Thanks for you response. In reference to therapy for balance/ccordination - we were told these are very difficult to rehab. Can we expect improvement in these over time given proper therapy?
Also, we have been given discrepant information regarding the critical nature of the first 3 months post-stroke in success of rehab - some say they mean that the natural healing that will occur is greatest in this period devoid of the rehab efforts - others say it means both the natural healing PLUS that this is the period when rehab has it's greatest impact?
Finally, when would any of the treatments you mention for the spasms be contraindicated? My dad has 4 major issues 1.) weak heart..he has a defibrillator & issues with CHF (should he become stable enough cardiologist is talking about replacing current defibrillator with latest one which will improve current hear function by 30%) 2) he is on depakote for seizure control (although no definitive evidence exists that he has had any) 3) they are discussing putting him on coumadin (I'm not sure why this hasn't already been done & I do understand the risks vs. benefits 4) he was anemic - hemoglobin back up to 11.6 after being transfused (it was at 8)GI doctor saw nothing in his testing that he felt would have caused this - now needs to see Hemotologist.
Any feedback greatly appreciated.
Thanks. I did also look up some info on the web about vestibular therapy - interesting. My dad is in Reading, PA.
Vestibular therapy (vestibular rehab) is very specialized therapy that is provided by the therapist with special training. You can find detailed information is in the following article.
http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/treatment/rehab.html
If you'll be looking for a therapist to do this, do not hesitate before you make an appointment to ask him if he is familiar with this type of rehab.
Let me know where your dad is currently residing - I may be able to help you to find a therapist.
Thanks for your feedback. What is vestibular therapy?
First of all sorry about misfortune your father had to go through.
In my experience a few things can and should be done about it. While your father in the SNF you and him must show a lot of will to go home vs. nursing home. Than you must be really involved in his care and make sure he gets appropriate PT/OT attention.
While he is not in the therapy he must be positioned appropriately in the bed or chair (it makes a huge difference). The proper positioning of stroke victims in the bed or chair you can look in the book