Here is an article on lack of appetite that might help you.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003121.htm

On the Lexapro my fathers pulmonary doctor increased my Dad from 20 mg to 40 mg a day, a 10mg dose is a very low dose, you might want to talk with his physician.

I don't what it is called but there is also a medication that helps increase appetite.

My personal opinion is the elderly do much better living at home with family than in any type of rehab.

Here is an article on lack of appetite that might help you.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003121.htm

On the Lexapro my fathers pulmonary doctor increased my Dad from 20 mg to 40 mg a day, a 10mg dose is a very low dose, you might want to talk with his physician.

I don't what it is called but there is also a medication that helps increase appetite.

My personal opinion is the elderly do much better living at home with family than in any type of rehab.

p...i wish i could think of something specific that might help you out. my husband had a big deal left hemisphere stroke a year ago. he, also, went to acute rehab for awhile before coming home. quite unexpectedly, he was hospitalized for 2 wks at christmas this year...the severe aphasia had returned (turned out it was sub clinical seizure activity---only 'visible' thing was meaningful language was gone again.) similar to your dad, he, too, had been working until the stroke(he's 82--). so much loss. that's what's striking me about your dad, too. such a shock and so much loss. my husband loves lots of music, so i used that to help time make sense. i didn't worry about 'balanced diet'--just whatever he wanted at all, he got for food. we lucked out with the sp/lang person. that's a key one. also, as much as possible i try to have things be consistent and predictable. i sit in on all the therapy sessions and find myself using some of the strategies from the SLP's to communicate. not all of it, but parts of the book, My Stroke of Insight, I found helpful. I limited who visits and for how long. I also continue to let him sleep...avoid waking him up. My feeling is that his brain has been traumatized and is trying to begin to repair itself; it needs sleep. However, it sounds as if your dad is experiencing a greater level of depression, so i don't know how you know how to balance 'what's good'. I kept a notebook to follow each of the medical things that happened...like med changes...therapy people switching times, etc. then, i also kept (keep) a journal for myself so i keep track of my own feelings. i join my husband in "non activity activities" sometimes still... like sit next to him doing sudoko while he just sits. i make it a point to minimize stimulation (even the music) in the environment; his brain is trying to not only repair but make millions of new connections...i can't imagine. i make it a point to accentuate the positive. for instance, i believe you mentioned your dad already has some of his movement back. that's great--without being condescending, it seems important to acknowledge this positive change to him. anyway, all the best to you and positive energy to both your dad and you.

p...i wish i could think of something specific that might help you out. my husband had a big deal left hemisphere stroke a year ago. he, also, went to acute rehab for awhile before coming home. quite unexpectedly, he was hospitalized for 2 wks at christmas this year...the severe aphasia had returned (turned out it was sub clinical seizure activity---only 'visible' thing was meaningful language was gone again.) similar to your dad, he, too, had been working until the stroke(he's 82--). so much loss. that's what's striking me about your dad, too. such a shock and so much loss. my husband loves lots of music, so i used that to help time make sense. i didn't worry about 'balanced diet'--just whatever he wanted at all, he got for food. we lucked out with the sp/lang person. that's a key one. also, as much as possible i try to have things be consistent and predictable. i sit in on all the therapy sessions and find myself using some of the strategies from the SLP's to communicate. not all of it, but parts of the book, My Stroke of Insight, I found helpful. I limited who visits and for how long. I also continue to let him sleep...avoid waking him up. My feeling is that his brain has been traumatized and is trying to begin to repair itself; it needs sleep. However, it sounds as if your dad is experiencing a greater level of depression, so i don't know how you know how to balance 'what's good'. I kept a notebook to follow each of the medical things that happened...like med changes...therapy people switching times, etc. then, i also kept (keep) a journal for myself so i keep track of my own feelings. i join my husband in "non activity activities" sometimes still... like sit next to him doing sudoko while he just sits. i make it a point to minimize stimulation (even the music) in the environment; his brain is trying to not only repair but make millions of new connections...i can't imagine. i make it a point to accentuate the positive. for instance, i believe you mentioned your dad already has some of his movement back. that's great--without being condescending, it seems important to acknowledge this positive change to him. anyway, all the best to you and positive energy to both your dad and you.

