Clot buster operation for Stroke.

Clot-buster operation that 'brings stroke sufferers back to life': Treatment could help 8,000 patients by removing blockages using three-foot wire

• * Up to 8,000 stroke sufferers a year will benefit from the revolutionary technique 
• * Process works for more people and is far more effective than traditional drugs 
• * Procedure involves removing devastating blood clots which cause strokes

A treatment for strokes that can bring patients ‘back to life’ on the operating table is becoming available across the NHS.

Up to 8,000 stroke sufferers a year will benefit from the revolutionary technique, which works for more people and is far more effective than traditional drugs.

The procedure – called a mechanical thrombectomy – involves carefully removing the devastating blood clots which cause strokes from deep within the brain using a three-foot long wire.

Up to 8,000 stroke sufferers a year will benefit from the revolutionary technique, which works for more people and is far more effective than traditional drugs

Until now, doctors have mainly used drugs to dissolve the blood clots – but the chemicals can have severe side effects, and do not work at all in about 15 per cent of patients with the most severe strokes.

Patients treated with the new procedure have an 80 to 90 per cent chance of success, compared with 30 per cent using clot-busting drugs.

For further information, follow the link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4400014/Clot-buster-operation-brings-stroke-sufferers-life.html

** I am still maintaining progress and although I don't always see it,  people who have not seen me for a while notice the difference.

In the main I keep reasonably well, but there are still things that I cannot do which can cause me frustration rather than despondency. 

I am more active, which is good, but this in turn still causes exhaustion and sore limbs, muscles and joints. Although I shower daily, I occasionally use Epsom Salts in a bath which relieve the tired muscles.  It does feel as though it  can be a vicious circle at times but that is the consequence of progress and wanting to conquer the effects of my Stroke.

I still cannot blow my nose properly and it has been suggested that I could improve on this situation by trying to extinguish a candle by blowing down my nose! Well, I'm prepared to try anything and will have to see what happens!

New Year & Fresh Start

We are now three and a half weeks into the New Year, and what once again will be a fresh start with the whole year ahead.

I have been "off air" for a few months, but it hasn't been without incident. I fell in September and, to my dismay, fell in exactly the same place at home a couple of months later. I shook myself up again, but thankfully did not hurt my bad arm the second time. I spent much of the time sitting around, reading and preparing for Christmas, but now feel that it is time to put effort into my recovery particularly my stamina levels which have significantly dropped. A hard lesson to learn - no matter what - you must keep up with exercising and doing as much walking as you can manage.
It is the old adage: Use it, or Lose it.
I am back on track and managing to walk a bit further each day, thankfully the weather has been mainly dry and not too cold.

Sitting, gave me time to reflect on what a different way of life I now have. I have never been angry about what has happened, just extremely thankful for all the support that has been given to me, unconditionally. If I do lay awake at night in bed, I sometimes think about some simple arm exercises that I can be doing and Yes, I do them!! I owe such a lot to the professionals set got me on the road to recovery and I owe it to them not to give up.

I still:
Can be forgetful,  get muddled,  soon tire easily,  still type certain letter groups the wrong way round eg: ht instead of th. and thte for the
Cannot get in or out of the bath.
Cannot blow my nose!
Can be full of intention one day and have no intentions the next.     The list goes on . .

However, I can:
Walk,  how far depends on how I am on any one day
Get dressed and washed,  have only some anxieties about going to new places,
Have no anxieties about ordering food which I want to eat and not what I know that I can manage.
Eat left handed
Write, (of a fashion), left handed
Put clothes on the washing line - using my teeth to hold the pegs!!
Fasten zips and tie shoe laces - these needed hours of practice.

I miss:
Driving the car & being able to go where and when I want.

Reading this back has re-inforced my determination to conquer my Stroke and for this I have two role models: one a cousin of mine and the other the amazing
Jill Bolte aylor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU

A new year, a new set of challenges to be set and overcome.

Snap! Shut the Box . . .

The following was taken from BBC News/Health 28th June 2016:

Playing simple card games, such as snap, can help stroke patients with their recovery, say Canadian researchers.

The scientists found it improved patients' motor skills.

Playing Jenga, bingo or a games consol like Wii worked equally well.

They told the Lancet Neurology that the type of task used for motor rehabilitation might be less relevant, as long as it is intensive, repetitive and gets the hands and arms moving.

The researchers designed their study to test whether virtual reality gaming, which is increasingly being employed as a rehab therapy for stroke patients, is any better than more traditional games for honing upper limb motor skills.

