Anxiety following TIA end of July, has anyone had similar?

[marigoldb]

I have had open heart surgery July 2019, replacement aortic valve, and single bypass. The TIA came out of the blue, was going to my daughter’s house for the evening, husband has a pizza oven, and they were having friends round. I went to write a card for someone, and the words wouldn’t make sense! Rang my daughter, by then words muddled. They both came round. 999, ambulance came quickly, lovely paramedics. Yes off to A&E, excellent treatment, but in 2 hours all was well and speaking clearly.

However as I’m elderly, live on my own, spent the night on the stroke ward.

Home next day, no follow up, but I can’t find any group to on line to find support. Just hope as it’s now 2 months since it happened I’ll gradually get my confidence back as the time lengthens

Love to hear from anyone else whose experienced similar? Please?

[080311]

Afternoon marigoldb,

Personally can’t help but my husband had a stroke 5 weeks after my surgery 5 years ago. We live in Scotland so things might be a bit different here, but he was given a stroke nurse who he saw weekly after he came out of hospital. She was very helpful with lots of information of different things that he could join. Though nothing on line, though there is the BHF stroke which he does inter act with. They have lots of written information that you can request.

Hope you can get the information you need.

Best wishes Pauline

[marigoldb in reply to 080311]

Thank you so much for replying Pauline, yes I’ve looked at the stroke info, but there isn’t a forum like we have with the BHS, also for Polymyalgia which I have had.Best wishes to you both

Marigold

[thehypnotist]

I found my anxiety was an unintentional side effect from poorly given advice on discharge. Plus my GPs utterances where no help! However, after a home visit from the Stroke Association everything was put in perspective for me and such great support on offer! I was lucky twice, stroke’s were not in the places that created disability, but felt strangely vulnerable!!

[marigoldb in reply to thehypnotist]

Thank you for your reply the hypnotist, I will contact the stroke association, I think that sounds a good idea, I’m sure there is a local branch. So far all I’ve gleaned from various sources is” you may never have another one, but I know someone who has had several” and in hospital on the ward I was in for 24 hours were 3 women who had had strokes, two telling me about the TIA’s they’d had!! Guess that what will be will be, being anxious doesn’t help does it?Easier said than done! Best wishes

Marigold

[thehypnotist in reply to marigoldb]

Hi, I’m amazed at what some health practitioners say!! After my first stroke I was lucky to get support and rehabilitation exercise from the hospital, but after my second, they referred me, without my knowledge, to the Stroke Association. I had a really nice home visit with exceptional reassurance and support! All the best 😊

[10gingercats]

Has any doctor tried to find out why you had a TIA?Mine was out of the blue in my early 70's.I had no idea I had a hole in my heart.Cardiologist decided,if I agreed, it should be closed in order to avoid further strokes.

[marigoldb in reply to 10gingercats]

Thank you ginger cats for replying. Yes I had a brain scan while in A&E, the result, according to my daughter who is a doctor, said just changes you would expect on someone my age, I am elderly at 85, but am alert and involved with various activities, which I enjoy. I’m also on Apixaban, blood thinner twice a day. I’m due to see my cardiologist in Feb 22.I think the further in the past ie months the episode, the less anxious I shall become, hope so anyway!

Best wishes

Marigold

[Templar889]

Hi. Had AVR in early January. The previous November had a stroke in my right eye. Lost all sight in it. Awful treatment on the night it happened by both local hospital, who told me to to g a friend to take me to Manchester eye hospital at 11.00 at night, and at the eye hospital where I was told it’s a strike, nothing they can do and go get a taxi gone, 3.30 in the morning. After my AVR my surgeon said it was most probably caused by my valve. Valve was like sandpaper. Have had 1 telephone consult with eye consultant who again said they have no idea why it happened and there’s no magic pill for it.

The mental stress, especially at the times as awful. I can imagine how you must be feeling.

For me it’s just time that has made me feel better.

You will start to feel more confident as time goes on. Jon.

[marigoldb in reply to Templar889]

Thank you Jon for your message, what a terrifying experience you had, and being sent at that hour of the night too! And so little help with information either! So glad your AVR has gone well, I had AVR and single bypass in July 2019, so this was such a surprise, especially as I am on Apixaban all the time.However you reassure me about the passage of time, glad you have found that helps. So good to hear from you, and that you understood. Thank you again,

Best wishes

Marigold

[Calmac13]

Hi Marigoldb,Genuinely sorry to hear how you’re feeling. I had a cardiac arrest 4 months ago and have had awful anxiety since. Don’t underestimate the way the brain responds to trauma - I guess you will be worried about why and whether it can happen again. Getting some reassurance about this may help. I was lucky to get some medication to help but being able to talk to someone can help more. My GP put me in touch with Therapy for You - your pain is real and will be taken seriously.

Best wishes

[marigoldb in reply to Calmac13]

Thank you Calmac13, for replying, yes I am thinking of speaking to my GP. I have recently changed surgery, to one nearer my home, also my lovely GP l had for many years retired.

I was given some medication by one Dr over the phone , back in August, the TIA was July 28th, and was prescribed Mitrazapine 15mg one at night, for anxiety!

Did not take it, but after some bad nights disturbed sleep recently , took one last night.

Never again, I got to sleep, slept well, but waking 09.30 felt like a zombie all day. Looking at literature, it takes 20 to 40 hours to leave your body. Good job I didn’t have to be anywhere at a certain time today.

There must be a better way to calm the overactive brain!

Best wishes

Marigold

[marigoldb in reply to Calmac13]

A second message to you Calmac13, what was the medication the dr prescribe for you?

[Calmac13 in reply to marigoldb]

Initially, mirtazapine but got changed to Prozac. Unfortunately, takes 2-4 weeks to be effective. Don’t really want anything but anxiety getting intolerable.

[marigoldb in reply to Calmac13]

Thank you Calmac13. Took Mirtazapine 15mg for first time last night, yes apart for up once in the night, slept till 9.30 am! But felt absolutely like a zombie till early evening. Went on line and it says it’s nout of your system for 20-40 hours. Will not take it again. Have a chat with my GP soon. Is the Prozac helping you?

[Calmac13]

Well , it’s too early to say but my friend felt much better. It’s associated with fewer side-effects than most of these drugs.