she needs the nurses with her. She can speak although it's a bit slurred.

The main problems at the moment are her balance and cognitive impairment. She says really random things, her attention span is very small and the OT said that she's not remembering things they need her to for the rehab.
She's also on mashed food for now, but able to drink water without thickener. Everyday she's improving a little.

Long term memory seems ok at the moment, she knows who we all are. The plan is to move her to a rehab facility next week, where she will stay for 4-6 weeks. After that time they will reassess her and if she's improving I think she will stay longer (?) but if not they will have to discuss caring options with us :(

I'm due to get married in August and I'm so sad that my mum might not be there :( she's only 67, she does smoke but otherwise healthy. They don't know what caused it :(

It's a long long road. It does all take time but even I've been surprised at how far my mum has come. Keep your fingers crossed the brain is amazing in what it can achieve x