A strange tale ? - emotional responses reduced ?

[tony]

Hi everyone and its been awhile
But I came  across something yesterday - I thought youd want to see it
Basically in discussion with Heart/stroke and auto accident brain/trauma survivors
- the subject of emotions and emotional responses came up
There was an amazing consensus
All agreed that patience was much shorter and fatigue an ongoing reality
AND amazingly the concepts of "Joy or happiness or fulfilment" were much reduced
- a 5 yrs on survivor commented - its gets better over time ?
I was amazed to note the comments were very similar to both surgery
and, often, radio patients - who had not actually had "an accident" as such
I quite amazed that non-trauma survivors may share similar mind-states
I am thinking about puting a questionaire together
- I am not sure medical science has quite made the link yet ?
What do you think ?
Best Regards
Tony

[ernie h]

i can relate to this.i think much of the fatigue comes from brain overload trying to deal with the problem  (or problems)at hand.and it's extremely diffucult to be in good spirits when your brain is struggling to cope .i sincerely hope it does get better for all involved.thanks ernie.

[Soundy]

one ENT I consulted early on said that the aftermath of sugery was akin to the effects a tauma victom
would suffer from ... he said any assult on brain intentional (surgery) or not (injury) would have lasting effects ...
he was a smart man but not qualified to do the surgery ... my surgeon did a good job but didn't have the
insight of what came after he was done 

[Jim Scott]

Tony:

Excellent observation on the relation between brain trauma, fatigue and low patience thresholds following surgery. 

I believe medical science has made the link but doctors tend to compartmentalize patients from the 'procedure' that is the doctors specialty.  This has the effect of isolating the doctor from seeing the patient as a complete human being, not simply a 'case'.  Yes, the doctor will be concerned about the patients post-op issues, but once his surgery is proven effective, cognitive and emotional issues aren't the surgeon's discipline, so he may have a tendency to ignore the patient's complaints.  If the patient is fortunate, the surgeon will refer him or her to a doctor in a related specialty.  The bad news is that, too often, patients with long-term post-op cognitive/emotional issues are dismissed as suffering from 'stress' or presumptively declared 'depressed' and prescribed anti-depressant medications without the doctor ever trying to find the cause of the depression, which may be physical, manifesting as emotional.       

Of course I'm just an uneducated layman and my speculation carries no real weight but it is my opinion in answer to your query, Tony.  Oh, and thanks for asking. 

Jim

[leapyrtwins]

I definitely notice the lack of patience and the increased fatigue.

Although I have to admit I didn't have a lot of patience pre op.

Thanks for the info., Tony 

Jan

[tony]

OK - so we agree its there, and there are issues
Bear in mind an overworked brain may not have resourses for
joy/happines/affection/memory ?
 - if its very busy with walking/balance and co-ordination ?
but what to do about it ?
Actually there are things we can do
Firstly the retraining/cognitive exercise approach
has been proven to work with the trauma victims
- gentle(at first) mental exercise  will help
Secondly - proper rest - the brain will reset if rested
Thirdly - and most speculative ?
- Improved Diet
Post trauma survivors often exhibit similar symptoms to parkinsons patients
Clearly the trauma folk improve over time
(and appologies to any here who also have this condition)
But the dynamics of "parkinsons" is a clue - there are problems
with the brain connections - they dont work so well
I am not saying any of us have the disease
- I am saying some exhibit mild symptoms post trauma ?
(The congnitive exercises help in this situation)
But if the brain is overworked - is it low on some importance fuel ?
it may be short on key elements that create the brain chemical balance ?
I am not sure all the health industry supplements would help
- but I am sure that the body will digest the right food
if it gets the chance
In other words a better balanced diet may assist the brain
with nutrients it requires ?
Just a theory from a layman ?
Best Regards
Tony

[suboo73]

This has the effect of isolating the doctor from seeing the patient as a complete human being, not simply a 'case'. 
Of course I'm just an uneducated layman and my speculation carries no real weight but it is my opinion in answer to your query, Tony.  Oh, and thanks for asking. 
Jim

Tony, This is certainly a provocative question, one that i wish the docs would recognize, acknowledge and assist more in treatment.
Unfortunately, at least in the US, so many docs are specialists (as we all deal with!) and don't treat the 'whole' person. 
Seems like you really have to take control of the situation yourself, as you suggest, with good diet and such.

I AM interested in Parkinson's as my father has been diagnosed with this.
So you could say, my sister and i REALLY appreciate what we learn thru his experiences!

Sincerely,
Sue

PS  Jim - you may consider yourself an uneducated layman, BUT experience is everything!  You have been there, done that, and i admire EVERYONE on the Forum who provides invaluable insight every day.  Thank you, all!

