can PN mimic a TIA (transient ischemic attack)
 

This is a short version of a very detailed post that this system ate. After I spent all that time stating all the test and details - it said I was not logged in and I was and the entire post was gone.

On Dec 10th I had a stroke - since I eventually recovered they changed it to a TIA. Even after the MRI showed damage. I had the left arm go numb and weak - the mouth drooped and my speech was slurred. By nine hours later all had cleared. Smile was back to even and the remaining weakness was gone. Much of the numbness/weakness was gone in under 15 minutes - the remaining 10% was gone by 9 hours in.

I had all the testing CT - MRI - and many others - the MRI showed some damage but even tho the word acute was said - I am not so sure that was not showing from 1998 when I died (no one knows how long I was dead) and there was no MRI back then.

Anyway the only test that I did not have yet was the echocardiogram (the the person that gives that test took off for some reason). But most of the Drs don't think that one will show anything either since my heart shows nothing wrong (and never has even thou they say I died from a heart attack in 98). The neck part of the MRI (different name) also showed nothing wrong with the neck arteries (carotid).

Two days later WAM - one of the fingers on my left hand (same left side) went numb - got better and a different one went numb - that one got better as a yet different finger we numb (bad bad serious numb). I panicked and my step daughters came and took me back to the hospital. But all the symptoms were long gone before anyone saw me.

Then just while ago WHAM - first joint out on my first finger (left hand) went seriously numb - bad bad bad numb. While that was going on my thumb (same hand) started to go numb - that cleared up then the finger cleared up.

My PN was tested and shows worse on my left side. All these "attacks" have been on my left arm/fingers/side of my face/mouth.

I also had Bells Palsy on the left side of my face several years ago - that went away in about 5 days.

I am on the computer 18 hours a day - I get some minor numbness that comes and goes around my hands and face - it is very minor. These three attacks were nothing like that.

Again - the first tone one Dec 10th was much stronger - had the droop in my mouth - speech etc. Neither the 2nd and now 3rd one had any of that - just the bad bad (almost instant) weakness in one or more of the fingers and moved around some before it went away.

I realize it is wishfull thinking that the 2nd two could be PN related and not AITs. But I live alone and this junk is scaring me. If I have actually had three AITs in under two weeks ...... I can't help but think a big bad stroke is on its way. And since they can't seem to see a cause ............. ugg.

There was much more detail in the first attempted post. All of the pretty extensive testing pointed to .......... nothing - no apparent cause. The one test that I did not have yet - most doubt it shows anything either - but something must be causing clots of some kind.

Anyone think any of this can have anything to do with my PN?

Thanks

No
 

Ron,

I've read this carefully, and looked back at your other posts.
I don't think you should consider what is happening now to be part of your pn. If it turns out that it is, in the long run, GREAT, but it's dangerous to let yourself believe that at this point.

You are 11 days after having a stroke-like event. It seems like that was more than a TIA, because the damage is there on your mri. If what you are having now is more TIAs, you may be facing another and worse stroke without intervention.

I'm worried for you.

I'm not a stroke expert, but I know a few things. I know that if you're having TIAs, stroke experts--neurologists specializing in stroke---would consider that a neurological emergency. There are tertiary care centers with acute stroke units, and one of the jobs of those guys is to prevent strokes.

Have you seen a stroke specialist? If not, google on "stroke center" and wherever you live; find where the acute stroke unit is, and the neurologist who runs it---call them and tell them what's happening. A stroke specialist would WANT to hear from you.

Have you had a carotid angiogram? Blood tests for clotting factors, including the weirder ones, like lupus anticoagulant? Have you been checked up and down for causes of emboli or clots?

Here's a question that should be answered: Where are these clots coming from? That's why they looked at your heart, but have they found the answer? They're coming from some place.

There's a stroke forum on braintalk---check it out and see what people there think.

Are you taking blood thinners now? I hope so.

Please don't get complacent about this--I have no idea your risk factors for stroke, but 10 days ago something damn serious happened, and I'd hate for something worse to happen to you.

Get seen by doctors who specialize in stroke, if you haven't already.

Keep aspirin on hand and take one if this happens again, if you're not on anticoagulants. Next time it happens, I'd advise you go to an ER. Maybe go now.

It's slow here on weekends, so this may be the only reply you get. If anything gets worse, do go to an ER.

Your doctors do know you are getting these episodes of numbness, right? If the answer to that is no, call them right away; they may want you in the hospital.

Best of luck to you; hope you get well and get cared for.

Ron
 

As LJ says, please get to specialist asap.... I have a family member who gets TIA's, and whille her symtoms usually only last 1/2 an hour - they usually hospitalize her and do complete testing every time they happen.... she takes an aspirin immidiately - and they also call 911 instead of having someone drive her to ER in hopes of getting immediate attention.... she is watched very closely by her doc - has no apparent heart problems, but high cholesterol, so is on a very strict diet, etc.....

