after effects of a TIA

A week ago I had a Tia. I was unable to speak and could not move my left arm or leg. This went on for about an hour and 15 mins. After a night in the hospital, and an Mri and other scans. I was released. I was told I should have no side effects. But  now I have bad head aches on my left temple and I get a stabbing pain on my temple and neck, that last that last just several seconds.
    Also my speach has been effected slightly. Often I will be talking and a word will pop in a sentence where it doesnt belong, and I forget just what I want to say.
   Could you tell me how long these symptons last?
     Thank you
        jjjtll

[idbl_fanatic]

I too am having these same symtoms (symptoms), it has been a month tomorrow since I had my TIA, and I have also had more numbness, and weakness of my right arm since I was released. I too am trying to find out how long this will last, because this VERY seriously affects my job (I am on phone calls all day) The speech comes and goes for me, depending on how long I have been talking for.

[Juliexxx]

I had 4 TIA's in 27 days, the last one was 25th January. I still don't feel well enough to return to work (I'm a school teacher); the extreme fatigue and a feeling that my brain isn't as well "tuned-in" as it used to be are holding back my recovery .... I don't feel that I've made any progress over the last fortnight! Frustrating isn't it?

Julie

[catherineandre]

Julie how are your symptoms now? It has been six weeks for me. Very slow progress.

[willsher]

I was so glad to read these posts. I was begining to think that I was doing this to myself. I also have a hard time with my speech and thought patterns as well as fatigue, even doing the smallest chores. I had a cluster of tia's about two weeks ago and I get the feeling that when I tell others about the persistent symptoms they think I'm milking this. Thank you for your comments and wish you all a speedy recovery

[lucky2007]

i had a stroke on 22nd october thank God i am able to walk  etc however i am sooooooooooooo tired and my short term memory is really bad. has anoyne else experienced sensitive hearing.my hearing is like th e bionic woman i hear everthing and it irritates the hell out of me. apart from my tolerance level being non existent i have still manged to keep my friends. i am soooooooooooooo miserable and argue non stop with my boyfriend.like you i talk but very very quickly and forget what i want to say. my speeech slurs when i am tired or get tired of talking.julie i am so sorry to hear that you hvave had so many attacks over such a short period of time no wonder you dont feel like tyou are not progressing.i myself am extremely frustrated ani am stuill very tired my left han still needs some work. ido not go back to wor before you ar fully recovered. how old are you julii f you dont mind me asking and whathave they said about the amount of attacksyou have had/causes etc. i am 36 and my fear is tha t i could have another one.  i hope not.

[lisafilla]

thxx 4 your comments...
I thought I was just crazy. I just cant seem to get my energy back. My speech is far less then desirable and I cant keep my thoughts together. sometimes I feel I've run a marathon with the smallest of task. the doctors before my PFO closure asked if I was depressed..... well, my life has stopped as I knew, I wish they could understand, YES... I am depressed. It is depressing to loose your abilty to connect your thoughts, to loose your ability to connect with others and to loose your ability to connect with your normal life. I have a hard time making it through the day.

[Nichole28]

I keep saying I have super sonic hearing omg every noise or baby crying or dog barking or whatever scares me to death and kills my ears. And nice to know other people with TIA's are still having issues, I was told after a TIA all your symptoms would go away that is why with me they didn't think it was a TIA even though everything I experienced was very stroke like.

[Nichole28]

Oh I also wanted to ask, when you had a MRI or CT scan did it show that you had a TIA or did all your scans come back normal??

[nickgold]

Hi all, I had a stroke when I was 21 years old, It was a small stroke and due to my age and stamina only took me 4 months to recover, since then I have been on no medication.

I am now 30 years old and now looking back have begun to realise that the problems I am experiencing could be due to TIA's and side effects of the stroke. I am very "up and down", have (which is the opposite to some) very bad hearing. But the worst of whatever is happening to me is the "jekyll and hyde" one momment great the next angry, aggressive, depressed, lost, suicidal, and find this very difficult to control. This lately has been getting worse. I have very little energy and sleep most of the day. I have no speech problems but a very bad memory and short term attention span. Sometimes I feel totaly lost and do not understand why, I have a very understanding girlfriend (thanks god !) but now she's finding this hard to cope with.

Within the last two years I had what seemed to be two mild (but very quick) strokes, and had to be hospitalised. Do these symptoms sound like TIA'S or side effects of strokes.

If anyone could offer any advice or anything to help I would be most grateful !! Thank You !

[tracey1962]

hi  i had what hospital say 3 mini strokes within 3 months   im still feeling weak on left side . short term memory loss ; exhausted most of time and noises get too me  ;concentration not good either   . mri test showed multiple white dots  does anyone think this is normal ? i feel i should be ok now.

[echo97]

I had a TIA less then a month ago, I have problems with:: concentration and balance.  I also confuse numbers, insert words and stammer when I talk.  I know what I want to say, it just doesn't come out.  Some days are better then others, bad days I feel like I am a fog others like my old self.  Everything I read states the side effects last only 24 hours.  It is very frustrating and scary.  My doctors are not sure what is going on.  I am relieved to see that I am not loosing my mind, that the side of effects do last or manifest in different forms.    Does anyone know of ways/exercises to reduce these symptoms?

[ascholef]

Thanks to all of you for detailing your symptoms.  I had a mild TIA (aren't they all supposed to be mild?) in September '08. I experienced the same sensitivity to sound others have described, and and a low grade, two week headache. I rarely get headaches...

Since then a specialist has prescribed Lipidor--my "bad" cholesterol was high, as was my "good" cholesterol. I also take 81 mg of ASA a day. I've felt fine, mostly, since October, but do have spells of muddling words, losing vocabulary, and confusion. I'm a 58 year old woman and sometimes think these symptoms are also menopausal.  Recently I've been experiencing constant fatigue--very low energy and the sense of no strength in my legs.  I've been quite fit and active--cycling to work, walking a lot, etc.  But now it takes huge effort to walk half a mile.I'm also quite depressed--limited enthusiasm for anything. Sometimes I wonder if I'm having TIAs in my sleep.  How would I know? Or is any of this related to the original "event"?

No solutions, I figure. Just wanted to drop in and add my two cents to others' contributions. Hang in there, everyone

Just dropping in

[karen41years]

I had a TIA last June and was exhausted for about a month afterwards to the point that I had to retire to bed as I could hardly lift my hands, let alone think of using my brain to make conversation. It's almost a year now and I believe I have made a full recovery but have lost 30% of my energy levels. I often had ringing in the ears for several months after and odd piercing pin ***** pain in my head which lasted 1-2 seconds. My life is very full-on as I run a business and have 3 small children. I'm 41 and would like to know of signs to look out for so I don't risk pushing myself too hard. All investigations found no reason why I had the first TIA but I had been on a roller coaster 1 wk prior with family! Pls advise?

[sue_in_oz]

Hi Karen

I'm a strokee but didn't have any TIA's prior, so my interest is making sure you don't have a stroke.

I think you should get your current symptoms properly checked out as they may well be the signs you are asking about.  A TIA is a warning of a stroke wanting to happen & you don't want to go there.

Also please pull back & rest when you have symptoms or fatigue, it's your body saying "enough".  Brain injuries seem to create fatigue unlike any other fatigue we have know.

HTH

Sue

[tammie12]

I had what they thought was a Tia 3/23/09 on right side ct was normal mri/mra showed scaring they think i may have multiple sclerosis alot
of the sympoths are the same. Has anyone been told this.

[Eva60]

I had a TIA in 2000, it started with a horrible headache, I thought the world was on top of my head, lost memory for about 24 hrs. Ever since that episode, I keep getting headaches, even in my sleep, I feel pins sometimes on the left sometimes on the right side of my head and sometimes just on the back of my head. I should probably get my head check.

[jacksue]

This thread has been so helpful.  I'm still waiting to hear whether what I experienced was a TIA (which I'd never heard of before).  I just was curious to know whether you can still carry on normal life after a TIA.  I play a lot of competitive sport but am worried that my concentration levels will have suffered and I won't now be able to play.  Also does anyone know what other life changes have to be made or am I overreacting?  I am now taking aspirin  - is this sufficient to stop me having another TIA?  So many questions

[sue_in_oz]

Hi

I can't answer about the residual effects of a TIA as I never had one.  However I can tell you 2 things that you need to know, even if you're not that pleased to hear them.

1.  It depends what caused your TIA to know if asprin is sufficient to prevent another one,  So please get thoroughly investigated  - don't settle until you are satisfied.

2.  TIA's are serious & a warning of a stroke waiting to happen.  Please do all you can to prevent a stroke happening, even if it means changing your life to some extent.  Trust me you do not wan't to have a stroke.


All the best

Sue

[shaken_up2]

i am a 45 yr old female who 10 days ago was told i had a tia. i was hiospitlized a little over 24 hrs and told my symptoms would go away.Well the first day home i felt great however now i want to sleep all of the time,have slurred speech sometimes,i have noticed my eyesight is not as good,sometimes when i want to talk the words will not come out,and so much more .i cry alot and even argue with people and ask god why this happened to me.
anyone out there going thru the same thing?
Tracy

[ripley1948]

The TIA/stroke community
Yes there is a life after TIA/stroke episodes but you have to keep an eye on yourself.  I have changed everything in my life.  No smoking, no glasses of wine, low salt, low cholesterol.  I am under a doctors care and taking bllod pressure amd cholestrol medication.  Yes you can work and as I am a kitchen designer for a major Fortune 500
company, You can concentrate but it does mean taking breaks, grazing all day instead of easting large meals and getting plenty of sleep. Sometimes my speech slurrs and words get jumbled.  I need to pause and take a breath.  Some days are better then others.  The
headaches are my problem and I am going to go to my daughters herbalist.  He stopped her migranes (migraines) when doctors couldn't give her migrane (migraine) meds because of numbness associated with the migranes (migraines).
I have to keep trucking on, I am only 61, I have a lot of living yet to do.  Keep asking questions, do research and do what your doctor tellsyou.  If you don't like is answers fo to another doctor and get another opiinion.  No one can take care of you but you!

[Luvmywife810]

Hi all,

I believe my wife had a TIA about a 10 days ago ( she is, 41, 115lbs, normal BP, no high cholestoral) she complained about having a weird headache on wednesday, thursday she called me from work stating that it was hard for her to write on board ( she is a teacher) and that she was dropping things. She came home and tried to rest she got worse. She could hardly use her right arm.  On Thursday took her to ER..did cat scan--(it was negative)- did blood work, also negative..they sent her  home stating that she should follow up with neurologist in 2 days.  next day she was even worse could not use her right arm at all, and she was responding to me very Slooooowwwly.  They did another cat scan and and MRI, and a doppler test..alll negative, her right arm began to move after  2-3 days.. she has total function in her arms now, but the problem is---she is constantly exhausted!!!!!!!!.  Now my wife does suffer from depression, and I know she is sometimes exhausted ( or non motivated when she is going through her depression)  and this situation has definitely caused her to go into a depression.

At this point in time we are getting mixed messages, at the hospital on doctor told us that they believe her temporary paralysis was caused by a severe migraine, they do not believe it was a TIA.  when the Physical therapist and the visiting nurse came to our home they stated that it was definitely a TIA.

She is scheduled for her first follow up exam with the neurologist this Saturday.

Does anyone have any questions that they know or feel I should be asking the Neurologist when we meet him?  Even if the question are aimed at determining if he is good enough to handle my wife's situation or we should seek someone else.

Thank you everyone for sharing your stories!!!!...the sad part is that I was able to get more information here than in the hospitals from the "professionals"  

[RM3]

I recently had a stroke three weeks ago, I'm 42 yr old male and thought I was in OK shape alittle over weight.  I had been really doing alot of work around my house for a good month remodeling my kitchen then putting in 40+ hrs at work prior to my stroke.  I came in the house after trying to close my pool for the winter months. I sat down to watch T.V with my fiancee and I had my hands over my head my left hand dropped in my lap and my whole left side went numb.  I went to the hospital that night given aspirin and then released. I have had a million dollors in procedures and tests it's not my heart, no high blood pressure, no chlosterol problems, I'm very tired and confused most of the time.  I'm a engineer working for a Construction Management Company.  It's taking me time to think things through at work.  The littlest things that should take ten minutes take me an hour some days.  This is very hard for me to accept.  I will never forget the day of my stroke, I felt great all day that day...I mean great!  I even went to my neurologists today and he wants be to take folic acid.  I got off the blood pressure medication lisinipril and chlosterol medication simivastatin and I'm still tired.  It's only been a week off all the medicines, at this point my neourologists is a joke.. he couldn't tell me nothing.  Maybe I just burned my self out.  I had symptoms for the last year blurred vision, but within the last six months my feet have been swollen when I wake up,  I had a really bad leg cramp while walking in the grocery store two weeks prior to my stroke.  I had to hold onto the carriage to get to the car,  My balance at work was off leaning while wwalking , so I went to the doctor and got my ears cleaned, thinking ear wax buildup after this a week later my balance was still off.  Then the headaches and leg cramps.  Now that I look back all these systoms were there and I didn't realize it until now.  I even had my sugar levels checked within the last six months prior to my stroke came back normal I just keep pushing myself trying to stay positive, we have too..

[RM3]

Hi Karen we have very similar stories. I'm 42 yrs old (3) kids and had been on a roller coaster at my house just before my stroke.  My stroke happened on September 18, 2009 and I have no answers from doctors and tons of tests that all have come back negative.  I process alot of paperwork at work which has been very difficult and frustrating at times,  I had a neurologist appt today and primary tomorrow. I ask myself why do I bother going.  It's like I almost which they did find something wrong with my heart so, I know what's wrong with me. I have started to conduct my own research every night and I'm gonna find out what happened to me.  I have too...  Keep the faith..

[ginge1977]

Hi folks,

My husband (46) has had 3 TIA's last Thursday/Friday, he was discharged last night (Tuesday).  He is commenting that his head still feels sore, before he had his first TIA he had an headache for 2 weeks but we put this down to potential swine flu as he had very bad flu like symptoms.

He also has high blood pressure and he had stopped taking his tablets for a couple of weeks prior.  He wont be doing that again!  he is now on Dipyidamol, Aspirin and Simvastatin (as well as his high blood pressure tablets).

Is it normal to still have a Sore head after or does this mean he might be about to have another.  It feels like living on eggshells at the moment.

