4 TIA's

[astrohound24]

My name is Greg. I am to the point of despair with my mothers health. She is 59 years old and has suffered 4 TIA's over the last few years. The last two were within the last month. She has the lagoons left in her head from the strokes. Her platelet count is high much of the time, and she has thrombocytosis. She has been treated with chemo at times to lower the count, and now they have her on coumidin (spelling?) They had to lower the dose because it was causing her to bleed out in her stomach. I realize the blood problems probably do not help her condition and her local doctors feel that the thick blood is causing the TIA's. I have another concern. Her blood pressure spikes are episodic. Her blood pressure spikes from low to malignant hypertension for no apparent reason. Around 15 years ago, she went to a hypertension clinic in Nashville. They found a cyst or tumor on her kidney and said it did not look like anything to be concerned about. I am concerned because I know that the adrenal glands ride on the kidneys. Could she have an undiagnosed pheochromocytoma? The emergency room doctor said last night that treatment for such things is light years better with the diagnostic capabilties available. I looked over her medical records yesterday. She had testing in the form of 24 hour urinary tests and I guess those tests never raised any red flags, but I also know there is a plasma metanephrines test available now that is so much better than the older tests. What should we do?

Greg

[lmroswell]

My mother recently suffered a small stroke.  One year ago, she was diagnosed with both vertebral arteries and carotids with blockages.  At that time, she was placed on Plavix and aspirin, which helps thin the blood.  Since her episode last month, she was taken off the Plavix and aspirin and was given Agrenox, which, we've been told is used in patients that have suffered a stroke.  You might want to check on this:  I think her neuro said that coumadin helps with blockages to the heart and valves, but for arteries in the head they prefer to use Plavix or Aggrenox.  Best to you and your Mom...

[astrohound24]

Doc and IMroswell,

Thanks for the replies. They have have put her on a chemotherapy drug for her high platelet count and coumidin for the blood at a lower dose. We hope this will work. She is going for a full workup at a hypertension clinic early in January. Thanks so much for the comments and best to both of you and your family this holiday.

Greg