Right caudate nucleus stroke How to relieve giddiness??

Hello Jenn

Thanks for reaching out on EnableMe regarding your husband. I am sorry to hear what has been happening for him since his stroke.

We know that giddiness or feelings of dizziness can be common following a stroke, and these can be very challenging to manage. Is your husband receiving any rehabilitation such as Vestibular Physiotherapy?  If he is, make sure he has mentioned how he is feeling to the treating team. They will have strategies that may help with his giddiness/dizziness.   Have the Dr’s been able to indicate how long ago your husband had his stroke?

If your husband is not receiving any Vestibular Physiotherapy, it would be worth talking with his Gp about a referral to a local Community Rehabilitation Centre, or the outpatient department at your local hospital.  It would be helpful or him to have input from a Physiotherapist who has experience or understanding about neurological or vestibular issues, as they can help relieve or better manage the symptoms he is experiencing.  There are a variety of exercises and therapy that can help with the management of dizziness. It would be important to also rule out other causes of dizziness including inner ear issues.

Here is a blog with more information about dizziness after stroke.

It sounds like you are all experiencing many other impacts from stroke. Here are some therapists that may be helpful in your husband’s care.

An Occupational Therapist can assess your husband’s memory and fatigue. They can provide strategies to help him manage his memory changes.  Eg setting up a whiteboard in the house to remember appointments or using his mobile phone reminders or calendars. They may talk to your husband about the three P’s for fatigue management.

• Pacing is spreading out the activities you do and using numerous shorter breaks instead of one long break after a full activity.   
• Planning means understanding which activities make you feel more, or less, fatigued and making sure not to group up too many similar activities together. Eg spread out appointments.
• Prioritising mean understanding what you need to do and what can wait. If you have a limit to what you can do each day, do those things which are important and save unimportant things for other days. 

Psychologists can also support with apathy and personality changes. Some survivors of stroke may be unable to recognise or understand that their behaviour or personality has changed. Planning strategies to help the survivor of stroke become aware of their actions and their effect can help.

There is more information on EnableMe about these different impacts of stroke in our resource section.

Take care Jenn,

If you need further information do reach out to us on StrokeLine 1800 787 653 or email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au. We are available Monday to Friday 9am -5pm Australian Eastern Time.

Kind regards,

Siobhan and Kath (StrokeLine)