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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!
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!
I have recently begun seeking information for basal artery insufficiency and spasms when I saw this post. That is my diagnosis and I have the same symptoms as you also with perhaps more pronounced vision loss and dementia. I have been sick with this for about 12 years starting with hemipelgic migraines then a few years later with basilar (& cerebral) migraines. You may want to ask about insuffiency of the vertobrobasilar or basilar arteries as a possible cause. Additionally, upon research I found that the basilar migraines can cause mini-strokes. For me these are migraine attacks that last for months with permanent damage as well as transient damage. The attacks seem to come and go. Even though the MRI results are negative, classification would dictate that the permanent damage are actually strokes as my dementia has lasted 4 years (was severe now moderate-stable) and my peripheral vision and depth perception has never resolved and has become worse over the past 3 years. I take aspirin, which helps some, and pamelor for migraines, that only helps the pain a little. If anyone has any information as to what this is, I would appreciate anything I could get on this. Like all of you, it is playing havoc on my life. Everything is going along fine, then bam, these nightmare migraines come on. My world just crashes down and I loose everything and everyone. Needless to say, I end up with depression. Which is what they use to diagnose this as until the doctors and counselors (in the same clinic) got to know me for a few years and realized I don't have depression until AFTER these attacks hit and the neuro specialists confirmed it to be organic in nature. I now also know that I have CNS Lupus now also from all the organ damage I have gathered in the last couple of years, so I am not sure if the two problems are connected. I gather the two play off each other though. It seems that every time I get hit with a severe infection or MRSA that I get one of these attacks within a month or two following the infections. For me there are a lot of pieces to put together, but hopefully they can narrow yours down. There is a SPECT and I believe a PET test that can be performed that measures your blood flow in the brain. It has been used for sleep studies and psychiatric studies. I think that would be best to do. I was told the MRI may not pick up damage to the small blood vessels in the brain especially near the basal artery which is in the middle of your brain. You can have small infarcts causing strokes in these vessels called small blood vessel disease. It is rare but possible. There are also certain autoimmune diseases that can cause your arteries to spasm and/or clot and a rhuematologist or hematologist can run tests for these autoimmune antibodies. Also if you have cardio (heart) problems such as atherlosclerosis or aortic/mitral valve sclerosis it could produce blood clots in your brain too. I was told the MRI only picks up if there is a large stroke and it may not pick up smaller strokes. Trust me enough of these smaller strokes are just as serious. That, and they can lead to larger strokes down the line. I wish you all the best. Please keep me posted - Thanks - Kristin
I feel your delima.
I'm 45yrs old, have been having stroke like symtoms for at least the last 15 yrs.
slurr speech, voice comes and goes,face tightens,no strength in arms or legs, walk like a drunk, loss memory.headaches. blurred vision.
spent over $30,000 in medical bills. Doctors said all in my "head."
these spells last from 1 day to a month depending on severity.
I finally went to a chiropractor.He took xrays of my neck. found neck curved 4 degrees BACKWARDS!!! this causes EXTREME muscle spasms. It blocks the blood flow to the brain.
I have to be carefull how much I use my arms.walk,and position of neck.
any jarring or over use can cause spells. I never get too far away from home, especiall ey without my cell phone!!
the only relief is to lay down and take natural anti flammatory pills.
also after a warm shower lay on hard seface with a hand towel under the neck.this works wonders.
I do get a little testy at times, so I just give my self a good talking to and pray.
I't helps.
I'm 45yrs old, have been having stroke like symtoms for at least the last 15 yrs.
slurr speech, voice comes and goes,face tightens,no strength in arms or legs, walk like a drunk, loss memory.headaches. blurred vision.
spent over $30,000 in medical bills. Doctors said all in my "head."
these spells last from 1 day to a month depending on severity.
I finally went to a chiropractor.He took xrays of my neck. found neck curved 4 degrees BACKWARDS!!! this causes EXTREME muscle spasms. It blocks the blood flow to the brain.
I have to be carefull how much I use my arms.walk,and position of neck.
any jarring or over use can cause spells. I never get too far away from home, especiall ey without my cell phone!!
the only relief is to lay down and take natural anti flammatory pills.
also after a warm shower lay on hard seface with a hand towel under the neck.this works wonders.
I do get a little testy at times, so I just give my self a good talking to and pray.
I't helps.
Boy, have you got a huge load to carry! I can only tell you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully the doctors will be able to find some relief for you.
