Talk to me about mini strokes

[FlemCandango]

I am awaiting an MRI for a suspected mini-stroke. Yesterday early evening I had a weird head rush combined with pins and needles on right side of mouth, travelling down my neck and arm it persists though much less pronounced today I went to a&e after speaking to 111/ ooh GP and spent all night there getting a bed at 5am.

So bit scary not painful but anyone on here been through this? What do I need to know/ ask? I am ridiculously tired as managed very little sleep on the ward and am just hoping I get discharged 🤞🤞🤞

I had a TIA last year and it whilst it was scary at the time I don't have any long lasting effects. I had an MRI which didn't show anything which was good and was seen in the Stroke Clinic very quickly after my A&E visit. I have to take 75mg aspirin everyday now but that's it.

That is reassuring thank you. I have just had my MRI hopefully that won't show anything scary either. I think I am probably ok, just stressed out... But I am going to take this seriously.

Hi
Name changed for this! I had a TIA last month. Didn't have any of the symptoms publicised for stroke and have not felt ill at any point. Scans all clear but tests show various high risks for a stroke. Seen by stroke clinic soon after.

Apparently they can't always be sure if you've had a TIA. If you've had a suspected TIA or stroke you will be banned from driving/ flying for 1 month either way and you have to tell your car insurer etc. They may also put you on a heart monitor for a week if they are unsure of the exact cause just to be careful .Unfortunately if they think you are at risk of a big event (ie major stroke) it could be longer (3 months for me, which is having a major negative impact on life/ work etc). They have warned me that many people who have a stroke are left with lifelong disability so I have also done a living will.

I have been told to remain within an hour of A and E for the moment and to go by car (not call an ambulance) if I think anything is happening again because ambulances are taking too long. And I am now on various meds for life. I never saw it coming and it's a bit of a shock. I thought it only happened to old people or those with health/ weight problems!

I understand if you have a TIA it's a warning of a possible stroke and gives you the chance to get treatment so nothing else happens. Good luck! Hope you soon recover and get a good sleep.

Wow thank you Pango. I appreciate you sharing your story. I have been told my MRI is clear so I am being discharged but still on a TIA treatment plan so I will have ECG and heart monitoring for 24 hours so it is far from over.