I read your post and felt I had to write something, anything. The stroke w/your dad is still relatively new. My husband had a massive stroke on left side 3 1/2 yrs ago. He has recovered most use of right leg but arm and hand have not recovered. He has severe speech aphasia also. We had a wonderful speech therapist for a number of months then she went on maternity leave. Therpist after that pushed too hard in different direction and my husband became frustrated and gave up. He doesnt try much which is hard for me as he was always very articulate and loved a good discussion. I miss hearing his real voice. He was 58 when he had his stroke so relatively young.

I understand that depression is a common problem w/stroke survivors. My husband also is being treated w/effexor. He has also been on cymbalta but wasnt as good results. I know getting him out of house to a movie, visiting our family and our 2 yrs old grand-daughters visits do more good than taking the meds. But w/o them he would be less able to enjoy the good things

If your Dad is doing so well w/use of right side again is there a reason that he has to be in a facility? Dont misunderstand. I am not being critical of your situation. I just know that going from working at a job and I am guessing living in my own home to waking up not being able to speak and going from hospital to rehab facility your dad's life is not what he calls his life anymore. He must have been independent to still be working at the time of his stroke. I would be depressed too.

I have had to put myself in my husbands position more than once just to make sense of it all and to make myself know that he is still in there.

The previous writer is right in acknowledging the good, the progress. Whenever my husband gets really down I remind him of the day he couldnt walk at all, the times he couldnt get into the bathtub or use the commode at all. He can do soooo many thngs now and I know if I keep pushing him he will do more. The jury is still out on however much more he will recover. I just ask him to keep trying becuz we dont know hom much more he can do.

So hug your Dad a bit extra hard when you see him & tell him how very happy it makes you to see how well he is doing and that you pray every day he understands how much he is loved.

Take heart in the fact you are not alone in all of this. Best of luck to you and your family and keep the faith!

I read your post and felt I had to write something, anything. The stroke w/your dad is still relatively new. My husband had a massive stroke on left side 3 1/2 yrs ago. He has recovered most use of right leg but arm and hand have not recovered. He has severe speech aphasia also. We had a wonderful speech therapist for a number of months then she went on maternity leave. Therpist after that pushed too hard in different direction and my husband became frustrated and gave up. He doesnt try much which is hard for me as he was always very articulate and loved a good discussion. I miss hearing his real voice. He was 58 when he had his stroke so relatively young.

I understand that depression is a common problem w/stroke survivors. My husband also is being treated w/effexor. He has also been on cymbalta but wasnt as good results. I know getting him out of house to a movie, visiting our family and our 2 yrs old grand-daughters visits do more good than taking the meds. But w/o them he would be less able to enjoy the good things

If your Dad is doing so well w/use of right side again is there a reason that he has to be in a facility? Dont misunderstand. I am not being critical of your situation. I just know that going from working at a job and I am guessing living in my own home to waking up not being able to speak and going from hospital to rehab facility your dad's life is not what he calls his life anymore. He must have been independent to still be working at the time of his stroke. I would be depressed too.

I have had to put myself in my husbands position more than once just to make sense of it all and to make myself know that he is still in there.

The previous writer is right in acknowledging the good, the progress. Whenever my husband gets really down I remind him of the day he couldnt walk at all, the times he couldnt get into the bathtub or use the commode at all. He can do soooo many thngs now and I know if I keep pushing him he will do more. The jury is still out on however much more he will recover. I just ask him to keep trying becuz we dont know hom much more he can do.

So hug your Dad a bit extra hard when you see him & tell him how very happy it makes you to see how well he is doing and that you pray every day he understands how much he is loved.

Take heart in the fact you are not alone in all of this. Best of luck to you and your family and keep the faith!

May the Lord renew your dad's strength to his entire body. He sent His Word and healed him. Ps. 107:20. Keep reading the Word to your dad and watch God heal him.

