posted
Just wondering if anyone here ever had a T.I.A. (mini-stroke)?
I had this weird experience on Wednesday where the left half my face got cold and tingly & sort of a painful numbness (rather difficult to explain)...also involved were my lips, tongue, eyeball, etc..
BUT it also started spreading down my neck and then jumped to my hand.
Later on I felt the same sensations on my right knee & foot.
At first I thought it was a Bell's Palsy kind of experience, and then, because it went away after about an hour - I thought it might have just been a serious herx.
BUT when I went to the LLMD - after he looked at my cholesterol 334 and my TSH 104 (although my T3 is being supplemented) - he took that info PLUS the info from this experience from Wednesay and tells me he thinks I had a TIA.
Could he be wrong? He didn't send me for an MRI - altho he did take more blood.
I have called back today requesting an MRI of my brain - so we'll see if there's any additional white matter on my brain since last time - assuming he'll send me for one.
I'm just wondering if any others have experienced something similar?
Thank you in advance for your replies and any prayers on my behalf...in case it WAS a freaking TIA, as I'd like to NOT have another one!
Hugs &
-------------------- DR. Wiseass NOT a real doc - just a real wise Posts: 792 | From USA | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Sorry to hear about your experience. IF that was a TIA, you need an answer sooner rather than later. You should insist on an ASAP test (MRI is very good, MRA - Magnetic Resonance Angiogram- even better).
Are you taking any aspirin? TIA should be evaluated promptly and treatment started right away. Don't mean to sound rushed, however, I think you could really benefit from an answer.
posted
I am so sorry to hear about your episode. But I have to concur with newdurham77, get this checked out ASAP! I am not a doctor, but this happened to my mother. The ducks office took their time scheduling her tests after her TIA, and she had a major stroke within 3 weeks. I honestly don't mean to scare you, but a red flag goes up for me when I hear this because of her experience.
Prayers for you, Jill
Posts: 203 | From Jacksonville, FLorida | Registered: Oct 2005
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hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
not a doctor
my mother in law was given cumidin(sp?) - a blood thinner for TIAs. she did very well with it for a good long time.
i would go to a cardiologist...
wishing the best
-------------------- some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield Posts: 1160 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2002
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I am now on heparin shots again - so at least I'm being proactive in that regard.
Waiting to hear back from the doc's office about scheduling some follow-up tests and if I don't hear from his office TODAY - you can bet tomorrow I'll be looking for someone who WILL send me for a MRI, CAT scan or a MRA.
This disease sucks on so many different levels that words actually fail me right now.
I shall now return to my blubbering.
Hugs &
-------------------- DR. Wiseass NOT a real doc - just a real wise Posts: 792 | From USA | Registered: Jan 2005
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My brother probably had a TIA at age 35 while playing basketball. Found previously undiagnosed slightly elevated blood pressure -- had not been on any meds and no prior symptoms.
His symptoms were much different than yours -- temporary loss of vision in one eye and confusion. The confusion and brain fog continued for over a week. He may have fallen down as well.
One doc thought he might have had a swollen optic nerve -- all other tests including EEG and MRI were negative.
An alternative medicine doc gave him the blood thinner -- can't remember the name -- that is supposed to be given within an hour or two of a stroke. He got it about a week later but it did the trick. Confusion cleared up and he has had no further problems.
Remains on blood pressure meds and very high dose vitamin E.
If you have no headaches or lasting vision disturbances or paralysis an MRI is probably useless. In my opinion, MRA would only be slightly better if your symptoms have resolved.
Your episode sounds very similar to hubby's experiences with Bell's Palsy like symptoms. His is not true Bell's Palsy as the episodes are temporary -- depending on nerves involved his skin may be sensitive to touch (but only during his spells).
Spells which occur 3 -4 times daily start with either cough or dry heaves and then his mouth droops and his tongue protrudes (always to the left). Sometimes he can't speak only to babble or he could be confused.
The nerve impulse travels up or down his left arm as well as the left side of his face -- usually has what I call a claw hand. Really bad spells he could briefly lose consciousness and his eyes roll back in his head or he can only open one eye.
Other muscles may get involved and spasm as well. Tremors are activated and myoclonus in his left shoulder kicks in. Has difficulty swallowing as well -- getting choked on water is another trigger for these episodes.
For hubby IV Ativan generally relaxes all the nerves involved within about 5 minutes. If the spells wake him from sleep it takes 10 -15 minutes of massage as well to loosen up all his muscles.
