Migraine / TIA so confused!

[JessieEssex]

On Wednesday morning I was sitting at my desk quietly working, no stress, physical or emotional. I had a dull headache but nothing much when I suddenly got flashing lights in my eyes. I used to get awful migraines decades ago with intense pain and visual disturbances but nothing since. So I was a bit confused, thinking maybe I was having another one. Then I tried to speak and my words were all jumbled up. I wasn’t slurring but what I wanted to say was coming out as random words. I also had a slight tingling in my left hand. This lasted about 3-4 minutes and then I was ok. I was freaked out for 30 minutes or so then decided to ring 111. They referred me to my GP who saw me a few hours later. After lots of questions, examinations and tests so she said was pretty happy it was a migraine but to go straight to A&E if it happened again. Fast forward to today, I’m feeling 100% normal, and she’s just rung me back saying she’s not happy with my symptoms and has referred me to the stroke unit! She did say it’s more to rule anything out rather than because she thinks that’s what it was but I’m freaking out! It’s my understanding that anything like stroke needs to be seen to asap, not days later.
She said I can’t drive for 28 days; which again I understand but I live quite isolated and rely on my car for work.
I’m waiting to hear about an appointment but should I be exercising in the meantime? Acting normal or sitting in bed?! The gp was working from home today so I can’t call her back.
I’m generally healthy, 49, exercise a lot, don’t smoke and don’t drink much.

Well bearing in mind children and even babies in the womb can have strokes saying you are healthy and a non smoker / drinker is irrelevant .
However , it is more likely to be a migraine but to put your mind at rest , I'd take the Drs advice about no driving and definitely go to the hospital appointment when it comes .

That all sounds quite scary for you. I would probably email all the questions that you know have to the surgery. I'm sure it's pretty normal to be in shock, and not ask what you now need information on, when the call comes out of the blue.

@GoldMoon I just wanted to give some context, that I don’t have the ‘typical’ risk factors. But of course I’m aware they can strike at random. I’m definitely taking advice but I am worried about the length of time between episode and appointment if it was a TIA

@LetMeGoogleThatthanks - I didn’t really say much on the phone! Will send an email now

It sounds scary but at least they are doing something.
My recurrent migraines have been flagged by one consultant (alongside other severe issues including rash, thyroid swelling and macro-glossia) as possibly part of amyloidosis. Letter sent by him urgently requested for me to have a head/neck scan 3 months ago and... nothing, from GP or hospital. I would do anything to have the scans and checks and have my mind put to rest.

It is much worse to be told you likely have something and have no one offer to help. I hope it all goes well for you and I am glad at least your GP has second guessed her decision and come back to you.

@SmallDFartyCarNRGthat’s awful! I’m so sorry no one is putting your mind at rest. I’m really impressed with my GP but it’s just the surprise of it coming back when I’d already put it away as ‘nothing to worry about’

Of course. Sorry, got a migraine today and think I was a bit snippy!
Hope it all goes well.

@SmallDFartyCarNRG you weren’t snippy at all! Appreciate you commenting 😊

Your symptoms sound exactly like my migraine symptoms, back in the day. (I'm thrilled to say I very rarely get them now).
I would get tingling in my hand, struggle to get words out etc.

Personally I would carry on as normal and if exercise is your normal, then I'd keep doing it. My elderly mum also has been getting the symptoms you describe recently and blood tests have ruled out TIAs.

I think it's brilliant that your GP is following up on it though so that you can tested and reassured.

Do make notes though, if anything weird happens. That's a bummer about driving as you probably feel fine to drive but now a GP has told you that you can't, I believe your insurance would be invalid if, God forbid, you were to have an accident.
Do you have a bike? 😄

The reason you need urgent care with strokes is to stop the damage getting worse and to give you the best chance of returning to normal function.

so restore blood flow if a clot, stop a bleed if it’s the opposite.

because you have recovered and now feel fine means the initial event has passed, so you don’t need intervention to resolve your symptoms. The intention now is to investigate the reason for your episode and prevent it happening again, or happening on a larger scale.

if, for example it was a TIA due to a small clot, you may be put on blood thinners.

your treatment now is preventative, not to address the initial complaint as that has resolved.

does that make sense?

@Cockahoophappy thank you - I’m booked in for a blood test on Monday and then hopefully the stroke clinic soon after that. Very reassuring to hear you had similar symptoms. I do have a bike! But I’d have to go round a motorway junction roundabout to work so I think my husband can chauffeur me around instead 😃

@Yetanotherone12 yes that makes perfect sense. The only reference point I have is my elderly parents who both had TIAs and were rushed to hospital in their 80s so I guess I’m not really comparing like with like! Thanks for replying

Update - have just got out of the very long hospital appointment and they are happy it was a migraine. Hurrah!

Great news! Always better to be safe than sorry!

That’s great news. My guess would have been migraine based on hormonal changes, given your age.

@OffherrockingchairThe specialist was telling me about how migraines can peak in your early 20s and then return in your 40s/50s with very different symptoms. She said I was a textbook presentation 😃