Thanks for taking the time to read this x

[RM3]

I had a stroke on Sept 18, 2009 and continue to have problems with speech and my left hand tingles alittle,  I was on Simvastatin and Lisinipril for what they believed was a heart condition, but after numerous test they ruled out that my heart is very strong.  My doctor took me off Lisinipril about three weeks ago because I was a walking sombee and believe this or not when I was having a stroke our neighbors a nurse came over to my house and took my blood pressure as I was expericing my stroke it was normal.  I stopped taking the lisinipril and recently I just stopped taking the Simavastin the last three days and feel alittle better already but, I'm still alittle tired.  My Neourologist yesterday wants me to take Plavix 75 mg just because, I take 325 Mg bayer daily already.  I read the side effects of Plavix scary and he also wants me to take folic acid.  I am only taking the aspirin daily but, I didn't have high blood pressure or cholesterol. I advise him to do what the doctor asks.  I have had a heart specialist, neourologist and primary doctor no one knows anything.  I went to my primary today and tomorrow more blood work in the morning.  This really ***** I'm only 42 yrs old,  I'm tired all the time.

[RM3]

Has anyone experienced swollen legs prior to having a stroke?  I just laid down watching alittle of CMA country awards with my head alittle elevated on the pillow in my bed and my right leg in the calve area is swollen when I got up.

[RM3]

Tracey,
I read your post.  I  remember driving in my car the second week after my stroke and not knowing or feeling myself screaming at a red light why me.  I don't why or how this happened.  I write on this web page because no one around me understands what I'm going through emotionally or physically is hard.  Hang in there.

[yoyo1956]

I did not know I was having TIA's , but I had several events which worried me.A difficult time trying to speak being only to say the most basic words and mis prononuce what I tried to say.A strange one was the eyesight in my left eye changed to a pixilation and the only way I could describe it was like the monster in Predator when it was in the trees.
In October 2008 I had a stroke which damaged the left side and I was then checked for  a heart scan, this showed a hole in the heart .I had a operation for that in November to solve this.So far so good but I set the alarms off in the supermarket!
I still have problems which only those who have suffered will understand but life goes, on our elected officials still **** thing ups , our football teams let us down and beer increases in price .Enjoy your life dont think about yesterday look forward to tomorrow .
Smile thought your heart is breaking!

[Bill2954]

I found these comments very interesting. I had a stroke a number of years ago. I through a small clot. I was in my mid 40s. Though all the physical sighns are gon I have been left with some what I call head problems. . See my new post under new questions and would love to hear from anyone who would like to comment. I wish any one out there that has problems after the physical part goes back to normal in seeking help. But if you Kaiser I feel sory for you and try some other medical hospital.

[TLR48]

I had my first stroke when I was 30.  This was 18 yrs. ago and now here I am again with a second stroke that I'm not sure when happened.  I have been having TIA's the past couple of months and am dealing with many physical symptoms from them.  When I found this site, I didn't realize how many things were related to the strokes.  I am also having chest pains, burning sensations in left side of chest and my arm goes numb.  I have tingling in my hand.  I have trouble with sentences and finding words.  I have trouble with recalling certain things and I have had trouble with loud noises.  Drs. don't have a clue and this seems to be a pattern from what I have read from different comments on this site.  It's good to know that we have common symptoms and are not alone.

[TLR48]

I also suffered from seizures after my first stroke.  Today I still have tingling, tightening, snapping, crawling sensations in my head.  Dr. can't answer for sure if these are still seizures or is this just one of those many left over reminders that the brain is damaged.? Is there anyone that has this problem?,

[Bill2954]

Dear TLR.
You are 100% correct. Drs dont have any clue what is going on when you have these type of symptoms. It sounds like at least you have found a Dr. to listion to you. I am not that lucky. I understand when you talk about the noise. I also have trouble. And the memory thing. I am still looking for ansewers my self.
Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in this. Is seems like a lot of are in the same boat and are left for us to fend for our selfs.

[cmarie2009]

thank you!!!  i can't tell you how much this posting has meant.  my partner, 36, had what was diagnosed at the hospital as a TIA on thanksgiving night.  since she's been exhausted, weak on her left side, and frustrated with the lack of answers.

she had an MRI yesterday - her CT, EKG, and blood panels were all normal.  leading up to the TIA she was having general TIA symptoms.  she was exhausted, some tingling in hands/feet, bloating and water retention.  i'm wondering now if she was having TIA clusters.  sounds about right.

now she's recovering - back at work but frustrated at the continued tiredness and weakness.  i can't say how much it helps to hear that other people have been experiencing this too!!!

@ tammie12 - yeah they have talked to us about MS too - but we're waiting to see back on the MRI.  the symptoms are so similar it's hard to tell and i've heard that TIAs can sometimes lead to scarring too.

[jellybean50]

ty for the note about the sleeping alot .my husband is 43 his first stroke was when  he was 30 but it didnt harm him as much as this one did. he started having problems when he turned 30 he had 2 stents put in his brain to help the blood flow and then it was good for about 2 years then all heck broke he started having tia's and then the first stroke he lost his speach but got it back to were i could understand him then the mini strokes started to happen and the doctors couldnt doanything else for him because he was on everything they could put him on  thenon april 28th our dog woke me up by barking at me and i found my husband in the bathroom on the floor he was having a shower and got dizzy then fell i callled 911 theycame took him to the hospital and told me he broke his collar bone from the fall and said he can go home i thennoticed the brusing and asked them to do a inr to see what his level was atand noticed he was drulling and couldnt stand up and the doctor came back and said his inr was 16. somthing and said we will give him some vitiam k and he can go home after itold them no this is not right he is not right they said he has been discharge and they can not treat him anymore so we went home but before ileft i told them if my husband dies or has a stroke they r going to hear about it  well guess what i woke up the nextmorning and he was not responing to me and his whole right side was not responding so i called 911 and told them to take him to the hospital he was discharge from so they did and the doctor that discharge him was still there well they had to call the police on me because i was flipping out and the police showed up and told me to relax and so i did then told them the story on what happened and they told me to file a report and we still r fighting it but it not looking good for the doctor so. i told the judge one day ihave my husband the nextday i have a 5 year old that has to learn everything alll over again he is doing better but cant walk on his own and i still have to feed him and he cant talk right and sleeps alot but sorry for writing so muchireally dont get to tell anyone and i have no place to
again ty for your advice :) hope you r all doing better (i hadto quitmyjobandlookafter him anditsniceto know if the r more people out there like me maybe we can e-mail each other just so us caregivers have someone else to talk to my e-mail is jellybean_1968***@**** if anyone want to talk

[tamworthfc1]

I recently ( two weeks ago) had what is suspected to have been a TIA, or bizarre migraine, characterised by sudden weakness and numbness down left side mainly resolved after an hour or so. no facial drooping was noted by anyone around me,and I didn't lose my speech. Am awaiting MRI and taking statins and aspirin alongside already precribed anti-hypertensives. i am relieved to read others have some residual symptoms i.e. decreased sensation on the affected side, as I was becoming convinced I was creating these in my mind so to speak, which is a worrying thing for a psychiatric nurse to think.

It's good to find a forum to air what I'm sure will become intense feelings if the diagnosis is confirmed.

