Hello. I had a stroke just over three weeks ago. Got to hospital stroke unit quickly and they gave me a thrombolysis procedure which worked well and they were able to remove the clot and my right sided paralysis disappeared. Back home after two nights. I asked the Doctor at the Stroke unit if it could be connected to RA, but he thought it unlikely. I wondered if anyone on this forum has any similar experience? At the moment I am terribly anxious that I might have another stroke. I need good stories please, I can’t cope with negative. It’s scared me and my husband badly. I’m nearly four weeks after and they’ve said I can drive after that. Been put on Clopidoperel, upped statin and added in another blood pressure tablet. I’m not overweight, haven’t smoked for 28 years and I’m trying to go for a half hour walk every day and watching what I eat and no alcohol. RA is in remission I’ve been told. Wish I wasn’t such a Scaredy Cat.
Stroke and RA: Hello. I had a stroke just over three... - NRAS
Stroke and RA
So sorry to hear this and wishing you well 😘
Hi I have AS as opposed to RA. I had a severe stroke 7yr ago at the age of 52. I was very fit, working out at the gym 3 days a week, norm blood pressure, cholesterol just above 5. Like you I was thrombolysed, I was unconscious and paralysed down my left side. I was fortunate and it reversed my weakness. It has left me with memory issues, but I was told it was the main vessel to the right side of the brain where the clot occurred. I still feel fortunate to be where I am now. The stroke Dr felt it was my AS that contributed to it, along with a nsaid drug I was on. I had lots of tests after discharge looking for the cause. It wasn’t till I seen an endocrinologist 3 weeks later, that he told me I had severe adrenal insufficiency, and undetectable cortisol, which would have been the main cause of the stroke, and I likely had an adrenal crisis. Although the A&E Drs didn’t realise they, they had administered IV steroids because I’d been on prednisolone for years. Like you I was discharged with clopidogrel and statins, and have had no further issues since. I did have a severe rectal bleed last year, which the gastroenterologist said could happen again, and could be life threatening. and was made worse by the clopidogrel, so he switched me to aspirin, which clears the body quicker. Like you initially I was apprehensive, and anxious when on my own, in case it happened again. I was fortunate my hubby witnessed my stroke, so I qualified for the thrombolysis. I wasn’t allowed to drive for a month either, which is because some patients have seizures afterwards, like you I was fine. It was good to get my independence back. The stroke Dr did say, all forms of inflammatory arthritis put you at a higher risk of strokes, and that a multitude of factors were probably responsible. Hopefully you will continue to progress, and regain your confidence. I wish you well 🤗
Thank you for your reply. It's good to hear you've recovered. And what a journey you have had. I hope to feel more confident as time goes by.
Hi I had a stroke in 2018 was lucky got to hospital early and was given the thrombolycin which thankfully reversed all symptoms on my left side. I was really scared as my mum and my nan both died from strokes. I was put on clopidogrel and statin. I had a mini stroke a few months before which is how I knew to get medical attention straight away. Thankfully nothing since. I too have Ra and also mg . Hope you get your confidence back and can begin to live life as best you can. Take care x
I've never had a stroke but did get Pulmonary Embolisms and a DVT in that order unprovoked about 10 years ago.I was told it was a higher risk but not by much to RA in my case but it may not be the same for you. As my mum had a stroke and I then had more clots in my arms which are extremely painful the Haematologist said lifelong Riveroxaban. Ive been taking it ever since and no further issues so try not to worry but ask questions. I hope you find its just living with gets easier as I did and the new medications are simply life saving with few side effects. My Riveroxaban has gone ups and down and I carry a risk card but really its pop a pill with breakfast and forget it. I don't need a statin although its been offered by GP as it has to be to everyone over 65 I think but my Nephrologist said as no high blood pressure we can revisit next year.
Thank you for your reply. RA seems to be marginal risk perhaps. Glad to hear you're living with it. Thanks again.
good luck and it’s ok to feel nervous but keep reaching out to make sure your head space is good. My brother in law said the biggest factor for him was doing all things told to do, by the medics to get him back to a better place. He has the odd day he worries but he does the physio for his hand and gets on with stuff 🥰
Sorry I don't have advice but want to wish you a full and quick recovery.
Wishing you a good recovery
Thanks, I thought there was an increased risk. Following the advice.
Hi...I have PSA, not RA, but very similar. 5 years ago I had a minor stroke. I have nothing since and all signs are good. Clopidrogel is very effective. I've been told that if I look after myself, my risk is the same as or lower than most my age. Unless they find something that is raising your risk...not RA... you'll likely be the same.
I have no direct experience of this Ginny, but just wanted to wish you well with your recovery. It doesn’t sound to me like you are a scaredy cat at all, just a natural reaction to a shocking event which your mind is still processing. 🤗
Thanks. It's early days I guess.
