looking for medical .info

[FJRay]

I had a stroke last week and they turned me loose with a clean bill of health 2 days later. Not looking for sympathy cause thats in websters between **** and syphilis but if anybody has experience or first hand knowledge it would be interesting. other than starting coumadin again and feeling like I have a good hangover everything is normal. This forum seems to have answers or at least opinions for most things. Bustanut I don't need one of your shaving kits

 

[Fred W]

Ray,

Sounds like you probably has a TIA. Here is some info for you. Transient Ischemic Attack

 

[FJRay]

Ray,
Sounds like you probably has a TIA. Here is some info for you. Transient Ischemic Attack

Tia was ruled out with the MRI because it showed a small area of damage and from what I haved learned a TIA doesn't show up on a scan or MRI

 

[beemerdons]

FJRay, so very damn glad to hear that you are OK! Hopefully, Silver Penguin and MEM will respond; with their being nurses.

I had my massive heart attack in October 2005 and they repaired my three blocked arteries with the angioplasty procedure.

4 years later all's well. I know an HA is much different than stroke, but it's incredible what they can do medically these days.

I know you're big on your excercise walking and with medications you'll no doubt be fine again. All of the best to you FJRay!

 

[BwanaDik]

Make sure you list the coumadin on your easily accessable Medical Alert Card for first responders. I do.

 

[Fred W]

Ray,
Sounds like you probably has a TIA. Here is some info for you. Transient Ischemic Attack

Tia was ruled out with the MRI because it showed a small area of damage and from what I haved learned a TIA doesn't show up on a scan or MRI

Yes you are correct. The difference between a TIA and true stroke is that there is tissue death (infarction). I assumed due to your quick release that it was TIA, but is must have been a relatively small stroke to be out so quickly. Either way, be it TIA or small stroke, it is good for you that you got a little one as a warning.

My advice is, now that you are on the coumadin, never, ever miss a dose. Do not ever let them take you off it for any kind of routine procedures. It is not worth the risk. I'll tell you my bad story privately should you wish to hear it.

It sounds like you already have a good understanding of things you need to do to manage your condition.

 

[Old Michael]

No advice, just hoping it goes well for you Ray.

Do what you're told (probably tough for you) and stick around.

 

[FJRay]

Ray,
Sounds like you probably has a TIA. Here is some info for you. Transient Ischemic Attack

Tia was ruled out with the MRI because it showed a small area of damage and from what I haved learned a TIA doesn't show up on a scan or MRI

Yes you are correct. The difference between a TIA and true stroke is that there is tissue death (infarction). I assumed due to your quick release that it was TIA, but is must have been a relatively small stroke to be out so quickly. Either way, be it TIA or small stroke, it is good for you that you got a little one as a warning.

My advice is, now that you are on the coumadin, never, ever miss a dose. Do not ever let them take you off it for any kind of routine procedures. It is not worth the risk. I'll tell you my bad story privately should you wish to hear it.

It sounds like you already have a good understanding of things you need to do to manage your condition.

I was on coumadin for awhile before for atrial fibrilation but they took me off after a cardioversion that didn't work and told me to just take baby aspirin. Who knows, Perhaps if I had stayed on it I woulld not have a clot form and get into my head

 

[Fred W]

I would tend to agree with you from my personal experience.

 

[FJRBluesman]

I have no medical input, but glad to hear all is well.

 

[Bustanut joker]

I other than starting coumadin again and feeling like I have a good hangover everything is normal.
Bustanut I don't need one of your shaving kits

Yeah being on that stuff isn't a bunch of fun is it.. But the alternative can be a whole lot worse as you found out..

I was on it when they did bypass... not good, about bled out on 'em. Had to re-open me to see if they messed up. I suppose the bypass was a good thing as I'm no longer on it but, had I did what I was told and took it consistently I may not have had the problems..?

Hey Ray just do what they tell ya bro.. I like havin you around

Oh and since you will bleed pretty badly if ya cut yerself, I'll send ya a pair of tweezers fer them anus hairs

:jester:

 

[MEM]

Hi Ray

I'm sorry to hear about this. It's always alarming when one's body fails or malfunctions in some serious way. This is not my area of expertise but I DO have lots of experience with carotid endarterectomy. Presumably your doc has ordered some testing - including carotid ulrasound?