[TW68]

TIA Nov 15th 2009. Like most of you or your significant others I too had a TIA but mine included a Hemorrhagic stroke w/it. I am the typical looking stroke victim or heart attack waiting to happen. I am significantly over weight, but the doctors to a one keep telling me I am too young too good a shape (? see above) 41 to have a stroke. My wife is tired of hearing it from every single doctor I have seen.
I had well controlled high blood pressure 110/60 and cholesterol with Lisinipril/Hydrochlorothiazide duo pill, amlodipine and simvastatin for the cholesterol prior to the "event".
I had my stroke in Costa RIca while on an excursion from a cruise ship. I ended up in a Hospital in Oaxaca, Mexico where I was lucky enough to had a Neurosurgeon that spoke english and was educatedat UCLA amongst other places. I was diagnosed with a TIA and Hemorrhagic stroke. I was there for 4 days and thenj was discharged to go home. Once home I saw my PCP who had me go see a Neurologist. I did not make that appointment as I was Hospitalized 2 days later here in the states.

What they found was that I had more bleeding (note this was on the right side of my brain.
I should tell you I experienced no symptoms immediately at the time of my "event" that I was aware of. My wife who works at and with mental health professionals in here research capacity saw the left side of my mouth droup(sp) and I fell. I did not feel like I had anything happening only that I fell and I could not squeeze her hand with my left hand. I was walking on uneven ground in sandals so I chalked up the fall to that. However, it took 10 minutes to get back up under my own power, and a failed attempt to get up with help.
Once back on board the ship I had a massive headache at my rt temple and was nausiated and vomitted several times. From there I ended up in the hospital in Mexico 2 days later.
But back to my symptoms. Headache and nausea. I had no lingering effects other than those as my speech is not now nor has ever been slurred (yet) and I am lucky at this point to not have and weakness in any extremity. What I do have is a lingering headache (rather mild in scope (I describe as a stress headache to my neurologist)) and as a lot of you have described a feeling that I am not right and as at least one of you pointed out that it takes a lot longer to work through problems than it did. Depression? Yes, but from what I read that is "normal" given that I feel the way I do and cannot think as I thouht before by my admission. I can't escape the feeling that something is not right in my head. Drs tell me up to a year before my brain is fully healed. I too feel exhausted and slept alot the first week I was home but have forced myself to get up early and move or read or do household chores (my wife loves clean laundry ;) and dinner when she gets home) as that is all the MDs will let me do for now as I can not even go for a brisk walk only light activity.


I hope what I experienced will help, but what the DRs feel caused my TIA/stroke was a clot formed in my heart. Now I read someone mention a "hole in the heart". That I what I have. Mine is a PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale). This is a hole between both atriums that forms when we all are in our mothers to allow oxygenated blood to flow from/to our brains and eveywhere else because we cannot breathe air before we are born. When we are born the pressure on the left atrium being higher usually closes the flap there in the first years of life. Mine did not and they suspect that a clot formed there in that flap and made it's way over and then up into my brain (TIA) which then led to the minor "leak" (hemorrhage). Most of the true diagnosis of the PFO came on my second hospitalization here in the states. An EKG Nasty Ultra sound procedure where I had an esophagial(SP, again forgive me) tube inserted for purposes of Confirming the PFO which was suspected on the regular EKG. Then I had MRI of the head and neck as well as Ultra-sound of the legs to rule out DVT or other clot formation in my lower extremites.

A note on PFO's as it appears research I have read also shows a relation to Migraines. I had this prior to my event.

The doctors took me off the Lysinipril combo pill, the amlodipine and put me on Lysinipril only as well as simvastatin and now three weeks later they have me on 81mg asprin. Bleeding is what casued the headache per MDs but it also caused my brain to move 2mm to the left. According to my neurologist I am progressing and I can see this compared to when I returned home and was hospitalized again and they told me it had bled again when they compared the MRI from Mexico to the one they di here on Hospitialization.

They are talking about a procedure where they go in through a cathater in my leg and close the PFO as it could clot and again cause TIA/stroke. The headache was the worst pain I have ever experience (appology here ladies I have nver given birth) but I have torn my achilles and ripped up both knees and had surgery on all 10 years ago most recent. I want nothing to do with that pain again as it was the worst I have ever felt. I know people keep telling me to get healthy but it was not being unhealthy in my case that got me. It was a freak event. It could have happened earlier in my life or later just choose that time.
I certainly am going to get more exercise and try to eat better, but the results of the MRI and Ultra-sounds found no narrowing or hardening of my arteries at all hence they did not put me on any other medication. I had been on the noted medications for 7 years prior to this.

I noted some of you talking about swelling in your ankles/calf, they characterized that in me as edema. I had this for a while before the event. Some of this was the Hydrochlorathiazide as referenced by an allergic reaction to same. I would get the edema and a splotchy "rash in sunlight on my legs only but the edema was not just when I was in sunlight but other times as well usually later in the day or evening after work or just the day. They did not take me off this because my BP was "well controlled" with it and they did nto want to mess with the good that did.

If you ask me and you aren't but I think that drug does more harm that good.

I am also glad this board exists as I feel alone in my mind even though everyone is "worried" about me and expresses it. I am irritable too along with the rest of you.

I wish you all well, I fell pretty lucky seeing what some of you are going through and if I can help you through my experiences by pointing you in another direction as you have helped my by your thoughts and experiences then I will be glad to comment if needed.

My best,
TW68

[floppyfoot]

Wow, this is an awesome board.   My primary care physician menitoned that I should be prepared to hear multiple sclerosis. I am having an MRI next Monday and am so anxious waiting.

[suzanne464]

So glad to find this forum, I am a 42 year old female and had 4 Tia in 24 hours and another 1.5 weeks later just wanted to know if anyone else get headaches after they had a Tia which come and go, mine only seem to come back when I do to much.

[toot2010]

I am 53 years of age and had a stroke on 2-15-2010.  I am back at work and am working half days.  I stay tired and am currently taking blood thinners and simastatin.  I am having some head problems.  Feels like may head is clogged up.  I don't know if this is sinuses or what , but thoughts get jumbled sometime and my mind seems to take mini breaks in the middle of sentences.  I have never had high blood pressure and cholesterol was 213.  slightly overweight.  My doctor said I had a migrain stroke due to stress. I was so surprised to hear of so many young people having strokes. I still beleive a lot comes from the hormones they give animals and pesticides.  My problem is that most people want you to be able to function as if nothing has happen just because they do not see any visible signs

[desparetelyseekinganswers611]

