Is it possible to have a negative MRI scan after a stroke?

[Denise1966]

I am 42 years old and have just recently had what was diagnosed as my 2nd stroke.  I am a little overweight and suffer from high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  One night after coming home from work at the age of 38 I felt dizzy, lightheaded, began to lose the feeling in my left arm and the right side of my face became paralyzed.  My sister, who works in the medical field, took my blood pressure and found that it was 136/116 (this is how I found out I had high blood pressure).  I spent the night in the hospital for observation, was started on aspirin daily, along with blood pressure medications and a cholesterol-lowering agent.  I had many tests performed at that time, all of which returned normal, including MRI scan of the brain.  After a couple of weeks the paralysis in my face went away but I still suffer on occasion from weakness in my left arm.  Recently, after spending a wonderful day out, I developed paralysis in the right side of my face, as well as slurred speech, but no other symptoms.  Again, I was admitted to the hospital overnight where they started me on Plavix.  I had a CT scan which, of course, was negative but I am not scheduled for the MRI until this Wednesday.  I still suffer with the weakness in my left arm, some weakness in the right side of my face, lightheadedness and dizziness, but all occasionally and not constantly.  If my next MRI scan is negative is it possible that these events were not strokes?   If it were a stroke can someone suggest something to help improve the weakness that I experience in my left arm, some days I feel that I can barely lift my left arm but I have not really noticed any change in the strength of the arm.  

Looking for others who have experienced similar events.  Thanks!

[Nichole28]

I was just in the hospital on March 24th for almost a week with stroke like symptoms and seizures and MRI and CT scans came back normal. It has almost been 4 weeks and I am doing better but having issues with dizzy spells, still have some speach issues and some lingering twitching. All my tests were normal but I have not had a repeat CT or MRI since I was in the hospital. I go back and see my GP on the 24th and will be demanding another one be done to see what is still causing my symptoms. I would be seeing a specialist if you can get into one maybe they can figure out what is going on with you. I can't see mine until JUNE 24th omg lol

[Suri123]

Hi Denise1966, how are you? It is possible sometimes to get a negative MRI report following a stroke. It depends on the severity of the blood vessel block or also when a cause is unknown. You need to continue the medications given to control blood pressure and lower the cholesterol and Aspirin. Continue physical therapy on daily basis and do hot fomentation with gentle massage. You may regain the ability slowly over a couple of months. Do regularly follow up with your attending physician and need to change your lifestyle avoiding smoking, alcohol, high fatty food and oils. Take care and do update on your progress.