TIA and Residual Symptoms/Affects Afterwards

[TIA HasBeen]

My question is, is it normal to experience continual affects of a TIA?   Some of what I have read here leads me to believe that a TIA is a stroke that totally reverses itself and all symptoms go away within 24 hrs.  Other postings indicate that if symptoms continue or periodically return, then that is an indication that it was more than just a TIA or that there are continuing problems.

The problems I continue to experience are occasional light numbness in the left side of my face, (nothing like the initial numbness on the day of the TIA which was on the Right side of my face), weakness and fatigue in my neck, right arm and right leg.   Sensitivity to foods and medications (that didn’t exist prior to the TIA), periodic tightening of the throat and horseness (does not interfere with my breathing but sometimes makes swallowing difficult).  A burning sensation in my upper stomach/chest area after eating.  I often feel nauseated and have a loss of appetite.  I also have occasional hot flashes and the chills.  I also get ringing in the ears, and often have headaches that I never had before.  They are not intense nor do they normally last long.  I also get sharp pains in my back and neck, and various joints and parts of my body that I did not have before which normally do not last long. I think its also important to mention that I’ll often have 2 – 3 days where I feel great like nothing ever happened and then have a bad day where I experience many of the aforementioned symptoms.

Am I alone on this or do/have others experienced this, or similar symptoms after a TIA????

[ellielou]

i would like to ask the same thing i get exactly the same symtoms ,i had a mini stroke where a clot was found in my brain but have recently started havinf tias i get all these symptoms too.

tracy

[TIA HasBeen]

....I think it may be important to mention in my case that a ultrasound of my caratoid arteries and my heart after the TIA was normal.  Also, the EEG, Brain CAT Scan and Brain MRI showed no permanent damage or cause of the TIA.  These findings led them to conclude that the TIA was caused by high dosages of Motrin I was taken for a back injury which counteracted with the type of BP Med's I was taken.  I am 44 yrs old, over weight and in a very high stress job.  I have no motor or memory skills problems.  Just the nagging continual symptoms aforementioned.  As a side note, during testing they found that I had a previously unknown condition (Arnold-Chiari Syndrome w/Syrinx) but the neurologist concluded that I am A-symptomatic with that condition and that it had nothing to do with the TIA or the continuing symptoms I am experiecing. Hope this paints a clearer picture....

[Nel 03]

I had a TIA a few weeks ago (nothing found to cause it but large PFO in heart) and I too am having "residual" effects. I all of the sudden will get dizzy and confused, with tingling on my right side which lasts briefly and much less intense, but makes be believe another TIA is coming. My cardiologist said that when the brain is 'in shock' even briefly during a TIA, you can have symptoms...especially when one feels a bit of stress that a stroke may be impending and an asprin a day is all you have to work with. The more he talked, the more I felt he was saying it was all in my head...psychologically, not biologically. I also have an intolerance for caffenine and alcohol all of the sudden. 1 glass of wine feels like 2-3, and same for coffee. I hope it all stops soon.

[ellielou]

its all very confusing especialy when you get symptoms and tias are supposed to be over in minutes ,well if that really is the case then iam having tias every day .

iam waiting for a scan on my neck as they didnt do this 5 years ago when the clot in my brain caused a stroke .they did lumber punctures ,scans and a heart scan but couldnt find where the clot came from.

my asprin as been upped to 300mg a day now but iam still feel all the symptoms as the lady above.

iam 36 and had my first stroke aged 29.

tracey

[Bellarush]

All these posts indicate how little neurologists can say with certainty about the brain.

I had my brain bleed stroke almost ten years ago, yet I still occasionally have recurrences of symptoms.  The stroke was caused by extremely high blood pressure (250/150) I take medicine now to keep the pressure down, of course. Still, every now and then there will be a burst of light – a jagged edge circle floats in front of my eye (usually one eye).  The circle gets -brighter and brighter, then disappears.  The first time I had that happen was two weeks before the big one so subsequent ocular TIAs are scary. Another symptom I get if tearing in the left eye, weakness in the face (left) around the mouth, feeling like my face has been slapped.

My neurologist says that as there is nothing can be done about these TIAs, try not to worry.  Sure.

[TIA HasBeen]

Well....in one sense it is reassuring that I am not alone.  In another sense, it is scary to think that there are very few answers.  Truthfully, I have 5 years to work until I can retire and retiring early isn't an option.  What I think is bizarre is the inconsistency in symptoms.  For the last 3 days I have had a terrible ringing in my ears that is driving me nuts.  Though don't understand why I went the 1st 3 weeks w/o this.  Yesterday for the first time I had a pulsating burning sensation in my left lower rib case that just took the breath out of me everytime it hit.  Went away about an hour later then had the same thing in my right upper chest, but only last 5-10 mins.  Also awoke several times during the night realizing that I was having a flushing of sorts in my head which seemed like a mild TIA, resulting in a rear of the head, headache.  I do however agree in part with it being psychological, as I know that my symptoms and the feeling of an onset of another TIA occur more often when I am stressed or thinking to much about my problem.  Though there are days where I wake up feeling great without a care or thought in the world and an hour or two later I start getting symptoms.  Anyone have a doctor prescribe you medication for Vertigo to address the nausea and dizziness? Thanks for sharing...I pretty much have no one to talk 2 about this as those who r close to me, I believe, think this is all in my head. What compounds this is the symptoms often mirror a more serious problem (ie, on-set of heart attack, full-blown stroke, etc) and there is probably more stress in trying to ignore it as just symptoms of the TIA and yet questioning myself, what if I am wrong and I do have the big one.  Ironically, I would want nothing more than for it to all just GO AWAY!