The Canadian team recruited 141 patients who had recently suffered a stroke, and now had some impaired movement in one or both of their hands and arms.

Approximately half of the patients, at random, were then allocated to the Wii rehab, while the rest were asked to do other recreational activities, such as playing cards.

All of the patients continued to receive usual stroke rehabilitation care and support on top of the 10, one-hour sessions of gaming or card playing for a fortnight.

Both groups showed significant improvement in their motor skills at the end of the two weeks and four weeks later.

Importantly, both groups fared equally well, say the researchers.

While it's not clear from this study how much of the improvement was from the regular stroke care the participants received, other research suggests adding in more therapy is beneficial.

Investigator Dr Gustavo Saposnik, from St Michael's Hospital in Toronto, said: "We all like technology and have the tendency to think that new technology is better than old-fashioned strategies, but sometimes that's not the case. In this study, we found that simple recreational activities that can be implemented anywhere may be as effective as technology."

Alexis Wieroniey of the UK's Stroke Association said the findings were particularly encouraging because they suggest that inexpensive, easily accessible activities can help some stroke survivors in their recovery.

"Thousands of stroke survivors are left with mobility problems, and this can lead to a devastating loss of independence," she added.

** When I was an in-patient and as soon as was able to after my Stroke, I took delivery of a daily newspaper and tried to complete the crossword. This was always done prior to me reading the news.
I played "Shut The Box" and simple card games with friends and family to stimulate my brain.
Early participation, I strongly believe helped me to "kick start" my brain and motor skills. These days I use a Colouring Book - start with simple and progress. There are also Apps  to download.

It is a challenge, but that is what recovery is all about -
KEEP CHALLENGING.

Trial of device to aid Hand Movement

Stroke patients are starting a trial of a new electronic device to recover movement and control of their hand.

Neuroscientists at Newcastle University have developed the device, the size of a mobile phone, which delivers a series of small electrical shocks followed by an audible click to strengthen brain and spinal connections.

The experts believe this could revolutionise treatment for patients, providing a wearable solution to the effects of Stroke.

A miniaturised device which delivers an audible click followed by a weak electric shock to the arm muscle to strengthen the brain's connection has been developed. Stroke patients in the trial wear an earpiece and a pad on each arm, linked by wires to the device so that the click and shock can be continually delivered to them.

Research is vital to aid recovery of many conditions and this seems really positive and must give hope to Stroke sufferers. It is now more then 7 years since my life changing Stroke and my hand has not yet recovered. I am still keeping up with exercises and the use of the SaeboGlove and remain optimistic that one day I will fully recover.  This research must give fresh and renewed optimism to the thousands of people who strive to recover.

To read more - follow the link

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/news/2016/10/strokerecoverydevicestuartbaker/

Temporarily Switching Tactics

Today I have had an appointment with my Neuro-physiotherapist at hospital and as always we started with an update on my condition.
As my right arm and hand are still recovering from my fall. it has been decided to temporarily suspend the wearing of the SaeboGlove until they are both fully fit and able to start exercising again.

In the meantime another set of exercises and appliances are to be used to aid my walking gait. I have often thought that it may be beneficial to use two "walking poles" so that there is better equilibrium. This in turn may help the continual cycle of sore neck and shoulders and even hips.

Firstly, I used a trolley, as shown, just to exercise with. It was quite amazing how much better my arm felt after stretching.

The exercises were to simply push the trolley forwards and backwards: firstly in-front of the body and then out to the right and left side - performing each task a number of times before changing direction. the fourth exercise was to move the trolley in a sweeping manoeuvre in a semi-circle from side to side.  No walking is required, but you must allow the body to move with the trolley. This has to  be done only in the house. No walking outside with one.

So, this will be my next routine over the next six weeks, before moving on to the next progression of Fischer Walking Sticks.



I tried out a Fischer Walking Stick, as shown below.  It was fitted so that the handle was elbow height, if it is any lower it can cause the shoulder to drag downwards. This again felt comfortable and used as a pair it will aid walking quite significantly. The affected arm still needs reminding that it has a purpose. I try at every opportunity to use the right hand, but it is not always cooperative.

The next progression after the Fischer sticks will be to use Leki, (walking), poles. See right.

All of this will take time, however, the result will mean that my walking and posture will be significantly improved and this can only be a positive outcome. Another few months is a short time.

One step forwards - two steps backwards

As you may know, if you read this blog regularly, I never look back at what I have previously written about. I write when I feel "the need to" or when I would simply like to update my progress in relation to what I have been doing.

