I had two strokes last week

[The Blue Flower]

I was out in frigid (low teens) temps pumping air into my car tires. i suddenly had a stabbing pain over my right eye, which I thought was due to my sinuses reacting to the cold. When I got home a short time later, I found I couldn't get my left hand to type properly. I attributed that to the cold as well, because my hands got super cold inside my gloves. I then had a lingering headache all weekend and felt brain foggy. My daughter pushed me to contact my doc, which I did. He thought it sounded like stroke (I'm 72) and ordered me to go to the nearest ER for brain imaging. My son drove me to the nearest hospital. The CT scan showed anomalies, so they did an MRI and found two affected areas. Thank Goddess, I didn't lose any function or cognition. They tested and poked me from Sunday through Wednesday and couldn't find the cause. They also did an echocardiogram and found nothing wrong with my heart, and I'll be wearing a heart monitor for a month to check for A-fib. I'm home now. My daughter flew across country so I wouldn't be home alone when I got home. Everyone's telling me how smart I was to call the doctor. I actually thought the headache was a covid symptom, and I made an appointment for a test. I must have been very foggy when I made it, because when I went for the test at CVS, they had no record of it. Anyway, I'm home and well. I have no advice for anyone. I have a healthy lifestyle, which looks like it protected me. I've had friends who experienced stroke, and none of them said they experienced head pain with it. Just reporting in, DUers.

[Nevilledog]

1. I'm so glad you're home and doing better.

[zuul]

2. Glad you are okay, Blue Flower.

[MLAA]

3. Whew! Glad you are okay. What a scare.

Thank you for sharing. It helps us all to be aware.

[BoomaofBandM]

4. So glad you are ok. What lovely kids you have.

[LizBeth]

5. I probably would not have called a doctor for that. Good for you and scary.

Who knows when we feel something it matters or doesn't, geez. Cool you had yours there taking care of you too.

[kimbutgar]

6. Wow take care of yourself

I’m glad your children insisted you go to the hospital and you weren’t stubborn.

A good friend of mine refused to go to the hospital. She said it was just a bad headache. She was only 50) finally her husband demanded she go and physically picked her up and took her to the hospital. She had had a massive stroke that took years to recover. 5 years ago she was driving again, riding a bide and almost back to normal. Then 2 years ago she had another stroke and she lost her sight and was stuck in a wheelchair. She never was the same again and she passed away last year at 63. She stopped eating and told her husband she was tired of living that way. While I miss her I got it she didn’t want to live like that anymore.

Count your blessing for your great son!

[colorado_ufo]

27. With a stroke,

doctors say, "Time=brain."

[niyad]

7. Please take very good care of yourself. Thank goodness you got checked out.

Vibes for complete healiing.

[Sgent]

8. Wow glad you seem to be doing OK

I was always taught worst headache of your life = stroke, but never thought about a milder headache before.

[BeckyDem]

9. Oh my goodness, thankfully you're doing well!

What an ordeal. Best wishes to you.

[Solly Mack]

10. How scary!

I'm glad you're home and doing well.

[Piasladic]

11. Thanks for the info.

Strokes can be sneaky. If you're like me and hate fuss, it can be easy to ignore symptoms. You're so lucky to have family that cares about you.

Glad you're okay now.

[BradBo]

12. I do think high bp meds are a must.

[Totally Tunsie]

13. Wishing you a quick recovery, and sending thanks

for the valuable information.

[TNNurse]

14. Glad you are doing so well.

Covid had caused many to not address other problems. It is so confusing since there are so many symptoms.

Now, I hope if you have these symptoms again(and I hope you won't), you will get to an ER quickly. Just like with heart symptoms, time can save function with strokes.

[Sanity Claws]

15. So sorry to hear

Glad you are doing better.
I hope to hear that you next get two strokes of good luck.

[Peregrine Took]

16. What would people do who live alone?

Lucky to have a loving family around you but here in the city there are so older people live alone in high rises, studio apartments, etc. I wonder what could they do in that situation?