[TIA HasBeen]

...more confused now than ever.  Saw my doctor today and he said that non of the symptoms I am experiencing now are directly related to the original TIA. In short, he believes the symptoms are being caused by anxiety (AKA - Its all in my head).  He feels that I am causing the anxiety by possibly thinking about the TIA and worrying that it is going to happen again.  Believe me if the symptoms disappeared tomorrow, I wouldn't think about the TIA ever again.  Unfortunately it is impossible not to think about the TIA when I wake up in the morning and have half a dozen symptoms consistent with when I had the original TIA.  Its not like I'm making it up when half of my face is numb, I can't swallow, I have ringing in my ears that won't go away, and my arm and leg are limp and lifeless.  Maybe someone will post something here to shed some light on this for all of us who share in this.

[ellielou]

i know what you mean ,back in 99 before i had my stroke i was sent to see the neurologist because i was having all these symtoms the worse being the pain in the back of my head ,he said it was stress to which i replied i wasnt stressed ,he asked if i had kids to which i told him i had a new baby and he replied "well there you are then its stress" no matter how much i told him i wasnt stressed he wouldnt listen ,1 month later i had a stroke with a clot found in my cerebelum.

so when a doc tells me its stress i told believe him ,i think they say that when they cant or cant be bothered to find an answer.

I swear that when i get to see my neurologist again and he says its stress i will flip.Iam fed up now with these symtoms .

tracey

[CISSYMURG]

hi: my husband had tia startd back in aug 05 had three since then he is 46. he now is out of work and has a problem talking. he is on many medications one being comidian which is a blood thinner to keep clots from going to the brain. he is now in physcal therpy and needs speech therpy. the neuro doctor says if he has one more his brain will not be able to handle it. when he had his 1st one my husband ingnored the signs and didn't go to the hospital. please if anyone has any kind of numbness it's not normal get right to the doctor. first came the numbness then the loss of speech. take care all.

[STUCKATHOME]

I had a tia in july.  I still have symtoms that the neurologist says is in my head.  I lost strenght in my right side, was in rehab inpatient and out for 2 months. I think mine are caused by A-typical migrains.  I have one at least twice a week.  I still have dizzy spells with the headachs and fall.  I am afraid to drive but all test show I am ok.  I am seeking a second opinion and the dr wants me to have a neuropsych test anything about this test?

[Cindy2652]

Hi!  I've been having health problems for about two+ years now.  As of now, no one can figure out what is wrong with me.  Symptoms include:  dizziness, mental confusion, visual disturbances (darkness followed by flashing lights in both eyes), clumsiness, heavy legs.  My neurologist is insistent that it is MS.  I have had an MRI and am awaiting results.  But just two days ago, while at my daughter's, she noticed how confused I was.  I was telling her about my father and called him grampy.  But she said I said Fred (my fiance) instead of grampy.  I heard it as grampy.  This is really bothersome to me.  One other day a few weeks ago, I walked into the kitchen talking to myself and realized that everything I said came out wrong.  HELP!

[2muchtestosterone]

Hi,  I am a 32 yr old female and I recently had a possible TIA.  I had a cat scan about 10 days after the attack, an MRI 2 1/2 weeks after, bloodwork and the typical muscle strength tests. My attack suddenly occurred while I was in a chat room. I have had the occassional migraine headache since the age of 16yrs old, and I have had approx. 4-5 migraine auras within the last year.  One migraine aura occurring two days after the attack. The possible TIA attack occurred as I was typing and reading in a online chatroom as I said, began with a sharp headache at my left temple area.  Within about 3-5 min. instantly-what is called Alexia-I could not read the sentences,words I was looking at. It was not a visual deficit. I attempted to sound out each word extremely slowly like a child, trying to put together letter sounds to form each word. I couldn't do it. I am telling you I had to have looked and sounded like a mentally disabled individual. I yelled my husband's name 3 times but couldn't speak right to form full sentences. I could only get out partial sentences, speaking only the important clue words. My tongue for the first time ever went numb along with my upper lip and my right hand, which was also stiff. I definitely had anxiety at that point, but I couldn't speak clear enough for my husband,of whom I had awoken from a sound sleep,to understand that something was seriously wrong with me. This entire attack only lasted up to 30 min. If my perception of time isn't off.  I really don't have a question here, but rather want to let some of the others who have posted here know that there are other disorders etc. which have similar symptoms that they have posted of. I also have been seeing a neurologist for approx. 2 1/2 years and being treated for MS, though I am undiagnosed with MS at this time. My MRI's have been clear of visual lesions. MS has many sensory and other symptoms such as those some of you have posted AND if no lesions show up on MRI, there is no clear cut answer as to why you are experiencing these bizarre symptoms that you are. After the possible TIA that I experienced, the spasticity, tremors and twitching that I have experienced these past 2 1/2 yrs were occuring full force, including a migraine aura two days after the attack. I really do not know,nor do my specialists as to whether this attack was a TIA and a prompter for the MS exacerbation-if that is what's going on, or perhaps it could have just been an exacerbation of MS with rare symptom of alexia accompanying. I also have aortic valve and mitral valve insufficiency and saw my cardiologist today. I will be having a Transesophageal Echocardiography-TEE on Jan. 26, to check my heart and those valves, just in case they are spitting out small clots and caused a TIA.  Either way I am going to have to have some faith in God, my specialists knowledge/experience/education and continue to educate my self as well.  I know that it is difficult to not allow fear to take over, but you must not allow anxiety over "not knowing" cause even more symptoms. I also know that the anxiety can cause you to be hyper-sensitive to everything that you feel in your body. Even to those physical feelings which are normal. Keep a journal and be honest with your doctors. Hang in there. I hope you are able to find within you some comfort for your anxieties. btw. my nickname comes from living with two boys and my husband-too much testosterone! :o)  Take care

