Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: SonsQuest on 10/09/2003 04:29:32
-
A little over a year ago my father hard a serious head injury. He went through all the classic states: lost of memory, fear, headache, etc. A few months ago it was determine that my father had some blood leak into his brain, and that cause serious damage. Currently my father can't think straight, starts shaking from his arms and legs, is seeing things, and is having panic attacks.
It’s been over a year and my father hasn't showed any sign of improvement. I understand that this kind of injuries take time, but is there anything I could do or my family can do to speed up the process.
It’s very hard to seem my father in this state. He has always been an active and a handy man around the house. The entire family always looks towards him for strength and an encouragement. My father is a good man and this shouldn’t happen to him, I would of rather it happen to me. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
-
Xavier,
I hope you get some answers here. I'm sorry to hear about your father and commend you for being a good son. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Good luck.
-
I'm sorry to hear what has happened. Head injuries can have terrible consequences. When you say he 'shakes', he's not fitting is he ? Epilepsy is common after head injuries. Alternatively there may be injury to the part of the brain which controls fine movements and balance - how is his speech ?
Another common consequence of head injury is depression and anxiety afterwards. Neurologists put this down to lots of nerve fibres being torn inside the brain during the impact. This known as "diffuse axonal injury". These symptoms do improve slowly, and he might respond to anti-depressants if he is not already on them.
In cases like this it's very hard to offer any concrete advice because I've not seen the patient, but as you contend, recovery can be difficult to predict. I think you should also be prepared to accept that at least some, if not all, of your dad's disability might turn out to be permanent because whilst we can replace and repair some parts of the body, the brain and spinal cord and just too complicated to fix and have to be relied upon to do the job themselves as best they can.
What you can do is to be as supportive and caring as possible, keep your dad active, stimulated occupied to prevent depression and encourage him to rebuild his confidence. It does take longer to teach an older dog new tricks but things can improve. Best wishes
Chris
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
-
Anything new in the stem cell therapy arena? I think that holds the most promise for many people.
SonsQuest, keep your hopes up. I know someone who had a head injury and was "supposed to" die. Her vision, voice, and fine motor skills are still somewhat affected, but she is a happy and mobile woman.
-
Donnah!!!,
Good to see you back!
Hope Vegas was fun. I don't want to stray from SonsQuest's topic, I just wanted to welcome you back.
-
Medication could help a lot of his symptoms. But try to find a psychopharmacologist. That's a doc that specializes in psychiatric drugs. Your local AMA could probably give you a lead. If not, call the psychiatric hospitals in your area, and speak to one of the nurses, not the doctors (the docs refer on the basis of who they play golf or tennis with, not necessarily who's good at what they do, cause they don't always work with them to know) and get a suggestion for a referral. Then drag your Dad to the doc. The panic attacks can definitely be treated, as can much of the anxiety.
-
Thanks Ronnie, it's great to be back and yes, we had soooooo much fun!
-
Fist things first, thanks for all the advise and prayers. Recently, we saw a well know head doctor and cleared up somethings. First, he does agree that there was bleeding in the head but wasn't serious, since he didn't die or went into a comma. Second, he believes that my father has more of a metal injury rather than a physical injury. Meaning that its like 30% physical and 70% metal. I am no doctor but that the best way that I can describe what he said (can't remember his name right now).
Now my father has been getting a HIGHER level of anti-depression drugs. Its been close to week and he seems clammer, but also not all there.
Thanks for the replies, and if you hear of anything that might help let me know. Thanks alot.
-
The best fine tuning of any of the medication will come from a psychopharmacologist, as I suggested, however, that is not to say that a regular psychiatrist might not be just as effective. Try to remember that most of the drugs they will use on him will cause sedation at first -- almost to the zombie point sometimes -- but after taking them for a while, the sedation part wears off. So my advice is not just to discontinue medications because he's too sleepy. Give them a decent trial, and if you really think he's too knocked out, then call the doc before you fool with the medicines of dosages yourself.
Your Dad must be proud to have you for a son. I hope we have been of help to you, and don't hesitate to keep asking away. It's the best way I know of to get the help you need. Best wishes and prayers for you and your Dad.
Bezoar