Are there any signs of a stroke before it happens?

[vovvarna22]

Especially useful if driving!! When you search this on google, it only tells you what to do when the stroke has happened!

vovvarna

[BobD Volunteer]

I think best to not worry about it. Provided that you are anti-coagulated properly why beat yourself up about something that may never happen. You are just a likely to die of a heart attack , cross five lanes of motorway and kill 17 people on the. way. LOL.

Bob

[vovvarna22]

Ok, let's try this If one knows the signs, one could ring a family member to get help to get to hospital ..!?

[dedeottie]

I have had 3 T.I.As when I lost my ability to speak and to think properly for about 3 or 4 minutes. Although each time I was aware of what was happening I would not have been able to do anything until it was over. After about 4 minutes I had recovered and was capable of making a phone call. Probably not what you wanted to hear. Thank goodness I am now on anticoagulation and have been fine since then. That is why warfarin is my best friend.x

[feejbee]

I don't know if this is the same for everyone but for several days before my stroke I felt as though my body seemed not to be mine. I felt that I was detached and seeing and hearing everything a split second after it had happened ie not in real time. No pain but everything very muzzy and confusing and feeling very unwell.This might have just been coincidence and not a symptom of stroke but if anyone is experiencing anything similar it might be worth seeing a doctor.

Fi

[farmerwalt]

I had several TIA's, before I was anticoagulated, and had absolutely no warning. Also agree with Bob's comments about getting on with life. Worrying about something that may never happen only robs you of enjoying life as it is.

Walter.

[vovvarna22]

Thank you, rob and farmerwalt. You are right, in a way, but my main worry is that I teach young children at my home and am concerned that they might have to deal with me having a stroke! Thank you, feejbee -- interesting, even if a coincidence ...

vovvarna

[Rufus_4]

There appears to be a variety of experiences so difficult to second guess what may happen. I felt incredibly tired and devoid of energy with increasing nausea up until the event. The symptoms could have been caused by a number of different conditions. I agree with the other comments, keep taking the warfarin and carry on! xx

[scotcitz]

stroke.org/site/PageServer?...

Yes, you should live your life, but knowing these warning signs FAST -- one side sagging in the FACE, inability to raise your ARMS, problems in SPEECH, TELEPHONE for help -- can get you to hospital and to anti-coagulation treatment to shorten the duration/force of stroke.

[vovvarna22 in reply to scotcitz]

Ok, scotcitz, but will one be aware of these signs *oneself* and able to ring for help?

[scotcitz]

Excellent question! I had the arms one and did go to the emergency room. But it turned out I had nerve damage not a stroke, so a false positive and wound up in hospital while actually healthy (just have a episode of Afib during surgery on my chart so far and a TIA from that). I have trained my family and co-workers on this (it's a big campaign in the US). I think it's a toss-up as to whether one could monitor oneself, but worth a try. My mother, who has had several strokes (she is lucky, she recovers from them more or less) says she would find this impossible as she gets very confused when strokes occur. I think another thing that would help is a Medalert bracelet, particularly when traveling. I would be very interested in hearing if people have been able to summon help in the early stages of a stroke ...

[vovvarna22 in reply to scotcitz]

Thank you, scotcitz We'll wait and see if people write in to tell us it might be possible to be aware "before the event" ........

[vovvarna22]

Good morning from England! Re scotcitz's comment: Medalert bracelet: I carry my "yellow booklet" with me at all times. There is also a "yellow card", credit card size. I sometimes also wear a bracelet. The phrase "belt and braces" springs to mind!

It is great that everyone around you is aware of you having AFib (AF in the UK). But I work on my own, at home, teaching 6 to 12 yr old children, on a one-to-one basis. Around 12 to 15 children/lessons per week.

My GP and heart specialist, say I am safe to continue doing this ... but ... I don't feel good about putting *possible* responsibility on the children!! I am generally, fit. I am 70.

Sorry if I go on and on about this, but I do worry about my pupils ... ! Any ideas?

[Hidden]

I have had a few mini strokes all leaving slight permanent damage, usually to my hearing and eyesight and left side of my body but nothing large enough to be left showing on MRI. But each time a few days before I having a feeling of just not being myself and on the last one the night before I felt suddenly afraid for no reason. I do get dizzy spells a lot so I have stopped driving and it's becoming difficult for me to adjust with the sudden hearing and sight loss these episode's are causing. Whilst having them it is difficult to work out what's going on around you and what your symptoms are, mine usually last a few hours. They have moved me from warfarin to paradox now. Hope this helps you. I do miss the independence of driving though.

[vovvarna22]

Thank you, poppyseed! Interesting to hear of your experiences. Dizziness is horrid Do I assume you have AF and are on anticoagulants for that? I'm on Warfarin. Have not heard of paradox. I only seem to have AF when lying down, which disturbs some nights, but probably better than in the daytime ... !? Do you see your doctor or go to hospital when you have a ministroke? I'm getting more and more amazed at how much the symptoms vary, for AF patients. Tricky to know what to do or look out for! I wish you no more TIAs, poppyseed

[Hidden in reply to vovvarna22]

Yes I have af. Sorry should have read Prodaxa , one of the new co agulents. I avoid my doctor he is a little stuck in his ways I find the walk in surgerys better. My last mini stroke started on the way to the coagulant clinic and had the symptoms whilst they checked my INR, which was within range. But they still sent me upto the walk in clinic to get checked out, so I caught the bus up to it, by then my face had dropped and had slurred speech I was then put in an ambulance after waiting in the waiting room for 40mins.