WHAT DO I DO NOW???

[budda331]

I recently learned that I have what is called TIA on the left side and a Bruit on both Carotids' when I went in to the Emergency Room I was told about the Carotid Bruit and before they did the Surgery to remove all of my Thyroid ( due to Thyroid Storm ) I was told of the TIA. I haven't been told nothing further except to take Aspirin, I got out of the Hospital on June 27th after 7 days in the Hospital and that was on a Friday, the following Monday I had the same symptoms I had when I went in which were Shaking, a feeling of intoxication and swelling in the hand and numbness on the right side of the body !! ( opted not to go in ) So now I'm lost I have no clue what it is I should do, or what kind of questions I should ask or even what kind of Doctor to seek out for help. I'm a little well a lot scared actually that I will have a full scale Stroke.............Also should I drive with this condition? Any HELP will be appreciated

[budda331]

Hello Dr. Noopur,
Here is the report from the MRA of Head w/o contrast done at the Hospital, after you've read it could you please tell me what I should ask my PCP when I see him on the 29th? Thank You I don’t know what any of this means !!! It reads as follows:

Reason for Exam: TIA
Clinical Indication:
Weakness. TIA or Stroke
Technique:
Time of flight MRA sequences of the brain were obtained. Reformation were noted.

Findings:
Antegrade flow is noted in the distal internal, distal vertebral, posterior cerebral, middle cerebral, anterior cerebral arteries and their proximal branches without significant stenosis or occlusion. There is a 3mm wide neck aneurysm projecting posteriorly and  superiorly from the ICA terminus on the right. Tiny less than 2mm aneurysm projects posteriorly from the communicating segment of the supraclinoid right internal carotid artery, and potentially less than 2mm aneurysm projecting inferiorly from the communicating segment of the distal left internal carotid artery are noted. I suspect the left side is related to infundibular origin of the tiny posterior communicating artery. I do not see communicating artery on the right side though.
No other aneurysm is seen. I hope you can tell me what this means and what I can do about it. I also would like to know if I can drive myself around because I need to work and I just can't seem to get ahead so I need to find work asap.......

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,
TIA is often referred as a ministroke. This occurs due to temprory loss of blood supply to a particular area of brain. The symptoms usually last for an hour and then go away. Sometimes the symptoms persist then it is categorized a s a stroke.
The symptoms depend on the part of brain involved and include weakness on one side of the body, dizziness and numbness tingling and temporary loss of vision.
There is an ABCD score which predicts the likelihood of getting a stroke based on age, BP, clinical features and duration of TIA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transient_ischemic_attack
I would advise you seek consultation with a physician so that the underlying cause of your TIA can be identified and treated. Take care!