I often give him IV heparin at these times if he has a headache and IV glutathione helps calm the tremors as well. About 15 - 30 minutes start to finish for one of these episodes.
If you find an explanation for your spells or they continue I would be interested in what you find out. I am pretty convinced that this is a babs thing with hubby and plan to resume treatment for that soon.
Hang in there.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Altho I am sorry to hear about what your husband has to experience, it makes me feel a little more calm about the idea of 'what if' I experience this kind of thing again.
I'm not even 40 and I'm just afraid I'm going to have a full blown stroke and be brain dead or just dead in general.
Supposedly TIAs run in my family; my cholesterol is high; my bp is high; my tsh is out of whack and other risk factors - not to specifically mention all the Lyme crap; and yes, I do have babs.
I, too, thought it was a Bell's Palsy kind of thing and wasn't too freaked about it during or after the incident - altho I WAS afraid that it would last far too long AND because it was quite painful and I am a big sissy when it comes to serious pain.
What gets me is that my neurologist is telling me that because it radiated down my throat and went to limbs that it indicated it was NOT a Bell's Palsy type incident therefore implying it was a TIA-like event - which he just kept saying it was a 'warning sign' - thus effectively freaking the total crap out of me.
I thank you for your info about the tests and will bring these concerns to a NEW neurologist that I will see in a couple of weeks for a second opinon - where I will, ask for a battery of tests - regardless of whether it will be most effective as it's been several years since my last MRI and you can just never spend enough money on expensive possibly usesless medical tests, right?
In the meantime, I WILL be going to the ER if it happens again - just in case - that way I'll know what other medical professionals are thinking WHILE it is happening and I won't have to leave it to my hubby or 12 y.o. daughter to deal with it. (If I'm gonna drop dead, I'd rather do it in an ambulance instead of in front of my child -- ya know?!!)
Thank you again Bea - it really has helped to calm my nerves again and I will be speaking to my 'good' doctor about other implications about my symptoms.
All my best to you & your husband,
-------------------- DR. Wiseass NOT a real doc - just a real wise Posts: 792 | From USA | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Okay, you found someone else who had the same thing 3 years ago. I think it was bart or babs. The numbness started with an eye tooth and before I knew it the left side of my face and head were completely numb.(like novacaine numb) My left arm also went numb.
I called my neurosurgeon and then and ambulance because he thought I was having a TIA. While on the stretcher in ER the other side of my head went completely numb along with my pelvis. This was in a major hospital where I live.
They did MRI and oher tests. (can't remember-I wonder why) I thought , well this is it. They could find nothing and sent me home with a completely numb head and double vision. Completely freaked out that they wouldn't even admit me for observation.
They said they were sure I wasn't having a stroke and I should go home and take two aspirin. (I have excellent insurance) I couldn't believe it! They let me walk a block home late at night. What $%#!!!*&%^ ducks they are. Anyway, I didn't have a LLMD at that time,was waiting for an appointment with new LLMD.
Sat in apt for 2 weeks with completely numb head, Got new LLMD and she immediately sent me to have picc line inserted ordering 2gms rocephin a day x 6 mos I was also pretty incoherent, but functioning ok. She thought it was from the lyme,or babs or bart. Well I have slight drooping on that side from bells palsy, but the numbness eventually left.
I still get numbness in my legs sometimes. The herbs I am on since Nov 2005 are really helping. So, I think you probably experienced something similiar.
Do you have bart or babs? Hope this has helped in some way. I myself think it was from the infection. You can PM me if you need anymore info. What a Nightf......mare this disease is. Gael
Posts: 121 | From philadelphia | Registered: Feb 2006
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Good evening Doc,
This may not mean anything at all to you, but the experiences of what you just went through and what I have dealt with in the past are too similar to not reply.
This actually was one of my very first LD ``symptoms'' back in '87 or so.
I was at a party that I was hosting when the left half of my face went numb, including my lips and tongue. It was as if a line had been drawn right down my head...very odd...and felt very much like a Novocain shot gone awry.
A few minutes later, the numbness traveled down my left arm and into my hand. It was at about that same time that my vision began to act up. I had a very difficult time focusing on anything, and the best way to describe it would be to compare it to the feeling one gets after a flash from a camera has gone off one too many times...and you just can not see for awhile.
This lasted for about 2 hours and then the migraine began.
I would have thought nothing of it, except that this was about the 3rd time that this cluster of symptoms had happened to me within a month...so, I casually mentioned it to my husband later that night.
He immediately mentioned the stroke thing, and took me into the ER.
Well, after doing the basic neuro tests and answering a bunch of questions, I was scheduled for a MRI the next day.
The preliminary diagnosis was either that I had the beginnings of MS or I was merely experiencing migraine symptoms, and shouldn't be alarmed.
The MRI was clear, so migraine was the final diagnosis.
I learned that many can experience these symptoms without getting the headache...or can experience part of these symptoms and not the rest.
I have since had a few more of these episodes, and each time it is about the same for me, but the side affected can vary and the vision problems can vary also. The last vision problem was more of a water wave thing.
There are definite triggers for migraines...red wine; chocolate, hard cheeses...all party foods! And stress.
Believe me, I am not trying to make light of your experience, but only offering another possibility to pursue.
Hoping you get it all figured out soon.
My best, Melanie
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
doc, after 2 wks. from my brain MRI, I picked up yesterday my "official" letter from dr...
"Your MRI of the brain shoewd one small, white matter infarct in the left frontal region inferiorly which is old in appearance.
Othersise, the radiologist stated it was NORMAL.
A white matter infarct is usually a small vessel that closes off and sometimes is indicating of a "MINI STROKE" in people where they might transiently have a neuroogical deficit that then goes back to normal.
These are found in many people as they get older, who never have anysymptoms whatsoever and does not indicate any serious neurological problem."
doc, are you planning on a regular or open MRI or like me, being put to sleep to get you thru this. BEST WISHES to you.
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Since I've now decided to go for that 2nd opinion as my neuro has yet to call me back with regards to follow-up testing, such as MRI, MRA or whatever....I have no idea what the new neuro will want to do.
I didn't even KNOW you could be put to sleep. I'm always in favor of sedation whenever possible - mostly because I can use the extra sleep!
As for white matter - I have had MRI's in the past that showed quite a bit of white matter on my films and at first it was suggested I had MS...high drama ensured because I naturally didn't want to have MS
Then I went to this very neuro I'm about to go to for the 2nd opinion and he said, "NO - you don't have MS. We see white matter like that on people that have chronic migraines. Well, that was me!
So it will be very interesting to see the difference between MRIs from several years ago as compared to current ones. I think whatever there is that will be 'new' could be quite revealing...or maybe not - what do I know! ha!
Thanks again for all of your replies. It helps when you can get feedback from others with experience.
Hugs &
-------------------- DR. Wiseass NOT a real doc - just a real wise Posts: 792 | From USA | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Just a suggestion -- if you can, get copies of films from prior MRI and take them to leave with the radiologist so they can actually compare the 2 sets of films.
posted
hey doc, sorry abt the scary symptoms, I have had similar in the past to you and Bea's hubby. I am doing much better now after treatment for babs/ Bart. I did 6 mon of zith/ mepro/mino, and neuro/ motor ans neuropathy stuff decreased abt 80%.
now I'm back on vi..doxy this time, and the improvement is huge! I might be "normal" in the near future(1-2yrs would work).
So as others have said, or I will ask...what abt bart and babs... I hope and pray this goes away for you soon!
Posts: 663 | From NH USA | Registered: Sep 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
doc, I'm extremely claustrophobic! Younger brother locked me & him in our parents' car trunk 50+ years ago for 3-4 hrs. until supper time.
Last Nov. my panic attacks came back. So no way could I be AWAKE for this procedure any other way.
MD didn't like putting me under since I had 4-5 major things to be aware of, but did it. Thank God; people said how noisy it is.
Bea, great suggestion .. comparing 2 MRIs at difference times! Way to go girl.
posted
Hello Doc..I too have some white dots ( I think they are called "foci") in an MRI of the brain in 2003. The symptoms prior to the MRI were like you described ,lot of tingling ,numbness of face plus some confusion and a little bit of difficulty in speaking..My dr. said he suspected that I probably had a series of small strokes.. Tingling,numbness and difficulty speaking now I think are babesia and bartonella symptoms as well..Could be the meds too.Who knows? Just keep on truckin' Doc. Good thoughts your way over these beams...
Posts: 42 | From northern calif. | Registered: Mar 2006
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but functioning ok. She thought it was from the lyme,or babs or bart. Well I have slight drooping on that side from bells palsy, but the numbness eventually left. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
Gael
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