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TIA time bomb!

Posted , 10 users are following.

aneta28242
aneta28242

Hi. Exactly 4 weeks ago I had a TIA and went through the whole A&E experience and then the Stroke Unit for 48 hours. I came home with a bag of medication.......................... Clopidogrel, Amlodipine, Paroxetine, Aspirin & Atorvastatin. I have tried really hard to reduce my risk of another Tia or full blown stroke by not having any salt or saturated fats, having a much healthier diet, no alcohol, gently exercise and my blood pressure is now down to 120ish over 70ish! I know I should be pleased and able to get on with my life but I feel like a time bomb waiting to go off! I am extremely "bodily aware" and notice every twinge, ache and pain. It is making me nervous and scared that it will happen again. I'm probably being really stupid winding myself up like this. Am I normal to feel like this and how can I stop it? Advice/support would be appreciated please! Cheers.

2 likes, 47 replies

47 Replies

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  • hydro
    hydro aneta28242

    Posted

    Hi Confidence will return but does not happen overnight.It been nearly 6 months since my TIA and I notice the slightest body change but learning to carry on with a normal life. Your blood pessure is good, so pills are working. 1st month is up so can return to driving (if you drive). Go and enjoy life and stop worrying. Have a chat with your GP.
    • aneta28242
      aneta28242 hydro

      Posted

      Bless you! It's good to know that somebody else notices every body twinge and that it is ok. I'd forgotten about driving! That will help no doubt!

      Many thanks.

    • julie007
      julie007 aneta28242

      Posted

      Hi aneta, just joined the forum. It is so very true how we are left to feel paranoid re. Symptoms to look out for. I have so many appts coming up and I presume testing. But in the meantime I'm freaking out. Wishing everyone on this site Good Health and best wishes. Julie
  • karen87871
    karen87871 aneta28242

    Posted

    Sorry I sent that to quick, I would say that you are normal, I thought I had wrote that myself, if I didn't know better, Except I'm trying to give up smoking too,

    I had to get some beta blockers of the doctor for my panic attacks, Mainly happens when I'm relaxing or at bed time, I had mine 8 weeks ago and it gets better every day, I have episodes where is forget about it now for a while instead before it was constant I couldn't of told you what had happened in East Enders even tho I had sat and watched the whole episode, I couldn't take any thing in, I do think these are good sites to help everyone but I also think they are a bit daunting, nearly everyone who has had aTIA or stroke have more or a heart attack, That alone is scarey, poor people

    xxx

  • trudy1854
    trudy1854 aneta28242

    Posted

    Hi Aneta, I feel the same as you, my family doctor actually said to me that you are waiting for the big one, I realised then that this was normal.I smoked cigarettes for 42 years but gave up 15 months ago, I do not drink or eat fatty food. My blood pressure was not the cause as I was told I have the blood pressure of an 18 year old, good to know when you are 60. They have put me on statins which I know is for cholesterol but I have not been given any dietary advice, I am seeing my own doctor next friday and a consultant on the 29th I will hopefully get some answers then. Rest assured you are not on your own.x
    • karen87871
      karen87871 trudy1854

      Posted

      Did they tell you you had a high cholesterol? Mine was border high, 3.5 and in a copy of a letter sent to my GP it said I need to get it down to 2, I wasn't given any advice either, the only person I have seen is the consultant on the 10th of Nov, He just said what tests they are going to do and told me what tablets I will be taking, didn't explain any thing really
    • aneta28242
      aneta28242 trudy1854

      Posted

      Cheers! I feel so much better to know I'm not alone. My GP wants me to remain on the statins even though my cholesterol level is just ok. He says there are huge benefits to be had with statins. I'll go with it! I was given a booklet with lots of dietary info. when I left the hospital: it included details about reducing salt intake, staying rehydrated and having "5 a day". I've also not had any alcohol for the last month in order to let the pills do their job with my BP. Oh for a glass of red! Good luck seeing your GP on Friday. xx
    • trudy1854
      trudy1854 karen87871

      Posted

      No I was not told anything Karen, just given the pills to take but no explanation. Have you had any tests on your heart yet? I was told I needed to have an echo and 24 hour monitoring but as yet I have not had an appointment.
    • karen87871
      karen87871 trudy1854

      Posted

      No they don't really explain any thing, It's very matter of fact to them I suppose, I have had a 7 day loop Heart monitor, and my MRI but iam still waiting the echo! been 2 months now😳, no results for loop back yet.