My father had an hour of memory loss which was considered a TIA. He had a history or controlled high blood pressure with medication.  He recovered from symptoms without a hospitalization and continued with exercises (walking 3 miles per day), proper diet, and blood pressure medication.  This was 5 years ago and noticed that his memory was slowly beginning to change in that he couldn't find the word needed to finish his sentence.  He then began to have a very slow regression in symptoms first being unable to walk very far due to muscle weakness as he could only explian it.  This went on for 4 years without explaination.  He was dignosed with Parkinsons, but did not have all of the symptoms.  The doctor went ahead and placed him on Parkinson's medications which only made his symptoms spiral out of control as well as adding additional symptoms like shaking, needing assistance to stand, but able to walk very slowly using a cane.  This went on for about 3-4 months until 5 months ago he became slow to respond and vomiting, so was hospitalized, underwent multiple testing and diagnosed with pneumonia as well as atrial fib.  When he finally went to sleep the second night he could barely get to the bed side commode.  Now he is unable to sit, stand, or walk without human assistance.  We got him off the medication for Parkinson's which helped to rid of the symptoms but still unable to be independent.  He again went to the hospital with symptoms of pneumonia which also went along with atrial fib.  Now we were told the diagnostic tests done on his head, heart, and carotids were normal.....no stroke or mini strokes but he kept leaning to right side.  This seeemed to somewhat improved with home PT. 2 months later he was hospitalized with again pneumonia and atrial fib so underwent several diagnostic testing.  Found out he is silenting aspirating causing pneumonia which causes the atrial fib.  Still do not understand why before the first hospitalization he could walk with cane and now only with human assistance.  It is obvious that this is due to brain function.  He is now on medication for the brain (namenda) which has helped his memory but focusing, staying on task, and paying attention is a problem.  He continues to have mood swings (being irritated one minute then crying the next).  He is 75 years of age but at 70 he was bicycling and walking daily.  We are hoping that the next medication that will be added in combination will continue to help with his mind in order to provide him with some independence even if it requires a walker or cane.  He is not a smoker, drinker, exercises, and takes good care of himself and is now on an aspirin....no blood thinner since he is at risk for falls and really don't know why he is having TIAs.  He is having regular check ups with doctor every month, having home PT, and just finished speech therapy to help with aspiration.

Just curious if this sounds familiar.  Please, let me know as we are running out of options.  OH.....I must add that he had several more TIAs in 2 months period but we don't know when these happened.

I wish you all the best, my prayers go out to all of you.

Signed
Desperately seeking answers.

[ilovepalmtrees12]

Are TIA's hereditary?  Could they have anything to do with TMJ (tempero mandibular joint disease)  I had a fat graft surgery 9 months ago in Florida and I am from Ohio and moving here came with MAJOR STRESS AND BAD LUCKI can't wal right-I'd fail a roadside drunk driving test plus I afraid to drive.  My vision goes blurry or plays tricks on me like blending or seperating things,  I fall asleep sitting up @ times but jerk awake sometimes feeling Apnea.  My arms and hands(Left worse) are very shaky-can barely hold things.  My biological father had TIA's several years ago.  I guess I'm difficult to deal with and I'm full of anxiety and fear!!

[jomer_0411]

My grandmother had stroke and now shes talking crazy thins and cant recognize people.Im afraid if its a long term effect of stroke or  Is this just tempory side effect ?

[juliebean55]

I had a small lacunar stroke months ago with strong vertigo and right side weakness as primary symptoms. I recovered from that, am working full time and driving, but have chronic pressure in the back of my head. Like a "dead zone". It doesn't matter if I am busy or resting.. it just feels like circulation was cut off and caused atrophy.When I am stressed or busy I feel waves of dizziness and feeling of tipping backwards in the same back area. It makes it hard to get up everyday and function well. Do others with TIAs or small strokes have symptoms like this? I am 55 and afraid this feels permanent. Thanks for any input.

[Smyleepants]

Hey All, I am a 29 yrold female and on September 11th, 2010
I had what they thought was a Tia Stroke. Had all the facial drooping, hand curling and even my right foot was starting to curl. the paramidics got to my mothers where she had taken my Blood pressure and it was 176/96 then the Emt's took it and it had gone up to 176/111.. I was rushed to the hospitol. after they finally got a pic line they were able to do the CT. I was so frustrated I am a single mother and have an 8 yr old son. so to not be able to talk when they were asking me questions, Was like I was in a nightmare. When they would ask me questions, I would hear the words in my head, and couldnt say them.. I got even more frustrated. I  felt like I was screaming and no one could hear me.. I kept thinking Im only 29, My son needs me.
anyway I was transferd to another hospitol for 2 days. but the Dr's told me my Ct scan was normal. they did not tell me to even follow up with any Dr's. So I decided to do my own research, and other then the Super Narley headaches I get, the rest of the symptoms have gone away.. But heres the kicker, 10 days after I had this, My maternal Grandmother was in the hosptiol with a Blod clot . then 2 1/2 weeks later My Mother was hospitolized for the same thing same leg same artery. Her Dr's were told about what happend to me and They said I should be taken an asprin a day, and that I should be careful becuase the tia strokes usually happen more then just once..
So here it is a little over 30 days from when it happend and yesterday I started feeling just off, not sick so much but I just felt not right(cant explain it)
I started expeierinceing pains in my right arm, and my head felt foggy. Also My right side of my lip felt tingly like as if I drank hot coffee, it didnt go away. slept for about 13 hour straight. and am now still feeling off. I have an apointment with my Doctor tommorow, he wants to discuss the records that he got from the hospitol. I am nervous, and am trying not to get my self worked up. But this is such a scary thing to have gone through. My heart goes out to ya'all. I am a mommy and dont handle loosing control over my body .. if anyone has any advice or comments I would greatly appreciate it. I am so done with the Doctors who wont give me a straight answer. I have learnd more from this forum about this then I did with all 8 doctors who treated me..
Smiles

[kbs49]

i had a stroke april 09 and again in october 09 then a heart attack in december 09 and a bypass in june of 2010 will i ever get my old life back everything is going wrong for me

[missaroo]

hello! I am a 41 y/o female who just came home from the hospital with a TIA. I was leaving movies and fell over twice, husband thought I got up to fast. I told him it was as if my feet weren't listening to my head. Didn't know that feet needed to be told to walk. I joked to him that it was just a "gravity storm." Needed help to car, was given seat belt to plug in and stared at it KNOWING I should know what to do with this common object yet had a black hole going on. They got me home where then I began having stuttering and difficultly with speech. I began to just be quiet as I was sounding very stupid. When symptoms were so bad I decided to go in to the hospital. Was admitted and given diagnosis of TIA. All test results were good as the neuro said that they would be. It has now been 3 days and still stuttering and having difficult time finding words. I have a hard time typing and writing. Almost dyslexic like. I keep feeling a serious pain in my right arm. Burning searing ice pick type of pain. Numbness in right arm, wish it was strong enough so I wouldn't feel the pain here. I am taking baby asprin and taking it easy. I am glad to hear from others that my symptoms are typical of this situation. My prayers go out to everyone and really pray that this wake-up call to all is heard about how important our bodies are. If you were only given one car to drive the rest of your life wouldn't you take perfect care of it? I plan to take care of my "beater" for everyday here forth! God speed to recovery all!

Miss

[Renee315]

Hello. Was so glad to find this forum. I'm recovering from a stroke and am just relieved to know these symptoms are all normal. Esp. the extreme exhaustion and sleeping. No one seems to understand that! I truly hope they never have to. The stroke was considered fairly mild but tell that to your brain when you're seaching for a word or when it's just taken you 15 minutes to type the above few words. I have 3 types of rehab to go through but no one else would know anything was wrong with me. As I look back, I realize I'd had very little tias for about a year and thought it was a sinus issue. I'm extremely lucky but I only feel that way about 1/4 of the day, the rest of the time I go back and forth between irrational anger and just being sad. I think once I can drive again things will improve. The stroke took about a pie wedge slice of vision but it's already improved a good bit.
Thanks for listening.