God Bless, Anne

May the Lord renew your dad's strength to his entire body. He sent His Word and healed him. Ps. 107:20. Keep reading the Word to your dad and watch God heal him.

God Bless, Anne

Dear P, I am so sorry, I know what you are saying, it is so hard to see your loved one so sad. I too had a husband that suffered a massive stroke and died at a early age of 53.

Fighting depression is an ongoing battle with me. I have tried every anti-depressant on the market and had electric shock treatments. The shock treatments did not work for me but I have witness them working for others.

I could not take lexapro, I am on Wellbutrin 150 SR., this has worked for me as well as the old fashion Prozac. The trouble with anti-depressants as you know, they take a couple weeks before you can feel any changes.

The only thing that helped me was helping others when they needed me.

Really when my friend had heart by-pass surgery and needed help, I rallied and forgot about my own sadness.

This was the only thing that helped me...now I'm talking about me, someone that could not get out of bed, take a shower, see friends and thought about suicide all the time. I would wake up each morning saying "Oh god how am I going to get through this day." Stay strong and try to get him involved.

Much Love, Christine

Dear P, I am so sorry, I know what you are saying, it is so hard to see your loved one so sad. I too had a husband that suffered a massive stroke and died at a early age of 53.

Fighting depression is an ongoing battle with me. I have tried every anti-depressant on the market and had electric shock treatments. The shock treatments did not work for me but I have witness them working for others.

I could not take lexapro, I am on Wellbutrin 150 SR., this has worked for me as well as the old fashion Prozac. The trouble with anti-depressants as you know, they take a couple weeks before you can feel any changes.

The only thing that helped me was helping others when they needed me.

Really when my friend had heart by-pass surgery and needed help, I rallied and forgot about my own sadness.

This was the only thing that helped me...now I'm talking about me, someone that could not get out of bed, take a shower, see friends and thought about suicide all the time. I would wake up each morning saying "Oh god how am I going to get through this day." Stay strong and try to get him involved.

Much Love, Christine

May god bless you im so sorry. I hate stroke's Fr wayne

May god bless you im so sorry. I hate stroke's Fr wayne

Poochies; As one of the other posters said, 3 months since the stroke is a very short time. The odds are that your father will continue to improve for yrs. My husband had a Traumatic Brain Injury 3 yrs ago. The names and causes differ, but both stokes and TBI's cause damage by interrupting the blood/oxygen to the brain. So, they have similar results.

Let me pass on some of the practical things I've learned. First you must be your father's advocate. If you feel he would benefit from more therapy, talk to the staff members who make the decisions. Also, sit in on his sessions, so you can continue to help him at home. However, realize that hospitals have policies regarding how much treatment based on the age and likelihood the patient will recover. Having concerned and involved family members helps in your father's favor.

Second, realize that Medicare has limits on how many days of skilled facility care they will pay for - 100 days in a Skilled facility - where he can get daily therapy. After 100 days, he's considered a Long Term Care patient. Medicare stops coverage. Medicaid or private insurance must be resorted to. My husband was re-hospitalized 9 mos ago and had to be discharged from the Skilled facility because his Medicare coverage ran out.

If your father is not on Medicaid, and if you have not begun the application, do so immediately. The skilled facility social worker can help you through the process. Medicaid often will pay for therapies and skilled help after Medicare stops. Medicaid also pays for in home aides. Medicare does not pay for nursing homes or assisted living facilities. These are the domain of Medicaid.

Aphagia. My husband has aphagia. The brain has difficulty making the throat muscles work. It effects his speech and ability to swallow. Eatting is hard and exhausting. Yes, he may not be eating due to depression, but also due to the aphagia. Do not let the skilled facility send him home until they have proven he can swallow a mechanical soft diet. When he's home, give him plenty of time to eat and in a quiet environment. Six small meals are better than 3 big ones.

