Apologies, long post, brevity is not my strong suit. Some of you may remember my husband (80) is waiting for a double or triple bypass and replacement aortic valve. He is also waiting for an assessment of his cognitive impairment.He was admitted twice on the week commencing 24th Nov and sent home the next day, the second time after his pre med, no ICU beds. ( I drove back to pick him up as it was daylight).
I have huge memory gaps which are gradually coming back, thanks to my diary and family. On 30th Nov evening, apparently I collapsed unresponsive in bed and my husband rang 999. They wanted him to get me on the floor but he explained his own frailty and bounced on my chest in bed.
I came to in hospital having been blue lighted, had head CT and carotid USS, of which all I was unaware. Apparently I was a pain in A&E,proclaiming I had not had a TIA, it was an "episode". Sunday I only remember odd flashes but was sending messages on my phone which made sense!! I woke up more properly on stroke high dependency bay Monday morning 2nd and "as you seem very sensible" went home Mon afternoon after successfully making a cup of tea and negotiating stairs. ( Needed bed more likely). All of us have picked up a nasty virus, cough cold exhaustion which is muddying the water. My memory is shot but I have phone notes and notebooks to help.
My daughter with whom I have a lot in common, got her support just right and left us to find our feet on Friday ( though neither of us could. remember which day she went, but I worked it out).
Having been without flecainide all day Sunday 1st and Mon am till lunch time, unsurprisingly,I had my first long episode of AF since 2013 on Tues evening. We did go to urgent care but they said A&E 25 miles away. I converted spontaneously while waiting but daughter and staff keen for me to be seen. 7 hours later got home so quite good.
Since then the days have flown. Things are a huge effort and husband is more muddled but we're ok, daughter back Thursday for 2 nights (400 mile round trip). Son 30 miles away, more like his father but wife a senior carer so more on my wavelength. Poor dog in kennels for now, he's a tetchy 14 year old.
Waiting for MRI brain 21st as CT inconclusive but no bleed seen.
I requested GP phone call yesterday, a new young man son of GP who has just retired. He has persuaded me to go on statins which I didn't cope with before about 10 years ago. (I'd been taking plant sterols for a few months recently). He offered me one I hadn't tried rotuvastatin .I did make him laugh though. He said would I be willing to have cholesterol checked at 3 and 9 months although the research that it improved outcomes was sketchy.I said if it meant he got a government reward that was fine. He snorted and said there was an element of that!!
Well guys, it's clearer in my head now. Would like answers but don't suppose I'll ever get a definitive diagnosis, unless brain MRI helps.
From those of you who've had TIAs any tips? I'm handing off responsibilities for now. (Drop in vol, and two committees) . I've increased my cleaner and emailed a District nurse pal as to whether I should self refer to Social Services to at least be in the system prior to husband's op ....eek.
Apologies again for length. Very fuzzy headed after any period of concentration. Have not been out yet except to dust bin!!
Written by
Bagrat
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Sounds like you have had a rough time of it. Just know the HUC is rooting for you and if you need to get things off your chest - here is the place to do it.
Stay positive and keep your mind focused on getting through this.
Good luck.
Paul
Edit. I think you should 100% contact social services and accept any help they can offer.
Good morning, sorry to hear you have been in the wars . I was also a pain in the hospital, saying I'm fine I'm fine ...clearly not apparently. I had a very muggy ,hangover like feeling,for about a week after my suspected TIA in 2017. Intermittently for a few months I repeated myself a lot and forgot things but since then all well.
It's so difficult to be certain if was a TIA ,as the very name suggests, its Transient. I can't recall if you said you were on anticoagulants but I expect they have checked if required.
Very sensible dropping commitments to anyone but you and ,husband. I did the same,never went back to my stressful community social work.
So sorry to hear all you've been through Bagrat. We never know what ailment is lurking around the corner waiting to strike, do we, and that's probably a good thing.
Please let us know how you get on, meanwhile accept all the help you can get.
I never stopped my online shopping after COVID and have got an extra half hour my cleaner who is a super star and will change beds and do cupboards etc in rotation. Thanks
You poor thing ! It sounds like you need a relaxing holiday - all arranged for you down to the smallest detail….. not too far away so that it isn’t stressful, but just with different surroundings - a haven of peace and rest. Perhaps you and your husband could think/talk about it and it might bring pleasant images to mind, which may in themselves be a tonic. Or sit and look through photos of happy times, and assure yourselves you are just ‘going through a bad patch’. Wishing you well, with a return to a happy ‘normality’.
