So they think I had a TIA.....

[loisg1]

On Thursday DD needed food coloring for a school project and also had been talking about these new 'must have' koosh ball' earrings from Walmart. So we went there after school. DDs had gone in search of tissue for DD14's nosebleed, and the next thing I'm about falling on the floor. My right side went numb, at least from the hip on down, and if I hadn't had a cart I would've gone down. It took a minute or so to go away but really shook me up. Went and took my BP and it was elevated for me because it's controlled to the lowest I can tolerate because of other medical issues I have. I went to the doc for them to check it because their office was right accross the street and my regular doc wasn't in (it was around 5:30pm) and the one who saw it just said to up the dose of one of my meds and come in yesterday. My regular doc ordered a brain CT, which thankfully showed no bleed, carotid doppler, holter monitor, INR, and an appt w/ my neuro (seizure history) on Monday.

I hope it was OK to post here about this... it really has me shaken. I'm getting to feel like the cat with nine lives.

My question is have you or anyone you know had a TIA and what was done to follow up?
Thanks,Lois

 

[tlgoblue]

That sounds really scary! I don't know anyone with this problem but I do wish you well. Take care!

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[DoeWDW]

{{ Hugs }}, Lois!! You must have been so scared!! I can't help with TIAs (transient ischemic attack?) - don't really know what they are. I just wanted to send you some good thoughts and encouragement - hopefully your docs will help you get to the root of the problem quickly.

Please take extra good care of yourself!

 

[Rhonda]

My grandmother had many TIAs - so I am familiar with them. Many times, a person will have a TIA and not even realize it. Yours sounds like it was a little more severe.

Here's some good information from WebMD. Hope this helps!
TIAs

 

[loisg1]

Thanks for your positive thoughts!

Now... the lab has lost my bloodwork!!! I had a STAT INR, which measures how thin - or thick - your blood is, drawn yesterday. I am already on coumadin because of my prosthetic aortic valve. However, the value can vary and must be monitored. Thursday's incident could have been the result of a clot being thrown, i.e., my blood was too thick. I'd been calling my PCP's office today to get the value (I've been on coumadin since 1974, so I know what it should be) and finally got a callback from a nurse around 3PM. She'd been trying to locate the bloodwork but no one could seem to find it...

Very frustrating. Now I have to go have another draw tomorrow and hope that it's not lost this time. Much is hinging on this one little vial.

Thanks for letting me vent,
Lois

 

[jimmytammy]

I don't know anything about the medical end, but I'm sending you good thoughts and PD. I'm sorry to hear that the lab messed up and lost your blood. Keep us posted.
Tammy

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Lois, I'm so sorry you had to go through that!

Is a TIA also known as a mini stroke? If so, my MIL had one two summers ago...she was driving and had the same thing happen as you did, except she managed to wreck her car at the same time. Her blood thinner was tweaked, and I believe her blood pressure meds were changed, but other than that nothing was done and she's done well for the past 2 years. There were no lasting effects.

 

[LAWalz23]

I don't have any information or advice, I just wanted to say that you are in my prayers.

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

Lois, How scary for you and your family. I am so glad to hear that you went right to the doctor to get things checked out. Hopefully they will get everything straightened out for you very quickly. Sending prayers and pixie dust your way!

Cheryl

 

[Beanie]

How scary, Lois!! I don't know anything about TIA's, but just wanted you to know I was sending you good thoughts...Please keep us updated!! Hugs to you!

 

[nativetxn]

How scary. You are alright now? It is fine to post this here. Having a TIA is definitely a health issue.

My mother had a TIA they thought but they said there was no treatment or follow up for it. TIA=Transient Ischemic Attack. I think the transient nature precludes any medical treatment.

Sweetie, I'm sorry you are having to go through this, I know how terrifying that must have been for you.

 

[loisg1]

Again, thanks for your good wishes. It means so much!

I went and had my blood drawn and the nurse who was on call at my pcp's office called back this afternoon to give me my value. She starts to say it was still high at 3.9 but my cardio at Hopkins doesn't want it lower than 3.5 and doesn't want it too high, but even a value of 4.0 is OK. He is the most experienced here and I trust his judgement. So I don't know what she told the primary on call but oh well!!!

Sometimes, my eyes feel like they're moving very rapidly and I'm not sure if that could be connected. Yesterday when I was sitting at the computer, part of the right side of my face went numb for a brief period of time... kinda like when you get novacaine at the dentist. Probably should've called the pcp (at his direction) but since the testing was OK I figured I'd wait until Monday when I see the neuro.

I feel so bad for DDs because I was hospitalized in January and they were afraid that something similar was going on this time. DH is always a phone call away at work and has always been my rock during all of my health issues. I don't know what I'd do without him and the girls for their support!!

Take care
Lois