Speech difficulty

[Barbara]

My mother woke up yesterday and has been having difficulty in speaking. Her mind is o.k. and she knows what she wants to say but the wrong words come out. Her speech is not slurred just confused. She is in a nursing home and has hypertension but her blood pressure is normal and she has no other symptoms. The nursing home are monitoring her condition but as of last night her speech was still confused, she can say part of a sentence but then starts using the wrong words. No one seem to know what is causing this as she doesn't seem to have any other symptoms of a stroke or TIA. I don't know if I should push for her to see a neurologist as the nursing home doctor is not a specialist.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Corleen:

I would take your mother to a neurologist as soon as possible.  There is no such thing as a blood test to detect a stroke.  We diagnose stroke by physical exam and neuroimaging.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[corleen walters]

My mother is 86 yrs old and is living with me.  She was to have a test last week to see why she has so many loose stools. The night before the test, she drank the liquid she was supposed too, and had to sit on the pot "right away".  As she was on the toilet, she began vomiting.  I went to speak to her, and she had a dazed look, eyes were open, but would not respond.  Then her eyes closed, and still no response.  I called the ambulance, after she was in the ER, she came around.  Two days later, she is having trouble with her speach,(which she does realize), also her right hand is not working properly.  She had blood tests at the ER, nothing showed up as a stroke, but I do know she had one.  I feel she is having TIAs now, because she comes and goes with the speach, but nothing showed up in the blood tests she had.  How many TIA's do you have before it is damaging to the brain?  I am at a loss with this..any help would be greatly appreciated.  thanks

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Barbara:

You are welcome.

CCF Neuro MD

[Barbara]

I will do that. Thank you very much for your help.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Barbara:

I still think your mother had a stroke.  Although it cleared, there was a defined lesion that lasted over 24 hours.  I would still get her looked at by a neurologist.  She may be a candidate for aspirin or plavix.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Barbara]

Thank you for your prompt answer. As a follow up, my mother as of this morning is back to normal. Her speech is perfect and she feels fine, just very tired.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Barabara:

I would call you neurologist today and tell him/her about your mother.  Tell him you think your mother might have had a stroke.

Sincerely

CCF Neuro MD