Newly diagnosed TIA

[AdrianHH]

Hi people, I'm terrified about my recent TIA, got changes to meds and an appt in siw weeks but nothing else. I've loked on the web but it's all too confusing for me.

[MIchael_Crammer]

Hello AdrianHH - sorry to hear about your TIA - one point - the reaction you're having is ok and one I can identify with - as time passes you will feel better about things as you come to terms with the changes the TIA brought and find ways of compensating for things 'lost' - I for instance have lost mobility but little else. Be paitient and take all advice and help you are offered and above all listen to the clinicians assessing your case.. You are not alone. I wish you well on your new journey

[AdrianHH in reply to MIchael_Crammer]

I'd like to listen to the clinicians but they ain't saying anything, got an appt for 6th April - all my info is from NHS Choices, the Stroke Association and University of Oxford. The motion sickness bands seem to be working and I've managed to leave the house on three occasions, 1 chaperoned on short train trip, 2 unchaperoned on trips to local town and back.

[megp]

Hi AdrianHH, panic not. I know exactly how you feel, but six months down the line life is much better! i agree with Michael Cramer take all the help offered. Enquire if your local sports centre runs any post stroke fitness programs. not only do you meet like minded people, but it built up my confidence. Good luck for the future because there is one. Megp

[AdrianHH in reply to megp]

Thanks megp, I have other health complications meaning that I am unable to take part in what the local gyms offer.

[Hidden]

The world can be a confusing place after a TIA or a full stroke. Rehabilitation doesn't seem to be offered so you need to make enquiries, try your neurologist. You may not be able to do some of the things that you did before the stroke, but give it time and they may come back. The stroke left me blind on the right hand side so I lost my licence (reapplying in July), but after six months of adaption I'm grateful for all the things that I can do and, having a great Consultant Neurologist. Hang in there and post when you need to chat.

[AdrianHH in reply to Hidden]

Thanks - I hope to have an appointment within 6 weeks for a followup with the TIA clinic. I have made an appointment to see my GP, including why in the online request, and am seeing them on 24/02/17. The travelling any distance is the main issue for me and I'm currently exploring motion sickness bands etc.

[Hidden in reply to AdrianHH]

The TIA may have affected your sense of spatial awareness and that may be causing the motion sickness. I wasn't aware of the effect on my spatial awareness until I couldn't find the bathroom in our small bungalow where we've lived for 27 years!

[Tucson]

All traces of TIA's should disappear within 48 hours, they are transient.

So some of these answers are a tad confusing

[Twoes in reply to Tucson]

It all depends on which part of the brain is affected by a blood clot as to after effects. A small blood clot can be anywhere. I think the 48 hours is the time for the clot to disperse. The effects can last a lot longer just the same as a full stroke. The fear you feel about what happened certainly does not go away for a good while.

[Tucson in reply to Twoes]

Not according to Nhs choices

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or "mini stroke" is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain.

The disruption in blood supply results in a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can cause sudden symptoms similar to those of a stroke, such as speech and visual disturbance, and numbness or weakness in the face, arms and legs.

However, a TIA does not last as long as a stroke. The effects often only last for a few minutes or hours and fully resolve within 24 hours.

What you're describing is a stroke

[opal11uk in reply to Tucson]

I suffer from A/F and have done so for 20 years, in 2000 I had a stroke as a consequence and in 2015 had a Pacemaker fitted and life has been good to date, I am on anticoagulants and 2 heart drugs however I have had 4 TIA's since February, 2 of which have been this month. Had a brain scan and no damage there thank goodness and the stroke doctor has changed me over from Warfarin to Predaxa in this last week I also take Statins but as Tucson has stated I know what is happening during these episodes and get both visual and speech disturbance plus headache of sorts and yes, they do pass thankfully but I haven't been advised of what to do other than to take myself off by ambulance to hospital, as they pass fairly quickly at the moment I don't want to do that and waste peoples valuable time. Is anyone else getting these with frequency and if so what do you do or what do you advise?

Forgot to say I am 73 years old.

[Twoes]

Not according to my consultant.

The blood clot causes the disruption to the brain.

But who am I to argue.

[Tucson]

So how do the differentiate between a Tia and a Stroke?

[oldman1952 in reply to Tucson]

Hi Tucson, I will give you a differential between the two.

TIA Transient ischaemic Attack is either a small aneurism or a rupture in one of the smallest blood vessels in the brain this cuts off the blood supply to a very small part of the brain and causes minor damage which you recover from quite quickly. Sometimes the symptoms can last as long as 1 hour or up to 24-48 hours until the body retrieves the blood back into the system or the aneurism shrinks back to its normal size.

CVA Cerebral Vascular Accident ( STROKE ) Accident means that a larger blood vessel has a clot that has formed in it and it ruptures. Blood flows into the surrounding brain tissue and kills it off. This then causes quite bad symptoms dependant to where the bleed is. If the bleed is on the left hemisphere the person would have a hemiplegia (paralysis) down the right side of the body and would not be able to speak if at all because the speech centre is on the left side. Prognosis not great again dependant on how quick the CVA was noticed and the 2 hour treatment slot is acted on. Can be permanent but with physiotherapy, OT and speech therapy can have good quality of life. Depression normally follows in many cases.

CVA Cerebral Vascular Aneurysm also ( STROKE ) Aneurysm means a clot is formed in the large blood vessel in the brain but does not rupture and if it can be treated quickly by putting in a stent will not cause such catastrophic problems to the bodies functioning.

Hope this verifies the difference between the 2. Best regards Oldman1952

[Tucson in reply to oldman1952]

Well I agree on the Tia which was why I asked the question of people claiming to have had Tia's and still suffering possibly months later.

I've had 3 strokes and not all strokes are the same and disabilities can vary hugely. I've had two on the right causing issues with my left side, some of which remain 3 years later and I recently had one on the left affecting my right. At no point have I lost the ability to speak. Also I did not receive treatment within the recommended time scale but have regained almost everything within a month.

So no it didn't clarify anything but thanks for the response.

[oldman1952 in reply to Tucson]

Hi again Tucson, sorry to hear that you have suffered these strokes and am glad to see that you are one of the few people that don't have the disabilities that normally go with stroke. I have been a health professional for many years and was a dementia champion working with a variety of older male and female patients post CVA, I am not going to tell you because I think that you already know, left CVA right hemi, right CVA left hemi. Some like you recover well, others on the other hand have a very poor quality of life. That's why I try to give an unbiased view of things that are and have always been close to my heart. Thanks for replying so fast and hope that you understand where I am coming from. All the Best Oldman1952

[Tucson in reply to oldman1952]

Thanks for the reply, as for the strokes mine are caused by an auto immune condition that causes my blood to clot far too readily. My last stroke happened while I was on Warfarin with an Inr of 4, so tbh at a bit of a loss at the mo as to how we'll prevent it happening again. I was extremely fit and healthy before this happened and believe that's aided my recovery somewhat. I certainly know things could be a whole lot worse, I saw that for myself while in hospital for stroke 2.

[moo196]

Hi,

Just wondering if you have peeked at the headway section of health unlocked? They might have some other hints and tips. Certainly all helpful after my cvst (type of stroke).

Well done with the wristbands!!I used mine a lot when I had labyrinthitis several times.

I wonder if you might benefit from some simple yoga....which, if practised regularly, may aid balance?

Keep on keeping on.

I've travelled fairly extensively since 2014, so don't think you can't get to where you might want to be ☺

Good luck !