[JudyT]

I have been headache free for a few days but woke up at 4:00am with "the BIG one" Should have known......nothing lasts forever. Took pain meds and relief is coming.....balance is shot. When it comes to this...my patience/emotional reactions are very different. I am either short tempered, edgey/anxious,"pity party prone" or very non-emotional.....don't really care if stuff gets done or not. Impatient with myself and others is usual path. Angry if I'm dealing with someone that is "not getting it."Thankful I am alone and kids are grown.....I can hide in my house/garden. 4 years out from CK.....should know the ropes by now. I stumbled yesterday....spilling coffee on very light carpet/wall...huge stain. I got it cleaned up and just sat there in the floor thinking.....is this it? Some sort of mental balance would be nice if not physical balance. I have come at this dilema from every angle I know and nothing seems to last forever......maybe not even a day. I know we are all in the same boat and I get such good info here.......thanks all!
Judy

[JudyT]

Thank you Marci for much appreciated note. Gosh! It's so GREAT and uplifting to know their is someone out there that knows and "gets it' and then takes it to the next level. Today is a much better day even with headache (not so bad) I want so badly to feel whole....and I know I already am......just can't quite process it right now........BUT working on it. It's a beautiful day in California and perhaps I will plant flowers.
Judy

[Vivian B.]

Hi Tony,

Your post is so much appreciated. It seems that after treatment from what I have seen on the forum the condition is treated but emotional issues or how one handles the situation is pretty much in our own hands. I found myself that the doctors see an emotional issue as anxiety or depression and often refer you for counselling or prescribe medications. There is nothing wrong with that if really it is medically necessary.  I haven't been treated yet so I do not know what it feels like to have emotional issues post treatment, but I can tell you that after being diagnosed, I stayed in the house for one week and a half, did not go to work, did not do anything at all. I was the type of person that could not fall asleep until my teenage kids were home and made sure that if it was late I would give them a call to make sure that everything was o.k. This stopped suddenly, I couldn't sleep but I wasn't waiting up for the kids, mentally drained, I could not allow any other stress in my brain. I can only imagine what it is like after treatment if the person is left with some deficites to deal with. However, between myself and I and with the support of the ones around me I got myself out of the depression. Still the anxiety is there but learning how to manage it.

A co-worker gave me a book called "the secret". This is a book that I recommend to everyone. It teaches you thought process, as hard as it may seem and guides you through positive mental attitude. I find myself reading it specially when I am starting to feel lousy and slowly find myself feeling better again. I think that you are definitely correct in that when someone gets treated for this sort of thing, there should at least some mention on how the person has handled the journey prior to treatment and how they will handle it post treatment. However, I believe like any situation in life, you are the key to the recovery.

Vivian

[JudyT]

I also have read The Secret.....fabulous book...very helpful. I have the audio version and when headaches/balance issues occur....I lie down or sit comfortably and plug it in. Very calming. I also use Gifts From the Sea/Anne Morrow Lindberg.....sorry guys but it is mainly for women. It's an old book but still available from Amazon.com. I use the audio version for the same purpose....very calming. As I also have vision issues.....I bought a Kindle so as to increase font size. I am a voracious reader but difficult to see small print. I have had cataract surgery and use glasses but still difficult to read for long periods of time. The Kindle has allowed me to read much more.....well worth the investment. My eyes have definitely changed since CK. I have special ones for computer and piano playing.....ones for ordinary use.
Emotional issues have been addressed and anti-depression meds were prescribed. (Prozac) When I researched side effects, I already had all that and weaned myself off. My emotional self didn't change. So I have tried other rescources to help me. Any thing that has dizziness, headaches attached I try to to omit if I can. I have found myself resorting to non-meds solutions to help emotional issues....Meditation, Yoga, Massage even going and getting a manicure/pedicure is uplifting and calming. If you have a school of cosmetology near you they are generally very affordable. Treating ones self well is often less expensive with better results.....sending the message that I DO care about my body and me....a free makeup makeover helps too....sometimes if you look great....you feel great.
I'm getting long winded here.....so will close.
Judy

[AROBTEK]

Hello All,
I haven't been on the Forum for several months,  I needed to 'step away' for a while.  I found this thread during a search for 'memory problems', which describes me all too well!  I have, in the last two months, lost my Cross-BiCross hearing aids (4 yrs. old), and if that wasn't bad enough I also lost my company cell phone.  Yesterday I had a problem with paying a bill online - twice in the same day!  I am very concerned about this memory problem and YES, I am often irritable and would just love to stay at home and not face the world.  I am currently taking Cymbalta but I'm not happy about 'having' to take something to be somewhat close to the person I used to be.  It is reassuring to know that I am not the only person in this little 'abnormal' sailboat that is bobbing around wildly in a lake with other people in 'Normal' sailboats.

It has been 16 months since my 10 hr. surgery in Atlanta.  I am beginning to get some movement (and twitches) back on my left side. It looks like I am  snarling at folks sometimes, but I'm not - usually.      Things are better for me when I am busy and focus on others instead of myself and how it used to be.  I am truly blessed to be alive and have wonderfully supportive family and friends. 

Thanks to all of you hero forum members for your help and support!
Hugs,
Annette