The trouble is my husband's cognitive abilities means he has relied on me for decisions for a long time, I just hadn't noticed as it's crept up.Great idea to get the photo albums out though. Thanks.
It’s a pity your daughter doesn’t live a little closer. It sounds like you need more general support to get you through this. I can understand that everything you do, or happens to you, you have to consider how it impacts your husband, and how he will manage, so you can’t just concentrate on your own needs. Would it be possible for one of you to stay with your son and one with your daughter ? Just to give yourself a little respite, because you are having a very stressful time right now.
My son is lovely but not a coper, though his wife sensible. They have no room and neither of us would cope there!! due to their lifestyle and parenting style for screen obsessed 9 yr old.We have lots of good friends who are here for us and as a retired Macmillan Nurse of 20 yrs, lots are bossy nurses like me so I have the advantage of knowing how to access services as effectively as anyone can these days.
We both feel safe here with the medical care we know. Also near to be here in case Mike gets call for surgery.
Thanks for your support and understanding. Trying to explain to my husband I'm a slightly diff person for now.
I cannot help with your health problems but I picked up your comment about your dog having to go into kennels. Have you heard of the Cinnamon Trust? They, as an organisation, help the elderly and infirm with situations such as yours. They arrange for a foster carer to take care of your dog while you are indisposed. They can also arrange for a dog walker once things are more settled with you both. Hope this helps?
Thanks Leaney. Yes I used to be a Cinnamon Trust Volunteer. My dog is what I calla "special needs dog" We've had him since he was 2 now 12 and although he's fine with us has bitten a neighbours dog during lock down and is now muzzled when out as sounds aggressive when he sees a dog. The kennels are great The owner also chairs a dog rescue I volunteer for usually so lots of offers of help . He only potters for about 15 mins on a nearby field daily, as gets very stressed. Thanks though had forgotten about Cinnamon Trust.
Oh my dear girl, you have my utmost sympathy , I too am laid up with a shocking cold in spite of having the bloody flu jab, this is so debilitating but at least I have not had to deal with other 'problems' as you have. We are both in our 80's and it certainly does not get any easier does it! Now, over the years I have had a couple of TIAs, weird things, brain scans etc., Statins as a consequence and change of anticoagulants and I'm pleased to say that seemed to put a stop to them, stress with moving home didn't help. I don't know whether you are getting any outside help at this time, other than your daughter, but I think the time is now right, taking into consideration your hubby's health and your own. Although I haven't done it, I would suggest availing yourself of the Attendance Allowance, non means tested and our right, this in turn can help pay for extra care. Have a chat with your GP/Health Services to see what is available to you. Take care of yourself and feel better soon xxx
Thank you. I'm not sure either of us qualify for Att All yet but it's a good thought. I have got it for several friends as a dab hand at the forms (was part of my job many moons ago!) It hadn't crossed my mind yet so thank you. We are bumbling along in the house!!
Hope you make a complete recovery soon. I had TIA in 2019 but it was very transient and the only thing that wasn't was my ability to write legibly. This took several days before I felt I could control the pen though I think if I had practised more it would have improved sooner. My cat scan showed nothing . During the TIA itself I felt weakness in my right leg so walking was difficult and a strange disconnect between thinking and speaking though my husband says I was not slurring my words. I think if the CT did not show any obvious lesions that is a good sign that things will return to normal fairly quickly.
Mine came out normal but it was like there was a pause between thinking something and being able to say it. It was very odd like a sort of mental slow motion.
Well… what a life you lead! Hoping for the best. Poor you. I would await the MRI and ask whether a CT might be useful (apparently each has its strengths).
Had CT while out of it "?subtle focal hypodensity involving right insular cortex MCA area. They wondered if I had slight L facial droop but my daughter in law pointed out that my mouth always drooped to left a bit, no one else apart from me had ever noticed and I was in no position to comment!!
All sounds awful and really stressful Bagrat. I hope you continue to improve; my mother had several TIAs and was back to normal relatively quickly and I hope it is the same for you. And the attendance allowance sounds essential to help you both out - take all the help you can get.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Health Service in Goa - India
My room was the central train station.
GP vs Specialist ; the lost art of medicine
New to A fib
