Could I Have had a stroke or if not what is wrong with me ??

Posted , 3 users are following.

Really need some advice, not getting anywhere with the NHS. Up to 12 months ago I had never felt better. Lost 2 stone, down to 15 stone, completed a 10K Run, life was great. Not long after, around June 2013 I started to get breathless episodes. Went to GP, he was torn between Cardio or Chest Specialist and referred me to Cardio. Before I got to see anyone I ended up getting admitted to Hospital with Chest Pains. All heart tests were fine and had a CT Scan of my lungs and they said that was clear also and discharged me, telling me that I should continue with the Cardio Investigations.

I did do, over the following months I had a Angiogram and Heart Scan all tests showed that my heart was fine.

In September, whilst working at my desk, I suddenly suffered a headache that got worse over a matter of minutes. It was a burning sensation around my left eye. At the same time I was horrified to find I could not swallow saliva, when I tried to stand up I was severely dizzy. I couldnt lift my head up to look at anyone, I could hardly get my words out. I managed to raise the alarm and the paramedics arrived. As my heart was ok I was taken to hospital at normal speed and examined. Whilst at the hospital, the pain subsided but my eye felt like it was hanging out of the socket. My wife noticed that the left side of my face had dropped and the pupil of that eye was fixed small and was so for a couple of weeks. I got discharged with an explanation that it may be a migraine. I couldnt even walk without assistance, that last a couple of days. It took me a couple of days for my speaking to come back, I had difficulty swallowing for weeks. I started to get tingling sensations on my right leg and lower back and over the next 2 days this spread so if you cut my body in half from the lower chest all the right side suffered nerve pain, tingling, numbness, pins and needles, cramp in chest, side, back, genital area, leg and foot. I still suffer this now, 24 hours a day, it doesnt stop me walking or even running a little but makes me unflexible, nausious and is worse after being stationery or on my feet too long.

I have had a brain MRI Scan and this showed no evidence of a stroke, I have had an MRI scan of the top 2 segments iof my spine and again no evidence of a neurological disorder. The Radiographer did not understand why the lumber spine was not scanned with the pain being primarily in my leg. I MUST AGREE AND AM SEEING MY GP TO RAISE THIS POINT NEXT WEEK. I have found out that at the point I had this "stroke like episode" I had a lung infection, missed on the original CT Scan. Yet another question is that as an MRI Scan was not done as soon as I had this episode is it possible I had a stroke even though there is no evidence in the current MRI Brain Scan. Help, Help, Help, Please !!!

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    When I had my TIA Iwas not scaned straight away either. Two days later attended the stroke clinic and the Dr. tried to organise a MRI straight away the best he could get was the following day. Nothing showed up on scan. As he explained If 100 where scaned whom where known to have hade a stroke 10-20% would show nothing leave for 5 days and 45-50% would show nothing.So a scan at time of stroke or TIA is what should happen. Just don't have your TIA at the weekend is the answer.
  • Posted

    Thank you that is very helpfull, especially the stats on clear Scans. My Neurolgists first reaction when  I told him what happened was that I have had a stroke or TIA and the MRI Scan was over 3 months later. He appears to be avoiding the question on whether I have had a stroke by answering that there is no evidence, your stats clearly point to that no evidence doesnt necessarily mean I didnt have one. The apparent nerve damage on exactly half of my body, which happened when I had the episode certainly strengthens my belief. Could I ask please, if your Scan was clear, how did your meds diagnose the TIA, was it purely on your symptoms ot was there some damage ?
  • Posted

    There was a clear reaction from my Neurolgist and his assistant when I told him that I wasnt scanned at the Hospital when the episode occured... your point on that it should be done straight away makes a lot of sense.

     

  • Posted

    Yes my scan was clear, Dr. change my blood pressure tablets and put me on

    Clopidogrel 75mg to prevent blood clots. Please to say Iam fine now. Took about 2 weeks to feel less tired and now 3months on back to normal.

    • Posted

      Really pleased you are ok now. I have no blood presure problems maybe that is one of the reasons I have not been diagnosed too, just wonder if the lung infection could have caused it ?? Who knows, I will just have to keep pushing them. Your comments really appreciated :-)
  • Posted

    Dear Mike

    First of all I am NOT A Dr. - I did suffer a series of strokes 3 years ago

    The NHS let me down very badly, so you are right to question them.

    From your symptoms it is apparent that you have suffered some sort of neurological event/s and should concentrate on that aspect.

    Have they mentioned Sress ?

    Keep asking for second/third etc opinions, don't let them put you off

    in my case they did absolutely NOTHING while I lay in a Hospital bed for 66hrs

    and had 3 MORE STROKES in their care ?? I am now in a wheelchair

    Good luck, I really hope you find out what is wrong

    John H 

     

    • Posted

      Hi John

      Thank you so much for your advice, I am so sorry to hear of your treatment at the hands of the NHS,  shocking, disgusting but sadly at the same time not surprising.

      As the numbness etc happened at the same time as the stroke like episode I cannot get away from the feeling that something major happened that day and the fact that exactly half of my body from a certain point would surely suggest like you say that it is neurological.  I just can't let the neurologist give up just because the MRI was clear.

      Thanks again John, I was starting to feel I was going mad so you have been very helpful.

      best wishes for the future

      Mike

  • Posted

    Hi Mike, I am quite sure you are NOT going mad, you ARE experiencing exactly what you describe, the fact that various Drs cannot explain it,  does NOT MAKE IT LESS REAL, or less serious,

    I had 2 MRI's a couple of years apart, Drs have not said much about 2nd scan ? but by then I was already paralyzed so it would not make much difference

    Again I'm not a radiologist, by my understanding is normally the MRI detects where brain cells have suffered actual damage - I believe in lay man's terms it measures the density of the cells ? so if there is no actual physical damage, it MAY NOT show anything,  the fact that you have semi recovered seems to indicate you have been lucky so far, but a clear MRI - does NOT MEAN ANOTHER EPISODE is not just around the corner. You keep the pressure on your Neurologist - record your concerns in writing if necessary - that way you may have a chance proving their NEGLIGENCE

    I

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.