Posted by cait on March 30, 1999, at 20:56:14
BRIEF HISTORY:
My father, age 81, had bifrontal craniotomy to remove meningioma. Prior to surgery, his health was very good and he was still actively working. Following surgery, he could not be "awakened." He was in some type of coma for 10 days. Neurosurgeon stated that my father did NOT have a stroke during surgery, that he (surgeon) "was no where near that part of the brain." (I never really understood why surgeon said that.) Father was paralyzed on left side and had difficulty speaking. Other physicians have stated that my father had a stroke during the surgery. Now 10 months later, he can walk, talk, communicate fairly well.PROBLEM: He engages in certain activities (like polishing lavatory & brass faucet) for hours, and he doesn't seem aware of how LONG he works at these things. Whatever activity he engages in, it is extremely difficulty to draw his attention away, thus breaking the pattern. Primary care physician has prescribed the different medications for OCD (for compulsive behaviors), but there is no significant improvement. Distractability is also cause for concern.
QUESTION:
Is it likely that the drugs do not help because this part of his brain has been permanently damaged? I understand the pharmacological part of it, but I'm concerned that we are medicating my father for no benefit to him.Thanks for any ideas, suggestions, whatever because I am at Wit's End.
poster:cait
thread:4191
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/4191.html