[TOConnell]

Hello there.I am 37 years old, male, and I had my first TIA in January 2005. I was then diagnosed with high blood pressure and high(ish)cholesterol. I was not very careful and continued to smoke, not really tighten up on what I was eating, and not get enough exercise. I learned my lesson 10 Jan 06 when it happened again,much worse with paralysis down my right side taking 2-3 days to clear. While there I had a heart attack, had an angiogram,an angioplast, and a stent inserted in my coronary artery (90 pc closed I was told)In total I spent 3 weeks in 2 seperate hospitals. It took 4-5 months before I could return to work, and Im about 95 pc back to what I was.The problem is that my Basilar artery is degraded to the extent of what you would find in a much older person. This, I am told is a hereditary problem, compounded by external factors such as cigarette smoking,salt/fat diet and a slightly below average fitness level. Im on BP tablets, cholesterol tablets, and thinners. I gave up smoking, get regular exercise and (try) to be careful what I put in my body food wise.I still get symptoms (maybe side effects from the tablets, or my arteries reacting to same or effects of my condition) which nag at me almost daily.I get whats called 'shooting pains', sharp needle like pains in my head,neck, temples lasting maybe 30-40 seconds.Spicy foods sometimes give me woeful indegestion across my chest. My balance is still a bit off and I wake up very early and get very tired after 10 at night. My BP is tightly controlled but I have to be careful to keep it that way. Does anyone have the same problem with their Basilar artery? You value everything more when you get a fright like I got. God is looking down on us all methinks?
Tom

[OneScaredBuckeye]

I had what my doctor thinks is a TIA only three nights ago, though I didn't explain everything completely to him.  I got so scared when he told me it was a TIA and I've been terrified ever since.  Finding this forum is a big help to me because I don't feel so alone.  

I was lying in bed reading (I had been reading all day, though not in bed) and my husband asked if he should turn out the light or if I wanted to read more.  I told him to turn out the light.  

As soon as he did, I noticed my left eye was not "seeing" as well as it should be.  It seemed like there was a black "spot" in front of it.  I covered my right eye and I could see the window in front of me, but not the moonlight coming in through the slats.  I covered my left eye and I could see everything.  I tried covering my right eye again.  Same thing.  I didn't have a "blind spot" but I just couldn't see the light coming in.  The whole window was black, like a TV screen, though I could see it.  I turned and looked back to another window that had more light coming in and I could see, though my vision in my left eye was dimmer.  I know the blindness could have resolved in the few seconds before I put my hand over my right (unaffected eye) but it still seems strange to me that all I couldn't see was the moonlight coming in through the slats.  I thought if vision resolved after a brief TIA, then I'd see the moonlight dimly and see it just grow stronger.

I then ran, really ran, with no problems, upstairs and told a family member I might be having a detached retina.  Then, all was fine.  I went to the bathroom, went to bed and shrugged it off.  I saw the doctor the next day for depression and just mentioned the eye incident as an afterthought.  Now I find myself scheduled to have an echocardiogram and a carotid duplex as well as blood tests, which I'll have, of course.  The doctor also put me on daily aspirin therapy, 81 mg. day.  He said my carotid arteries and heart sounded fine, but of course, the distinctive sound of blockage is not always heard.

I've never been sick in my life except for mumps, measles, and chicken pox as a child and shingles in August, which cleared with no side effects.  I have no family history of cardiovascular disease (I mean none, not even all four grandparents families), am Caucasian, have normal blood pressure (about 120/60, sometimes a lower systolic), good pulse (about 50 usually), exercise an hour daily, eat almost no fat, salmon but no other meat, take vitamins, lots of fiber, never smoked, never drank alcohol, never took illegal drugs, never had migraines.  I am somewhat overweight and dieting.  I'm fifty-nine and look and feel thirty-nine.  People take for thirty-nine or forty.  I considered myself so lucky before this.  

I do have extreme anxiety and depression and have had for quite some time.  The doctor started me on Paxil 20 mg. and I was already taking Valium 10 mg. and Inderal 20 mg. once a day.  Even with all of this, I'm a total wreck of nerves.  No one in my family will talk to me about what happened or my fears.  They think I'm making too much out of it and maybe I am, especially after reading this forum.  But this is totally new to me and I'm just terrified.  I was relaxed, for me, when it happened, by the way, but still stressed.