I know that a huge percentage of dealing with these problems and moving forward is having the support and understanding of those around us. I am sure that you feel that others are treating you with kid gloves, and that the hovering and fussing has increased to an almost untolerable level, but remember, they love you, are very worried that this may be something serious that will progress to something terminal. They are scared to death of what they, 'don't know', about your condition and perhaps are frustrated that doctors can't yet tell them/you anything more specific. Have patience with them, I know how hard it is.
This forum has also given me a sense of support and encouragement. My symptoms are slowly improving but it is still such a challenge everyday. When I do go out I must be very vigilant about changes beginning in my head, speech, walking clumsiness and know when it is time to go home. If I push myself, I end up in a dark room, in bed, zonked out on gravol and up until Lyrica, too many painkillers. Any light in the room blinds me with pain and I am dizzy and off balance for another stretch of time. One thing I am learning, being an overachiever in the past, is to know the signals and do what is necessary to avoid things that will leave me out of control. Yes, I walk into people, knock displays down, try and pick things up and knock more down...the list is endless. All I can do is say, 'sorry, I am a little unsteady', smile and, get the heck out of there!
Have courage, take the help when you need it and don't confuse concern and fear with overprotection. You are still the same person you were before, dynamic, I think, and for the time being, just have yet one more hurdle to beat. Stay in touch, I'd love to hear of your progress. I know you are going to do great! Sincerely, T
I know that a huge percentage of dealing with these problems and moving forward is having the support and understanding of those around us. I am sure that you feel that others are treating you with kid gloves, and that the hovering and fussing has increased to an almost untolerable level, but remember, they love you, are very worried that this may be something serious that will progress to something terminal. They are scared to death of what they, 'don't know', about your condition and perhaps are frustrated that doctors can't yet tell them/you anything more specific. Have patience with them, I know how hard it is.
This forum has also given me a sense of support and encouragement. My symptoms are slowly improving but it is still such a challenge everyday. When I do go out I must be very vigilant about changes beginning in my head, speech, walking clumsiness and know when it is time to go home. If I push myself, I end up in a dark room, in bed, zonked out on gravol and up until Lyrica, too many painkillers. Any light in the room blinds me with pain and I am dizzy and off balance for another stretch of time. One thing I am learning, being an overachiever in the past, is to know the signals and do what is necessary to avoid things that will leave me out of control. Yes, I walk into people, knock displays down, try and pick things up and knock more down...the list is endless. All I can do is say, 'sorry, I am a little unsteady', smile and, get the heck out of there!
Have courage, take the help when you need it and don't confuse concern and fear with overprotection. You are still the same person you were before, dynamic, I think, and for the time being, just have yet one more hurdle to beat. Stay in touch, I'd love to hear of your progress. I know you are going to do great! Sincerely, T
Hello. I just wanted to say to all of you that reading your experiences just in the last five minutes has helped me so much. I am 22 years old and just got back from studying abroad in London. I am totally blind and up until this year I was living a fairly independent life, travelling and studying multiple languages. Then suddenly I began to have periods where I couldn't move my hands and feet and began to lose speech. I also suffered terrible migraines, ten times worse than the ones I've had for 10 years. Since all this started I have had seizure like episodes where I wshake uncontrollably and almost swallow my tongue, I have had temporary weakness to the point of paralysis on my left side, and have experienced frequent visual and auditory hallucinations. I think this is the scariest part of my experiences, since I have only ever been able to see light. Suddenly the room actually looks different, I see streaks and spots, and my entire surroundings change so much that it is difficult for me to walk. I have only recently been referred to a more specialized neurologist, an in the meantime I am on Neurontin, soething the doctors tell me is usually used for chronic pain. This has helped a lot with most of my symptoms but this week I haven't been able to talk properly for almost 4 days and continue to experience weakness and clumsiness. I also experience memory loss and problems with vocabulary, and knowing someone else is also experiencing these things has made me feel less alone. I'm not used to be confined to my house and having people treat me with even more pity because now I seem to be a truly mentally challenged blind person. So I just wanted to say thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and suggesting alternative care.
Hi, just wanted to check in with you. At my appt. on Thursday of last week, my Neuropsychiatrist has put me on a drug called, 'Lyrica'. I/my husband notices within a few days that I was up and about, more productive and much less burdened than I had been in a long time. It's amazing to me because I have tried so many antidepressants and none seemed to work alone, I always needed a cocktail to maintain an even mood. I feel 20, energy wise. He tells me that all of the doctors I've seen are basically casting a wide net over me and have no one particular diagnosis.
I still become off balance when in a car, watch anything passing in front of my eyes quickly or moving objects on the tv. When that starts, my speech starts to slur and garble as well. I get nauseous when I go to large box stores, i.e. Home Depot, Costco, and just try to keep my eyes trained to the cart or floor in front of me. If I don't, I start walking into displays or people, knocking things down, and staggering. Not a pretty sight for a pretty lady, trust me.
