Here’s a thing
I decided to have a pls on my PlayStation this afternoon and had a strange experience.
Normally to successfully operate the controller one needs bboth hands and I can only use my right. I have however adapted to using my right hand quite successfully. In the game I was playing Tekken a fighting game I was losing to my computer opponent and getting worked up , at a point where I needed the second limb my left arm rose slightly and tried to operate the controller as it had in years past.
I was shocked stopped playing and turned it all off.
Not sure what is going on but my memory muscle or otherwise triggered briefly and tried to rejoin the game. Something must be changing
That’s really exciting to hear!! I’ve had that happen a few times with different things and the functions have returned. This can only be good news!
Very happy for you😁
I think that sort of thing is an indication that some connections between brain and muscle are making a start at reconnecting.
I would encourage it if you can. Maybe just ‘imagine’ you are lifting arm and using hand to help the connection. That sort of thing has improved my use of fingers on my right hand. They certainly are not back to full dexterity though.
I’m sure there is something in the ‘imagining’ you are using the unresponsive area. It isn’t a cure but I think it brings improvement.
I worked through lifting or imagining lifting each finger and eventually that has turned in to actual movement.
I think it is also related to those instructions to use the weak side as much as possible you get in early days post stroke.
I think there is a good chance you can get at least some of it back.
That sounds really positive @mrfrederickson sounds like some conne tions are starting to reform. It might be small “steps” but try and encourage use of it atvevery opportunity.
I imagine it felt very strange but it does sound like great news.
Hi Mark - this is truly fantastic. You are making incredible progress and I am so pleased for you.
I just wonder when your left arm rose slightly and tried to operate the controller what might have happened if instead of turning everything off you had carried on!
Still, I guess the shock of it all led you to stop.
Something is changing - it’s you, you are making excellent progress in your journey to recover from the stroke.
Maybe it was because you weren’t thinking about it, it was an automatic brain function reaction….accept it and run with it, that’s exciting, don’t you think
mrfrederickson–When I first got movement on my paralyzed side, it was sort of like your experience. My left thumb twitched a little. After that I began to try to move it. It was a long road, but eventually I got back movement on my left side. Perhaps connections are happening, brought on by the brain activity generated by the game and your strong desire to move that other hand. I hope so.