I haven't experienced this but just wanted to wish you well and a full recovery. It's understandable and natural you are scared, my husband had a heart attack at 52 and survived and was very scared it would happen again. That was 15 years ago and he s fine. But he worried for a long time but now he never mentions it. I'm the scardy cat now, he only has to put his hand near his heart and I still go into a bit of a panic. Yet when he had it he thought he'd got trapped wind for 3 days 🙄 until I insisted he got checked out. So you will probably eventually be calm but hubby may still worry and watch you like a hawk. Sending peaceful vibes. Xx
I had a subarachnoid hemmoragh in 2016 no cause found, I was 54 at the time, recently discovered I’ve got RA and had it for years undetected so not sure of the link, it affected my mid brain so unfortunately my balance cognitive impairment, memory, thinking etc also still have weakness in arms and legs but I also have spinal issues added to the mix. It’s my brain issues that affect me the most, not remembering what I did an hour before, forgetting my children, grandchildren’s names etc. Please don’t let this scare you as mine was a rare bleed being mid brain. I use a rollator to walk so still get around or for longer journey my wheelchair, but I love spending time with my family. Swift recovery and you’ll be back to normal, it’s rare to have anymore but they can’t rule it out, I did have a TIA 2 years after but nothing since and I don’t even think about it.
Take care
Wendy xx
Thanksvfor your reassurance
Wishing you well on your recovery. There are lots of things that can cause a stroke not necessarily due to autoimmune arthritis. Including lifestyle, medicines and other environmental factors. Bit hard to tell really.
I had a heart problem had a stent fitted came out 2 days before Christmas,had a scan in january at Hartfield and they told me small clot in heart chamber,I asked was it ra or whatever and they said highly unlikely heart in good condition put me on blood thinners and told me your body will dissolve the clot going to scan me in a couple of months so hopefully it's gone,so that's a positive.
They should have put you on a blood thinners to take away the chance of another blood clot ,I'm on Rivaroxaban 20mg every day since having a DVT in my left leg ,I have pr3 anca vasculitus since 2020,not sure if it was caused by the decease or the medication ,hope this helps ,if your not on blood thinners you probably should be .
They put me on asprin and clopidrogel and now just clopidrogel (anti platlet)Added another blood pressure tablet and increased my statin.
Warferin at the moment plus copidogril.plus statin.👍
I havnt had any issues like you. It must be awful & so scary. I cant offer advice but I do have Epilepsy & it’s always in the back of my mind. What you’re feeling is natural as it must be a huge shock so you’re bound to be scared. Sending 🤗
I take a gastro-resistant 25mg aspirin not every day but maybe 2 or 3 times a week. Aspirin is proven to help reduce the risk of strokes. Michael Mosley did a programme about it on BBC. It might be on iPlayer or Youtube.
Yes, I've been taking 75 mg until Saturday and then it's been taken off and I take the Clopidrogel, which was described to me as being like aspirin ++, on it forever now.
Hi Ginny, I haven’t any knowledge on this or advice, sorry, but just wanted to say I’m really sorry to hear this. I hope your consultants can reassure you and over time you’ll feel more at ease, but it’s totally understandable re your concerns so soon after. You’re doing all the right things so keep on doing those I’d say, and sending a gentle hug to you. 🩷
Thank you. I am trying.
Hi Ginny I had a TIA last July. The stroke team met me as the ambulance arrived I was taken straight into the CT scanner and kept in hospital overnight. I am now on Clopidogrel for life, I was worried for a while but now am leading a normal life, so many people have had this that it seems to be common these days. My blood pressure medication was increased, so I guess that probably caused the TIA.
You will be fine try not to worry.
Yes, alot of it about! They've increased my blood pressure meds to get it down, high blood pressure can cause strokes, apparently, confusing if your meds caused your problem! I guess I'm in the hands of the doctors. Thanks for your reassurance, it helps.
Hugs 🩷
Thank you. I am trying.
Poor you and your family. I had a stroke in 2020 just as COVID took hold. 5 years on the only long term problem is Short term memory loss. Spent 10 days in stroke unit,
I have Lupus Sjogrens and also nocturnal Epilepsy.they looked at all medication but did not feel that was cause.( I did not suffer from BP at the time family history of high cholesterol but only went on Statins last month as Cholesterol went up to 9.4 !! )
The power in my right leg, arm and hand returned after about 3/4 weeks just slightly weaker, face and speech returned within 24 hours. I am still on Asprin daily. I could not drive for 6 months ( live in Ireland) I do not drive so much now as don’t have the confidence to go on motorways . It does take time to return to normal and I found it knocked my confidence. I live alone but do not dwell on the idea of another Stroke I suppose we all have so many other health issues to deal with day to day,
Stay positive you will get there it just takes time. One last piece of advice unfortunately because of COVID there was no aftercare but I did eventually go for Counselling myself which really helped. I feel I was very lucky but it’s still a hard road for you.
Best of luck with your recovery.
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