My 2-week facial numbness ..the MRI and carotid ultra-sound are in.

[DemoTex]

The good news: no apparent tumor. The bad news: moderate stenosis (blockage) of the carotid arteries and extensive/chronic small vessel ischemia (of the brain). It is very likely that I suffered a small TIA a few days before Sirius died. The Doc sez no stress overlay. I say: Bullshit. Left side of my head and face are still totally numb. That, sez Doc, supports a TIA or small ischemic stroke (90% of all strokes are ischemic, 10% are hemorrhagic).

Mac

[redwitch]

1. any treatment options to avoid another?

Seems to me they should be able to unblock the blockage at the very least. Also wanted to offer belated condolences for the loss of your beloved Sirius.

[DemoTex]

3. Thanks RW

I picked up his remains (ashes) at the clinic today. That was tough.
Mac

[progmom]

2. Oh Mac....

:hug:
You've been having quite a time.

[DemoTex]

5. But I'm so glad it is not a tumor!

I am picking up the MRI and Ultrasound films tomorrow and taking them down to my brother's beach house at Grayton Beach, FL. He is a top radiologist in Atlanta. He's at the beach waiting to see the films.
My doc gave me the green light to drive 500 miles. I'll be leaving early Thursday morning.
Mac

[redwitch]

7. great to have a radiologist in the family!

Plus, sounds like a good excuse to vacation a bit. Time at the beach is time well spent! Drive safe ( and remember going the speed limit saves on gas! :-) ) Good luck to you.

[havocmom]

9. Please let us all know when you arrive there safely!

Glad no tumor. Sorry about the rough day. Time to be as good to yourself as you are to your best friends. Take it easy.

Glad we are back down to level 2 so I could search this thread out. Was anxious to hear you were OK.

Good vibes from my zoo crew to you and yours. :hi:

edited cuz my typing is getting worse everyday; too clastrophobic for MRI

Oh, and do what the doctors tell you to or I'll tell ya about my dad, the idiot who DIDN'T do what the doctors said...

[In_The_Wind]

4. I'm sorry for all the suffering you are going through, DemoTex.

[knowbody0]

6. how awful for you.

sorry Demo Tex. do they understand why?

[buczak]

8. Bell's palsy?

Have they ruled out Bell's Palsy? My sister had
a similar thing and it can be caused by stress.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

10. If they think it's due to the carotid blockage, you could get a referral

to a vascular surgeon to evaluate whether you are a candidate for carotid endarterectomy. This is a procedure where they open up the artery and 'clean out' the blockage, basically. Though the goal is to prevent stroke, the surgery carries some risk of stroke also.

http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/110065676921546%20WhatIsCarotidEndarterect.pdf