Home health care help is very expensive over $100.00 a day which we paid 20 years ago for my mother in law.

I guess you are better to opt for an "over 55" community that you can afford as at least you aren't alone.

[Boomerproud]

21. It is scary Peregrine. I"m 65 and still working but live alone.

When I don't feel well I get anxious about everything. Covid hasn't helped.

[Skittles]

59. call your doc or call 911

same as they would do if their family wasn't available

[barbtries]

17. yikes.

Glad you're doing so well. that's scary.

[mahina]

18. Take care blue flower.

That’s a very scary story. I’m thankful you are well


Who’s the dock have any idea what I have brought it on? What kind of imaging did you do that first?

Stay well, aloha

[mountain grammy]

19. Well that's scary..

to this 74 year old.. so glad you're doing better and being monitored.

[lucca18]

20. Take care Blue Flower!

That was quite a scare.
Be well and follow doctor’s orders.
❤️

[gademocrat7]

22. Glad you are home

and doing better. Take care.

[LoisB]

23. I am glad you are home. Stay well.

[calimary]

24. Yikes! I hope you continue to do well, health-wise!

That must have been scary!

[Happy Hoosier]

25. Wishing you the best!!! NT

[VGNonly]

26. If your BP is high

and you have an elevated BMI, a lipid panel can ordered. If that is positive, then a carotid scan should be done. Ischemic strokes, about 70% percent of all strokes, come from a blockage of the carotid artery. The tests are simple; blood draws and an ultrasound for the artery.

[The Blue Flower]

66. All of that was done. My carotids are clear.

My BMI is quite low, around 20.

[colorado_ufo]

28. Thank you for this important personal story.

I am sure that you helped a lot of people today.

[cate94]

29. I'm glad you are okay.

That had to be scary!

[CaptainTruth]

30. Glad to hear you're ok! Get plenty of rest & take care!

[Rebl2]

31. Glad you

are better and home. Like you, I would have attributed it to being out in the cold, but the lingering headache and brain fog would have concerned me.
Headache or head pain can be a sign of stroke as well as vision problems. Also slurred speech and weakness in a limb. Both of my parents have had strokes.

[Wild blueberry]

32. Glad you are home

Thank you for sharing your story. Good tip to call your doctor.
Please keep well.

[malaise]

33. So glad you listened to your daughter

Take care

[crickets]

34. What a relief you are doing well.

You also have some great kids - glad to know they are there for you. Take care of yourself.

[LiberalArkie]

35. Left carotid ? I had mine cleaned out right during the peak of Little Rock Covid

[MiHale]

36. So glad you have someone there...

My wife and I are both stroke patients. Mine came from A-fib heart threw a clot it wasn’t really too bad, that was the first one. Second came days after while getting a heart cath, it dislodged a clot in my heart and went up. I seized and don’t “clearly” remember stuff, although I was aware.
Spaghetti noodle width away from way, way worse situation.
No real bad effects from either but little stuff like for some stupid idea I have a hard time reading paper books, digital is ok. I read quite a lot and had an extensive library. Recreated most of it in various digital readers. Positive effect takes up a whole lot less space.

My wife’s was different. She woke up everything seemed ok. Then while she was doing bills she had a very hard time writing. Then she noticed she couldn’t do numbers as good as she used to.
Everything else was ok.
Then about a week later while awakening she couldn’t move her left leg, it was quite paralyzed at that point. It cleared in about 10 minutes. Her’s was caused by clots throwing off her carotid in the neck. Once again, luck struck, no real bad effects. She had the artery cleaned out and all is good.

Yeah there are more little kinda bothersome effects…she got a little dyslexic, small motor skills like holding scissors upside down, writing, she can’t knit anymore. That’s ok cause she never finished any project. Lol. She does puzzles incessantly and it has helped greatly.

My big stroke happened during the heart cath getting prepared for a quadruple bypass.

I’ve been living with A-fib for 15 years, it hasn’t changed anything I my life except for the meds which I didn’t take before. My cardiologist told me to walk, walk, walk, then turn around and walk home. I did, my dog and I walked for miles and miles at the state park next to our house.