I guess I am lucky.  So far, I have no residual effects.  I feel fine physically, just a wreck mentally and so, so afraid.  You do value everything so much more after this kind of scare.  I love my life and don't want to leave it.

Good luck to everyone on the forum and thanks for posting.  I feel I'm not alone in this and have friends even though I've never communicated with any of you.

Does anyone else find it odd that the moonlight was the only thing I couldn't see?

Again, good luck to us all and God bless us all.

[mnt1]

I was diagnosed with having had a TIA out of nowhere aged 29. All tests found nothing except for a PFO, my health generally very good except for a stressful job.

5-6 weeks on I'm still experiencing sporadic tingling (although this is improving), I get pins and needles very easily whenever I lie on a limb, plus persistent tinnitus in left ear, occasional left-sided headaches and also nausea when looking at a computer or TV screen for long periods of time.

The doctors haven't explained at all why i'm having symptoms still... TIA's are supposed to clear up almost straight away, aren't they?!

[OneScaredBuckeye]

I'm not sure if TIAs clear up right away.  If the doctors can't explain why you're having symptoms, then there's no damage and no ongoing problem.  Did the doctor put you on daily low-dose aspirin therapy?  Mine did.  I know that can cause tinnitus, but if you're on aspirin, you shouldn't stop it.  The other symptoms could possibly be anxiety over the TIA (I know I have anxiety), but if they can't find a reason for the symptoms, maybe you should see another doctor or ask for a mild tranquilizer since your job is so stressful.  I know cutting out caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, all soft drinks) helped me greatly.  It's really important to cut out caffeine, and that means all caffeine, not just reducing it.  Caffeine raises blood pressure and elevated blood pressure is the biggest risk factor.  Good luck to you.  I hope you feel better soon.

[Jazzyfizzle]

Hi Mnt and Buckeye

I was just diagnosed with the PFO after 4.5 years of terrible health (alot of backstory). My Neuro said that small clots are able to pass through to the brain and cause the TIA's. Is this what you were told also?

Jazzy

[OneScaredBuckeye]

I'm having my echocardiogram tomorrow and my carotid duplex on Friday, probably my bloodwork on Friday, too, so I don't have any test results yet.  However, I've read that small clots can form when one has a PFO or atrial fibrillation.  I think sometimes they close the PFOs and sometimes they don't.  Sometimes they prefer to manage the PFOs with medication.  Strange that people are born with PFOs and yet they usually don't cause any symptoms until adulthood.

Good luck with your appointment, Jazzy.

Buckeye

[mnt1]

Thanks buckeye... yes on aspirin and will try without caffeine and sugar though don;t usually have much of them anyway.

I saw a neurologist who also mentioned that oxygen bubbles can form and move through the PFO as well as clots.

It is strange why they should all of a sudden cause a problem... and then after the initial TIA keep causing them.

Hope both your tests and appointments went well...  

[OneScaredBuckeye]

My echo and carotid duplex came back perfectly normal, but the doctor is keeping me on aspirin therapy for the time being.  I had my bloodwork done yesterday but probably won't have the results until Monday or Tuesday.  I still have my opthamologist's appointment, but with the clean arteries and good heart, it's not as much of a priority as it was before.  My doctor says he isn't even sure I had a TIA now.  Well, I hope I didn't.

I think I read that PFOs usually don't cause problems when we're children, but they can in adulthood, though I'm only 90% sure of this.  I know I read that sometimes they aren't surgically treated but are managed in other ways, usually with medication.  If surgically closed, then the risk for clots is gone, I think.

I do know aspirin can cause tinnitus and some people just develop tinnitus for no apparent reason.

Good luck to both of you.  Health problems are awful, aren't they?  I still have a few more to get straightened out.  Again, good luck.

[Jazzyfizzle]

Hi Buckeye, I am glad to read that your tests came back normal, that is wonderful news. I hope you can find out what happened. Good luck to you also!

Jazzy

[OneScaredBuckeye]

Thanks, Jazzy.  My cholesterol levels are also in the optimal range, so who knows?  Heart is, in the doctor's words, "perfect" and my carotid arteries are 100% clean.  I still have my opthamologist appointment so maybe that will turn up something.  Good luck with the treatment for the PFO.  I hope it all goes extremely well.

[lizzy62]

[lizzy62]

Looking for a little advice/help please - a close relative has had several TIA's - so this forum has been of GREAT help - all symptoms that no one would believe - blocked throat, explosion in head, aching joints, drooped mouth (of which was the giveaway), blood pressure, cholesterol now under control and on aspirin daily BUT what are the after symptoms?  confused, ratty, forgetfull, argumentative, hyper-active, skin rashes??  are these symptoms that anyone has been left with ?  Or could these be symptoms from the medication.  Doctors seem un-interested with symptoms - any advice would be much appreciated - thanks worried relative

[mnt1]

With TIAs there should in theory be no symptoms/after-effects after about 24 hours, and all the doctors i've spoken also seem uninterested in symptoms since even my father told me it was probably in my head!). I've recently (after Christmas parties) clearly linked alcohol use to one of my symptoms - something i never had prior to my TIA. So there must be some change in my body since the TIA... not sure if the doctors will listen to that or just tell me it's nothing again.

