Not sure what's wrong...TIA...stroke?

[ARB57]

I'm a little shaken...and a lot confused. After a trip to the emergency room last week, and subsequent overnight stay in the hospital, I was diagnosed with a TIA (mini or warning stroke).

My symptoms were quite mild...a little numbness on the left side of my face, foot and a couple of my fingers. The reason for my confusion? I was under the impression that symptoms of a TIA resolve quickly (minutes, hours...rarely more than 24 hours...the "T" in TIA stands for "transient".) My symptoms haven't gone away. Anybody have any experience here?

Can it take an extended period for symptoms to go away and still be a TIA? Does it sound more like a regular stroke? Any thoughts welcome. Needless to say, I'm a bit of a basket case at the moment. I do have an appointment with my cardiologist and a neurologist (the neurologist who made the original diagnosis) next week. One other thing...all of my tests in the hospital (visual, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound of the carotid artery) were negative.

 

[W2R]

I don't know the answers to any of your questions, so all I can offer is sympathy. So sorry this happened to you.

Well, plus there is one thing that I learned. If you have one stroke, you are far more likely to have another soon. So, be careful and go back to the ER immediately if you have any new symptoms.

 

[Alan]

I have a friend who had a TIA at work. I worked in the same office so was there when it happened and the symptoms were very similar to what you describe and lasted a long time. Someone went with him to medical where they called an ambulance to take him to the ER.

He was right about 60 years old at the time and we still talk regularly. He has just had his 77th birthday and hasn't had a reoccurrence.

All the best to you, it is a very scary business.

 

[imoldernu]

DW had a TIA in 1953.... in this case, a carotid artery clot... surgery and all's still well.
On the other hand, in the years we've lived in Senior communities, we've known many cases of recurrent TIA's.

Since there is so much information on line, going to Mayo
Transient ischemic attack (TIA) Symptoms - Mayo Clinic
or WebMD, provides info in a readable form.

For more detail, along with risk ratings, more detailed ifo on the doctor oriented websites.....
http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/strokeaha/39/9/2461.full.pdf

Hopefully, a one time occurrance, but keeping a close watch and following Dr. recommenations for aspirin, thinners or statins etc. is important.

Patient forums, often help in dealing with the personal things like fear and worry.... This one might help...

3Years after a mild stroke, i am experiencing TIA type.... Thread discussing 3Years after a mild stroke, i am experiencing TIA type... | Patient

Best wishes for a full recovery...

 

[ls99]

Not to worry, this too shall pass.

First head experience. about 30 years ago. Took about a week for positively recognizable recovery. Per doc's advice took it easy, ignored their advice to guzzle aspirin. except for a week or two. Aspirin does no good for joints and cartilige, all my joints are smooth operators at age 69. No recurrence since. All is well. YMMV

 

[MRG]

Scary. Glad you are well and the tests are good.

I worked with a guy who had one. As I recall he didn't think he felt quite right for a while after. I had a TGA and that was transient(global amnesia) too. I wasn't all there after, meaning it was like Vegas.

"What happened during the event stayed in the event." People told me afterwards what happened during my day. That did trigger a memory of what I was told so it was probably real(pretty normal activities), and uneventful.

Sounds like you have the right specialists involved, so good luck.

 

[ARB57]

Thanks all for the information/feedback (and reassurance). I have my share of health issues, but this one caught me by surprise. It's thrown me for a loop alright.

 

[eytonxav]

I hope you are doing better, and are getting good follow-up care. I wouldn't get too alarmed until the Drs tell you to be concerned, but this article suggests that TIAs can have a longer lasting effect.
Long-Term Impact of TIA - Stroke - HealthCommunities.com

That said, I suspect some of the things we can find on the internet may be more harmful than not in creating needless alarm. I only posted this as it does appear there is some evidence that symptoms can last more than for a transient period of time.

 

[Teacher Terry]

My Mom had about 4 over the years. After one she could not remember how to write but it came back within a few weeks. She only had them when really sick or when she overdid it working around the house too hard. For instance at 78 unpacking most of her 2 bd apartment in a day.

 

[Dawg52]

A friend's wife had something similar a couple of months ago. He found her on the floor in the bathroom confused. Got her to emergency room and after several test, they let her go the same day. Had follow up exams including an MRI. The MRI showed nothing. Specialist are calling her occurrence an 'event' that cut off the blood supply to her brain causing memory and mood problems. Generally speaking she looks fine and carries on conversations fine. But short term memory is bad and can't drive anymore. She's going through some therapy but doctors have told my buddy that more than likely she won't ever improve her short term memory.

Scary to think something like this can happen to anyone changing a person's life forever. But as I told them, it could have been a lot worse. Sounds like the OP's situation is not quite like this one. Didn't mention this one to scare the OP. Most people who have minor TIA's do fine from what I have seen.

 

[Luck_Club]

Take the meds and change the behaviors to minimize the risks.

My Uncle ignored the doctors advice after his first hospitalizing stoke and the subsequent mini's and had a major. Now he sits waiting for death unable to speak or walk for over 3 years now.

 

[Lsbcal]

Not to worry, this too shall pass.

First head experience. about 30 years ago. Took about a week for positively recognizable recovery. Per doc's advice took it easy, ignored their advice to guzzle aspirin. except for a week or two. Aspirin does no good for joints and cartilige, all my joints are smooth operators at age 69. No recurrence since. All is well. YMMV

There is some research that supports taking a baby aspirin every other day. That's what I do and it is practically my only medication.