This year is proving to be somewhat of a roller coaster regarding my health issues and whilst I may not always like what is happening, I have to keep reminding myself that I do not have any control of how my body will react to situations. Frustration still pays a large part of my emotions, but it is all too easy to "get bogged down" or to concede defeat.

In June we had a great family time together, something which is a rarity at present, but since then my health has been somewhat indifferent. I am still sporadically troubled with fatigue and neck pain, which can cause headaches.
.
The last six weeks have been eventful - some of it in a good way and some not. All of this has left me very debilitated once more and meant that my right arm and hand has not been working to a standard which I had achieved. My stamina levels have dropped, it is almost as if my body has just shut down to concentrate on helping me to recover again.   Once more I am travelling around the circle.

Over the last month and a half to aid my recovery I have again had acupuncture almost weekly to help to combat the fatigue and headaches. This has really assisted me and after a block of five sessions my stamina has improved. I have also required treatment on my neck and to  re-align my body.

I have been told that: "I am running on determination" and in a way I guess that I am, but I couldn't have got to my current level of recovery without solid support from family, friends and professionals.
However, I know that I have still some way to go to recover as much as I can and that exercising is one of the key factors in achieving this.

I am sure that the weather can play its part in determining how joints, muscles and nerves "behave". In the winter months my arm and hand tighten significantly, whilst in the warmer weather everything is so much more relaxed.
I have noticed recently that changes in atmospheric pressure can make a difference in relation to headaches and "swimmy heads".

Update: Yesterday I fell whilst getting out of the shower, my left foot slipped on the bath mat and I slid and banged my right shoulder on the washbasin. Sadly, this is my affected arm and it has left me not only a little shaken, but also feeling bruised around the shoulder and neck area. I have also possibly overstretched my neck muscles and right leg muscles. So, it is now enforced rest once again.

**Eating and drinking properly keeps energy levels up and in the colder months will assist the body to cope with colder temperatures and also trying to stay active will improve circulation.

Once my current levels have stamina have sufficiently  improved I am considering a return to the Chairobics classes.

Merry Go Round

Here I am, back again.

I am currently in a rather "unsettled" phase once more.  I am experiencing neck, back, upper leg and knee problems which I cannot seem to be rid of. Whilst this is disappointing, I cannot do much about it only rest and put into practice what I tell others to do, which seems quite a tall order on some days.

I am not despondent about things - more frustrated - that I cannot fully shake off what has been with me now intermittently for some months. It is hard knowing that I have previously been so much better, but I have to accept that I will recover.

I have had weekly acupuncture appointments for the last four weeks and these have helped in some way with my stamina levels. Deep tissue massages have assisted with the pains in my legs - but only on a temporary basis.
I find that when I sit down for any length of time that my hamstring muscles seem to be affected as do the muscles at the back of my knees. I can have a sensation of "prickliness" at the top of my leg. Going up and downstairs can cause a sharp pain in the front of my knees.

It is very easy to sit and contemplate all kinds of scenarios that may be incorrect, but I have never contemplated looking at the internet for possible causes. I am assured by the professionals who look after me that I have not got cellulitis or that I will need knee replacements!!! See how easy it could be to contemplate issues that there are no signs of!

Maybe it is "nature's way" of slowing me down and aiding my recovery from this temporary blip.
As frustrating as it can be, if I don't listen to what my body is telling me my recovery from this will only be prolonged.

It has been a busy family time with more trips than usual to Lancashire to see them. In three weeks we travel to London to have a family weekend with our sons and celebrate our grandson's first birthday.

I do not like taking more medication than is prescribed for me and I have been recommended the use of Wood Lock Oil which is an analgesic made from menthol, camphor,turpentine, cinnamon and peppermint. It is widely used for a variety of pains and strains and can temporarily increase circulation. I use this for tight muscles as an aid for relaxation. As in  traditional Chinese medicine terminology it increases the heat of an area which can soothe soreness and improve the flow of energy. It can be rubbed into the affected area by pressing the oil down into the skin. It must be used sparingly two - three drops only - and a spot test should be done prior to use to test for allergies.
I must stress that I find this product to be of benefit, however it may not be suitable for others and I accept no responsibility.

Over the years I have not only had the help of professionals but have also devised my own version of exercising. I am coming up to the 7th anniversary if my Stroke and although it is not always "plain sailing" I am still Work -in-Progress towards my goal of combating it.