Had a small stroke -doing well

[Saxum]

Two spots saw in right hemisphere attributing to numbness and lack of muscle control in left hand (mostly) and arm.

 

Excuse witting  - I can really only effectively use right hand.

 

I was kept overnight for observations and tests.  Issues appears to be viscosity of my blood with large amount of platelets  

They wanted to keep me overnight for one remaining test but roommate was driving me crazy with visitors until 11 PM constantly and soccer game on TV constantly,  He seemed to trying to run his business from hotel with constant phone calls allowing me no rest so I forced issue stating it is my choice if I wish to be discharged,

 

I will need to go to rehap for left arm and cannot work currently.  Can not understand complicated documents like medical ones. I cannot write well and clear enough for job.  I have much time off built up. Waiting for medication - I specifically asked for written prescriptions(and obtained) so I could take them to pharmacy which had them in stock but hospital sent to mail order pharmacy instead,  I believe since same person who gave me prescriptions called in that it was intentional because i pushed myself ouit.

 

 

Results:

 

Cholesterol is down to 200 from 300 and all checks on blockages good

 

FINDINGS:

 

Left carotid artery:

• Peak systolic CCA velocity is 88 cm/sec.
• End diastolic CCA velocity is 31 cm/sec.
• Peak systolic ICA velocity is 70 cm/sec.
• End diastolic ICA velocity is 38 cm/sec.
• Peak systolic ECA velocity is 127 cm/sec.
• End diastolic ECA velocity is 29 cm/sec.

 

• Left common carotid artery plaque: None
• Left internal carotid artery plaque: Minimal amount of homogeneous
• atherosclerotic plaque is present. By morphologic and velocity criteria,
• the degree of associated stenosis is less than or equal to 50%
• Left external carotid artery plaque: None

 

Right carotid artery:

• Peak systolic CCA velocity is 83 cm/sec.
• End diastolic CCA velocity is 28 cm/sec.
• Peak systolic ICA velocity is 72 cm/sec.
• End diastolic ICA velocity is 36 cm/sec.
• Peak systolic ECA velocity is 133 cm/sec.
• End diastolic ECA velocity is 26 cm/sec.

 

Right common carotid artery plaque: Minimal amount of homogeneous atherosclerotic plaque is present without associated stenosis.

Right internal carotid artery plaque: Minimal amount of homogeneous atherosclerotic plaque is present. By morphologic and velocity criteria,

the degree of associated stenosis is less than or equal to 50%

Right external carotid artery plaque: None

 

Vertebral artery flow is antegrade bilaterally..

 

IMPRESSION:

 

1. Left internal carotid artery stenosis in the range of less than or equal to 50%.

2. Right internal carotid artery stenosis in the range of less than or equal to 50%.

3. Antegrade vertebral flow bilaterally

Edited March 8 by Punching Bag

[muppy]

 

 

Wow 

 

so sorry to read. Take best care.

 

Please change the thread title to be less confusing. I figured it was what you meant but still. Thanks.

[Saxum]

8 minutes ago, muppy said:

 

 

Wow 

 

so sorry to read. Take best care.

 

Please change the thread title to be less confusing. I figured it was what you meant but still. Thanks.

 

Done.  Typing for me sometimes is hard.

[muppy]

Just now, Punching Bag said:

 

Done.  Typing for me sometimes is hard.

no worries mate. We are glad you are here to type Period. God Bless you and again please take best care. Obey your Doctors!

 

 🌻

[Gregg]

Best of luck in regaining your full health.

[Bob Jones]

I'm glad that you're OK, and hope that going forward, you make it through without any big complications.

 

As someone who is now 60+, my biggest fear/concern about life is my health, and how basically at any moment my life can be drastically changed in an instant.

[Mr Info]

Thank you for the details and hope you recover quickly. I have a question but reply if you want.

Were you taking statins and/or aspirin regularly prior to this occurring?

[Doc]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[boyst]

Hope for a full recovery! Get well. 

[Saxum]

59 minutes ago, Mr Info said:

Thank you for the details and hope you recover quickly. I have a question but reply if you want.

Were you taking statins and/or aspirin regularly prior to this occurring?

 

statins yes and hospital raised from 20 mg ro 40 mg.

aspirin no, allergy. Hospital gave me aspirin when there and would give me anti-nausea medication if needed.  Hospital gave me supersize aspirin to take at him and no anti-nausea  medication.

 

Trying to call hospital to schedule follow-up appointment with neurologist and each time I get to appointment desk it hangs up after waiting 1-20 minutes.

I guess this as part of their "award winning service".  One time they gave me survey withour talking to anyone and then hung me up.

I have become  debbie downer on INOVA hospital system.