From reading posts on here it's clear that many people do suffer symptoms/after-effects but with doctors generally not interested in these i can only conclude that either (i) it's common to have psychosomatic problems, which doctors don't know how to treat or (ii) the after effects of TIAs are not fully understood.

[bigbrotherc]

I had my Hemoraghic Stroke back in 1998 , 2 weeks before I got married. I was driving down the highway and suddenly had a flashing pain go from my neck into my head and then vertigo and vomiting. I managed to drive to a phone to call 911and then woke up 5 hours later feeling fine. It took a while to get diagnosed after multiple trips to the ER for similiear symptoms before landing in intensive care which led to the answer. I have had all these symptoms since and take coumadin,plavix,terazosin and lisinopril to control the TIA type symptoms. I also take occasional valium for residual dizziness(lessened as time goes on) and have developed asthma symptoms controlled by inhalers and clariten. My heart is healthy and I have had all the test known to mankind, two caths, 4 echos of different types,chemical and tread stress, have worn halter monitor and mri's, cat scans and more. My cardiologist took me off coumadin and the sympoms of TIA came back so here we are. I am 51, active and while stressed, my wife (she married me the day I got out of the hospital and we have been married 10 yeasr with two kids. My personallity was changed (she says) and I do have some swings depending on my med load. I pray for all of you to find the answers to this misunderstood condition. Sincerely, Carl Gardner Richmond, Kansas

[JBonny]

This site has been very helpful to me.  At least, I am not alone.  Not one of you mentioned being diabetic.  Supposed to be big contributing factor.  Had my TIA on Tuesday evening.  Scared to death.  MD out of town.  Went through ER.  Had every test in the book.  

[withnail1969]

I had a TIA last month and it has taken me a month to get back to normal. The first 6 hours were the worst. I could speak and walk again by that time and I improved daily from then but it definitely wasn't all over after 24 hrs. I still get very tired very quickly. I also have tinnitus but that started before the TIA.
I'm now waiting to have tests to see if I have a PFO which would give me a reason for all of this.
Best of luck everyone!

[tc1120]

my name is tom i am 47...and last year a bomb was dropped on me...... i had a tia while operating my crane i went to talk and it all came out wrong i was rushed to hospital were they found i have had 3 tia,s then they told me i had a tear in my heart...mmmmmm.shocked or what......i then went on to have a few more heart attacks, prob due to the stress of the shock of it all,in nov i had open heart surgery and am still recovering.....yes its been hard, and yes ,i feel ,and have all the syptoms (symptoms) that i have read in this forum,....no matter what any -one tells you ,all that you feel" is real"........."to all off us".....and yes it is one thing i would,nt wish on anyone.....however........if what i say helps...please read on.....if you lost a leg would you stop walking?...no....why do people who have, still get itchy foot? does anybody really understand....no, but what we all can do is adapt.....and if the mind can trick you/ us to have these symptons..why can we trick our own brain.sounds crazy?......but think.......example.....ever cut yourself and not noticed until you see the blood? why did,nt you feel the pain?....but when you saw it you went..ohhh....,,,,,try to carry on with life don,t manifest...and most importantly......what every one on this forum will say is "we all forgot to have a really good laught." love to you all tom

[Leli88]

Hi all,

I live in Toronto, Ontario Canada. I am a 46 year old female, 105 lbs. Not stressed out.  Feb 14/08 (go figure - Valentines day) was when this all started -  blurred vision, loss of strength and dizziness. My blood pressure is high according to the doctors, but when I monitor it at home - it is just right, if not low. My MRI apperantly shows that I have scarring on the left side of my brain, which tells him I had a stroke.  I am still undergoing tests (it is now the end of September) They did find a hole in my heart (so says the technician who did the CT scan) but I have yet to hear from any doctor. I am dizzy all the time and I find myself stumbling into walls & bumping into things(I alway seem to fall to the right). When I hit a pothole while driving I get a real shifting feeling in my head. I've only had one aura since, but it did not turn into a headache. Lets just say I do a lot of squinting and scrunching up my eyes to regain focus several times a day. I wish it would all go away as you all do to!

[Jodi427]