[Larryg1957]

1 week ago today I started feeling like there were needles sticking into my scalp...then my head and neck felt like they were on fire....my face felt like it was sunburned really bad...face was very red and my eyes looked like they were ready to start bleeding....I went to the hospital and was there for 3 days...had CAT Scan, MRI, ultrasound of carotid arteries, echo on heart...many blood tests....found nothing....Doctors think it was a TIA...already on blood thinners from heart stents...since coming home I still feel slight tingling in my scalp if I'm on my feet very long...and face feels like I have a mild case of wind burn....anyone else have any of these symptoms....

[Renee315]

I hope you're feeling better. I didn't have any of those symptoms except the sensation of needles. I would have it off and on and it would leave but it would seem to pick different places so it wasn't just my head like you're describing. Obviously, you don't want a stroke so I sure hope they had you see a neurologist. I'm glad you posted b/c I actually forgot to tell the drs. about the tingling and needles except in the fingertips. Good luck.

[skip1984]

I too sufferd a what the doctor believed to be TIA on november 26th. Cant see a nuroligist until end of this month but these past 2 months have been H*ll I cant focus on anything, forget half of what i am talking about, have headaches and seems to lose total function or partcial function of my right arm and right leg at a moments notice. Tinglly feeling in my right hand and fingers almost constantly, feels like someone is stabbing me with a knife in my neck, collar bone and shoulder on my right side from time to time. PLEASE TELL ME THIS GETS BETTER. O yeah forgot about the constant mood swings getting pissed at the world for no reason.

[jcjourney]

I was 34 when I had my first TIA. My problems have contined for the last 2 years. The docs couldn't figure out why I had some speech and significant memory issues, but I also had terrible back and leg spasms, my arms felt like they were burning, then felt ice cold. The longest I could stand was 5 minutes, then I had to lay down cuz my back spasms would make me very dizzy and nauseous. Walking was difficult because my legs and feet would go numb, so I wouldn't feel when I had cut my toes or feet.I had significantly decreased sensation on the right side All the tests I took for nerve damage, CAT, MRI, etc were all fine.  It got so bad that I couldn't work or drive for some time.

[TexasJoy]

I had a TIA in December 2005. I had no warning.  I felt kind of dizzy (vertigo) I have had that before and immediately laid on the floor.  I did have numbness on one side. I have had no recurrance but after hospital stay after the stroke I found out the blood in my heart pooled because my heart was not pumping the blood right and sent clot to brain. I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and A-fib. So if you don't have heart problems I guess your Strokes were caused by something else. Clot did not show up on CT.  I can't do MRI's because of my defibrillator.  I did not have headaches or noise problems.  I did feel like I was going crazy.  Words slurred and thought didn't come out the way I thought I said it and that happened for several months.  I still have incidents even last week when I thought I ordered Ranch dressing and they brought me Thousand Island dressing and everyone at the table said I ordered Thousand Island.  I couldn't believe it because my last thought was Ranch. That is the second time for that same thought process.  I have short term memory problems and I think stress makes it worse.  I can think of something but can't think of the word but if I concentrate long enough and see in my mind the person or thing then I can then say it. My cholestrol was 240 at the time so I am on a Statin for my heart and cholestrol, blood thinner, and heart med.

[Dizzyhead520]

In December 2010 I had what I thought symptoms of a stroke.  My vision was distorted, light headed and a tingling on my left side.  My husband drove me directly to the ER where every test under the sun was performed (CT, CTA, MRI, MRA).  Said it might have been a TIA or brain seisure. All tests were negative, but was admitted for further review.  While there an ECO cardiagram showed a growth on my mitral valve, possibly due to an infected tooth I had a few months prior to.  Docs thought that a piece of this growth had come off and gone up through my carotid artery causing the symptoms.  I opted to have the growth removed from my mitral valve and spent 3 days recovery from the surgery.

Here after four months of recooperation, I am still having lightheadiness, and waves of dizziness which come and go.  Seems I am constantly in the fog. Some days better than others.  Had second set of tests, but all negative.  Doctors don't seem concerned.  

Wondering if these events are b/c of my surgery or after affects of the TIA. I keep pushing to get going and trying to hit the gym 6 days a week. I hear that sometimes it takes up to a year to recover.  YIKES.

[jas12580]

I also suffer from a stoke. It occured in 1999. I was only 19. I am now 31. I have experience everything you mentioned, and agree with all of you on the "up and downs of this". Sometimes I'm so lost and depressed its hard to take in. I don't know how to deal with it. My proceesing of things in my head are slow, very hard time hearing. I have been on medication for 12 yrs now(jantoven).. recently doctor took me off of it. Hopefully my husband and I can have a baby. They said the chance for another stroke is slim. I'm scared and really happy because taking those pills over, no more restrictios of what I can eat/ or cold medicines/ no more blood draw or prescriptions.  But at the same time I feel lost because this is obviously goin to have everlasting effects on me

[jas12580]

I also suffer from a stoke. It occured in 1999. I was only 19. I am now 31. I have experience everything you mentioned, and agree with all of you on the "up and downs of this". Sometimes I'm so lost and depressed its hard to take in. I don't know how to deal with it. My proceesing of things in my head are slow, very hard time hearing. I have been on medication for 12 yrs now(jantoven).. recently doctor took me off of it. Hopefully my husband and I can have a baby. They said the chance for another stroke is slim. I'm scared and really happy because taking those pills over, no more restrictios of what I can eat/ or cold medicines/ no more blood draw or prescriptions.  But at the same time I feel lost because this is obviously goin to have everlasting effects on me ~julie

[jas12580]

I also suffer from a stoke. It occured in 1999. I was only 19. I am now 31. I have experience everything you mentioned, and agree with all of you on the "up and downs of this". Sometimes I'm so lost and depressed its hard to take in. I don't know how to deal with it. My proceesing of things in my head are slow, very hard time hearing. I have been on medication for 12 yrs now(jantoven).. recently doctor took me off of it. Hopefully my husband and I can have a baby. They said the chance for another stroke is slim. I'm scared and really happy because taking those pills over, no more restrictios of what I can eat/ or cold medicines/ no more blood draw or prescriptions.  But at the same time I feel lost because this is obviously goin to have everlasting effects on me ~julie

[jas12580]

I also experienece short term memory problems, very hard to get thru a day

[Belmech]

I had a TIA last week and since it happened I am deeply depressed, I have a lot of panic attack, I am so scared it will happen again..
It started with a terrible headache, then my heart started to beat so fast, I wasn't able to speak, I spoke but It just didn't make any sense.and I had numbness in my right leg and arm and also to my face, mouth even my tongue, Somebody in the street call 911 for me and they took me to the ER. My CT was clear.
I am 27 I was planning on getting pregnant really soon and now I am so scared. I am scared of everything and the thing that scares me the most is to be alone. The TIA happened when I was by myself.

The sad thing is that I become aggressive, really mean with my Boyfriend with my parents (who live in France - I live in California)
The depression is killing me. I stopped living my life. I just stay home , cry and cry again, scared that another one will happen... Even If I try to go out and do something my mind is somewhere else... TIA is all I can think about now. It makes me crazy.

I am usually a really energetic person, active, funny, never in bad mood.. who just love life!!! But I really get traumatized with the TIA and it make me change completely..


Help me please...

Aurelie

[mausimo]

I also had a TIA.  Went to the ER by ambulance.  Had a MRI, MRA, CT and a CTA.  It was found that I had a carotid artery dissection that caused a blood clot that is why I had a TIA.  I'm 34 years old and the neurologist said that carotid artery dissection is the number one cause of TIA's and Strokes in younger people.  There are a lot of Dr.s that do not even know about carotid artery dissections.  I encourage all of you to do your home work.  I'm currently still taking coumadin a blood thinner and will have a follow up CTA to see if it has healed.  I too worry that this is going to happen again.  I still have a little weakness on my right side.  I feel as if I'm a ticking time bomb for this to happen again.  I do not have a history of this in my family.  But with the peace I get from talking with God I am getting through this.  It seems like a lot of you are very young and I encourage you to research carotid artery dissection.  God Bless

[dawn12345]

tia storke about age 51 how long it will last in active and exercise poeple. everyday have some symtomp. my left arm and hand will last for ever?

[cbaxley]

my dad just recently had a TIA & was released from the hospital today. he has been experiencing some of the side effects you all have listed above but he also has been "seeing" things. not like ghosts but 2 times today while he was still in the hospital & the once when we got him home he started "playing" with a string/wire. he was so intently playing with this wire/string & swore it was there even though we told him we could see nothing. his RN said that this was normal when i asked her about it & said that if he focuses on it for more than 10 minutes that we would need to get immediate help but it should resolve in 5-10 minutes. is there anyone else that has experienced this type of side effect. i am trying to figure out if it is a side effect from his TIA or the drugs he is on. any help is greatly appreciated.

[houston683]

A month ago I went to the hospital with stroke symptoms. After several tests I was told that I had experienced a TIA and that I had had two or three others within the previous day or two.

I have days or periods of time when I feel almost normal but then I have times when I am light headed and dizzy. I get anxious and have no energy at all. Because I don't have any of the external symptoms the doctors seem to think there is nothing going on or it will all be better soon. I was getting very upset because of my symptoms and the doctors ignoring them but reading all of your posts helps a great deal.

I see that many of you have periods of low energy and fatigue. I want to back to work but when I do I have to leave after a short while because I get so tired and axious. I am a college professor and am not sure I will be able to stand and lecture when the semester starts. When I get fatigued I also get confused.

Thanks for your comments and good luck to all.

[Howard1962]

Hello,

I have been reading all the descriptions and I am glad to see I am not going crazy.

I run many road races and 3 weeks ago pushed myself very hard on a hot day and many people thought I was having a heart attack or a stroke at the end of the race.

Since then I have had a pain in the left side of my head at my temple and have felt listless and tired like everyone else.   However, I am continuing to exercise as normal and feel good while I am doing this.

I went to see a dr. and explained myself.   He seemed to think that it was simply from the overexertion but I know there is something wrong.  I could go to sleep right now.

My balance is sometimes off and I feel like my left eye is not in sync with the rest of my body.  

That is all.  I just hope this blah feeling goes away.   Hope you feel better.

[sylvia1963]

hi, i had a tia 3 weeks ago and ive noticed im a lot more tired now than i where before, i still havent got full grip in my right hand, the memory is slowly coming back, but im also getting a lot of headaches and ive never really sufferd much with headaches, and i keep feeling sickly, really strange how it changes your whole body in a day or two, thanks sylvia

[sara12345]

I was so sorry to hear your story.  I had a full carotid artery dissection over 3 years ago--far worse than yours.  

I sympathized with you in particular because I have my own company doing asbestos and lead training to professional and trades staff.  I understand your symptoms of getting tired so easily and I still have difficulty with my words when I get tired and even when I'm not tired.  I had aphasia at the time of my stroke and had speech therapy for months afterwards.  And I have far more disability than you do in a lot of ways, but I went back to teaching 4 months later.  So you may just need more time.  And you do keep getting better with time.

I would really like to know if you were able to teach again and how you are.

Good luck to you.

[Marie365]

Hi

I just found this forum and wanted to know if you have a follow up on your diagnosis. I just had a TIA a week ago and was also told that I needed to me checked for MS because the MRI found a swelling in my brain. I do hope that you are well and thank you and everyone for posting here. I did not have a clue as to what to expect and this sharing has really helped me. I wish you all well and thank you again.

Marie

[ebblue2000]

Has anyone who has had a stroke ever been tested for Hughes Syndrome.

[CJ7212]

I am a 45 year old female with a history of a TIA when I was 23 and under severe stress. I have been extremely healthy until a month ago when I suffered another suspected TIA. My MRI and MRA of the brain and vessels and echocardiogram are all normal with the exception of the right vertebral artery showing some minor blockage. My cholesterol and BP are well within normal limits and I am very active (playing roller derby and working out).

Since the first TIA I have been moody, experiencing headaches, confused, extremely tired and having balance and motor-control (dropping things) problems.My neurologist is now thinking after the 2nd episode last night that it may just be some out-of-the-ordinary migraines. My symptoms include left eye vision loss without any lights or dots, a mild headache prior to the event and a more sever headache post event that lasts for about half an hour. I am nauseated and feel like there is a balloon in my head ready to pop (not sure how else to describe it). After each event I have been so exhausted I can't even walk accross the room without sitting down.

I'm wondering if there is a need to do any further testing or medication other than resting and a full dose aspirin every day. This is so frustrating! My neurologist says that TIAs don't usually occur this frequently or so close together (I have had two within 3/5 weeks). Anyone else experience sypmtoms like this? Or have a doctor who is more aggressive?

[whatdabuck]

So glad i found this forum! I had a TIA last thursday and I'm 20. i'm not overweight (i'm actually underweight) but I have lupus so i'm not the epitome of health and they think that's what caused it. I had really bad slurred speech and numbness in my arms. i work in a doctor's office so one of the nurses did a neuro exam and i had major weakness on my left side in my hand arm and leg. I went to the ER and they did a CT and MRI which came back negative but the neurologist there confirmed left side weakness and wanted to see me in a weak. I've still been having splitting headaches and balance, speech, and concentration problems. basically im just slow and dim-witted hahaha. they want to send me for an MRA but i don't really know what they expect to find. any suggestions? it's been a week and i still have lasting weakness and loss of sensation on my left side.

[lovemom1936]

my mom has had several TIA's and I thought it was the vegus nerve being stimulated but after a short stay in the hospital every test came back negative and have to think back at previous what I thought were just off balance falls could have been TIA's but bad one this time and she is very very tired she's 75

[jen98604]

I am having the same issues with my mother that had 2 small TIA's after having stents put in her neck. This was over a month ago and it seems she is not getting any better. She is dizzy and has no energy. I have read that exercise is good but she can't even walk for 5 minutes. I have read most of the posts here and now I we are nor alone. Has anyone found anything to help. That seems to be something I have not read yet on here. I wish you all well and hope you all soon get to feeling better very soon.

