Stroke at age 19

[siddhalaxsmi]

I had a stroke when I was 19 and have damage left on my frontal lobe. My left side is weaker but I recently had a bad fall as my left side gave way again. Is there a possibility that I'm never going to get full use of my left side again? I'm 33 now and the problems left from the stroke seem to be getting worse. Thank you.

[siddhalaxsmi]

Thank you for getting back to me. I had a MRI here's the results; there is a well defined focus of white matter abnormality of approx. 18x12x10mm. The area is of uniform low signal intensity on T2 weighted images but on FLAIR images does show some central fluid signal with surrounding gliotic change. This lesion is well established as there is correlating reduced T1 signal intensity in this area indicating frank brain parenchymal loss. Tiny further subcortical abnormal white matter focus within right mid parietal region but generally none specific.      Any ideas on where I can get a new brain? I ask Santa but he just sends me socks!!

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Weakness post stroke takes time to improve. Much of the recovery is obtained in the first few months to year. After this time, additional recovery is minimal but can occur. However, the body does adapt to changes that allow for some functioning. Once injury to the brain occurs, the symptoms that occur can fluctuate. For example, infections or other irritants to the injured area can bring out the “stroke” symptoms.

Other causes could include transient ischemic attacks, migraine, tumor, and multiple sclerosis to name a few. You say you have had a stroke before. I am not sure where the stroke is located and am not clear on the “lack of circulation in the brain area” that you mentioned, but I will talk a little about seizures following stroke given the broad differential.

Other causes of stroke-like symptoms, such as numbness of one side of face, include transient ischemic attacks, especially if the symptoms do not persist. You have had a stroke before and thus have stroke risk factors. Other risk factors include smoking, high cholesterol and blood pressure, and age. Other stroke like symptoms can occur from seizure activity and migraine.

The best approach to fully evaluate your symptoms is to be referred to a neurologist. He/she may want to obtain an updated MRI using a stroke protocol that includes DWI imaging. (This would evaluate for the prior stroke but also for other conditions such as a mass or demyelination from infection or autoimmune disorders). Also, an EEG would be needed to evaluate for epileptiform activity. The neurologist will decide on further workup.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.