What are they waiting for?

[Fourpuddintats]

On May 18th of 2009 I had an "episode" as I have grown to call them.  At first I would go to the emergency room and they would run the usual tests and come back with TIA (to me this is just a general diagnosis now) I have been having these "episodes" now for almost 1 year.  I have them several times a week to several times a day.  They last for usually less than a minute, clear up and I may either have one several minutes later or a couple of days later.  To date, I am sure I have had several hundred so called "episodes".  MRI's show multiple leasions on the right side of the brain and 1 larger one on the left.  All of my symptoms are on the left side of my body.  The sensations always begin with my foot and work their way up to the knee, the lower left arm and part of the hand, left shoulder, left side of the scalp, and left side of my lips, nose and a little bit of my cheek.  Afterwards, I feel fine, but it has been very difficult to do much of anything for fear that any exersion will trigger another "episode".  At first I thought it was only when I exerted myself, but have since realized that I get them reguardless.  

[Nancy T]

You most definitely CAN have migraines without headache, and they can manifest in quite a few different ways (only eye symptoms, only numbness/tingling, only nausea/diarrhea, etc.). A LOT of weird things can happen with a migraine attack.

I'm amazed you haven't been referred to a neurologist yet. Hope you get answers there. Good luck.

[LivingInHope]

I believe TIAs do not always have to feel the exact same way.  Also, an MRI of your spine is an excellent thought- but I'd not just limit it to the thoracic portion of your spine, but ask about one from the top of your cervical spine called the atlas (C-1), clear down to your coccyx bone.

[Fourpuddintats]

I had a TIA 3 years ago.  It felt similiar, but this definately is not the same thing.  When I had the TIA I litterally felt like someone had split me in half inside and out and like a grid I felt the tingling from head to toe.  It lasted about 2-3 minutes with no after effects.  I went to the hospital and that is when they first noticed the lesions.  Since then I have gotten my blood pressure, cholesterol under control to very good numbers.  Everyones input is giving me lots of questions to ask my Dr. when I see him next.  

[jensequitur]

Spinal damage will cause a buildup of weird sensations like you describe.  See if they'll schedule you for a thoracic MRI - there might be damage to your spine as well.

[LivingInHope]

That question would be a good one for a neurologist!  On the MRI/CT scans, do they ever mention seeing an infarct?  

[Fourpuddintats]

I am seeing my primary Dr. who is an Internist/Cardiologist.  I have had dopplars, echocardiograms, stress tests, MRI's, Cat scans, blood work, I am on Cumadin, Lipitor, Metoprolol and Xanax.  All tests come back normal except for the MRI and cat scan.  I see my Dr. again this May 18, and I am going to request that we look into other options.  I do not zone out, but it is very disturbing.  I feel as if no one seems to understand just what is going on.  I don't think I have ever had an eeg, but will ask my Dr. when I see him.  Can you have complicated migraines without an actual headache?  My next step is seeking out a neurologist, hopefully I can find a good one right of the bat.  I really appreciate the feedback.  You have been very helpfull.  Never even thought about the seizure theory. Will keep you guys posted on what is going on.  I'm so glad I found this site.  I don't feel so alone anymore.  :)

[LivingInHope]

Are you being treated with daily doctor prescribed medication, such as plavix & if needed for high cholesterol or triglycerides, medication for that, or if high blood pressure, with blood pressure medication?  What are they doing, if anything, to try to prevent these episodes?  Have they done any doppler of your carotid arteries to look for blockages?  Have they checked your heart function?  Have they checked your iron level as well as hemoglobin levels & prothrombin time in your blood?  You need to be following up with a neurologist, a cardiologist, or at least a well-qualified internist- someone on a regular basis, not just ER doctors.  Do you have that kind of doctor patient relationship with someone to try to prevent these episodes?

[daisy.girl]

I agree it sounds more like a seizure. Do you zone out or stare during these episodes?

Have you ever had an EEG?

I sure hope you can find a doctor that can help you.

God Bless.

[supermum_ms]

Hi there,

The likelyhood of having multiple TIA's with out a major stroke is slim, having 1000's is really not possible. Are you sure your not experiencing sezures or complicated migraines?

I'm having trouble associating what you describe with MS, sx with MS dont usually travel up your body, with MS a sx sticks to one place and stays there, sometimes that sx will not go away and over time you acquire more of these areas. EG pins and needle places left thigh, nose tip, left thumb.

I can totally understand why it would apear to be a TIA due to the left side dominance and travelling of your sx's, though it astounds me that this is still your dx after the second or third..........fast forward to several times a week to several times a day and this dx no longer adequately explains what you experience, too rare to be true. That last sentence also leads my thinking away from it being caused by MS.

The lesions discovered are not necessarily from MS, there are many things that cause them too (2 of which i've mentioned) i think who ever your seeing needs to start looking beyond TIA's as the cause of your situation. Have you seen a neurologist or is the dx of TIA's just coming from the emergency dept?

This is a good explanation of TIA

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000730.htm

I'm not a dr but I do think its important to keep investigating and not give up until you get the right help!!

Cheers........JJ