Anti-depressants. Be very cautious about starting these and also the dosage. Many are highly addictive and require hospitalization to discontinue. Some, like the EfexorXr which my husband was on, are linked to diabetes type 2 onset (which my husband developed after one yr.). I apologize for mentioning costs again at this painful time in your life, but the new SSRI's are also very expensive. Medicare has a donut hole yearly limit of $2,800. After that it's paid out of pocket. My husband's SSRI put us in the donut hole after 4 mos. Talk to his doctor about what drug options he has and what they will cost. You don't want to face the horror of medication he is reliant on but is too expensive to buy. Our local hospital is part of our State University Medical School. It offers programs for patients who can't pay for their medications. See if you have a similar Medical School hospital near you.

Finally, If your family can share the work, I would bring your dad home. At least for a while. Remember to include your Dad in the decision. There are pros and cons to living home v.s. a nursing home. And what is right for your dad and family may change depending on his prognosis and availability of help. There are many fine nursing homes. If he is ambulatory, one benefit is the social interaction with others. On the other hand being in familiar surroundings with loved ones is beneficial for brain injury recovery.

My heart goes out to you and your family. I focused on the 'nut and bolts' because not knowing what to expect or how the 'system' works, can add so much needless additional stress, to an emotionally exhausting situation. Please remember that your dad is still himself. A year from now you will be amazed at how much he has improved. Lots of love and hugs.

Poochies; As one of the other posters said, 3 months since the stroke is a very short time. The odds are that your father will continue to improve for yrs. My husband had a Traumatic Brain Injury 3 yrs ago. The names and causes differ, but both stokes and TBI's cause damage by interrupting the blood/oxygen to the brain. So, they have similar results.

Let me pass on some of the practical things I've learned. First you must be your father's advocate. If you feel he would benefit from more therapy, talk to the staff members who make the decisions. Also, sit in on his sessions, so you can continue to help him at home. However, realize that hospitals have policies regarding how much treatment based on the age and likelihood the patient will recover. Having concerned and involved family members helps in your father's favor.

Second, realize that Medicare has limits on how many days of skilled facility care they will pay for - 100 days in a Skilled facility - where he can get daily therapy. After 100 days, he's considered a Long Term Care patient. Medicare stops coverage. Medicaid or private insurance must be resorted to. My husband was re-hospitalized 9 mos ago and had to be discharged from the Skilled facility because his Medicare coverage ran out.

If your father is not on Medicaid, and if you have not begun the application, do so immediately. The skilled facility social worker can help you through the process. Medicaid often will pay for therapies and skilled help after Medicare stops. Medicaid also pays for in home aides. Medicare does not pay for nursing homes or assisted living facilities. These are the domain of Medicaid.

Aphagia. My husband has aphagia. The brain has difficulty making the throat muscles work. It effects his speech and ability to swallow. Eatting is hard and exhausting. Yes, he may not be eating due to depression, but also due to the aphagia. Do not let the skilled facility send him home until they have proven he can swallow a mechanical soft diet. When he's home, give him plenty of time to eat and in a quiet environment. Six small meals are better than 3 big ones.

Anti-depressants. Be very cautious about starting these and also the dosage. Many are highly addictive and require hospitalization to discontinue. Some, like the EfexorXr which my husband was on, are linked to diabetes type 2 onset (which my husband developed after one yr.). I apologize for mentioning costs again at this painful time in your life, but the new SSRI's are also very expensive. Medicare has a donut hole yearly limit of $2,800. After that it's paid out of pocket. My husband's SSRI put us in the donut hole after 4 mos. Talk to his doctor about what drug options he has and what they will cost. You don't want to face the horror of medication he is reliant on but is too expensive to buy. Our local hospital is part of our State University Medical School. It offers programs for patients who can't pay for their medications. See if you have a similar Medical School hospital near you.

Finally, If your family can share the work, I would bring your dad home. At least for a while. Remember to include your Dad in the decision. There are pros and cons to living home v.s. a nursing home. And what is right for your dad and family may change depending on his prognosis and availability of help. There are many fine nursing homes. If he is ambulatory, one benefit is the social interaction with others. On the other hand being in familiar surroundings with loved ones is beneficial for brain injury recovery.

