Did I have a TIA?

[Tonynj]

I was in the process of having a root canal in mid December. A couple of days after the first visit I noticed an extremely sharp pain on the top of my head towards the left side as well as a sudden feeling of dizziness. It only lasted for a few seconds. The following days the headache became progressively worse and within two weeks I was barely able to get out of bed. My head had an aching feeling as well as sharp shooting pains which seemed to move to different parts of my head at different times. Sometimes within a half hour the pain could move from the right side to the left. Then pressure in the temples. At other times the pain would be in the back of my head. After a week I went to the hospital and my blood pressure was 190/110. I was given blood pressure med's and a CT-Scan without dye. The pressure came down, the CT-scan was negative for a bleed but the severe pain remained. Another month passed with the same severe headaches before I went to an MD who scheduled a CT-Scan w/dye. Test came back abnormal showing atrophy, and possible infarcts. Went to the neurologist with test results and he dismissed the possibility of a TIA upon suggestion. He stated it was probably migraines. I find that ridiculous  It has been six weeks since I had the first symptoms. I still have the severe headaches which are now accompanied with severe dizziness. Head aches are usually either in my temples (pain with pressure) or on the top of my head (aching pain that never goes away). I have had pain every day since this first happened. I'm going to have an MRI asap. Any comments appreciated.

[aidle]

Greetings



MRI scan as better resolution than CT Scan especially TIA cases.



But your blood pressure 190/110 looks extreme high blood pressure. People suffer from high blood pressure sometime having headache and neck pain.



People who suffer from high blood pressure usually have to tell the dentist when you pulling out tooth due to blood thinner medication.



Please watchout your diet and medication taken on same time always. It doesn't mean when you on medication you can eat/drink whatever you want. And that medication is for life.



I don't think you have TIA, its just pain on the neck due to your high blood pressue. TIA symptoms always accompanied with sudden fall, numbness on part of body like leg. If you want to know about TIA/Stroke please refer to



http://www.strokecenter.org



But if you think you want to go MRI scan, its alright, just to clear you doubt.



High Blood pressure can cause other complication like blindness, kidney failure, stroke and heart attack.



Take care and warmest regards....aidle

[ckelley110105]

Dont worry i dont think you had a TIA now if you were becoming numb i would say yes. he neurologist is probably right. migraines can cause your blood pressure to rise which will cause dizziness.

[spct]

Hi Toni,
I am curious whether your headaches eventually went away or whether you ever got more info about what was causing them? My father (75, in very good health, never any headaches) has been having severe headaches for 6 weeks now. Your description of the start (with the dizziness) and the location of the pain seems identical to his. He didn't have any root canal treatment before, although he had just had a teeth cleaning which he described as very rough.
He has had MRI, Catscan, carotid artery test and blood tests, all show normal. He sees a neurologist next week.
Any help very much appreciated! \sp

[caregiver222]

You should have obtained an MRI with dye contrast immediately. Not a CAT scan. That is the standard of care circa 2007, except for those facilities seeking to amortize payments on obsolete medical equipment and those neurologists who took residency in Zaire. The question as to whether or not you "had a TIA" is medically meaningless and not worth asking. Another how many angels are on the head of a pin question. That being said, you prabably had a TIA.  And you are correct in your suspician the neurologist blew you off.  If you had atrophy and possible infarcts you have a problem that has to be identified and the situation stabilized before there is further damage. Seek another medical facility. You are lucky this was caught in time.