Hi All. I am new to the group but a full time carer to my 75 year old spouse.
I am interested to find out from any other members what recovery they have managed and time frame since their stroke that left them with issues such as loss of lower leg movement and bladder control. I am no expert and have limited knowledge how our body works to repair itself.
My spouse suffered a stroke in 2020 that left her with the above symptoms also having a weak heart so she has be bedridden since. She left hospital with some physio help but chose to never followed it up. I recognise its five years but is it to late to regain any recovery.
Hi @GHDirect and welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your spouses stroke and the subsequent issues that this has caused.
I would say that it is never too late to regain function after a stroke. It isn’t easy and takes a lot of hard work however if someone is prepared to put in that work there is no reason why improvements shouldn’t happen. It may be worth seeking another physio referral and seeing what advice they give you but you can also look on the internet and places like YouTube where you can find exercises for stroke survivors that you can work through yourselves. You could also request a referral to a bladder physio to see what they can offer to help your spouse regain control of their bladder. Pelvic floor exercises are usually a good place to start but I would always suggest before starting anything new that you just check it is okay with the medical professionals first. We can only advise based on our experiences and we don’t have the full details of your spouses condition therefore the GP is best place to advise on whether doing these exercises would do any harm or not.
Try and get her upright, and walking a few steps, even if she’s hanging onto the bed frame. If that’s too much (quite possibly) then sitting, and a few sit-to-stand exercises to start off. It can be done. I did it. “Mind over matter” Her bladder will slowly strengthen if she starts work. Good luck, Roland
You’re welcome. What needs strengthening is her CORE. When I was able to get on the floor (took me a year) that opened up many exercises that addressed my core. I do Qigong now but still go back to ground work.
The short answer is it takes years! I’m 5yrs post mini strokes now, and it’s taken me that long to regain good use, strength and stability in my stroke leg.
My foot drop I think has finally stopped dropping when I walk, but still some room for improvement.
My stroke hand still needs some work with the finer motor skills.
My speech, though understandable now still needs further improvement.
I’ve been back driving for over 3yrs. And basically independant now.
As @pando has already suggested, she will need to do a lot core strengething for her bladder. And a good one for that would be seated ab crunches.
Basically, sit in an armchair, if she can; clench and release the abs/belly muscles 10 times and relax. Then repeat for in for 3 rounds of 10. And do that 3 times a day.
To progress from there, just use the clenched muscles to pull herself into an upright position from being reclined.
She’s certainly not ready for kegel exercises to urinary incontinence but the simple routine of clenching and unclenching the pelvic floor muscles will go a long way to improving her condition over time. And that shat can do both sitting and lying down. Itcan take weeks/months to strengthen depending on how much she is prepared to do.
When it comes to recovery, you can only get out what you’re prepared to put in. But she also has a heart condition to consider. At 75, you are slower, the body is wearing out, you tire easily. Because she is bedridden she will have an awful lot of muscle wastage. That means it’s going to take enormous physical effort to do exercises such as sit to stand. It’s more a matter of finding a suitable balance that won’t put a strain on her heart as well as wasted joints.
@GHDirect Welcome to the forum, You will receive great not advice because we are not doctors, but you will hear great uplifting positive stories from stroke survivors or carers. Stroke takes forever to recover from if you ever fully do. I am aiming to make as good a recovery as I can. You would never know i had suffered a stroke so I am fortunate. Not everyone had been as fortunate. Which I have great empathy for. When I had my stroke it was so scary. I remember every moment and the kindest people to me where the ambulance crew. They were amazing. There is no time scale on recovery, but look for the good in every day. What your mum can do and not what she cant. And its never too late to progress. My mother in law cooks for herself, cleans, gets dressed, she is doing amazing and she lives on her own. I think it was 2018 when she has her stroke. Good luck for the future. This forum is an amazing place and available 24/7
The simple answer to your question is that it is never too late to regain any recovery.
There has already been some excellent advice which I am sure you will take on board. Personally, I see no timeframes or limits to anything that your spouse may achieve. The most important thing from my point of view is how much your spouse is willing to or is able to invest in making the effort that it takes to achieve whatever it is they wish to achieve. The second most important thing is getting or having access to the right skills/expertise in a timely manner.
Don’t think of this as a stroke recovery. Think of this as your life and what you want from it. In your life when you want something, how do you go about getting it? The same thinking/planning process should happen how to get your spouse to gain movement and bladder control.
In closing my Mum is doing just that. She has movement in her once paralysed limbs and she is being potty trained to use the commode. She already manages or tries bladder control. Being double incontinent she wears a pad (no catheter) and has now learned that she should as much as reasonably possible wait for the pad to be removed before she starts her wee and bowel movements. This is a clear indication she has control of bladder and bowels. She has had to and continues to overcome the challenge of having to do her toileting lying in bed and pretty much horizontal - totally unnatural and very difficult. As previously mentioned, we are now sitting her on the commode.
@pando already mentioned getting your spouse upright - this will help immensely.
We did this by using her riser recliner chair. If you have one, just tilt it as far as you can whilst keeping your spouse safe - you don’t want them sliding out, though it is not necessarily a bad thing, but not to be encouraged as the safeguarding police will be on to you Babies fall and get up many times before they learn to walk!
You can also sit your spouse on the edge of the bed - this builds core muscles and helps balance and coordination.
That is pretty much all I have to say, other than I also echo all the good advice already given in earlier responses.
I woke up in the middle of the night, and thought about your wife. I remembered when I was rock bottom… only my pelvic floor was anything but rock… it was weak, and falling out from under me (quite literally.) I don’t know how, but I overcame said weakness - here’s how:
It’s called Qigong. Breathing ; during the out-breath you squeeze your huiyin cavity in. This is coordination of the breath with a gentle contraction of the pelvic floor.
Read on if you are curious________________________________
The Huiyin Cavity
Location: It’s located at the perineum, between the genitals and the anus.
Importance: In Qigong and internal martial arts (like Tai Chi), the Huiyin is considered a major energy gate. It is the meeting point of the Yin (conception) and Yang (governing) vessels, two of the primary channels in the body’s meridian system. It’s often referred to as the “Gate of Life and Death” or the “Lower Gate,” signifying its importance in grounding and containing energy.
The Practice: Squeezing on the Out-Breath
Your description is a fundamental technique often called "Qigong Breathing " or is a component of practices like the “Microcosmic Orbit .” Here’s what’s happening:
On the Out-Breath (Exhalation): As you breathe out, you gently and subtly contract and lift the muscles of the pelvic floor (the Huiyin area). Think of it like gently drawing the area upward and inward.
On the In-Breath (Inhalation): You then relax and release the contraction, allowing the area to sink back down gently.
The Purpose and Benefits
Why do practitioners do this? The coordination serves several purposes:
Prevents Energy Leakage: In Qigong philosophy, one of the main goals is to cultivate and store vital energy (Qi). The Huiyin is seen as a potential “leak point” where energy can escape. Gently closing or “locking” this gate on the out-breath helps contain the Qi you are building, preventing it from dissipating downward and outward.
Directs Energy Flow: This action helps to physically guide the energetic current. As you contract on the out-breath, you are assisting the Qi in rising up the spine. This is a key action in the Microcosmic Orbit meditation, where energy is circulated up the spine (Governing Vessel) and down the front of the body (Conception Vessel). The Huiyin is the gateway that connects these two channels.
Strengthens the Pelvic Floor: Physiologically, this practice is identical to Kegel exercises . It strengthens the muscles that support the pelvic organs. This can have benefits for:
Core Stability: A strong pelvic floor is the foundation of a stable core.
Organ Health:It supports the bladder, uterus, and rectum.
Vitality: In many traditions, a strong pelvic floor is linked to preserved vitality and physical resilience.
Anchoring and Grounding: The gentle contraction on the out-breath creates a feeling of being anchored and rooted. It brings awareness to the base of the torso, promoting a sense of stability and connection to the earth, which is crucial for the “grounding” aspect of Qigong.
Key Points for Practice
Gentleness is Key: The contraction should be subtle and gentle. It’s not a forceful, hard clench. You should be able to maintain a relaxed breath. The goal is to engage the muscle, not to create tension in the rest of your body.
Coordinate with the Breath: The breath should remain smooth, deep, and natural. The contraction is a soft addition to the exhalation, not the main event.
Relaxation is Just as Important: Releasing on the inhalation is crucial. This creates a pumping action that promotes circulation and prevents the muscles from becoming fatigued or overly tight.
Mindfulness: The practice is as much about bringing your awareness to this area as it is about the physical movement.
So, in short, a foundational Qigong technique for containing, directing, and preserving vital energy (Qi) by linking the out-breath with a gentle lift of the pelvic floor. It’s a powerful practice for both physical health and energetic cultivation.
This forum is an amazing place and available 24/7
Babies fall and get up many times before they learn to walk!