TIA's are temporary.  Just as thier name implies.  All symptoms should resolve within a matter of hours.  IF your symptoms continue, seek help!  Cerebral vascular insufficiency can cause MOST of the symptoms that so many of you are describing.  How to treat CVI is a matter of great debate.  Certainly ASA therapy is indicated, however, keep in mind that the job of aspirin is to kill platelets, taking your blood longer to clot, not preventing clots entirely.  In other words, taking ASA daily keeps the number of circulating platelets down, reducing your clotting ability.  Plavix makes the platelets "less sticky" preventing them from sticking to plaque and each other reducing your risk of clot formation.  One member mentioned migraines.  There is a type of migraine that is very dangerous and can lead to stroke or TIA.  What happens is during the headache the brain experiences severe vasospasms, which in turn can cause a TIA due to limited oxygen supply from the severly constricted vessels or CVA from trapped blood forming clots in the severely constricted vessels.  I have suffered 2 strokes from this type of migraine.  My first, at age 38, I had 5 clots.  My second, 6 months later, I had 2 clots.  The residual damage from stroke can takes weeks, months, or years to resolve....some take a lifetime and never fully recover.  This WILL NOT happen with a TIA!!!!!!  Ask your neuro about CVI and discuss treatment options!!!!
Sometimes, it is somewhat in our heads...so to speak.  Suffering through such a scarey event...at any age....causes harm not only to our bodies and brains...but to our entire sense of well being.  For soooo long I was afraid that anything out of the ordinary was a new stroke.  In fact, I was just so much more attuned now to what my body was doing, that I was noticing more than I ever would have before!  It's OK and PERFECTLY NORMAL to experience this!!!!  If it becomes bothersome to the point of interferring with your life...talk to someone!  Seek the guidance of a NEURO-psychologist.  These wonderful people are specifically trained in treating/helping individuals who have suffered neurological episodes or damage.  They understand!!!!  Good luck and God Bless each of you!!!  Remember knowledge is power!!!  I am not a stroke victiom, I am a stroke survivor!

[liz1993]

I am 38 years old and I had a massive stroke about 3 weeks ago, God really saved me, I only have minor symptoms, visual deficit and some speech problems,  I went today for barium swallow exray, I am having chest pains after eating, has anyone had the same problem, please let me know, I will go doctor neurologist in about 2 weeks and I have going to myfamily doctor until then, i have quite smoking and I am now taking plavix and verapamil, I am so scared my friends and family do understand, everyone says I should be thankful it wasn't worst and I am every minute of every dayand I thank god all the time, but I am still scared Just wantedto share with some one who may understand

[leigh258]

I spent time in hospital from Sunday 9th Nov got out Fri 14th,I had 3 episodes of dizziness not being able to speak mouth dropping left side of body going numb,blurred vision.Only realised dropped mouth after suffering one of these at work,and boss being a rgn sent  me to doctor.Have had ct scans,mri scans,blood tests,Doctors told me on the Thursday i had suffered TIA,S,but nothing on scans and all had gone.Then late Thursday neuroligist said i had probably suffered headaches,only on one of these episodes did i get a headache,on the Friday had to drink barium then dye put into my blood and go through ct scan again.before this i had to stay in bed for an hour and had blood taken from my wrist three times during an hour to test hormone or something,because my bp was so low during my stay in hospital.I was allowed home Friday evening,not got back results from Friday yet.I have an outpatient app with the neuroligist in three weeks,have been signed off work for four weeks.Anyone who witnessed these episodes including my boss think they looked like TIA,S my neighbour phoned my sister getting me to hospital on the last one,I was happy to stay at home.Im confused Im forty and never suffered with migranes have they suddenly started now?It has been the scariest three weeks of my life,and i have not had an easy life i dont scare easy Im confused,shall i just write it all off as a headache.

[bessie]

i am a 58 year old female had a series of tias early september was hospitalised for 2 weeks seem to have recovered quite well, noise has become a big issue with me as has fleeting numbness of the face and pain both sides of the neck. also have the strange and scary feeling of small electric shocks in my head and legs.  i to was told no after effects. one caratiod atery is completely blocked and headaches worsening my problem is afer reading these comments i feel there seem to be common thread of varying quite clear symptoms.  i myself have not discussed my personal experiences with my gp or anyone else thus far but i feel if i do i know what the respnse will be good luck to all

[N4DHS]

I had a TIA on January 16th 2009 - woke up from a nap with a shaky left hand then my husband noticed that one side of my face was moving and the other was not - so off to the hospital we went - i am still having a little problem with speaking and i dont feel "right" - apparently the dr told my husband that this probably not my first TIA since my symptoms didnt go away immediately.....I am 43 with high BP (controlled with meds) probable stage 3 CKD shingles and depression - i am also at the moment very overweight.......dont eat right and dont exercise - but i dont smoke and i am NOT a diabetic.....mri and cat scan showed nothing and my echo was fine except for a SMALL mitral valve problem which i already knew about and i have about 15% blockage in my neck.....scared the you know what out of me...my husband is terrified - my boss (i am a church secretary and am extremely close to him and his wife) is scared to death....i have always thought that i had enough time to lose the weight and get better etc. but i guess i dont...

[baz5]

Wow , I wish i had been here about 3 years ago!  I was 33 when i had my first TIA.  The symptoms stayed with me for a while.  I did go back to work about 2 days later even with the bad headaches, dizzyness, visual disturbances...etc.  About 2 months after my TIA I had a stroke.  They said that the TIA can kind of be like a warning of whats to happen later. Yeay me!  The stroke took my peripheal vision on my left side.  They still dont know why i had a stroke.  They did find a PFO (sounds like its popular!) and I had the cardio seal implant about 2 months after my full stroke.  They put me on blood thinners, blood pressure meds, migraine meds, headache meds...blah blah. Just until recently my head has been pretty stable...not that many headaches, fuzzyness and all that.  I took myself off some of the meds because i felt like the doctors were just doping me up to mask the symptoms.  At this time I am on to my new adventure of finding out that I have Lupus and possible Hashimotos disease.  I say "Bring it On!!"  I will and can conquer anything.  Be good to yourself...Im figuring that one out as I go.
Take Care Everyone. Peace.