My heart goes out to you and your family. I focused on the 'nut and bolts' because not knowing what to expect or how the 'system' works, can add so much needless additional stress, to an emotionally exhausting situation. Please remember that your dad is still himself. A year from now you will be amazed at how much he has improved. Lots of love and hugs.

Poochies; As one of the other posters said, 3 months since the stroke is a very short time. The odds are that your father will continue to improve for yrs. My husband had a Traumatic Brain Injury 3 yrs ago. The names and causes differ, but both stokes and TBI's cause damage by interrupting the blood/oxygen to the brain. So, they have similar results.

Let me pass on some of the practical things I've learned. First you must be your father's advocate. If you feel he would benefit from more therapy, talk to the staff members who make the decisions. Also, sit in on his sessions, so you can continue to help him at home. However, realize that hospitals have policies regarding how much treatment based on the age and likelihood the patient will recover. Having concerned and involved family members helps in your father's favor.

Second, realize that Medicare has limits on how many days of skilled facility care they will pay for - 100 days in a Skilled facility - where he can get daily therapy. After 100 days, he's considered a Long Term Care patient. Medicare stops coverage. Medicaid or private insurance must be resorted to. My husband was re-hospitalized 9 mos ago and had to be discharged from the Skilled facility because his Medicare coverage ran out.

If your father is not on Medicaid, and if you have not begun the application, do so immediately. The skilled facility social worker can help you through the process. Medicaid often will pay for therapies and skilled help after Medicare stops. Medicaid also pays for in home aides. Medicare does not pay for nursing homes or assisted living facilities. These are the domain of Medicaid.

Aphagia. My husband has aphagia. The brain has difficulty making the throat muscles work. It effects his speech and ability to swallow. Eatting is hard and exhausting. Yes, he may not be eating due to depression, but also due to the aphagia. Do not let the skilled facility send him home until they have proven he can swallow a mechanical soft diet. When he's home, give him plenty of time to eat and in a quiet environment. Six small meals are better than 3 big ones.

Anti-depressants. Be very cautious about starting these and also the dosage. Many are highly addictive and require hospitalization to discontinue. Some, like the EfexorXr which my husband was on, are linked to diabetes type 2 onset (which my husband developed after one yr.). I apologize for mentioning costs again at this painful time in your life, but the new SSRI's are also very expensive. Medicare has a donut hole yearly limit of $2,800. After that it's paid out of pocket. My husband's SSRI put us in the donut hole after 4 mos. Talk to his doctor about what drug options he has and what they will cost. You don't want to face the horror of medication he is reliant on but is too expensive to buy. Our local hospital is part of our State University Medical School. It offers programs for patients who can't pay for their medications. See if you have a similar Medical School hospital near you.

Finally, If your family can share the work, I would bring your dad home. At least for a while. Remember to include your Dad in the decision. There are pros and cons to living home v.s. a nursing home. And what is right for your dad and family may change depending on his prognosis and availability of help. There are many fine nursing homes. If he is ambulatory, one benefit is the social interaction with others. On the other hand being in familiar surroundings with loved ones is beneficial for brain injury recovery.

My heart goes out to you and your family. I focused on the 'nut and bolts' because not knowing what to expect or how the 'system' works, can add so much needless additional stress, to an emotionally exhausting situation. Please remember that your dad is still himself. A year from now you will be amazed at how much he has improved. Lots of love and hugs.

Poochies; As one of the other posters said, 3 months since the stroke is a very short time. The odds are that your father will continue to improve for yrs. My husband had a Traumatic Brain Injury 3 yrs ago. The names and causes differ, but both stokes and TBI's cause damage by interrupting the blood/oxygen to the brain. So, they have similar results.

Let me pass on some of the practical things I've learned. First you must be your father's advocate. If you feel he would benefit from more therapy, talk to the staff members who make the decisions. Also, sit in on his sessions, so you can continue to help him at home. However, realize that hospitals have policies regarding how much treatment based on the age and likelihood the patient will recover. Having concerned and involved family members helps in your father's favor.

