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How Long Does Recovery From A Stroke Take?
Question: It has been confirmed my Dad has had a Stroke that has affected his legs causing him to fall. They have said Physio wont help him he has been assessed by Physio but say tablets can help him. Will he get use back in legs from taking tablets he is on 300mg of Aspirin and not sure what else. They think it is a blocked artery in neck from CT scan and are saying tablets can sort this problem out but I thought he would have to have some kind of an opening artery operation, is it true it can be sorted by tablets they say it is a minor stroke. I just want my Dad to get his mobility back and stop another stroke happening is this possible please?
Brief Answer:
Unfortunately what we feared happened, but we shall overcome
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
I am really sorry to hear about this, but from our previous discussion I remember you were informed by a doctor that a stroke was ruled out?
Prognosis and recovery from a stroke mainly depends on how quickly it is diagnosed; my mother in the wee hours of the day experienced some difficulty in moving her right hand when she woke up for the morning prayers. My room (before marriage) was upstairs, and so she called me on my phone and asked me to come check on her, and being a doctor I soon recognised what was happening and rushed her to the hospital, treated her there, and then nursed her to health for the next 2 weeks at home. Now, praise God, you can't even tell she ever had a stroke by looking at her.
Physic can help anyone, even if it is by 5-10 %, it makes a big difference. Oral medications include statins (to help control the cholesterol/lipid profile), anticoagulants (mandatory), anti-hypertensives to control the blood pressure, and better blood glucose control. These medications should be taken for life.
If the stroke is minor, as was with my mother, oral medications, lifestyle modifications, and a specific diet can help sort the issue ma'am; no surgery would be required, but quarterly checkups on his progress and maintenance will be mandatory for the rest of his life.
Returning of mobility mainly depends on him, and how early we diagnosed the stroke ma'am; I would not like to say it is not possible, but it is not going to be easy. Things like fatty food, fried food, oily food, smoking, alcohol, stress, etc; cannot be a part of his life anymore.
Life after a stroke is mainly what helps prevent future strokes or cardiac events, so not only does it depend on his family (to support him, guide him, and also not to tempt him with unhealthy habits or food that can cause him harm). There is a saying where I live, prevention of future strokes and cardiac events depends on the family, the family makes lifestyle and dietary changes along with the patient.
I hope and pray he makes a rapid and complete recovery. But for any guidance, assistance, information or clarifications, you know you can always depend on me ma'am. I am always here for your family and you.
Best wishes.
Unfortunately what we feared happened, but we shall overcome
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
I am really sorry to hear about this, but from our previous discussion I remember you were informed by a doctor that a stroke was ruled out?
Prognosis and recovery from a stroke mainly depends on how quickly it is diagnosed; my mother in the wee hours of the day experienced some difficulty in moving her right hand when she woke up for the morning prayers. My room (before marriage) was upstairs, and so she called me on my phone and asked me to come check on her, and being a doctor I soon recognised what was happening and rushed her to the hospital, treated her there, and then nursed her to health for the next 2 weeks at home. Now, praise God, you can't even tell she ever had a stroke by looking at her.
Physic can help anyone, even if it is by 5-10 %, it makes a big difference. Oral medications include statins (to help control the cholesterol/lipid profile), anticoagulants (mandatory), anti-hypertensives to control the blood pressure, and better blood glucose control. These medications should be taken for life.
If the stroke is minor, as was with my mother, oral medications, lifestyle modifications, and a specific diet can help sort the issue ma'am; no surgery would be required, but quarterly checkups on his progress and maintenance will be mandatory for the rest of his life.
Returning of mobility mainly depends on him, and how early we diagnosed the stroke ma'am; I would not like to say it is not possible, but it is not going to be easy. Things like fatty food, fried food, oily food, smoking, alcohol, stress, etc; cannot be a part of his life anymore.
Life after a stroke is mainly what helps prevent future strokes or cardiac events, so not only does it depend on his family (to support him, guide him, and also not to tempt him with unhealthy habits or food that can cause him harm). There is a saying where I live, prevention of future strokes and cardiac events depends on the family, the family makes lifestyle and dietary changes along with the patient.