I try to encourage others who contact me because this is now 2 years on and I am just beginning to be able to leave the house and walk a few blocks. I finally was able to get on the treadmill and I can read more. With the lyrica helping with chronic pain from previous injuries, (2000, I broke my hip, left leg multiple fractures, ankle, left rotator cuff torn during training for a marathon) and allowing me to feel unburdened as I have felt for years now, I feel hope and encouragement.
I thank you for keeping in touch and will let you know my progress. T.
I still become off balance when in a car, watch anything passing in front of my eyes quickly or moving objects on the tv. When that starts, my speech starts to slur and garble as well. I get nauseous when I go to large box stores, i.e. Home Depot, Costco, and just try to keep my eyes trained to the cart or floor in front of me. If I don't, I start walking into displays or people, knocking things down, and staggering. Not a pretty sight for a pretty lady, trust me.
I try to encourage others who contact me because this is now 2 years on and I am just beginning to be able to leave the house and walk a few blocks. I finally was able to get on the treadmill and I can read more. With the lyrica helping with chronic pain from previous injuries, (2000, I broke my hip, left leg multiple fractures, ankle, left rotator cuff torn during training for a marathon) and allowing me to feel unburdened as I have felt for years now, I feel hope and encouragement.
I thank you for keeping in touch and will let you know my progress. T.
Neecie73,
Sorry, I sent you a reply that was meant for someone else!!! I will forward to you, though, some advice that was given to me by a physician on this site. It may offer you some information that you could take to your doctor and discuss. Everyone is different and I am certainly not diagnosing here, but, maybe there is something in her advice that may pertain to you.
As far as coping...hang on, realize that depression and frustration become your foes when you are trying to deal with something that disables you and causes such fright about your future. Let me know how you do, I really would like to be of support. It is now two years, my doctor just put me on something called, 'Lyrica', as a mood stabilizer and to deal with chronic pain from an old injury. I am really so much better but the speech is still a big problem, the whirlies & loss of balance, clumsiness still haunt me. I am an elegant, young looking 50 year old and people take a second glance when I am out and dressed nicely. Then, bang, I walk into a display, knock it down, walk into people as they are walking toward me because my perception is all off and man, do I feel like an idiot. Just imagine, I go into a nice restaurant, speech was okay before I left, but after the car ride I can feel my head becoming all jumble, but still manage to get in the door, wobbling just a bit, but you know they may think I've just been drinking, then they greet me with a big hello, I open my mouth to say hello back and guess what, 'fark' or 'lahow' comes out!!!!!!!! Holy cow...they just look at me like, 'what planet did this lady come from' and then on we go to a very difficult time trying to order dinner and not be so humiliated that I want to slink out the back door. Be brave, don't give in to the fear, and get some councelling with a Neuropsychiatrist if this goes on for a long time. You will need help in dealing with the day to day problems you will encounter. Keep in touch, I look forward to hearing of your progress! Sincerely, T.
Sorry, I sent you a reply that was meant for someone else!!! I will forward to you, though, some advice that was given to me by a physician on this site. It may offer you some information that you could take to your doctor and discuss. Everyone is different and I am certainly not diagnosing here, but, maybe there is something in her advice that may pertain to you.
As far as coping...hang on, realize that depression and frustration become your foes when you are trying to deal with something that disables you and causes such fright about your future. Let me know how you do, I really would like to be of support. It is now two years, my doctor just put me on something called, 'Lyrica', as a mood stabilizer and to deal with chronic pain from an old injury. I am really so much better but the speech is still a big problem, the whirlies & loss of balance, clumsiness still haunt me. I am an elegant, young looking 50 year old and people take a second glance when I am out and dressed nicely. Then, bang, I walk into a display, knock it down, walk into people as they are walking toward me because my perception is all off and man, do I feel like an idiot. Just imagine, I go into a nice restaurant, speech was okay before I left, but after the car ride I can feel my head becoming all jumble, but still manage to get in the door, wobbling just a bit, but you know they may think I've just been drinking, then they greet me with a big hello, I open my mouth to say hello back and guess what, 'fark' or 'lahow' comes out!!!!!!!! Holy cow...they just look at me like, 'what planet did this lady come from' and then on we go to a very difficult time trying to order dinner and not be so humiliated that I want to slink out the back door. Be brave, don't give in to the fear, and get some councelling with a Neuropsychiatrist if this goes on for a long time. You will need help in dealing with the day to day problems you will encounter. Keep in touch, I look forward to hearing of your progress! Sincerely, T.
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