So, Nearly two months after having her “slight stroke” and my wife is doing really well, she stopped eating for a while, but has now started again…the one thing that is bothering me, is since her stroke, she has developed a slight stutter, and a twitch, which she has never had before, it’s not all the time, but just occasionally…has anyone else experienced this ? and if so did it eventually wear off ?..
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It’s more than likely a temporary setback, that tends to be the order of the first 6mths post stroke, its called decomposition. But its basically just like moving furniture around and out of the way while hoovering and there’s also some mopping up to be done in her brain. There’s also the sparky’s in there doing the electrics, reconnecting and rewiring to repair the damage done where it can. That’s basically what the first 6mths are all about. And all that can cause setbacks and temporary glitches - 2 steps forward, 1 step back. So don’t be too alarmed by this unless there’s any major changes. You may find after that after a setback there is some further improvement. You yourself may not necessarily notice but your wife might, such as a bit of brain fog clearing or a bit more clarity in thought, that sort of thing. Sometimes it’s more of a sense that something has changed/improved but it’s still to wait for something else before it can come back onboard, a partial repair so to speak. Only time can reveal.
Regards, Lorraine
In the context of stroke recovery, “decomposition” often refers to a temporary setback or regression in progress, sometimes called “decompensation,” where the brain’s new connections, formed during the healing process, struggle to keep up. This can happen if a person is tired, unwell, or under stress. Decomposition can also refer to the analysis of how cognitive impairments develop after a stroke by examining lesion patterns in the brain.
Decomposition in Stroke Recovery:
- Neuroplasticity and Decompensation:
The brain’s ability to rewire itself (neuroplasticity) is essential for recovery after a stroke, but this process isn’t always smooth. Sometimes, the newly formed connections can be weaker than the original ones, and if a person is stressed, tired, or unwell, these connections may struggle to maintain their strength, leading to a temporary setback.
- Generative Lesion Pattern Decomposition:
Researchers are using techniques like “generative lesion pattern decomposition” to understand how cognitive impairments develop after stroke. This involves analyzing the patterns of brain tissue damage (lesions) to identify how they relate to specific cognitive losses.
Examples of Decomposition in Research:
- Cognitive Impairment After Stroke:
Studies using generative lesion pattern decomposition have shown that damage to specific brain regions, like the left hippocampus and occipital regions, can be linked to impairments in naming and memory functions, while damage to similar regions on the right can affect visuospatial functioning.
- Dual-Energy CT for Clot Characterization:
Research papers on SpringerOpen explore the use of dual-energy CT (DE-CT) to analyze the material composition of stroke thrombi (clots). This involves “multimaterial decomposition” to identify the proportions of red blood cells, white blood cells, and fibrin/platelets within the clot.
In summary, “decomposition” in the context of stroke can refer to both a temporary setback in recovery due to the challenges of neuroplasticity and a method used to analyze the relationship between brain damage and cognitive impairments.
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I had a stroke two and half years ago. A few months in, I was tempted to speak too fast resulting in a stutter. I had to think hard before speaking. It wore off after a month or two but I consider now what I’m about to say. Should have tried that before my stroke, really. Good luck with your wife’s recovery…Simon.
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Thanks for the reply…the stutter is still there, but seems to be diminishing , she had it occaisionally before her stroke, and we blamed it on her kidney medication, but when she was in hospital they stopped that medication…
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Hello Lorraine,
I am learning a lot of new things and in particular in recent days I am beginning to understand how the brain re-wires itself and its effect on the stroke survivor.
I am a little obsessive at times and can get myself bogged down unnecessarily. I do struggle with medical terminology at best of times and have been known to give up and forget it as it is usually not something I have to use in everyday conversation.
Right now, as I am learning about rewiring, I noticed two terms in some of the posts that discuss this and which are quite similar but are different?
Stroke Decomposition
Stroke Decompensation
I am wondering if in fact they are different or possibly a typo?
I notice decompensation seems to be used more often than decomposition. I guess I should not worry too much about the wording but just accept that it is to do with the brain re-wiring and making new connections.
I think it is time to let my brain recharge 
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I think they are two stroke terms but like yourself, medical terminology and there meanings are hard work to understand at the best of times, but they can and do scramble a stroke brain 
Whenever I’ve had to dig deep into the medical world it is always hard work and has to be done in stages because I spend half the time googling terminology, medical abbreviations and such, it’s given many headaches over the past few years 
But, in stroke recovery, “decompensation” refers to a temporary worsening of symptoms, often when the brain is working hard to rewire itself after a stroke. And that is what I was referring to in my last post. It’s how I’ve always known it from everything I’ve read so I will stick with that. Decomposition is more permanent.
Lorraine
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Just to clarify about my wife’s “stutter” after her stroke…it’s not really a stutter as we know it…she can be half way through a sentence, and suddenly stop speaking, and has what can best be described as like hiccups, but they are not, it’s almost like a small seizure or something…currently trying to get her to go and see someone about it, as it’s quite worrying, but she is so stubborn…
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It might be that you just have to do it for her. Speak with her stroke team if she has one, it might be that she needs to see a speech therapist. Otherwise arrange for her to see her GP and just take her. It could still just be decompensation and it will sort itself out in another few months but there’s no price for peace of mind.
I know I stuttered and stop/started a lot as my speech was returning, the words and sentence structure were all there in my head ready to come out but I’d barely get through a few words before the brain stalled like a vending machine with the snack bar stuck halfway to the dispensing tray 
4yrs on and I still have that tendency.
Lorraine
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Thank You…She is going to the hospital on Thursday, to be fitted with a 72 hour heart monitor…we will see if that reveals anything…she has finished with her stroke team, but I do have their number, in case she has any problems, I might just give them a call…
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Well this is a problem which needs some clarification for sure.
Lorraine
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Hello - I’m 3 years after my stroke and I still have a slight stutter and ‘loose’ my words when my brain is overloaded. That might be because I’m in a noisy environment or my brain is just tired. It usually happens when I have a limited time to get information across to somebody - pharmacist, medical that sort of situation. It’s just my brain working hard. I was worried about it at first but now it makes me smile - and my wife thinks its endearing so win win!!! Of all the things you may end up living with after a stroke I have learnt this one can make me smile! Hope you can find your way to that place.
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