I hope and pray he makes a rapid and complete recovery. But for any guidance, assistance, information or clarifications, you know you can always depend on me ma'am. I am always here for your family and you.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dads doppler scan has come back with no blockages so now they are saying maybe it isnt a stroke but his left leg just gives way with no idea why and this is causing him to fall aaaggghhhh feel like banging my head against a XXXXXXX wall
Brief Answer:
Ma'am, request for these tests for a better way forward
Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.
I understand this is getting frustrating and the best thing you can do right now is to request for:
+Nerve conduction studies
+Lumbar puncture
+Electromyography
These tests should provide us with more concrete results and a direction forward towards finding the cause for his presentation.
Best wishes..
Ma'am, request for these tests for a better way forward
Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.
I understand this is getting frustrating and the best thing you can do right now is to request for:
+Nerve conduction studies
+Lumbar puncture
+Electromyography
These tests should provide us with more concrete results and a direction forward towards finding the cause for his presentation.
Best wishes..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My dads left leg still keeps giving way and I am worried sick it will never recover. Dads discharge summary is as follows: bloods crp 28, hba1c 69, nil else remarkable
ECG: sinus tachycardia, US carotid doppler <50% stenosis b/l
Examination revealed Left LL 4/5 hip/knee extensions and the rest was not remarkable. A diagnosis of ischaemic stroke has been made.
CT brain report as above.
Sorry hba1c 60 not 69
CT report: long standing areas of focal low attenuation at the posterior aspect of the right striatum and within the left lentiform nucleus. No acute intracranial hammorhage or infarction. No evidence of acute intracranial abnormality.
ECG: sinus tachycardia, US carotid doppler <50% stenosis b/l
Examination revealed Left LL 4/5 hip/knee extensions and the rest was not remarkable. A diagnosis of ischaemic stroke has been made.
CT brain report as above.
Sorry hba1c 60 not 69
CT report: long standing areas of focal low attenuation at the posterior aspect of the right striatum and within the left lentiform nucleus. No acute intracranial hammorhage or infarction. No evidence of acute intracranial abnormality.
Brief Answer:
always here to help, don't lose hope, keep trying
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
The approach, now is to rehabilitate him well enough. This will include the following:
+Aspirin
+Statins (e.g. atorvastatin)
+Physiotherapy and/or exercise everyday
+Anti-hypertensives
+Continue good control of blood glucose
It takes a lot of time and patience to actually see results; and in some patients it may even take years to even show a 5-10 % improvement. But that should not stop you from trying ma'am. I am really sorry to hear about his limb function not returning to normal, but you will have to be stronger and keep trying. Make sure you have a physiotherapist who can visit home and get him to exercise at least twice a day (I did just that for my mother as well).
Best of luck ma'am.
always here to help, don't lose hope, keep trying
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
The approach, now is to rehabilitate him well enough. This will include the following:
+Aspirin
+Statins (e.g. atorvastatin)
+Physiotherapy and/or exercise everyday
+Anti-hypertensives
+Continue good control of blood glucose
It takes a lot of time and patience to actually see results; and in some patients it may even take years to even show a 5-10 % improvement. But that should not stop you from trying ma'am. I am really sorry to hear about his limb function not returning to normal, but you will have to be stronger and keep trying. Make sure you have a physiotherapist who can visit home and get him to exercise at least twice a day (I did just that for my mother as well).
Best of luck ma'am.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you my Dad is on all the above you mention and Physio are starting at home Tuesday. So with input he can get better? Dad does say leg doesnt feel quite as weak but he still fell
Brief Answer:
He will improve, but we cannot expect him to reach his full potential
Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.
Lets hope he does respond to the therapy and all the medications. Being bluntly honest with you ma'am, only about 30 % or lesser individuals who suffer a stroke return to their pre-stroke state and function. Even my mother, although you cannot tell through her physical appearance and activity that she ever had a stroke, but she does suffer from some limitations and quite often pain.
So we can only hope for the best ma'am, but do not expect him to return to his complete previous potential, sadly.
Best of luck.
He will improve, but we cannot expect him to reach his full potential
Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.
Lets hope he does respond to the therapy and all the medications. Being bluntly honest with you ma'am, only about 30 % or lesser individuals who suffer a stroke return to their pre-stroke state and function. Even my mother, although you cannot tell through her physical appearance and activity that she ever had a stroke, but she does suffer from some limitations and quite often pain.
So we can only hope for the best ma'am, but do not expect him to return to his complete previous potential, sadly.
Best of luck.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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