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Is anger a commom problem post stroke

My husband is 54 yo and had a massive right side stroke 3 years ago. Dr. did not think he would live, but after a year and a half of therapy he is able to walk with a quad cane, feed himself, talk, and is continent. The cognitive deviciets are, no short term memory, confusion, compulsive, hallucinations, anxiety, and depression. Still no use of the left arm/hand. He spent 6 months in skilled nursing and I have cared for him at home until 4 months ago. He was starting to get angry, and while in  the snl (skilled nursing facility) has hit and threatened people. He never had this kind of aggression before, does anyone know if this is a normal progression of post stroke ? They now have him on very heavy duty meds which is another concern. Any input would be helpful.   Thanks      
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Avatar universal
Yes, anger is a common problem in stroke victims. It is not caused by depression, pre se, but by actual brain damage. As a 49-year-old stroke victim myself , I have been very irritable since my right-brain stoke 6 months ago. If you want to know what it's like for a stroke victim, imagine that you're getting less than half the sleep you are now--night after night. How you do think you'd feel and function? You'd probably experience short-term memory problems, mental fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, impatience, anxiety, stress, reduced problem-solving ability, and frustration. You have to remember, that our brains have been crippled. Mentally, it's like swimming through molasses--it's very hard and tiring.
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This is so informative and from your real life experience.  Much appreciated.  Wow, very young to have had a major stroke. Does this ever repair?  I've heard that the brain does repair itself slowly over time which would make we wonder if there is hope these symptoms would get less and less for you.  But strokes can be life changing.  I'm glad you still have your life, for sure!  Do they have any reason why you had your stroke?
Hi "specialmom."
   To answer your question, "Does this ever repair?" No, dead brain cells, like dead people, do not "repair." I worked as an engineer for a major construction company, and I like to use this analogy: Imagine that you have a construction project that requires 100 workers to get the job done right and on time, but then 25 of those workers are killed in a freak accident. The 75 workers that are left are going to have to do the work of 100, and they are going to have to perform tasks that they are unfamiliar with. The workers are like brain cells, they each perform a different function, and they all work together to get the job done. But if a substantial number or key ones are killed, the ones that are left have to work harder and learn new things. This causes STRESS. Stress is when expectations (yours or someone else's) exceed abilities.
   In February, I finally learned the cause of my stroke: I had a hole between the left and right artriums of my heart known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO).
   Prior to birth, everyone has this hole to allow blood to bypass the lungs when you're in your mother's womb. Once you take your first breath of air, this hole is supposed to start closing. However, in about 25% of the population, this hole never completely closes. For the vast majority of people with a PFO, this is not a problem, even though blood is leaking from one side of the heart to the other. Problems can arise when that blood contains a blood clot--which can cause a stroke--which is what happened to me.
   To make matters worse, I discovered that I have sleep apnea--which makes having a stroke three times more likely. It's truly amazing this didn't happen sooner. I was very active. I'm ex-military, I raced motorcross, and I lifted weights.
   To combat the sleep apnea, I have been wearing a CPAP mask when I sleep since March 7th. As for the PFO, I had heart surgery to close this hole at the University of Florida's Shands hospital on April 23rd. Here is a link to a one-minute video animation showing a PFO closure device being inserted the heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOtk_FSfHpw  and here is a very informative and touching (have tissues near by) YouTube video from a PFO-induced stroke survivor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq8tGvnKrCI&list=LLogT9ggr7UNq2CF5Hl7vd0Q&index=9&t=0s  Oh, I should mention that the lead singer of the band Poison, Brett Michaels, had a PFO-induced stroke as well.
1718011 tn?1309023617
Bobcat,
Hi.  I have the same problem. My husband is 56.  He has short term memory loss.  His personality has totally changed.  It is very confusing.  He gets angry, frustrated, and follows me around kindof criticizing me on everything I do. He was not at all like that before the stroke.  He has no life of his own, and is living through me.  It has been 10 months, and this is my first time talking to anyone about this.  So, how are you coping?  What do you do?  Any suggestions from you? Any answers you have gotten?
Thanks for posting your comment.
mckinleyr
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Avatar universal
My husband had a stroke in 2009, with brain surgery to relieve pressure and they removed part of his cerbellum.  He is becoming increasingly angry and easly annoyed.  He makes the most negative and degrading comments.  I have asked him to say something nice and he says I can't.  He talked a lot before the stroke, now he talks more, and has to be right.  if you don't listen to him he gets terribly upset.  Little things like someone stepping in front of him at baggage claim causes him to get loud and RUDE!!  This is not good. He had little physical damage, and but many other non-physical related post stroke issues. I want to know if the anger in someone who has recovered physically, will go away, or lesson, because it seems to be getting worst.  

***@****
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1444354 tn?1287445242
when people have had strokes, it can change their personality.

for example... some one before they have stroke may not use swear words. post stroke, they may come out with words you have never heard them say.
People can become aggressive. they can be angry because they may not be as independent as they used to be. it is frustrating for them. they can become emotional.

hope this helps x
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1346447 tn?1327862572
Stroke people are like pets.If you ask them to do what they are not capable of they become wild. With love you can acomplish. With disciline you may not.Care giver has to tune finely for each individual case. I am speaking with my own experience.
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757137 tn?1347196453
He may have brain damage.
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1127040 tn?1289718662
stroke patients tend to get better day by day if they are being treated properly, if their condition is getting worse day by day or all of a sudden.. then you better take him to a really Good neurologist ASAP.
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