ME

 

[Rogue]

My wife had a stroke 7/07 and lost some use of her left arm & left leg and slight slurring of speech. One year after the stroke she had recovered from those, the only remaining problem with the stroke is that she tires easy and does not have the energy she had before.

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Sorry for your attack! Glad you are doing better.

Have had a father and a couple of relatives that had from major to minor strokes.

Therapy seemed to be the most common perscription for recovery; even when you think you are recovered. The most successful recoveries came from those that were diligent with their therapy and a

constant dose of physical cardio movement and a aspirin regiment. You hear it all the time, but this is where you have to make a life-style change and approach to what you eat and physical cardio excercise.

Changing and adapting a new diet was also tops on the list, there are plenty of homeopathic foods that can assist with arteries staying open and strong.

There are different areas for each person. Please take the attitude of "war". You, and your close family support group "allies" have to come together and train daily for a daily fight to keep those arteries pumping.

Sure the ol' doc already went through this with you, God Speed..

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Ray,

I'm an ER nurse and have experience in ICU and Recovery Room. Certainly not a neurologist, but damn sure seen enough to know that this was indeed a minor stroke, as Fred pointed out, and you got lucky. The keys here that you need to know are that the possibilties of having another stroke is higher, your doctor(s) need to try and determine how you developed the clot (where it originated), and you'll need to possibly stay on blood thinners for quite some time, maybe not necessarily Coumadin but some other anti-platelate aggragate - wether it be aspirin, Plavix, or something else. Yes, there are not only side effects and risks associated with taking Coumadin, but the risk of having another potentially more serious or even fatal stroke outweighs the reasons NOT to take it. All medicines have side effects and risks. . . even Tylenol.

At risk of sounding like a damned advertisement - Bustanut, you'd know from those Viagra commercials- your doctor knows what's best. However, docs are just like motorcycle mechanics....... just because they can pass the curriculum don't mean ****...... doesn't make 'em good ones! So, with that said, I'd recommend you find an experienced, well-known, and "popular" neurologist. Best way is by word of mouth, just like a mechanic. Ask those in your community, friends, coworkers, everybody if they have any knowledge of good ones. If you keep hearing the same name over and over, I bet you got a good one. Even still, you always have the right to a second opinion.

My advice is to stay on the Coumadin and other prescribed meds until you are happy with what they are telling you. Educate yourself as much as possible, eat well, consult your doctor(s) about an exercise program even if you already do exercise routinely, and don't be afraid to talk to your doctors or even question them.

Hope this helps a little, could go on but don't want to muddy the water any further. If you have specific questions, feel free to PM, but remember that any and all advice here on this or any other forum, is just that.... advice. And don't do anything anybody tells you to without first asking your doctor(s).

Good luck to you and glad to hear that you're OK.

 

[Lowcountry Joe]

Glad it was minor Ray. Good luck with the follow-up therapy.

 

[Bustanut joker]

The "liberator" brought up a very important part regarding your Docs.. I went to my regular doctor several times complaining of chest tightness/pain and she poh poh'ed it. Said I was to young for heart problems.. Got an appointment with my deceased mothers cardiologist an promptly failed the "stress test".

Yeah make sure your doc is competent.

Oh I've "new" ones now..

:jester:

 

[BrunDog]

Sounds like you may have thrown a clot from the pooled blood in your left atrium from the atrial fibrillation. Risk of stroke is 30% higher if you are not therapeutically anticoagulated. Plavix and aspirin are not considered by most to be functionally powerful enough and are generally relied upon if a patient cannot tolerate coumadin, which is infrequent. Plan on taking coumadin chronically, and make sure to go to clinic regularly (monthly), especially in the beginning to make sure the INR is in the therapeutic range. Also limit certain veggies like leafy greens, as the clinic likely told you. Too thin and you risk cerebral or intestinal bleeding, too thick and clot formation is possible again.

If you meet certain criteria, you may meet indications for an atrial fibrillation ablation, which can reduce or eliminate the atrial fibrillation.

It sounds like you dodged a bullet here, especially if you have no long term symptoms from the infarct. Best of wishes to you for a long, healthy future.

-BD

 

[FJRay]

Thanks for the help and advice. I use the VA for my medical and I have contacted my Primary doc and will follow up there.

I do get lots of exercise. Walk 2-3 miles every morning and I don't have high blood pressure and colesterol is always around 150. The doc said this was probablycaused by a clot in the heart caused by the A-fib so hopefully getting back on coumadin and regular INR tests will solve the problem