[elrod58]

i had what as called bell's palsy day after x-mas took the meds they usually give talked funny, mouth drooped,eye drooped, right side of my face was tingle but my right thumb felt like it would explode, i went to my reg. dr. a week later he side tingling wasn't a effect of bells.i had a mri run and ultra sound and mt left aretry in my neck is 35-50 % blocked
my bp i managable 130 /8o good cholestrol 120 taking med to control
but my nerves is a wreck,I am seeing a specialist to see if they need cleaning but think it is  waste of time and money,, i have had no pain just scared to death of this any help or suggestions, he did give me some anxiety pills

[Lynne317]

I had a TIA Jan 21st and watched the inagural from a hospital bed!
About 9am my whole left side went numb, called 911, ambulance, stroke center hospital, MRI,CAT scan, EKG, echocardio,etc.  
The original feeling of the "gone to sleep" tingling, numbness seemed to wear off gradually about 1pm but then returned less powerfully and then wore off again and back again about 5 pm.  Each time a little less in intensity.  I'm 71, not heavy, have good blood pressure usually, but
this day it was very high and they have decided it was from the decongrestant-antihistamine I was taking.  I WILL NOT TAKE THEM
EVER AGAIN!!!!
For today I'm having the "gone to sleep"  muscle in my left bicep,
I feel a little dizzy, and because of the stopped up head (I can't breathe through my nose at all) I'm mouth breathing all the time which is difficult, and I'd sure like these disoriented feeling to go away.  I am
extremely tired all the time and I can't seem to sleep enought. Eight hours or more at night, morning naps, afternoon naps and I feel like
I haven't slept at all.

I'm sure anxiety is part of it, but a baby aspirin is all I can do?  Dr
also said to exercise more.  I'll have to figure out how to do that.
I'm so glad I read this.

[N4DHS]

unfortunately my bp went up in a bad way on tuesday ;) - but i am starting to feel better and better each day - however a very close friend of mines husband died in Afghanistan on Friday - but like my Dr said - we ALL need to try to relax - I am trying to eat better - and I have lost some weight since I got out of hospital but I am a true type A and its hard to stop it sometimes.....one of the nurses suggested meditation but I am not sure if I have the patience to do that either.....

[kevonski]

i had my first tia at 35 and now have symptomsoften on a weekly basis  which i found terrifying but it has almost become normal now due to their frequency. i am beginning to wonder if i am confusing anxiety with tia's/ apparently the symptoms of anxiety attacks can be similar. the symptoms come out of the blue even when i am feeling totally relaxed so i am not sure but i have noticed that often after a long flight i tend to get the symptoms much more severlely whcih makes me think i am having a thrombosis

i just wish i knew what it was....i would rather know i was suffwering from anxiety than having a stroke

[N4DHS]

I think I had ANOTHER one the other day - the inside edge of my left palm was tingling and I felt sick - and I think my face was goofy again - I am seriously considering getting a cane because I am starting to think people think i am somewhat drunk not just slurring my words slightly and unsteady on my feet because of the tias....but i flew to san diego on tues and did just fine on the plane.....

[SleeplessnCalifornia]

I too wish I found this forum years ago, I had my TIA back in 2004, I thought I was food poisoned after thanks giving dinner, I was severly nausus, left side face,arm and leg went numb. It past after a few hours, I went to the doctor 2 days later... and he told what had happened ( TIA )and kept me in the hospital for a couple days.. He said that this was a prelude to the big one. Though my left side took a few months to fully recover. Years later I still have reaccurring symtoms, that the neuralogist cant seem to find. I was beginning to think I was crazy, til i found this forum.. Lately I feel like my brain is shorting out, because my short term memory is aweful. I have terrible insomnia . My left side of my face and neck gets numb and tight when Im tense and My left hand gets weak , but it goes away after an hour or 2. The doctor cant find anything other than my High blood pressure wrong.
This is really scary. I really need to get my Blood pressure under control , but everything the doctor gives my gives me side effects that I cant function with. Will these symtoms ever stop? Or am I really waiting for the Big One?

[upset590]

I had a attack which dr said was a very light stroke.er dr diagnosed as bells palsy took his med when i go  to see my dr.after having tingling in right hand he assured me it was not bells palsy, my left carotid artery was near rupture and had surgery to repair now i am on aspirin and plavix for a while but if any one has or is diagnosed as bells palsy and has other symptoms other than the face get to a dr quick... i am on low fat diet no red meat or its products i have lost 25 lbs was not obese trying to get cholestrol down to where dr wants it but get  second opinion when in doubt.other than right side of my nose feels a little numb and effects of surgery 7 weeks ago i feel better daily. my attack was 26 day of dec.

[jacksue]

I THINK I had a TIA but havent had it confirmed yet.  The main symptom was involuntary eye blinking, along with dizziness, headache and neck ache and feeling spaced out for a few days.  II thought - wished - it was a virul infection.  I'm fit and do a LOT of excercise am not massively overweight.  My dad died of a massive stroke - but he was 82 - and he was incredibly fit for his age.  My doc said much of it was down to genes.  I drink a couple of bottles of wine each week but am going to try to half that.  I have also smoked and do still a little but that's going to stop to - though it will be hard - I only have a few a day so I can hardly beleive its had any effect.  Its very reassuring coming to this thread - thanks to all of you for making me feel part of a group.

