I was diagnosed with MDS/MPN Crossover Syndrome nearly 18 months ago and the main symptoms are LOW Haemoglobin and HIGH Platelets. I am on EPO injections to increase the red blood cells and Asprin to help reduce my platelets.
Yesterday I suffered an alarming episode of an inability to communicate with my sister! I knew where I was and what I was doing but constantly forgetting words, names and couldn’t say the words which I was trying to. This horrible ‘turn’ lasted about an hour in total but was really bad for about 30 minutes. She has two diabetic daughters and thought my sugar level was low and gave me a sandwich....I gradually came back to normal but WHAT WAS IT?
I came home and took another Asprin cause I was worried it was a mini stroke.
I’m ok this morning but very anxious in case it happens again when I am alone.
Any thoughts????
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Tartanlady
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I had what I believe was a TIA once. My parents were talking to me and I couldn't understand what they were saying...it was like they were speaking Chinese. Part of my vision went completely black. When I tried to speak it came out all jumbled. The speech part only lasted like 30 seconds. The vision part lasted about 15-20 minutes. At the time I was in the hospital for an allergic reaction. The nurse had flushed my IV catheter and I'm guessing there was a small clot at the end of the catheter that dislodged. I told the nurse what happened but she blew me off. I let it go. That was like 15 years ago and it has never happened again. My friend who was an EMT said it definitely sounded like a TIA.
If I were you I'd put a call into your doctor. If I had to do it all over again I would have told that nurse that I wanted to speak to a doctor. My episode had a likely cause. But your episode doesn't sound like it did so I would find that more alarming. Please keep us updated.
Also...if it happens again I would call 911...or whatever the emergency number is in your area. Next time it could be a full blown stroke. Sorry, not trying to scare you but you are right to be concerned.
I'm wondering if it's related to the Epogen. According to what I have read Epogen can put you at greater risk of stroke. (And seizures) Here is more info:
I think some of the numbers in a blood test can show if your blood has coagulated! Maybe ask your doctor for an extra test to see if that’s the case. Can’t remember which one if the counts it is but am pretty sure that one or more can reveal if it was a tia if you hurry up and get it done!
This sounds exactly like the TIA that I had 3 years ago. Get in touch with your GP immediately and get a referral to a stroke clinic. They will run all the necessary tests. If it was a TIA there is a heightened risk of another TIA or stroke in the days following, so it is essential to act quickly.
Sorry if this sounds alarmist, but you need to take action asap. It may be nothing, but you must get it checked out for your own peace of mind.
The symptoms you describe are similar to some of the things I experienced, although as far as I know, there can be a whole range of symptoms that people can experience with TIAs (mini stroke).
The most important thing when this happens is to seek urgent medical assistance to get checked out.
I would still call your GP for an immediate referral and get checked out.
As others have said-if it happens again call 911/999 and get checked. None of us like going to hospital unnecessarily but in the case of TIA/stroke related symptoms it is very important to get seen ASAP as there is so much more that can be done if you get seen sooner rather than later.
I’ve had 6 TIAs. The strongest was the third and my husband drove me to the ER upon my insisting. My doctor had diagnosed the slipped disc in my neck, as after the first two times. Nothing had schon up on the MRI as usual, except some probably old microstokes in my frontal lobe.
I was like you, searching for words, slurring them, but This time, on top of that, The right side of my face and head were numb, although I could symmetrically smile. I could touch my nose with my index fingers with closed eyes. I Had already checked that all myself before going to the hospital.
The biggest shock was that I could not properly control my right leg and my hands were not really coordinated. I also had the feeling of falling backwards and to the left. I kept bumping into the left wall. The other five were mild, more like yours and I felt strange in my head for about 5-7 days afterwards. They had occurred at 500 and 650 and then 3 after my diagnosis at around 550, 600, while on Anagrelide. Note: I have deep vein insufficiency in both legs, stage 2. I have been wearing compression knee highs winter and summer since Sept. 15, 2017. Vene insufficiency (not varicose) put me in even higher danger of thrombosis.
3 hours in the ER and no diagnosis. ER doctor, Neurologist, ENT. By that time, The symptoms were disappearing. I finally got a blood test after asking for it and I had thrombos 823! It was Sept 27, 2017. 2 days later I was at the hematology dept. and had 909! Stress does increase them. Meanwhile, I had been sent home without aspirin. I read up on thrombos, took a 400mg Aspirin and jabbed a flaxiparine injection into my belly. All on my own. Same the next morning. That probably saved my life, because yes, TIAs could be followed by a massive stroke the next day. The doctor said he didn’t give me one in order not to scare me more than I was.
From this episode, I had some memory loss and it took me a few weeks to recover my energy, mind and coordination. I was also terrified and then in a state of shock due to the diagnosis. I had 3 small episodes in the 1.5 years to follow and I’ve been TIA free since.
Today, I have great control of my health, follow the Autoimmune paleo diet, found a great hemo and have other alternative doctors and dietician to help. 20kg melted off of me and I’m in much better Health than 15 years ago.
Please be strong, educate yourself and demand that you be heard and taken seriously. So many of us get brushed off!! There are great days awaiting you!
Yes that sounds like a TIA or mild stroke. Not something to take lightly. Follow up on this ASAP with a neurologist. If it was a TIA, then there is likely no evidence of what happened. If it was a mild strike there may be evidence on MRI.
NOTE: aspirin does not reduce platelets, it inhibits coagulation.
Something to consider is that strokes can be either thrombotic (clots) or hemorrhagic (bleeding). You should not assume that aspirin is indicated in the presence of apparent stroke activity. Apparent stroke = go to the emergency room. Do not try to figure it out yourself.
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.
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