Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
451975 tn?1372328599

Stroke Like Symtoms, Intermittent Loss of speech & Balance

About 1 1/2 yrs. ago, I started experiencing, at the age of 49, severe vertigo, visual problems, nausea and left sided weakness. I was tested for everything imaginable, no diagnosis and yet I went from being physically fit and a chef, to bedridden and sleeping 20 hours a day, because of all the gravol I had to take to get some general relief of my symptoms.  

This past February, still holed up in the house, I experienced the normal 'weakness' on my left side but it progressed to total paralysis, inability to speak and inability to swallow.  My husband gave me an aspirin when he realized I couldn't respond to him and took me to the hospital 5 min. from our home.  I was treated as a stroke patient and sent to the downtown Toronto Stroke Centre.  Unfortunately, by the time I arrive by ambulance, (about 3 hrs. later), it was too late to administer the 'stroke buster' shot that was planned.  After about 4 hours, slowly, I began to regain feeling in my left fingers and forearm.  I felt a burning/pins & needles sensation and within that time frame, my speech started coming back, though slurry and jumbled.  I ended up being sent back to my original hospital when in the ambulance, the whole episode started again.  It was like that, back and forth, speaking, drooling, paralysis until the next day around noon.  Again, every test was done (MRI, CT scan), 3 times, looking for the cause.

I am now much better and not needing nearly the amount of gravol that I used to but I cannot drive because I have lost my depth perception, ability to judge speed or distance, and am clumsy.  I walked 5 blocks a few days ago for the first time in 1 1/2 yrs., without staggering and bumping into things beside me.   I am still not able to go into busy stores or large box stores because within about 10 - 15 minutes, I start to develop the vision problems, balance problems and become sick to my stomach.  I can't tell you how this has affected my life.  I have a loving supportive family and good friends, though I don't see people often.  Watching people talk, their hands move, or trying to have a conversation in a large group sets the whole thing off.  I really don't understand any of this.

I am 50 1/2.  I am going through menopause, had some problem with depression after my kids in my thirties, and agreed after thorough testing that perhaps a neuropsychiatrist was an option.  My doctor felt perhaps it is emotionally based.  I agreed because I am willing to expore every avenue.  The doctor I am seeing is wonderful.  My husband comes with me to my sessions which are too far for me to get to on my own, waits for me, consults with the neuro doc and we sit in together and talk about things.  I truly am a happy person at this time in my life.  My girls are grown and successful, my relationship is great and I am basically free of burdens.  What the heck is going on??

Is there anyone out there who has experienced such symptoms?  Right now, I need to go and get gravol, typing this letter has made me sick.  I have taken medicine for migraine but I am still seeing only spots of my screen and have pain in my temples, forehead, base of my neck and general woozy feeling.  When I am like this I would definitely not go out in public.  I would either be down on the ground after losing my balance completely or my field of vision would be moving and making me throw up. I am still suffering from loss of words, memory failure, jumbled words, and stuttering.

Help!
68 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I too have stroke like symptoms, in fact one neurologist stated that I had a stroke, others say I have not. I have gone from a very hard working,active 51year old, to not being able to go out on my own , I  would also like help if anyone has any idea of what may be happening to me and others like me.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My name is Sharaz On March 5th I felt a sharp pain in my stomach about five minutes after there were a sharp cramping pain in my head then, I black out and pass out for about five minutes when, I woke up. I lost my speech I was taken to the hospital they run an (MRI, EEG,EKG, CT,Chest Ext Blood work and a Swallow test) I lost my speech for about a week I am seeing my Physicians also a Neurologist's,ENT and a GI. I am still dizzy and have headache stomach still cramp and chest is tight. I need help  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

I don't know if this is still a problem for you, but at 49 I had the symptoms you mention except it was my right side that went weak. Basically the vertigo/dizziness, nausea, weak right side, and it felt like I was walking on the floor of a funhouse which caused me to reach for stable things like walls or tables when walking. In addition, in severe episodes I would lose my speech, or just lock up and not be able to move. The accompanying headaches were extreme.

As part of a battery of tests that my never-say-die neurologist and primary care physicians included a spinal tap. While I was supposed to lay down and feel rough after this, I instead felt like my old self, with a cessation of symptoms. My neurologist performed another one when he heard this, and I felt great again. He feels I likely have normal pressure hydrocephalus, or water on the brain. He will be admitting me in the next week or so for a lumbar drain, just to confirm the symptoms go away, and if so, will put in a shunt. He says mine is an unusual presentation for NPH, and that I am young, but we can't argue with feeling great after a spinal tap. Maybe this will help you.
Helpful - 0
1067056 tn?1426161684
please look into ion channelopathies try supplementing potassium and low carb potassium rich diet,, if in two to three days if you are in less pain moving better or in anyway improved please contact a specialist dealing with this,, my ion channelopathy is andersen tawil syndrome but there are others also..only do the diet and potassium if potassium runs normal to low.. and kidneys are still healthy bless you all..karen
Helpful - 0
4444843 tn?1354674296
I thought I was the only one with stroke symptoms that aren't a stroke! It's to the point where I'm in a power chair now. I have general weakness that started on my left side and has progressed to my entire body. I have intermittent paralysis on my left side. It just quits.
As a child and teen I suffered massive headaches and blackouts.
I know what I DON'T have (MS, ALS, Stroke, CHF) but I don't have a diagnosis. It's bad enough that some of the medtechs at the VA are calling me "patient one".
If anyone gets anything that may pin this down, PLEASE let me know.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a front end collision in 2010 and had a really bad episode of stroke like symptoms them.  My dr. sent me to the hospital for test ( ct, bloodwork I think).  Only conclusion then was a concussion from the accident, even though I did not bump my head I was just jerked forward and to the left side.  Now, for the past 4 or 5 months the dizziness, weakness, numbness, tingling and sometimes pain on my left side are getting worse.  Sometimes I feel like I can't hardly hear or see.  I feel like I'm down in a tunnel almost and my ears are ringing.  I feel tired all the time, can't focus at times, stumble around and drag my left leg and foot. I am so frustrated now I went to the heart dr. they did some test and found me to have a right inner carotid dilatation and 50% blockage, but the Vascular dr. I just went to gave me some flip diagnosis of dizziness and giddiness and said my insides were beautiful.  I feel like no one is really helping me and they are just taking my money.  I will go back to the heart dr. and the neurologist in Dec./2011 so maybe they will have some new ideas as to what can be done.  I'm sick of being sick an tired.  Joyce
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Migraines and Headaches Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Avatar universal
Trinity , TX
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease