Connect
One year after RCVS-PRES — could my poor mental state still be related
Hi everyone,
I’m a 54-year-old woman and a year ago I experienced a severe neurological event. I was diagnosed with Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS) and Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES), following a thunderclap headache that occurred during exertion.
My MRI at the time showed:
Cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage (cSAH) in the left frontal region
Hemorrhage in the left basal ganglia
Vasogenic edema in frontal and occipital lobes (consistent with PRES)
Multiple arterial narrowings in the cerebral vessels
Since then, I’ve recovered physically and have no headaches or neurological deficits. However, one year later I continue to struggle with severe anxiety, emotional instability, and depressive symptoms.
I’m under psychiatric care and currently on medication, but unfortunately the treatment hasn’t improved my mental state so far.
I’m wondering if these ongoing symptoms could still be related to the brain areas that were affected — especially the frontal lobe and basal ganglia — or if they’re more likely psychological consequences of the trauma itself.
Has anyone else experienced long-lasting emotional or cognitive changes after RCVS or PRES? I’d really appreciate any insights or similar experiences.
Thank you so much.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain & Nervous System Support Group.
Connect
I had a craniotomy in May 2014 to remove abcess left temporal lobe from bacterial meningitis of my brain. I was septic in multi organ failure went into cardiac arrest. My brain injury is an acquired brain injury. Your may be a TBI or traumatic brain injury. Your event and mine are life changing. I have ptsd . Neuroplasticity occurred for me and still is ongoing. Have you had trauma therapy? CBT? Did you have speech therapy OT PT? How is your sleep hygiene? I have 2 dogs who are my emotional support animals. I have a letter for them.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThis patient survey found depression and anxiety in RCVS patients who were followed up some years after their initial illness.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0333102415591507.
Is it possible for you to have a SPECT scan, Doppler ultrasound scan or other type of scan that checks on blood flow?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@kb2014a Having 2 dogs as support animals, is fantastic! I don’t know what I’d do, if I didn’t have my little boy, my Bichon Friese, as my buddy! He is so smart! He gets my slippers for me, and helps me pull on my socks. He is a fabulous watchdog, and has a specific bark, for his family, if any of us are coming through the door, into the house. Other specific ways of barking for strangers coming to the door, delivery vehicles, etc. is his style. He’s very protective of me! Then, about 2 months ago, seemingly, my world came apart! It’s bad enough to have to deal with Ataxia, Post Polio Syndrome, and Parkinson’s Disease, but, suddenly, I had several rough episodes, of atrial fibrillation, which were extremely scary. This was something new for me! About a week after that, my beautiful baby boy, my Bichon Friese, got critically sick, coming down with diabetes, and he had a critical diabetic crisis, where he was in animal hospital, for several days! At first, they didn’t know if he’d pull through or not! It was touch and go! Our Veterinarian was really worried and upset! Everybody at the Veterinary offices, loves my dog! He has a pleasant, smart, personality, and he has never bit anybody! So, he managed to pull through, only to have a relapse, a week later! The Vet bill was over $3000.00, so that messed up my budget, big time! A few weeks later, it looked like he was having milkish white discs in his eyes. He has cataracts, and is going blind! Diabetes in dogs, can be so cruel and devastating! He has to have insulin shots, every 12 hours! So, a few weeks later, now he is adjusting fairly well, but it just about breaks my heart that he can’t see well enough, to enjoy his toys, and help me with stuff, like he used to be able to do!
@foundryrat743
My dogs are very protective of me too. I am so sorry your baby has been ill. My dogs are 2 pitbulls both rescues. They are affectionate give me kisses. They are very attached to me and my husband. They have separation anxiety too.
@kb2014a Thanks for replying. Wow… you’ve really been through something incredibly hard.
My issues are mainly psychological. I didn’t need OT/PT or speech therapy since I didn’t have motor or speech problems. Other than seeing my psychiatrist and trying different meds, I haven’t done other therapies.
I sleep pretty well — after the RCVS I found out I have sleep apnea, so I’ve been using a CPAP for the last months.
I also have two pets that help me emotionally.
@vassiliki I understand what you are saying. All brain injuries can cause psychological issues as well as long term changes affecting physical health. I am glad you have dogs. What I went through was a life changing event that in hindsight had to happen. I wore myself out . I had never learned to say no. I had a lot of medical care and trauma recovery including domestic violence treatment. Chronic sinusitis resulted in the bacterial meningitis of my brain. I had sinus surgery right after the neurosurgeon finished the craniotomy. I have used a sinus rinse with a small amount of white vinegar for over 11 years. 5 years of allergy shots. My allergist- immunologist found 13 arms of my immune system were down. Over time as my health improved many medicines were deprescribed under medical supervision. I have some chronic pain now. Not bad. I have cataracts live in NM and am having issues related to that so next month I will see an ophthalmologist about this. During the hospitalization I went into cardiac arrest. I had trauma issues related to that for awhile that I had to process and some spiritual issues related to survivors guilt. I remarried in 2020 left my life long home state and moved to NM. I am in 2 brain injury support groups that have regular zoom meetings. These people are safe and we discuss all kinds of issues related to navigating life with a brain injury.