[rainbow1107]

I'm 46 yrs old and have been in perfect health until now. I have never smoked, eat healthy and exercise everyday.  I had what my doctor ruled to be a TIA one week ago and I still do not feel right. All I have had done so far was a CT scan and it came back normal. But, I still feel weakness and tingling in my right arm and on and off light headed off balance feeling and since about a day after the TIA  I have felt a burning sensation and heavy feeling in my upper chest and a feeling that something is stuck in my throat. I then feel like I can't breath and start to panic. Until tonight it has not bothered me when I sleep but, tonight it woke me up I'm sitting here deciding if I should go to the ER. Has anyone else had these feelings following a TIA?

[sue_in_oz]

Hi

It may or may not be another TIA - get it checked out.

Remeber a TIA is a warning, don't ignore it.

HTH

Sue

[redeme]

I had a TIA about 8 months ago and I still have residual symptoms.  My understanding was that they should be gone in 24 hours, but that's not been my experience.  I have memory issues, trouble finding the right words, spelling is hard now, sensitive to noise, visual disturbances.  When, I first got home, I spent a lot of time regaining some of my lost coordination and needed to sleep an incredible amount.  

Time is helping, I'm slowly getting better.  It's unguided, my neurologist tends to use migraines or stress as the cause, which I don't really think are the deal.  As someone previously posted he thinks its all in my head.  I'm taking the prescribed meds and try to remember it doesn't matter how it use to be, what matters is doing the best I can today.  

It's irritating at times, but, it is how it is...

[Tanjarine]

It may be worth checking out info on Central Pain Syndrome - http://painonline.org & http://www.painonline.com - Also there is a support group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/cps_alliance/

Some symptoms people are describing sounds all too familiar with Central Pain Syndrome.

Check out the websites and you'll be enlightened.

Peace to you all
Tanjarine

[betsypear1]

I'm so glad I found this thread! I have been diagnosed recently with "recurrent TIAs" - the first was when I was getting into my car and suddenly felt very weak on the right side. I saw my doctor and she put me in the hospital overnight for observation. A CT scan and all other tests turned up normal. Then a few days later, I felt like I couldn't move my tongue and it felt weird to chew, so I ended up back in the hospital for 3 days, again with all tests coming up normal (echocardiagram, carotid ultrasound).

Like others here, even though the diagnosis was TIA, I have had residual symptoms, especially in my right hand coordination and left leg/foot.  I also have some instances of numbness in my face and extremities. When I mention some of these symptoms, the doctors seem perplexed. Now, reading some of these accounts here, I'm wondering if they're thinking it's "all in my mind."  I'm scheduled for an MRI in two weeks so we'll see what that turns up.

Anyway, I had always read that TIA symptoms were supposed to resolve within 24 hours, but apparently that's not necessarily the case.

[jae416]

I had a stroke 8 months ago, aged 41, pfo was diagnosed although still waiting for cardiology dept at hospital to respond to this! I recovered well and after about 4 months i had no residual symptoms at all however about 6 weeks ago i started getting a "heavy" feeling in my left arm. i saw my gp who said that i didnt appear to have any weakness and that we should just "see how it goes" Has anyone else had this happen to them?  

[Jo58]

I recently had a mini-stroke at age 51.   I am in excellent health, not overweight, and exercise three times a week. After three days in the hospital and many medical tests, a PHO was found, and an MRI showed that it was indeed a stroke.  One week after the stroke, I started having tingling in my right arm and leg.  My right eye was constantly tearing, and I had headaches off and on.  You have no idea how happy I was to discover this message board and realize that I was not alone.  I was amazed that many of you had the same symptoms as I have.  I know that stress can bring on symptoms, but I do think that even though I recovered completely, there are lasting symptoms long after a stroke.  I hope to have this hole closed soon, as I continue to fear another episode.
Good luck to all of you~

[ectoplasm]

I'm 43 and 4 months ago I had a couple of TIA's, then a stroke a few hours later. It affected my right side, but I was back to normal a month later. Since that time I've also had tingling/numbness off and on in my cheek and arm on my left side. The opposite side from my stroke. It's not in my mind, not a panic attack, or brought on by stress. I was relaxing, sitting and watching tv a half hour ago and had the symptoms again. Of course whenever it happens I immediately think TIA. The symptoms usually go away within 15 minutes and aren't nearly as bad as my original TIA's though. But, like others have said, it's good to know other people that have gone through this are experiencing similar things.      

[marysmom24]

I've had 3 experiences with similar symptoms.
I had all the tests done and the only thing they found was a small pfo.I am taking aspirin daily.
Neurologist said it was a migraine stroke.
My BP goes very high(even though I'm on medication) whenever I go the doctors office, but is low at home.
I also have anxiety and agoraphobia. I was taking Lexapro for those problems, but I stopped the Lexapro after 4 years.Still have the same problems.
I have a Holter monitor on now and will have another thalium stress test at the end of the week.
The migraine strokes started about 5 years ago.