Could a possible stroke take awhile to show symptoms???

[kimmey]

A few years ago I was having some severe sharp, but short lived pains or headache. My doctor believed them to just be stress related. I still on occassion have them. One night I was awakened from a deep sleep by one of these headaches and felt some little trickling. I remember thinking that if anything wasn't working in the morning I would be in big trouble. I fell back asleep immediately. The next morning I was fine. I didn't see the doctor because I thought I was fine and maybe I just dreamed the whole thing. I believe I began having back pain about this time, stiffness and difficulty moving when I first woke up. About a couple of years later I started experiencing neurological symptoms. Slow progession from feet to legs and now arms and hands. Any pressure either causes tingling or an adverson to being touched. Dizziness from lying on the floor severe afraid to move. To 3 weeks straight dizziness that is managable. Other things like stiffness has gradually moved up from my toes to my fingers. I had a normal MRI of brain with contrast and blood work,lupus,B12,sugars,protien all normal so far and EMG that was normal. Could a possible small stroke take a long time(year of two) to start showing symptoms??? Thank you.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

I hope you two get in touch.

CCF Neuro MD

[to Natasha from Kimmy]

If you see this message and would like to email me to discuss this further you may at ***@****

[Natasha]

i'm sorry that i have no answer for you but thought to reply to as i also have had the severe sharp pains that you experienced and a couple of years ago strange symptoms began occuring similiar to your own except for the dizziness.  the progression was slow at first and now i have to walk with the aid of a walking stick.  i also have trouble with my hands.  my symptoms are worse when i a am nervous or cold.  i have seen two neurologists who put me thru all the neurological tests.  all came up normal except for the MEP which showed that my motor skills were very slow.  they have not come up with any answers which is very frustrating.  i asked my GP if maybe these symptoms occurred because of a stroke.  he could not give me an answer.  i hope a neurosurgeon answers your question as i would be very interested in the reply.  i have been trying to post my message for a long time but unfortunately am always unsuccessful.  so i am hoping i might get an answer this way. i would also be interested to hear if your symptoms are worse when you are cold or nervous.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Thanks for your comments.

CCF Neuro MD

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Kimmy:

Rest assured that what you are describing is not a result from a stroke.  The normal MRI and the slow progression of symptoms from the time you experienced the event make the stoke etiology almost impossible.  Stoke is an immediate event, and the deficit if present is almost immediate.  One might experience episodic worsening for a few hours but not for months.  You are doing the correct thing seeing a neurologist for your problems.  Sounds like the correct initial tests are being performed.  Your symptoms are not from a stroke.  I hope that you get things sorted out soon.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD