What could be causing these post stroke symptoms?
The thalamus is a very important part of the brain, and a stroke there can be quite debilitating.
First, with regard to the limb pain, this is very common after a thalamic stroke. It is similar to the phantom limb pain people complain about after a limb amputation - the body simply doesn't know how to interpret a lesion in the sensory neurons coming from the limb through the thalamus, and mis-interprets this as pain. In my experience, it is best treated with the medicines amitriptyline, nortriptyline, gabapentin, Lyrica, or possibly Cymbalta.
The headaches may also be from the stroke, and a headache disorder which started because of the stroke, and the above mentioned medications can be very helpful. Topiramate is another effective headache medicine, but you might find that it makes her speech problems a bit worse. I strongly agree with your doctors, however, on the need for a angiogram and a spinal tap - to make sure that there is nothing else at work, such as an autoimmune attack against the brain or the vessels in the brain.
The difficulty with speech is not uncommonly seen after a left thalamic stroke. It should improve slowly over time. Usually, the most improvements are seen over the first 3-6 months, and come very slowly.
So sorry to hear about your mom. My husband (47 years old) had a Left thalamic stroke (hemorrhagic) about 1 month ago. He didn't know he was having a stroke. They say the stroke was mild but with a lot of bleeding. He woke up to loud noises in his right ear and right ear pressure. This is what caused him to initially seek treatment. He was diagnosed with tinnitus (not stroke) and could not get any relief. He also started having random pain in his body that would come and go. He was sent for an MRI 2 weeks after.....diagnosed with the stroke. Still not much treatment....and no relief with the noises in his ear.....which has been constant. It is an awful symptom. He did get some improvement with pain from Nortryptilline. However, he does not mind the pain as much as the haunting sound. I am heartbroken and exhausted that there is no treatment for the ear sounds. It is an awful feeling not to know what to do. :(
Is there any treatment for loud noise and pressure in ear...post left thalamic stroke (hemorrhagic)????? Any help appreciate.
Tamala, it sounds like your mom has a classis case of Central Pain Syndrome (CPS.)Take a look at http://www.painonline.org/ and see what you think.
This is a result of her brain injury. Drugs as as anti-convulsants may help her, especially at robust dosages. Talk to your neurologist and see if she or he is familiar with it. Be sure to print out the definition and bring it with you - sometimes we have to educate the professionals!
I wish your mom fast success in getting effective treatment. Untreated CPS is agony that most people cannot even begin to comprehend. Actually, they don't WANT to comprehend it; it's too awful to think of it.
Bless you for being your mom's angel.
Tamala: Blessings to you and your mother. I had a left thalamic stroke in July of this year; in fact it was on the 4th. Since therapy I've had severe pains in the left side of my face, arm, leg and hand. I am on gabepentin, which helps only temporarily for me. The headaches come and go, but the doctor told me that I would have various type pains. I also lost my taste and smell. Everything that goes into my mouth has a metellic taste and the more seasonings that is in or on the food taste worse. I sometimes rather deal with the pain than this taste or smell. However, I have to focus on the fact that it could have been worse and there are others worse than I. Waiting to get better can be agonizing, but knowing tht someone cares makes things more easier each day. Be encourage with each new moment.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CPS_ALLIANCE/ JOIN US. WE CAN HELP WITH INFORMATION AND SUPPORT. HUGS MARY
My husband had a hemmorrhagic CVD last Dec 31 2010. It was devastating but God provided me all the strength including the guidance to his doctor. A lot of people came to pray for him. Inspite of the financial problems I am having now, I think he will get well. He was give high doses of cerebrolysin, neuroaid and a lot of vitamins. Now, he can walk and talk normally. His brain functions normally including sex. My problem is he is losing appetite and his eyes are blurred sometimes specially when he is walking. His doctor provided him neurotain, melatonin and valsartan 160 mg. I hope your mom will get well. She will need a lot of hugs and encouragement including you. I am offering God prayers for your mom to experience Gods love by healing her. God bless.
My husband had two concurrent strokes in 2008; one in the left thalamus and one in the cerebellum. While he doesn't have any pain or headaches like your Mom does, he does have vascular dementia as a result of the permanent brain damage. It is kind of like mild-moderate Alzheimer's, although in some aspects he almost fully recovered from the strokes. Physically he is fine, but he has many cognitive problems and language problems with word finding, etc.
He was driving when the strokes hit. He was pulled over by the police and suspected of DUI, although the breath-alyzer (3x) showed 0.00%. He doesn't drink. Anyway, he was in jail for seven hours before I could bail him out and get him to a hospital, where the two strokes were confirmed. At any rate, he couldn't get proper stroke care because it had been so long since the strokes occurred (although nobody knew exactly when each stroke hit; both happened sometime during that day).
He went through six months of intensive speech and occupational therapy but he is still disabled.
I certainly can empathize with anyone who is caring for a post stroke survivor.
L.L.
I am a right thalamic stroke. I am on heavy pain meds but for the first time since my stroke my left side is not on fire. The worst is not being able to breathe. I have had pain to the point of blacking out. And I thought a 50 hour labor was bad! Other symptoms altered sensation on left side. Not knowing where I am in space, feel like walking on clouds sometimes. Altered temperature tolerance big time. Slept 22 hours a day the first years. Lost my ability to "check" what I was going to say before I just blurted things out. Loss of appitite, everything taste the same, like nothing, so I have trouble with weight sometimes. I was a ER, CCU/ICU, oncology nurse for 17 years before my stroke. Doctors will hold back giving elderly pain meds because their bodies hold onto the drugs because of decreased kidney function (normal part of aging). Personally I think anyone in pain should be treated appropriately, not for the doctors comfort. Hope this helps. Best of luck to all.
