1. How Is Wallenberg's Syndrome Treated?
Wallenberg's Syndrome is usually caused by blockage of the interior arteries that supply the cerebellum and medulla of the brain. Treating it depends on the symptoms. This stroke in the brain stem is characterized by vertigo, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, imbalance and some disturbance of the senses. Any of these symptoms will be treated in its own way. For example, difficulty swallowing can be treated with physical therapy or surgery. Imbalance will be treated by teaching the patient to walk properly again with an assisting device like a cane or a walker.
If the stroke is large enough, dead tissue can push on the medulla and cause loss of vital functions. In this case, surgery may be necessary to remove part of the skull to allow room for the brain to swell.
2. Will I Need a Feeding Tube for Swallowing?
If you have Wallenberg's Syndrome and have difficulty swallowing, a feeding tube in your abdomen will help you get adequate nutrition. You might also need swallowing therapy to help you learn to swallow properly again. Speech therapy could help you with hoarseness that often follows this type of stroke.
3. Do Blood Thinners Help?
Most likely you will receive blood thinners intravenously (via IV) for the first few days after your diagnosis. Later, you might be kept on aspirin or a less potent blood thinner to control the Wallenberg's Syndrome and help prevent future strokes, which are caused by blood clots.
4. What About Pain Killers?
If you have chronic pain, the anti-epileptic drug gabapentin has shown some promise in relieving it. Talk with your medical doctor to see if this or another medicine is right for your case of Wallenberg's Syndrome. It is available as a generic by prescription only.
5. What Can I Expect From Recovery?
As with any stroke, the outlook for recovery depends on the damage that the stroke has done. The size of it and the location where it occurred also matter. Some people see only minor complications that they are able to overcome quickly, while others may have significant neurological problems that last for years after the stroke.
