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grandmalin0f8 Asked January 2015

Anyone caring for someone, who suffered a left brain stroke and has anger issues?

Husband is 66 yrs. old and very deaf, especially in right ear. I have severe asthma and can't speak really loud, I have to repeat loudly 3-4 times before he can hear what I said. This is his 3rd. stroke and the first 2 occurred on the right side of brain, with no side effects. This massive left brain stroke has left him very angry and disagreeable. Speech is improving due to once a wk. speech therapy and home work from therapist. Spelling has become worse then it was before. Has left me angry at him and very depressed/frustrated. Looking for a caregiver support group in the Appleton, WI area that focuses on strokes only. Preferably no further than 5-10 miles from Appleton. Even willing to join a support group on-line. My husband is a Viet Nam War Veteran and don't know if the Veterans Administration holds support groups or not and how to find out. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can give. I am truly burnout. His stroke occurred November 17, 2014 and just looking for others to talk to.

Bella7 Apr 2018
She has been on a low dosage of Paxil for years for depression. I see now where seeing a geriatric psychiatrist would be best choice.

BarbBrooklyn Apr 2018
Bella, can you get mom to a geriatric psychiatrist? It sounds like she needs a more holistic look at her anxiety issues.  Is she on an antidepressant?

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Bella7 Apr 2018
Mom woke yesterday with shaky hands and as the morning progressed to another anxiety attack. This time nothing provoked it, it just came out of nowhere. She was given a .25 Xanax, which just makes her want to sleep so she could not participate in her therapy she needs again that day. 
I'm guessing this anxiety is a result of maybe dementia starting? cognitive decline? loss of reasoning ?   She always has been a bit of a control freak. 😉When problems go wrong in the assisted living, for example, CNAs or RN not doing their job correctly or forgetting meds of hers and other residents or even the lunch servers messing things up she has the need to tell them about it and try to fix it.
Taking her in near future to a Geri doc.
Need suggestions.

Llamalover47 Mar 2018
Bella, I could probably tell you anything you wanted to know about strokes. Let me know your questions.

BarbBrooklyn Mar 2018
So, Bella, my mom became very anxious as she aged. She apparently had a stroke that we didnt know about. The result was some cognitive impairment and a HUGE anxiety problem.

A geriatric psychiatrist switched her from Xanax as needed to a regular, very tiny dose of Klonopin. I seem to recall that the Klonopin pills were the smallest possible dosage, cut in half.

Bella7 Mar 2018
thanks

Bella7 Mar 2018
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 💜

Bella7 Mar 2018
Found this question from three years ago but it kind of related to what I needed to ask here...
My mom has had a small stroke in the brainstem recently and has had previous numerous TIAs in the past.
The TIAs left her with weakness in the legs but with therapy she has come along way but now since this last stroke, her legs are much weaker and has greater anxiety/anger issues, mainly with certain family members and a few nurses at her assisted living. Her neurologist prescribed .25 mg Xanax twice a day which makes her want to do nothing but sleep. It has caused her shakiness to disappear along with the anxiety but she's very drowsy when awake.  I talked with the neurologist today and he discontinued the Xanax to only as needed. When I took her to the Neuro Monday to have him read the MRI he said that her anxiety is just going to be something there, that it is an effect from the stroke.
My question is, from other experiences here, should MOM be taking Xanax regularly to keep anxiety/rage away or help her work on learning how to let things go ?   Sometimes not everyone knows when they're going to be faced with a situation that's going to cause them anxiety! 🤔
Or be OK with the two doses a day of Xanax and her wanting to be in bed all day ? Being sleepy like this makes her not want to do her therapy to gain back strength in her legs.

hugable Jan 2015
Check with the VA. They have counciling and and you can get support for you too.

Llamalover47 Jan 2015
You've truly come to the right site for people to talk to, guide you and help you! I found this site when living out of state with my Mother (half a year away from my Maryland home) in Massachusetts. It helped me from going insane!

Llamalover47 Jan 2015
Sorry to say that the individual who had the stroke is going to be angry. He wants his independence back, but sadly that is not going to happen. The best thing to do is to follow the doctor's protocol.

N1K2R3 Jan 2015
Grandmalin, Why is anger an issue here? Both of you? Something is wrong. Three ischemic strokes is not the usual path........too much. I assume he is on the Coumadin or the Pradaxa. Check with the Neurologist on the dosage.

pamstegma Jan 2015
Xanax and Zoloft helps. Ask the MD

N1K2R3 Jan 2015
Most ischemic strokes occur on the left side of the brain, so you need to find out all you can on what to do next. I might suggest O C, as well as P T, and speech therapy. He definitely needs a hearing aid (s), and may benefit from American Sign Language, for important communications such as "Yes", "No", and other statements.

Christine73 Jan 2015
My husband had a stroke, too, due to a doctor's error during him bypass surgery. I just want to give to hope that this "brain damage anger/rage" is something the person can learn to better control. There is hope. You are not alone. You guys can get past this with help.

pamstegma Jan 2015
St. Elizabeth Hospital has a support group.
1506 S. Oneida Street ,Appleton, WI
4th Monday of the month 6 pm - 7:30 pm
Mitch Cornils, mitch@soarfoxcities.com
(920) 731-9831, x111 or go to website biaw.org

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