Posted by ForMyDad on 07/03/2016

If you're reading this perhaps you are lucky enough to have a loved one who survived sudden cardiac arrest. Wonderful! Let me share my personal experience with you in case it can help you unlock your loved one's mind and bring he or she back to his or her old self.
My dad had a SCA and was lucky enough to get CPR after a minute of collapse. He was in a coma for a few days. Upon waking from his coma he presented almost as a stroke victim and was unable to talk, feed himself, walk, etc.. The hospital would make some attempts to rehab him with PT and OT however most of the time the staff would not do much with him and say he was "sleeping". Well, after my own research into the matter I began to direct his care and help ensure that he reach his full potential at the time.
In fact he wasn't sleepy or sleeping. He was in stages of minimal consciousness. No one defined that to us or explained it. I had to figure it out for myself. Please see: www.biausa.org/_literature_43246/severe_brain_injury
It is possible for your loved one to move through these stages of consciousness. Do not accept any differing information from physicians as the be all and end all truth. The stages are a progression in which one can advance through. Your loved one has every possible chance to get all the way back on track. See: http://www.msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/Vegetative-And-Minimally-Conscious-…
and http://www.msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/Understanding-TBI/The-Recovery-Proc…
I delved further into the matter and did more research. Please read the following: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/magazine/can-ambien-wake-minimally-co…
I also researched a study out of Italy in which stimulants were used to promote brain activity. Again, never forget, YOU are the advocate for your loved one. No staff member at the hospital wants your loved one to reach his or her maximum potential more than you do. Advocate for these treatments. Do not accept no for an answer.
After an all day staffing with the physicians and physical therapists, I got them all to understand I mean business. My dad was prescribed Provigil. http://www.provigil.com/ This is just what the doctors chose and perhaps a different stimulant would be even more effective.
After my dad received the Provigil a light came on for him! On the medication my dad could talk to us, recognize us, play along with game shows on t.v. with us, follow the directions from the PT and OT staff and complete the required activities, and was able to choose menu items and feed himself. The difference was night and day! Without the medication he was going to be shuffled out of the hospital to a rehab facility in which he would've been stored only as if he had no potential to recover. Please, again, advocate for your loved ones!
After a good fight my dad's kidneys had taken a huge hit during his initial one minute of death during his collapse and were unable to recover. Although he received dialysis and made all of the cognitive improvements I have mentioned, he ultimately went to be with the Lord due to the kidney issues. This does not lessen the miracle of the awareness the proper treatment with a stimulant drug allowed for him and for us. Time with your loved one while his or her brain properly awakens through the stages of consciousness is a gift that is unparalleled. I hope your loved one reaches his or her maximum potential after surviving SCA.

Comments

Submitted by SCAFoundation on 07/05/2016

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Thank you so much for sharing your important insights, which will undoubtedly help others.

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