Yes, it’s scary but it’s in the past…we came out ok. We take things very lightly now, looking at the humorous side of our strokes effects on us. Both being “strokies” we have to have a check and balance with each other, it does lead to some laughable times.

I’m 69, my dear partner is 68. We kayak, hike, snowshoe, garden with no problems caused by the strokes.

Keep a positive attitude. Remember you are where you are at the time you’re supposed to be there.

[VGNonly]

37. FAST

Face-ask the person if the can smile

Arms-ask them if they can raise their arms

Speech-ask them a simple phrase, are they incoherent or slurring

Time-If any or all of the previous conditions are present, time is of the essence. Call emergency services immediately. Clot busting drugs (tPA) administered within 3 hours make all the difference.

[Duppers]

48. 👍 Great advice! Thank you!

Copied & bookmarked.

[VGNonly]

54. I had a stroke.

I felt sort of abnormally tired, was going to bed when it struck. At first I was confused, weak, hard to use my hands and legs. Then I couldn't move at all, except for my left hand. Couldn't really speak, just grunts. Never felt pain. The EMTs arrived within minutes, sent to the hospital, just a small county facility. They administered tPA (clot busters). Was sent to a level 4 hospital. I was there for 5 days. I couldn't drive for 3 1/2 months. I would say say I'm about 90% recovered, I will not get any any better. I'm 64, this happened almost 5 years ago.

Since then I've lost 50+ pounds, exercise 2 hours daily. I've gone vegan, I don't drink. I'm not ready to die or spending my last years in a nursing home.

[Duppers]

63. Wow. You were too young...

for a stroke to have happened.

But you deserve a huge Congratulations on your recovery and for all the amazing things that you have done to take care of yourself!

May I ask what exercises you do for 2 hrs a day?

Hubby & I used to walk 3x's a day but now that both pups have died (the last one on New Year's Day), I'm too depressed & feel no desire to walk.
I loved those pups more than most can imagine and have come to the realization that only another dog can inspire me to walk again.

I posted in this thread about my hubby's recent trip to the ER. Our diets are now considerably more strict (hubby isn't overweight at all but I could lose 20lbs). Giving up my "nightcap" is difficult but I'm doing it.


Keep up your great health habits! Hoping you make it to 94!

[VGNonly]

65. I ride my exercise bike

in the winter, road bike whenever it's warm. I walk some, but after spinal surgery 15 years back, riding is easier. Some yoga and core workouts, old fashioned calisthenics, light weights. I canoe up to class 3.

The more I exercise, the easier it gets, then I do more.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

60. My mom had a stroke

Luckily I was there to catch it.

She suddenly couldnt talk,I rushed her to the bed so she wouldn't fall
.


Than I asked her to smile. Asked her how many fingers,had her raise her arms.

I told her some bullshit so she wouldn't freak out.

Quickly dialed 911. I went in the hospital with her

I had to make the choice to use clot busting drugs
They told me the risk

I told them to go ahead use it.

That decision made quickly reduced the strokes impact to minimal.

She was ok.

She lived another 15 years. Most the years were ok except the last 6 months.


She died from supra nuclear palsy.

[Greybnk48]

38. Glad you're ok. And thank you for

detailing your symptoms and treatment. I'm 73 and all this is good to know.

[stollen]

39. Thanks for taking time to describe your terrible experience

I have a 78 year old husband.

I'm so glad you're better.

[samnsara]

40. im the same age as you...getting old-er sucks.

..hope you make a complete recovery.

[richdj25]

41. I'm 63 and hade a stroke November 2020.

Didn't realize I had it until my right leg collapsed and fell to the floor a couple of times. Since I live alone, was able to get my neighbor to drive me to the emergency room. The cause was due to high blood pressure, so that meant lifestyle changes. Since leaving the hospital and rehab, along with regular doctor visits, been doing pretty good.

Didn't realize that just about every food in the world contains sodium, so I limit my daily intake to 1500 milligrams or less per day, along with some excercises, plus I'm pretty active anyway.

