Would you follow this up with a GP appointment?

[PlanxyDavis]

This morning I sat down after making breakfast, and very suddenly couldn’t move my left arm, feel it, or feel the side of my face on the left hand side. Sounds silly but it felt like I had no face muscles on that side. My vision also went patchy in the left eye.

It lasted for about 2 minutes - 0 symptoms since. I’m fine!

I called 111 as I know it didn’t ‘sound’ good. A doctor just called back now and said, it’s fine, this can happen in people who’ve suffered from migraines in the past. I said there is no headache and there wasn’t when it happened. He said again that it’s fine, but if it happens again maybe make my way to hospital. I’ve suffered terribly with migraines in the past but he didn’t actually ask me this... I haven’t had one for a good while, touch wood I won’t.

It all sounded very blasé, so much so it didn’t really feel reassuring. Would you follow this up with your GP? Despite medical advice to leave it for now?

Thank you

Go straight to A&E now - these are stroke symptoms here

Ah sorry, just realised you spoke to an actual doctor already - in which case follow their advice!

You need to go to a&e. They could be nothing/migraine/ or could be something TIA or worse related.

Please go get checked out x

I'd want a stroke ruled out before accepting migraine diagnosis.

Agree with PP. Go to A+E and be seen F2F this afternoon.

It does sounds like a mini stroke (see here, but presumably the 111 doctor you spoke to must have ruled that out?

Wigeon Thank you. He did sound so blasé but I’m sure he knows much more than me, can see my history somewhere and age etc and has decided it isn’t actually worrying so just carry on as usual

I’m constantly busy with my little one so haven’t had any further blips since this morning

I am a nurse and if a patient called me with that concern I would call them an ambulance .

Yes, I would follow up with a GP in the morning in case you need referral to the TIA clinic. Obviously A&E if any more symptoms in the meantime.

Yes, if you feel worried then follow it up.

Did your symptoms come on all at once or progress?

Read up on migraines as this sounds like what the gp is thinking. Migraines often have no headache. I'm no doctor though!

No medical advice here for you as it could be anything, but from personal experience of the migraines mentioned, I get silent migraines where I don’t feel a headache at the time but my entire left side will go numb, sometimes lasting days. I was referred to neurology and they said it’s a fairly common side effect from them. I don’t get drooping of the muscles and it doesn’t affect speech the way a TIA or stroke does, they still move etc but I can’t feel that side at all.

I would definitely follow up with your Gp though as without tests all you have is an opinion and follow the advice of your medics

A very healthy friend (skinny, non-smoker, runs 10k/half marathons) had a mini stroke in his early 40s...

Wigeon I know it isn’t always relevant but I’m not quite yet in my mid 20’s

They are signs of a stroke I'm surprised he didn't tell u to go to a&e or send an ambulance just to be safe!

It can happen with migraines though, it's hard to believe. Even if ur head isn't sore.

My sister couldn't talk and was also getting confused and cldnt even tell the paramedics her name, they took her to hospital. It just went away 🤷🏻‍♀️

It happened a few times to her and once when she was out with her 2 yr old! She was really scared. She cld feel the symptoms coming on before they got bad and wld call someone. This all started when she was about 25.

She got given medication for migraines if she felt it coming on and the tablets worked really quickly.

I'd still maybe go to hospital though to get it ruled out or call 111 again and hopefully get another doctor!

Children can have strokes do age does not rule it out.

A relative of mine had migraines that caused stroke symptoms BUT they scanned to rule out stroke. I'd want it followed up

You absolutely need to get this checked out OP.

OP

I should have added that I work in the field and if a patient/anyone told me those symptoms I would send them to a&e. Hopefully you are taking advice onboard and good luck

Were you actually struggling/unable move your arm? If so, that is quite concerning and I would definitely seek help (today, not when a GP can next see you).

Migraines usually cause numbness but not actual weakness. I believe some rarer types can cause weakness but it’s definitely something you’d want properly diagnosed.

Artic I can’t really remember now! I think it was weakness, but thinking about it seems a bit of both

Going to pop down to A&E this evening when DC is in bed, to be on the safe side

I had something very similar in my early 20s and turned out to be mini strokes! Please go and get checked out.

Yes I'd go and get checked out if it was me

In a previous life I worked on a stroke unit. I’m shocked the initial 111 call didn’t lead to an ambulance being called, and then that the Dr you spoke to dismissed it like that. Something doesn’t quite add up. Were you completely lucid and able to explain the symptoms?

Migraine is known to be a stroke ‘mimic’ and stroke/TIA should always be ruled out before migraine is diagnosed except in cases where investigations have been completed, a formal diagnosis of migraine made AND the symptoms present in the same way.

If you have any repeat or similar symptoms - 999 no questions, no delay. I think the 111 contact has complicated things as you have now got that advice from a medic and nobody here knows the full background. If you were my relative I’d advise A&E now, but given the 111 contact I’d suggest urgent GP contact tomorrow.

How are you today OP?

I’m okay! I followed up with a GP.. I did attend A&E yesterday but I was sent to emergency GP clinic. Who took my history and said what the doctor over the phone said, sounds like a migraine without a headache, come to A&E again if it happens again

I don’t feel particularly assured so I will follow up again with my own GP. I know that’s a bit cheeky but anyway... I just want it recorded that I pushed this