Only a half-inch in diameter, the brain stem controls all basic activities of the central nervous system: consciousness, blood pressure and breathing. All motor control for the body flows through it. Brain stem strokes can impair any or all these functions. More severe brain stem strokes can cause locked-in syndrome, a condition in which survivors can move only their eyes.
My breathing and consciousness were DEFINITELY affected! I was in a coma for about three weeks and was kept alive on ventilators. The doctors were sure that I would never breathe on my own again.
Like all strokes, brain stem strokes produce a wide spectrum of deficits and recovery. Whether a survivor has minor or severe deficits depends on the location of the stroke within the brain stem, the extent of injury and how quickly treatment is provided.
Recovery is possible. Because brain stem strokes don’t usually affect language ability, the patient is often able to participate more fully in rehabilitation. Double vision and vertigo usually resolve after several weeks of recovery in mild to moderate brain stem strokes.
It has been two years and unfortunately, my double vision has not recovered! I’ve had to undergo surgery and now I need prism glasses to help correct the rest!
An ischemic stroke happens when blood flow is blocked. This may be caused by:
A clot from another part of the body that breaks off and gets trapped in a blood vessel supplying the brain.
A clot that forms in an artery that supplies blood to the brain
A tear in an artery that supplies blood to the brain
A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a burst blood vessel. Blood pools in the brain. This slows or stops the flow of blood and causes a buildup of pressure on the brain.
I had an ischemic stroke.
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