My brother lives in germany ! 4 weeks ago he collapsed in the shower ! sudden paraplegia due to spinal anterior syndrome ! They did all kinds of test
but did'nt find anything. They are suspecting that he had a stroke in his back. The stroke was incomplete ! He can still feel touch but doesn't have any
control waist down. Now they are saying they are preparing him for life in a wheelchair. He is asking: "Do I have a chance of regaining any control ?".
They are not encouriging him at all. Giving the impression that they are not even considering it. I researched on the Internet and came upon therapy with electromyographic signals. The device is called biomove. You can even rent them for home. I am sure there are others. Can anybody tell me
how his therapy should/could look ? So far not much has happened. He had a couple sessions of movement therapy. Should'nt he have mental
counseling ? Any information is GREATLY appreciated! Thank you!

Well, there is no telling what will happen. He could regain some or maybe all of his movement back with therapy. No one knows the spinal cord well enough to make a definite determination. Only time will tell. It is too soon to give up hope.

As far as mental counseling goes, he may or may not need it. Paralysis is a pretty catastrophic situation, so keep close eye on him and he will definately need emotional and practical support from family and friends.

hey..

i know a guy i was in rehab with he had a stroke at t12. they believe it was from taking ecstacy tabs..
anyway he was complete for about the two weeks after it happened then he got sensation and bowel/bladder control back slowly.. and some movement came slowly..
after 3 months in the rehab unit he could just walk on crutches,but used a chair most of the time..
i caught up with him recently and he walks everywhere now and takes crutches with him incase he's drunk or tired..
perhaps your brother is a candidate for project walk in cali? check it out at www.projectwalk.org
anyway give him as much encouragement as you can, even if he is in a chair part time, life goes on..
hope this helps.
marto

Question; did these tests include an MRI, or are they to busy checking for swine flu and sars and treatinging him like he's not telling them everything and not listening to what he is telling them?

Tnahks a lot for taking the time to answer ! Now I have hope !


Yes, that is how I felt ! Thank you for taking the time to answer. They did take an MRI and every other possible test. But now it seems
nothing is happening.

Hi Sonja, first of all I have a few questions. Is your brother German or another nationality? How old is he? Is he married there or in a relationship? Does he work there?

I know that Germany has some excellent rehab facilities some in spa towns. I wish I had been there when me problem happened. He should also be able to see another neurologist for a second opinion easily. There are also various therapies available under the health insurance schemes they have like physio, massage and hydro outside of hospitals or rehab facilities.

Here is the message board of a German group of paras that might be helpful to your brother
http://www.startrampe.net/arge/community/f...n:login&~U=

Hey, it was really nice of you to take the time and answer. Yes my brother is german and he is 46. Yes married with kid's.
I just talked to him. He is going into rehab. But they told him that they will prepare him for the wheelchair. No encouragement
on any hope. Is that normal ? Like worst case scenario ?

''they told him that they will prepare him for the wheelchair. No encouragement
on any hope. Is that normal ? Like worst case scenario ? '' - Yes unfortunately this seems to be quite common practice, Doctors aren't great psychologist..
Wonder how people would respond if this was the way they treated cancer patients? - Yes you're goin to die.. Am I sure? Yes.. bye bye.. auf wiedersehen..

Sonja- it is also true that the Doctors understand that recovery is unpredictable and takes a long time, should a person eventually recover a lot of function. Meanwhile your brother needs to manage life from a chair. It doesn't mean he won't walk, but that he can get on with life while he is learning. Or it may not come. One waits and tries things like standing.

good luck.

Hi Sonja, glad to hear that your brother is going into rehab. If it was a spinal stroke it will be the same as with a brain stroke. It all depends on the severtity of the stroke and how well he responds to the therapies. It is good that he still has sensation. I know that in Germany they practise what here in the UK would be considered alternative treatments. He just needs to be patient and work with the physios and hopefully he will regain some movement gradually.

I had an SCI due to a herniated disc and after my operation I could not walk and not even stand. After 3 months of physio and exercising I can now walk short distances with crutches. Unfortunately my balance was very damaged by the disc and that means I will never be able to throw the crutches away.

Let us know where he is going for rehab and his progress.

I would also like know if the German forum I posted was of any help.

Hey, I am sorry I didn,t answer any earlier. Just busy researching .... Just talked to my therapist. I had a knee injury. It feels like nothing now. He is going to get me in contact with a physical therapist that is specialized in SCI. So I can ask some questions. My brother was transferred Monday. The doctors actually made him hope !!!!!!! He regained control of his right toe. He had control of it shortly after he was
submitted. And then lost it. He also says he feels pain in his right knee. He is in a room with one other person and now feels much more comfortable. He is in a rehab facility called "Boberg" in Hamburg, germany. They are supposed to be one of the best.
I checked out that german website. But it wasn't anything like this one. My brother is not ready to go on a website. Just talks to people around him. Wich is just the same. Thanks a lot for your concern. You are awesome !

P.S.: Somebody just told us that the insurance has to pay for at least a year. Big relief !

Hi Sonja, your brother being German and I am sure he worked, he would have paid for his Krankenkasse and I had no doubt that he would get his rehab paid.

I checked out the website of the rehab centre and it looks awesome.
Here is the link http://www.buk-hamburg.de/buk_home/152-0-Z...onsmedizin.html

I hope that your brother will recover with their help, but remember it will take time.

I have looked at many forums for SCI but I also have to say this is the best for information and the easiest to find your way around.

Please let us know of his progress.