I just spoke with her - (I'm adding this) - the only time she showed any symtoms of a bleed were her first TIA (showed in her brian) - which sounds frankly much less serious then your episode - so again, second LJ - I'd let them know about your numbness your getting now and take action quickly.....

Sending good thoughts.....

May I just inject something here . This gentleman is on the computer 18 hours a day.

I have a friend who is an epileptic and she is not allowed to even go on the computer because it triggers seizures (in her case that is). The flashing and flickering of the monitor disrupts something in the pathways of her brain. So her neurologist told her never to go near a computer monitor.

Could the fact that this man is in front of a monitor all these hours, well can that trigger something in his brain that is sending messages to his body?

I'm just curious.

Melody

Well - I don’t have insurance and not much income. So - I am sure I am already looking at $10,000 or more from the Dec 10th deal - I was in the hospital for almost three days - then back to the ER the following Friday. I had all kinds of test the first time.

- I’ve been on an aspirin a day (325) since July 98.
- The damage that did show up on the MRI - may or may not have been from Dec 10th - it could have been from way back in 1998.
- None of the testing including all of the blood work shows anything.
- My cholesterol is actually not bad at all - they did put me on some kind of statin but the actually numbers are under 200 I don’t remember exactly but the HDL was a bit low at 39.

I have taken 1/2 of a metapropal (sp) since 1998 - they ask me to increase that to 1/2 am (25) and 1/2 pm (25) as my BP was just a tad high in the hospital - not much.

At first they put me on Plavix but removed that - I guess because they knew how expensive it is.

I called them last Friday (when I had the 2nd one) and ........... they would not let me talk to anyone or even leave a message. One of my step daughters called them and sparked a call and the standard “get to ER” was all I got - and I went. But since there was no remaining symptoms ..... it was all just dismissed as another TIA.

My first follow up is to be on Dec 28th - I can only hope they are organized this time and I get that echo - not that anyone thinks that will show anything but - they seem to think that is the only test left.

NO - the people are not stroke specialist. Since I don’t have insurance and much money - I went to a hospital that I hope I can get some kind of financial break from from ......... that is still unknown. That hospital is somehow tied to the county.

I am starting to feel like a person that cried wolf ................

There is no one in my life except for my two step daughters. One has just finished her BA in nursing and working in intensive care at a local hospital - the other one has two little girls - both daughters are married. The are both concerned about me but ..... man they have a life of their own and I really would like to leave them alone but ........

I realize I should seek out specialist - esp since all the logical testing is not showing anything as a cause. But really I just can’t do it financially.

I will try to find the stoke form -- thanks guys.

--------------

LizaJane - I don’t consider it PN related but ......... wishful thinking caused me to ask here.

“Have you had a carotid angiogram?” - I am not sure - they did a separate test when the MRI (head) was done - on my neck I forgot what that was called something like mai or something but it was for the carotid arteries and nothing wrong was found. WAIT - yes I think I had that also - it reminded me of a sonogram (sp) where the gal slowly rubbed something around on my neck BUT ...... the MRI (the neck part) was said to be by far better testing. Like the CT was fine (I had that also) but not as good as the MRI.

Kmeb - I would love to be able to afford 911 trips ..... so far even getting to the hospital faster would not have helped a thing and would have put another $5,000 on top. It is sad to hear about your family member - having these things and no one knowing why is very scary. It seems I have had three of them in the last 10 days. All the stuff I read says a major stroke is on the way. I am afraid I am going to be going the same route - “sorry we have no idea” (just like my PN).

I smoke so that will give them something to blame it on - since their testing can’t find anything. I have cut to under 10 a day (from about 22) but I realize that is not really helping much.

First and please listen is you are on blooodthinners do NOT take any
aspirin products. You should not be on NeurroTalk and 18 yrs. on
a conputer your getting at most 6 yrs, of sleep. Please get to ER
if no where else.. Do you havea a bloody nose ever,if you are having even
mini strokes it my keep you from having a major one,but don't even
count on that..

If you go to ER and they give you something to lower you blood pressur have thm keep you there unless you have someone to watch you,you
could pass out and hurt yourself worst...I was a er nurse you sound
ill get to a hospital,tell them everything you wrote us,mention the
Bell's Palsy,ect. Sir I'm not fooling,if you don't like ER's who does call and
do what LJ said but don't wait,remember someone love's you and there
are many good new meds and test's...Best wishings Sue

I f you have little income as to speak to a SW and try to get to aTeacing hopital as about medical or what they call it they,you have a excisiting
bill,that will help you get help faster they want to be pais, SW off duty as for
for chaplain. Speak up go to another hospital if your worried about that. Sue

My PN initially presented and was diagnosed as a TIA---BUT it was nothing like YOU have experienced. I did not have a TIA, my brain was normal....the numbness of PN is not as severe or extensive as you experienced....

also even if you have PN you can't write it off as PN....you still have to go in to the ER...people with PN can also get strokes. A stroke is a major medical emergency.

The best thing you can do is to start to develop a relationship with a local primary care provider if at all possible, and get to a research center....many of them are public institutions and do take people with little or no ability to pay.

Also, you can not be denied emergency care.

I assume you are too young for medicare....can you get some kind of medicaid?? You have a need for more diagnostics and management.

We so much need a universal health care system...no one should avoid going to the ER in an emergency.

18 hours per day at the computer is too long. I don't know what your situation is, are you ambulatory? Why so long at the computer? You put yourself at risk for a blood clot (DVT) being that stationary or sedentary, not to mention all the repetitive injury stuff. After you get this urgent situation managed...try to alter your lifestyle to get away from the darn screen.

Hi guys ....

Why so much computer time. I’ve been self employed as a headhunter (recruiter) in industrial sales for 33 years. My knowledge base has always been on computer (since 1981).

My entire industry has been on the downfall for several years. Maybe as much as 70% of the people in my business have gone out of business in the last 5-6 years.

It hit me even harder since my target customer is a manufacturer of industrial products. With all the manufacturing being shipped out of the USA into the Asian countries .................

Four years ago - right after I got the unexpected dump (long time wife) I started to dig in for ........ one last stand. I began to do research on the oldest hardest hit of all American industry - metalworking. The entire metalworking (think machine shops and the items they use) is on the ropes ..... I chose that section of industrial because I personally like it.

The entire research project ended up taking me two years longer than expected - even with 18 hours a day - seven days a week. I now have at least some information on 73,000 companies.

I needed to go at this BIG TIME and serious. My plan is to become a big fish in a small pond. A pond that everyone in my business has given up on.

I’ve worked from a home office for over 20 years. Living alone plus my burning desire to make a comeback - against all odds has ......... kept me at it.

I’ve been saying this for two years now but ..... I am FINALLY ready to start working with all this information more as a job - more as 8-9-12 hours a day vs 18-20 hours a day. I have ALWAYS spent too much time on the computer working with my files but ..... for the last few years - there was nothing else for me but ....... work.

I doubt I have monitor problems - (these are those Apple [Mac guy and always have been Apple] high end flat monitors) are causing me any problems. I actually type less than people could imagine due to the fact I have thousands of scripts that help cut down on repetitive typing. I have no doubt that some of the minor pains I get in my hands sometimes have something to do with it but.

Just while ago I started think about potential dehydration. I am in a bad habit of drinking lots of coffee - little water - and 5 or so large (14oz) cups of coffee - and I wiz a lot. The first two (large cups) pot in the morning is 50/50 decaf - the rest is decaf - until recently it had risen to about 50/50 (because decaf cost so much more) but I am back to mostly decaf - which still has caffeine.

> could being somewhat dehydrated - or the over use of coffee cause some of these “hits” (something on my left hand goes numb bad bad numb) then recovers in about 10 minutes.

> could some milder forms of carpal tunnel - cause some of these hits?

I doubt it is PN related - but I was tested (the electronic EMC or what ever it is called) and told “yes you have PN and we have no reasons for it) that was a couple of years ago. My left side was worse than the right side. It has since been moving up my leg on the left side - ALL of the hits are on my left side - the bells palsy was also on my left side.

I turned 62 on the 10th and suppose to get my first SS check on Feb 20th.

Too young for medicare - have more than 995 dollars in assets - am a while male (the cause of all that is wrong in the world) and medicaid told me - NOPE NOPE NOPE. You have an old car and that is an asset - good bye.

I am mobile but I don’t leave the house very much. I put 1200 on my van in two years and maybe 1000 on my motorcycle in that two years. Not overweight - not diabetic - blood work seems normal to all etc. BP is not very high maybe 145 if I stopped the meds all together - 120/74 mostly with the small amount of meds I take. I keep my protein down to about 58g a day - calories about 2000 ( I track it all everyday on a database).

I am actually pretty healthy (minus the PN) - I walk good - exercise some (not enough) and yes - spend a lot of time on my business files.

On Dec 10 .... all of this stuff started hitting me. I have had at least four today - with the onset (strong onset) on numbness then it goes away. Two three times first finger left hand (all has been on the left) then my upper lip went totally numb (left side) recovered in about 10 minutes.

It is scaring the pants off of me. I know the first one was a REAL stroke/TIA - the now 7 - 10 since then I am not sure they are stroke/TIA.

It took nine hours for the first one to totally be gone - with 90% of it gone in 15 minutes.

All of them since the first one - are gone in 15 minutes. (so far at least).

OFF TOPIC

How come my picture is not showing up - it did on BT ?

I looked at the "options" and found nothing about it showing or not showing and it does show up on my profile - but not on my post?

Thanks