      My GP didn't even bother to see me! I rang to explain my Anxietys and she offered me beta blockers on phone x

    • aneta28242
      aneta28242 trudy1854

      Posted

      Hi Trudy. I had a 24 hour heart monitor (19/Dec) but was told that I wouldn't get the results till my outpatient appointment (14/Jan) unless there was a problem. So I suppose that no news is good news. Could you ring and speak to your consultant's secretary to see if a letter could have got lost in the Christmas post?
    • aneta28242
      aneta28242 karen87871

      Posted

      Like you, I am finding the anxiety/worry/panic worse than the original TIA! Would it be worth making an appointment with your GP to talk everything through face to face? xx
    • karen87871
      karen87871 aneta28242

      Posted

      Yes aneta, I was thinking of doing that, Because I have things I would like to ask them, just purely like I keep getting tingling in my left hand, and wondered if that was normal, Lots of little things I would like to know, I haven't had an outpatient letter, The only thing I have seen is a pp letter to me for which the consultant sent to my doctor, telling them my treatment, If you don't mind me asking how old are you and where abouts do you live? Xx
    • aneta28242
      aneta28242 karen87871

      Posted

      I get tingly fingers too but put it down to age! (60) Sounds good to make a list of questions to take when you see your GP 'cos it's the little things that cause the worry. Let me know how your appointment goes. xx
    • julie007
      julie007 aneta28242

      Posted

      I am a 61 yr old woman and in November when it hit pretty hard I was absolutely terrified when your body is getting spasms and jumping and your mind can't stop it. My right side of the lip is still drooling. I saw a pulmonary specialist on Tuesday and he said oh you have a wandering eye. I wanted to burst out crying. I also have an upcoming appointment with a cardiovascular surgeon. The blood clot dislodged from my heart sending it through the left side of my brain, hence the right side problems. Also am dealing with peripheral artery disease. I am freaking out all the time. I can not believe how the doctor told me, upon discharge that this can happen again at any time, scared me so much I think it stressed me out even more. And the #1 thing not to do is become stressed. Go figure. I am new to this forum but from what I've read, we all feel that same fear. Just want to feel better. Julie

    • trudy1854
      trudy1854 julie007

      Posted

      Hi Julie oh you are going through a lot, I feel for you. I will be 61 next week and was looking forward to retiring in 3 years now I have been off work for 7 weeks and find it hard to think that I will be able to go back and do my job but need to stay positive. I have had 3 small strokes and the first thing the doctor said to me is you will be waiting for the big one, not something I wanted to think about. I hope you feel better soon. Which part of the country are you in? xx
    • julie007
      julie007 trudy1854

      Posted

      Hi Trudy, I am in California. Wow you are having it very hard too. I am so upset wheh the Drs tell us wait fir the big one. What the hell do they think we are VOLCANOS , FAULT LIINES. Unbelievable. I can not be myself in fear of setting myself off. Please keep me updated on your health. I am so happy to have found this forum. Julie

    • trudy1854
      trudy1854 julie007

      Posted

      Hi Julie, yes feeling like a volcano is a very apt description, just waiting to erupt. I did not realize that this site was world wide but I am pleased you found it. I am in England. I know what you mean about not being yourself, you are more nervous about doing things which you would have thought nothing about prior to this happening. I have a droopy right eye which has made my vision blurry in that eye and when I mentioned to a friend that I was going to take my car she said that was not a good idea with impaired vision, she is right, of course, but I so much wanted to start feeling independent again. Take care xx
    • julie007
      julie007 trudy1854

      Posted

      Hi Trudy, so sorry about the impaired eye sight. I know how you feel when you want to drive your car. We really need to keep our independence. I myself just today received a walker with a seat and brakes. I do have an electric chair but I use it when I will have to be going somewhere with a lot of walking. I do know being mobile is very important to reduce the chance of another one happening. I enjoy walking around the neighborhood with my husband in the early evening. So glad to see you are in England. Beautiful land, culture, and my favorite History. Please keep me up on how you are feeling. I wish you Good Health Trudy. Julie
    • Phantom309
      Phantom309 karen87871