Just wanted to share.

Hope you continue to get better.

[Hortensis]

42. How great at least to get this warning without serious sequelae.

Sometimes having a problem can be a lot better than not.

[phylny]

43. I'm very glad you sought medical help and am glad you are okay!

[Traildogbob]

44. That is scary

I really hope your health gets much better. We never know just when our world could change so quickly. Sending good vibes to you. Be careful.

[FakeNoose]

45. This is very scary, and it could happen to any of us

Take care of yourself Blue Flower!

Sending healing vibes and prayers your way, my friend.

[sheshe2]

46. That is frightening, Blue Flower.

So glad you are home and doing well.

[Duppers]

47. Wow! That was a close call.

I assume you're keeping close tabs on your BP a few times a day now.

Take care & good luck to you!



My hubby spend hrs in the ER just 3 nights ago - he had all the tests & scans you mentioned. His BP had hit 212/101 ...and was holding no matter what he did or took.

Now, even with higher triple doses of his meds, his BP was still too high. Everything that was tried was not moving it down enough.

He's cut out all salt that he can in his diet but his BP is still too high. Conclusion: it's his anxiety level.

He's a terrible worrywart; even driving causes him too much anxiety, so I've been driving everywhere since he's retired. His anxiety has just gotten worse as he ages. Sigh.

So...last night I insisted he take some THC drops a friend sent & finally that brought his anxiety level down, resulting in lower BP. I suggested he ask his doc for some Xanax. He hates to admit he needs something like that but he does.

[Grasswire2]

58. If I may share my experience that might help you.

Since late 2016 (!!) I experienced episodes of very high spikes in systolic blood pressure -- into the stroke zone. Too often. Blood pressure meds had zero effect to prevent these, and I made trips to the ER multiple times.

Because the med Clonidine brings down BP, I wore a Clonidine patch for a couple of years to try to prevent these spikes. Nothing worked. Not meds, not patch, nothing.

Then, my doctor and I considered the fact that these spikes might be produced by anxiety.

And so I started taking the 3,000 year old ginseng supplement Ashwagandha.

Total turn-around. Total. My blood pressure is mostly normalized now. I am off all my blood pressure meds.

If I do have a spike, I treat it like this: a hot shower. That acts as a vaso-dilator, bringing down BP.

And I have Clonidine tablets on hand in case I really do need to take half a pill.

Ashwagandha is something called "adaptogenic" --- meaning that it helps the body regulate the stress hormones. A dose of 500 mg day is often recommended. I take 125 mg two or three times a day. Tons of energy, zero side effects.

[mnmoderatedem]

49. Blood pressure check?

I assume your doc must have done one and informed you of the results. I was a stroke waiting to happen when I suddenly found out my blood pressure skyrocketed as my years have started to advance. It was ineffective trying to bring it down until I got the right medication, now it's routinely normal.

Keep tabs on that blood pressure. It's a silent killer, but usually can be contained with the right meds.

[spanone]

50. What an ordeal...sounds like you take good care of yourself.

You're way ahead of the curve.....?️

[RussBLib]

51. heads up!

any given moment.....

life is like that, pretty fuckin' random

good that you're doing well

[Evolve Dammit]

52. All the best. Hope you'll be OK and glad you have support.

[oldtime dfl_er]

53. Scary story

Glad you are recovering!

[Meowmee]

55. Glad you are ok and got proper treatment

Consider going in eliquis until they figure out if it is your heart

[vercetti2021]

56. I'm so sorry

I'm glad you're okay now!

[IcyPeas]

57. might be a stupid question but did the cold have anything to do with it?

you said "I was out in frigid (low teens) temps pumping air into my car tires." Could the exertion and the cold temperature trigger something like that?

and thank you for sharing your experience. So glad you are home.

[BootinUp]

61. glad you are taking care and recovering

Nice of you to share the story, maybe it will cause others to think about their health a little more. Your daughter was really on the ball.

[ailsagirl]

62. Glad you're doing better

Please keep us posted!!

[cally]

64. Glad you are recovering