[BuffaloBill]

20 hours ago, Gregg said:

Best of luck in regaining your full health.

 

 

Ditto^^^^^^

 

Glad to read that you are started on the road to recovery.

 

Prayers for you.

[Saxum]

Biggest problem is outpatient discharge instructions.

 

It says to contact doctor's office and set up follow-up appointment.

When I call I am told after being disconnected 10 times after waiting to speak to someone told they have no idea who he is.

I call back discharge coordinator and she gets same thing - no idea who he is.

It is the doctor who did my evaluation and they MEANT call neurology department and schedule with whomever is available - doctor who did it and on instructions does not have office hours.

 

It says it is very important to start all medicine immediately.  I anticipated this. I asked for all written instructions so I could confirm pharmacy would have medication in stock. They choose to send most important (ant-clogging) medication to mail order pharmacy who is taking two weeks.

 

They instruct me to get follow-up appointment with personal physician with three days - they do not check if he has appointments available or even in town.

 

The discharge papers are a hodgepodge of stuff from electronic systems including future appointments and they are overriding medication my regular specialists (i.e. endocrinologist) have subscribed.

 

Mistakes just repeat  until end of document and someone recovering from a stroke is supposed to figure this out.

 

[Wacka]

 crying.

 

The high bp damage my kidney which led to me now needing dialysis/a transplant. started testing in July and  got on th etransplant list in mid Jan.  Had abdominal catheter surgery scheduled for mar 11 for dialysis (this coming Monday0. Got a call on Valentines day and got the kidney the next morning. In ICU a week. then 2 weeks in ECMC remal for. Today is my first full day in rehab.

Edited March 9 by Wacka

[muppy]

6 minutes ago, Punching Bag said:

Biggest problem is outpatient discharge instructions.

 

It says to contact doctor's office and set up follow-up appointment.

When I call I am told after being disconnected 10 times after waiting to speak to someone told they have no idea who he is.

I call back discharge coordinator and she gets same thing - no idea who he is.

It is the doctor who did my evaluation and they MEANT call neurology department and schedule with whomever is available - doctor who did it and on instructions does not have office hours.

 

It says it is very important to start all medicine immediately.  I anticipated this. I asked for all written instructions so I could confirm pharmacy would have medication in stock. They choose to send most important (ant-clogging) medication to mail order pharmacy who is taking two weeks.

 

They instruct me to get follow-up appointment with personal physician with three days - they do not check if he has appointments available or even in town.

 

The discharge papers are a hodgepodge of stuff from electronic systems including future appointments and they are overriding medication my regular specialists (i.e. endocrinologist) have subscribed.

 

Mistakes just repeat  until end of document and someone recovering from a stroke is supposed to figure this out.

 

it sounds as if you will be your own best advocate. Which is  PRIMO. I will keep your recovery in my prayers. as well as @Wacka . You've got this. Try not to stress. Easy for me to say. God Bless you brother.  One step at a time.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

7 minutes ago, Punching Bag said:

Mistakes just repeat  until end of document and someone recovering from a stroke is supposed to figure this out.

 

That's why they're billing you for 'cognitive therapy'.  The mental gymnastics required to figure this out.  It is good to hear that you're getting better.

[Saxum]

3 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

That's why they're billing you for 'cognitive therapy'.  The mental gymnastics required to figure this out.  It is good to hear that you're getting better.

 

I was told I need therapy - no instructions or notes for therapist just get one near home.

[WhoTom]

Best of luck moving forward.

 

 

[boater]

Did they call it a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)?

 

Or a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), a.k.a. Stroke?

 

I had a stroke at the young age of 34. I went home after 4 days, the residual effects lasted about 6 months. Many years later I have no effects, it just shows on my MRIs. There's a good chance you could emerge from this relatively unscathed, hopefully.

 

Due to brain fog, I maintained a written TO DO list to take of post-discharge items. Yours sounds more complicated than mine.

 

Good Luck!

[The Jokeman]

I wish you well. My mom had a stroke in October 2022. Fortunately for she was able to maintain her ability to walk and talk.

 

Although she did go through speech therapy to help her "find her words". Yet she's struggles with memory aphasia and since she is alone have hired someone to assist her maintaining her house, local meals on wheels, I pay her bills, and use senior busing/Uber to get her to medical appointments.

Edited March 10 by The Jokeman

[Saxum]

Issue on stoke was determined to not be heart clogged or problem with blood not getting to brain via neck which are most common causes. Stroke Doctor thinks it could be piece of plaque which broke off and went to brain or heart rhythm issue. Doctor recommended specialist insert device size of quarter to be implanted under skin (outpatient) and for five years monitor and transmit it to hospital where it will be monitored.