[Traceylea]

Yesterday I had troubles getting out of bed after about30 min I finally got up I went downstairs went to kitchen started to feel wierd so I went to the lounge within 2 min of me sitting my body went limp right sidemy speech went slurred and I was very confusedly daughtercalled an ambulance as soon as she sore me start to dribble and lean to the side it lasted around 8 min then I starte to speak better wasstill very weak and sore all over but managed to shower while paramametcs waited before this though I only remember seeing 2 paramedics and asked them why dis another paramedic come they saidhe was here the whole time I'm still today feeling heavy tired and my neck and back feel as though there carrying weights
The dr at concord said no it can't of been a Tia or stroke your to young what a joke she sent me for no ct only blood tests and sent me home after 5 hours with no answers except it sounds like a complicated migrain!! I didn't even have headache before it wierd I dontknow anyway I went to my gp today and he said I don't seem myself and he said myspeech is mildly slurred and I'm a bit slow physically so he sent me for the ct which came back normal except a little swelling in left synus.. He ha also given me a refresh to see a ???? Gone blank a brain specialist I call him for now as  I can't think of the
name Anyway could someone please tell me what u think thankyou kindest regards Tracey

[sara12345]

How young are you?  Strokes can happen at fairly young ages.  And you can't be that young if you have a daughter.  

Someone should answer the question about whether TIAs will show up on a CT scan afterwards.

Because it certainly sounds like you had a stroke.  Those are really severe symptoms for a migraine.  It sounds like you have an appointment with a neurologist.  It sounds like you are having a typical stroke symptom of not being able to come up with words called aphasia.

If you were having a stroke, they should have given you tPa medication to reduce the brain effects.  I think that the first doctor was obviously negligent to not give you a CT scan.

Take care Tracey.

Sara

[tufenuf]

I had a TIA around Thanksgiving this year.  MRI shows atrophy in white matter from prior events.  I cannot get words straight when writing. Use wrong words or spell them wrong or can't remember words.  I am 61.  My internal medicine doctor said the TIA was stress related because I am under a great deal of stress.  I do not have high blood pressure per say.  I have proof read any thing I type or write over and over.  My speech is not the same and I am forgetful.  Truthfully; this is very scary to live thru.

[sara12345]

Hi Tough Enough,

Yes, you are.  I know that it seems scary now, but your brain reconfigures itself.  I had a major carotid artery dissection stroke 3+ years ago with Aphasia, which comprises speech problems like you are describing.  I couldn't read more than one paragraph at a time without getting exhausted.  I couldn't follow the most simple TV show.  I couldn't come up with the simplest of words.  

I quickly got better over the next few months, along with speech therapy twice a week for 3 months.  I now do adult training sessions as part of a company that I own.  I still have problems coming up with simple words when I get tired at night, which I've read is when the brain can't compensate.  

So YOU WILL get better.  Just look at the progress that I made after a major stroke.  BTW, I'm 60 years old in a few days.

You might try to get speech therapy to help you, but even without it, I think that you will recover very well--probably a lot better than I have.

I would like to hear how you are doing.  Take care.

[tufenuf]

Thank you.  I need to find a doctor.  Neurologist?  For testing and referrals. I have headaches and they scare me.  I read that people who have TIA most like one third of them have a stroke within one year.  I guess right now I am in panic mode.  

[sara12345]

Hi again,
I didn't know that the risk of stroke was so great with previous TIAs.  I found this great US Government National Institute of Health website which lists the risk factors for stroke and points out ways to prevent a stroke.  It even has a way for you to exactly quantify your risk.
It is:  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/preventing_stroke.htm

One risk factor which I didn't see in the list which may be too low to be listed is frequent migraines.  You probably should see a neurologist just to get relief and to calm down your fear.  

Even if you do have a stroke, most likely it is not the end of the world, although there is some mortality.   Women die far more often than men from strokes.  As young as you are, you are most likely going to recover better.  Perhaps counseling could help you since being in a panic can exacerbate conditions.  Or perhaps an anti-depressant since you have a lot to be depressed about right now.  I am on anti-depressants which also serve as pain killers which a lot of people don't know. My greatest disability from my stroke has been 24/7 migraines which is fairly rare.  And it has radically changed my whole life--but again this is rare.  Otherwise I am able to function quite well.  

Let me know what you think of the website and any thoughts that you have.  I do care.

Sara

[tufenuf]

Thank you for the information.  I am going to read it thoroughly.

[sara12345]

i just read the website more carefully and got quite unsettled myself!!!  I read,    "If you have had a stroke in the past, it's important to reduce your risk of a second stroke. Your brain helps you recover from a stroke by asking the unaffected brain regions to do double duty. That means a second stroke can be twice as bad."   That's why when I get tired, my brain can't function as well.

You have not yet had your first stroke which the quote is referring to. And from looking up the stats, you are correct about 1/3 of those with TIAs have a stroke.  And about 25% of those having a stroke will have another one within 5 years. I know that I am at an increased risk of having another stroke, but it's different for a carotid artery dissection which is 10% over ten years.  

But I have risk factors for stroke that I cannot do anything about.  I cannot exercise or move much due to the migraines which makes them severe. And I have an untreatable high level of cholesterol, especially the kind cited on the website.  I also take hormone replacement therapy which gives you a 29% greater chance of stroke.  But otherwise sex with my husband results in pain and bleeding every time.  So for the sake of my marriage I take it.   I do take blood pressure medication and am way too hyper about my readings because over 130, it further harms my kidney failure (a result of the stroke from the CT scan dyes) and a reading of over 150 can lead to my brain aneurysm bursting--a nearly sure death.  So I have my own set of concerns.

Also another website recommended "Use of low dose aspirin on a daily basis has been shown to significantly decrease the frequency of TIA's and the likelihood of all types of ischemic stroke." By low dose, I believe they mean 81 mg/day which my neurosurgeon suggested to stave off my brain aneurysm bursting which could hit me anytime, but the chances are less than dying on the table from surgery to correct it or having severe disability like not being able to speak and paralysis.  So I take my chances.  I guess the brain aneurysm has taken more of my attention than my risk of having another stroke, but it is still a concern.

So I get your concern and do want to sound too flippant about it.  I do get it.  Let me know what you think.

[NoAnswers76]

I was told 10 yrs ago that I was having TIA's by a stroke dr., but yet all of my MRI's, Ct Scans, Dopler of Corotid Artery tests come back normal. I have been having these for 12 yrs now. Left side gets numb, weak, sometimes I can't walk well, The left side of my mouth turns and sometimes pulls so hard that it hurts, my speech is slurred during, but afterwards I have trouble saying certain things like mainly words that start with an "S", I feel like Im not all there and sometimes I feel like my air waves are getting smaller. When its all said and done I am very tired. For the past two weeks I've had about 6 episodes and just today I went to the ER and that dr. told me he didn't think they were Tia's at all. I've been tested for MS since alot of the symptoms are the same and that test came back normal. Okay so what the heck is going on! If my symptoms match TIA"s EXACTLY...really what is going on. I'm going to try to go to the Cleveland Clinic, Ive heard they have the best neurologists in the surrounding area. Im from Western PA.

I push myself through alot of my illnesses, Im also a juvenile diabetic and Im a single mother of 3. One of my children is also a diabetic and I have a child with ADHD and Mood disorder. BUT sometimes I just can't push myself anymore and I can't stand that no one has a definite answer as to what I should do to prevent these from occurring.

[JTEX53]

With all of the diagnostic equipment and doctors who think they are right up there with God, watch how defensive Drs. become when you question their diagnosis. I've come close to telling Neurologist and Cardiologist, do you know what you're doing or do you make this **** up as you go along. That would totally be non constructive though. At some point you just have to say, I'm seeing another Dr. you're fired!