Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Interior Carotid Artery Dissection--Who Knows Their Stuff?

I am a 34 year-old active, white female, average height, very healthy weight.  I had an interior carotid dissection over a week ago, they think from a sports trauma (though I didn't do anything where I knowingly hurt myself).  Luckily, I have 100% collateral blood flow, no brain damage, no shifting, etc...best possible outcome.

Interestingly, in addition, I have tested positive for antiphospholipid antibodies (after testing false-positive for syphilis---common, who knew).  More tests reveal that I test positive for anticardiolipin antibodies, negative for lupus.  They have hooked me up w/ a hematologist for follow-up on this (and he is monitoring my Coumadin for the next 3-6 months).  He is running other tests to make sure that I do not have anti-beta 2 glycoprotein 1 instead of anticardiolipin.  Evidently, the test he ran 1st is not a specific test?  For some reason, the anti-beta would be worse?  I don't really understand all of this.  He doesn't seem to think there is a connection between what
happened to me (icad) and the antibodies, but there seems to be some research saying that there might be (several journal articles).  He says my antibody levels (whatever type they are) are low, so they just need to be monitored & if they
ever get high, I might need aspirin therapy to avoid a stroke.

Right now, my biggest frustration is that NO ONE seems to be able to tell me what I can and can't do.  I guess I am some sort of scientific anomaly, given that I survived this w/ no evident complications or neurological deficit.  Plus, they are dealing with someone who is used to lifting 3 days per week & doing cardio 3 days per week.  Can I drive?  Can I bend over?  Can I do laundry?  Go Christmas shopping? Work?  Have sex?  Exercise?  One doctor says I'll never exercise again.  One says, maybe in 6 weeks.  One says maybe in 6 months.  BUT, everyone qualifies everything they say with, "but I'm really not sure."  Can I just walk around a track right now?  Isn't that kind of like walking at the mall?  Can I do whatever I want as long as I keep my heart rate below X?  The official word from my discharge is not to lift anything over 2 lbs. and to pretend like I had abdominal surgery.  Please, I can lift a 30 lb. dumbbell over my head without even thinking about it, & I can do my fair share of sit-ups, so give me
some information that is relevant to me.  So, I contacted a sports medicine orthopedist that I have seen to see if he knows any doctors who work with athletes recovering from this condition or other head/cardiovascular type injuries/stroke.  If you can point me in any sort of relevant direction, or know anyone I should talk to, I would appreciate it.  You know, no one ever thought Lance Armstrong would get on a bike again.  I just got certified as a personal trainer & was in the process of opening up a gym.  This is not just a simple inconvenience to me.  All this indecision makes me wonder if I shouldn't have asked more questions when they said surgery
wasn't an option for me (too dangerous when blood thinners should do the trick).  Do they REALLY know how to treat this condition?  Where is the cutting edge science/medicine with respect to carotid artery dissection taking place?  I just want to find a doctor who wants to try to help me get back in the gym if at all possible.
427 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I am a 39 yr old man who enjoys coaching youth basketball. On Superbowl Sunday I was coaching my boys, yelling and screaming, then all of a sudden I experienced a hot flash. Immediately following the heat I experienced a migraine. I didn't think anything of it cause i suffer from migraines. BUT shortly after my head begin to hurt I started to see small grey spots in my left eye. It started with a few small specs which turned into more specs. (This is all happening while i'm coaching the game) By the end of the game I lose all sight. The only thing I could see was a grey cloud. I had no idea what was happening to me so I drove myself to the hospital. (I know, that was crazy of me) On the way to the hospital my vision began to come back gradually.


While at the hospital they ran several tests on me. CT's, MRI's and a host of others. They discovered that I suffered a Mini-Stroke due to my ICAD. A piece from the dissected artery flowed in to the stream and blocked the artery for a few minutes. So from now until the Doctors tell me to, I have to take Low Dose Aspirin and Pravastatin (Cholesterol Meds) everyday. Although I cannot partake in coaching and it bums me out, I consider myself a lucky man. It could have been a lot worse.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there,
I also suffered a small carotid dissection on 2/5/16 (38 y/o healthy male) and Horner's syndrome was my only symptom, aside from some minor aches in my head and same side ear that I thought were sinus related. I didn't require surgical intervention and am treating with both low dose aspirin and lipitor (cholesterol is fine but doctor wanted to prevent blockages of any kind, including arterial plaque).

To answer your question, my Horner's is going away daily. My pupil starting normalizing within days of leaving the hospital and starting aspirin. My eyelid droop is normalizing as well. Still dealing with some headaches and ear pain from time to time but it's manageable.

Glad I found this, guys. Wish you all the best in your recoveries.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just had a incident in Sept 2015 and today I am only on 325 of aspirin.  I have no history of high bloodpressure or any health issues.  I have not gone back to the gym and do get tired early.  I am waiting for 6 month mark to begin a gym routine, but will not lift anything heavy.  I for the most part feel normal. I do have desensitivity in my left hand still and do feel my left side (where two stints are) is different, but no pain.  I for sure do not feel completely normal, but compared to not being able to speak, type or feel my entire right side, I am happy.  Definitely, makes you realize what is important!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My daughter is 10 and in Sept (4 m) ago suffered a CAD with stroke while on the trampoline. We I have read many posts here and am so glad I found this site. We are experiencing many of the same issues. One Dr says the trampoline did not cause it and one Dr says it did? No one can tell us what the chances of re occurrence is. Her dissection closed/re sealed completely on its own. She takes a low does aspirin daily as they did not want to put her on blood thinner due to her age and did not want to limit her activity. Her blood work all came back with no markers to cause the episode. She had major left side droop and and her speech and thought processes were effected. She is now 100% recovered. Dr says this is due to her age and her brain being able to adapt better than an older person. She has legions in the sensory part and the motor parts of her brain but passes every test the Dr.s give to her. They are shocked at her recovery. BUT no one can seem to give us a clear understanding of what she can and should not do. She is 10. Long time of life and activity and we need some guidelines.  We have been told no contact sports ever (cannot risk concussion). She can cheer but she cannot be lifted. We were told she can do gymnastics. But nothing with any abnormal head movement. We were told she can never have a traditional chiropractic adjustment EVER. Of course we do not let her on the trampoline but we have a long list of questions. Can she ride horses, can she dive, He said no roller coasters for now. What does for now mean?......Risk of re occurrence.... Our neurologist did not feel qualified to answer so he is having us go see the surgeon that (ruled out surgery) to answer our question. She is happy, athletic and healthy and do not want to treat her as a sick kid. Right now if you met her on the street you would never know this traumatic thing happened.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My husband was recently diagnosed with Horner Syndrome.  He just had 3 MRIs to determine the cause & they now suspect carotid artery dissection.  He goes for a CTA tomorrow to get additional information.  My understanding is that Horner Syndrome is a symptom of Carotid artery dissection.   I am now wondering if the droopy eyelid & pupil dilation will reverse itself.  How has your experience with Horner's been?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
When I was first diagnosed my doctor said walking would be fine but no heavy lifting and to stay very hydrated.  My CAD continues to be 100%  occluded and it has  been one year.  I have resumed light lifting and short runs.  My doctor stated I should never do anything that raises my blood pressure too significantly.  I have been told there is not a lot of research on our condition, so not a lot of answers.  I am currently only on low dose aspirin.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease