Doctor diagnosed probable TIA and I'm very scared - Stroke Message Board

SuzS · 12-04-2006, 01:15 PM

Hi! I'm 56 with low-medium blood pressure, average weight (could lose 10-12 pounds but wear size 6), my diet isn't great, but not horrible. I'm non smoker, very very light social drinker, walk a mile plus daily plus aquajog on the weekends for a mile or 2. the problem is probably my cholesterol. While my good cholesterol is high, my bad cholesterol is very high-260. I haven't gone on cholesterol lowering medication because of possible damage to liver and no doctors have prescribed it for me or even suggested it til now.

Friday at work I felt slightly nauseous, and right leg had a little swelling, but I had injured my knee at the pool, so thought it had something to do with that. I went home, nausea continued, and felt tingling down my right arm/hand and down my right leg (from knee down). I just didn't feel right and was very scared. I was taken by ambulance to the closest hospital. The emergency room doctor thought it was from my neck as I have severe djd. I didn't think it was from that. I know my neck is bad, but it hasn't bothered me. Anyway I was transferred to my HMO. Both the MRI and Cat Scan were normal (as was EKG/labs), but due to my sensory symptoms the doctor diagnosed me as probably having had a TIA.

Sorry for the rambling message, but I'm very scared. I am divorced; my sons are married and on their own, so just live with my dogs and cats (2 each).

So here's my questions, if I take my cholesterol lowering & stroke prevention meds religiously, continue my activity level, work to eliminate bad foods, and eat better, is it inevitable I will continue to have TIAs or a stroke?

I'm also feeling very shaky now, but thinking maybe that is the medications? I need to go to the store and not sure if I should drive (just got home last night from hospital).

Does anyone have first alert or a comparable company for emergencies, and is it worth it?

Thanks in advance.

Suz

craig123 · 04-25-2007, 11:23 PM

If your mri was clear, it doesn't sound like any artery clogging in your brain. That's a good thing. Maybe you threw a clot and it stopped in your brain somewhere. Keep up the meds, exercising and good eating habits. This could have been a wake up call for a lifestyle change.

DaisyMarie · 06-05-2007, 05:19 AM

Have you seen a cardiologist?
My TIA showed clear MRI and dopplers of Corodit arteries.
My TEE showed a hole in my heart and my exstensive blood work screening for clotting problems (lupus, thrombosis) showed an autoantibody situtuation. (havent seen the Rheumotogist yet) You should have them keep looking for a reason for your TIA. A TIA is a warning something bigger is possible. I too took Plavix, Zolcor and many blood pressure meds prior to the the TIA. So I shouldn't have had one right? Not so, that is why I am pushing for a reason, I dont want a follup TIA.
DaisyMarie