      Posted

      Hi Karen I had TIA in November and also having tingling in my left hand through the night. I am due to see consultant on Thursday this week and keen to find out how much exercise I am supposed to do. I have had no guidance on diet either. Would appreciate any advice from anyone. I am 53.  
    • karen87871
      karen87871 Phantom309

      Posted

      Yes it's weird that tingling, I get it in my foot sometimes let me know what they say, Apart from that how are you, I am also 53, I am yet to see my consultant for follow up, I was not told any exersice, what I should eat or anything, they put me on blood thinners and stattins, they sent letter to me that that sent to my GP rand it said I need bloods done in 3 months and I have to get my Cholesterol Dow from 3.4 to2 didn't tell me how tho, did they say what caused yours xxxx
    • Phantom309
      Phantom309 karen87871

      Posted

      I have also been put on blood thinners and a statin and had BP 24 hr monitoring which is still high 190/100 with increased ramapril to 10mg. Hope to get BP under control as I'm feeling a bit anxious. I have been having blurred vision in mornings recently and will report that tomorrow when I see consultant. They said mine was caused by plaque in carotid artery. Xxxx
    • karen87871
      karen87871 Phantom309

      Posted

      Think my BP must be fine! as they never mentioned that! I have a fast heart beat occ, but I think that's white coat syndrome! had a 7 day loop for that, seemed ok they said unremarkable, I smoked and ate a lot of crap, so I don't know what caused mine, My Doppler on neck arteries were fine, are you having them operated on xxx
    • karen87871
      karen87871

      Posted

      Oh and also stattins can cause tingling, in fact stattins can cause a lot, I'm hoping I don't have to always take them, they make my legs ache xx
    • Celoril
      Celoril karen87871

      Posted

      Hi Karen im new to the group...had my TIA last week..i am english 57 but i live in the states...i had hospital stay 4 days and all the tests done..found blocked carotid artery...so now ive come home with all the medication and like a few others got told im waiting for the big one...scary...and im very anxious..i dont get my full insurance through for 6 weeks so im waiting to see my own doctor..so in the mean time im sticking to the diet no smoking..and my bp has come down a great deal also the swelling of my kneck on my left side has gone down..but i get tingling to...so i see im not alone..but what worries me is nearly everyone here has either had another TIA or stroke or heart attack which is very scary isnt it...it sure is pleasing to see im not alone in my fears..but worrying that so many of us are suffering this way with no actual info on what to do or how to feel after...i have become a nervous wreck and very snappy...but i suppose thats normal..anyway hope to hear from you all and i wish us all speedy recovery and if i hear anything on our illness i will post for definate...ty kind regards xxxx
    • trudy1854
      trudy1854 Celoril

      Posted

      Hi Celoril, thats an unusual name. I had a stroke back in november and am slowly getting better. Try not to think about having another stroke as I was doing that and getting myself really worked up. You need to stay positive, I know it's hard. What medication are you on? It must be hard being in the states at this time, I thank the Lord for the nhs apart from the time it takes to get seen. I have still not returned to work yet as I have developed a stammer, and as I work in a call centre this is not good, I also have a droopy eye and like you I am still tired and weak, I have been taking walks every day to try and improve my energy but it is hard to get motivated. I hope you start to feel a bit better soon try and understand that this will take time and do not rush into anything. xx
    • karen87871
      karen87871 Celoril

      Posted

      Hi Celoril, Sorry to hear about your TIA, Well at least you know it's the cartoid artery, which can be put right, Make sure you take your tablets, I still dint know what caused mine, I'm waiting on one more heart test, my cholesterol was high, but I'm working on that.

      I too have stopped smoking and changed my diet, 

      Yes I know what you mean about another stroke, But I have now resigned myself, that the thousands of people that have had TIAS whom are not on this site, Probably never had another one, I know of 2 people one had one 10 years ago and one 8 years ago and they never had another one, It is very early days for you and I am afraid them feelings are normal, Think of it as a warning, and thankfully you are being treated, Mine was 3 months ago, I am back at work, I still have days where I think of it, but it's not constant now.

      It is a massive thing to happen and very scary, what medication are you on, 

      xx

    • karen87871
      karen87871 trudy1854

      Posted

      Hi Trudy I rang the docs and he said that I got my bad  cholesterol down from 3.4 to 1.9, which is where they want it to be, I said I don't like the stattins he just said better to have aches in legs than a stroke!!, couldn't really answer that 

      xx

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