Second, realize that Medicare has limits on how many days of skilled facility care they will pay for - 100 days in a Skilled facility - where he can get daily therapy. After 100 days, he's considered a Long Term Care patient. Medicare stops coverage. Medicaid or private insurance must be resorted to. My husband was re-hospitalized 9 mos ago and had to be discharged from the Skilled facility because his Medicare coverage ran out.

If your father is not on Medicaid, and if you have not begun the application, do so immediately. The skilled facility social worker can help you through the process. Medicaid often will pay for therapies and skilled help after Medicare stops. Medicaid also pays for in home aides. Medicare does not pay for nursing homes or assisted living facilities. These are the domain of Medicaid.

Aphagia. My husband has aphagia. The brain has difficulty making the throat muscles work. It effects his speech and ability to swallow. Eatting is hard and exhausting. Yes, he may not be eating due to depression, but also due to the aphagia. Do not let the skilled facility send him home until they have proven he can swallow a mechanical soft diet. When he's home, give him plenty of time to eat and in a quiet environment. Six small meals are better than 3 big ones.

Anti-depressants. Be very cautious about starting these and also the dosage. Many are highly addictive and require hospitalization to discontinue. Some, like the EfexorXr which my husband was on, are linked to diabetes type 2 onset (which my husband developed after one yr.). I apologize for mentioning costs again at this painful time in your life, but the new SSRI's are also very expensive. Medicare has a donut hole yearly limit of $2,800. After that it's paid out of pocket. My husband's SSRI put us in the donut hole after 4 mos. Talk to his doctor about what drug options he has and what they will cost. You don't want to face the horror of medication he is reliant on but is too expensive to buy. Our local hospital is part of our State University Medical School. It offers programs for patients who can't pay for their medications. See if you have a similar Medical School hospital near you.

Finally, If your family can share the work, I would bring your dad home. At least for a while. Remember to include your Dad in the decision. There are pros and cons to living home v.s. a nursing home. And what is right for your dad and family may change depending on his prognosis and availability of help. There are many fine nursing homes. If he is ambulatory, one benefit is the social interaction with others. On the other hand being in familiar surroundings with loved ones is beneficial for brain injury recovery.

My heart goes out to you and your family. I focused on the 'nut and bolts' because not knowing what to expect or how the 'system' works, can add so much needless additional stress, to an emotionally exhausting situation. Please remember that your dad is still himself. A year from now you will be amazed at how much he has improved. Lots of love and hugs.

All I can say is I wish I had known someone like you when my husband had his stroke 3.5 yrs ago. His stroke was caused by an anuerism which affected left side of brain. He is still suffering from aphasia but can eat & drink almost anything. He did initially start out not being able to swallow and was on a feeding tube for about 10 days. We are told his aphasia is caused by brain damage but he has shown there is hope for more recovery. I am certain w/continued therapy efforts in all areas he will continue to regain use of more motor skills plus hopefully speech.

We also hit the donut hole last year but not until last quarter of year. Still had around $3000 in RX's that were not covered. The antidepressants can be expensive but there are generic/alternatives. Whomever you use for your insurance should be able to help you &/or your pharmacist. Ours has been a god send.

Your comment on social interaction is so on target. My husband reaps benefits for days when he has an outing.

Best of luck to you all and God Bless.

All I can say is I wish I had known someone like you when my husband had his stroke 3.5 yrs ago. His stroke was caused by an anuerism which affected left side of brain. He is still suffering from aphasia but can eat & drink almost anything. He did initially start out not being able to swallow and was on a feeding tube for about 10 days. We are told his aphasia is caused by brain damage but he has shown there is hope for more recovery. I am certain w/continued therapy efforts in all areas he will continue to regain use of more motor skills plus hopefully speech.

We also hit the donut hole last year but not until last quarter of year. Still had around $3000 in RX's that were not covered. The antidepressants can be expensive but there are generic/alternatives. Whomever you use for your insurance should be able to help you &/or your pharmacist. Ours has been a god send.

Your comment on social interaction is so on target. My husband reaps benefits for days when he has an outing.

Best of luck to you all and God Bless.