Posted on 10/18/2020 5:47:49 PM PDT by magna carta
Mid-August my husband had a stroke. He tried to speak to me first thing on a Monday morn but no words came out. We both figured out what was probably happening but we were still uncertain as he had no other symptoms. My husband talked me out of ER or ambulance & I ended up squeezing him into an appointment with my cardiologist. He got tested carotid, echo,EKG, heart monitoring service and Dr ended up keeping him on 325 & a statin. Then a week ago, he began to notice a cloud or obstruction in his upper vision on the left eye. Got him to an opthalmologist pretty quickly & she in turn referred us to a top notch retina specialist (Greek guy) and he took more photos and determined that he had a stroke in the left eye. Again no drama at home or loss of his body muscles or drooping face. He only will lose a small section of his upper field of vision. Greek dr said you need to get on blood thinners and said that he would like to recommend that the carotid test be redone and perhaps a better test like an MRA. This dr seemed to be quite concerned that the source was yet to be found & seemed to hint there could be more to come.He gave my husband instructions should he detect something going on with his eye and how to push it hard into his eye socket to short circuit the blood clot... We will go see a neurologist for the first time Tuesday. I am hoping some of you can share your knowledge on this topic. I'm walking on eggshells but do not want to panic my husband. I am grateful for prayers & stroke wisdom. Wonder if its possible to find & fix problem & be done with strokes... we have been very lucky so far & my husband is such a sweet man. Do not know what I would do without him. Grateful to all.
IF he ever has a stroke or signs of a stroke, don't hesitate to get him to the hospital. From what I've read if you can get there within three hours there is medicine they can give to help alleviate the symptoms.
Hope all continues well for ya'll.
Prayers are up
No wisdom for you, I guess...but ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS call an ambulance and go to the ER with a stroke.
They can give you meds to clear the clot, but the effective time is limited. I worked at one of the best “stroke” ERs in the country. They could save people who would die in other hospitals.
The WORST thing to do is ignore it or put it off.
Wife had a mini stroke in March. Our son has had some so I knew what to look for. We were in the car on the way to the ER immediately and it turned out fine as they got on it right away.
Any sign of a stroke, get to the ER.
I’m sure you know the quick tests you give someone to see if they are having a stroke. If not, learn them. Easy to do.
I am no expert but I think you should take him to the ER and they will run all the tests / scans etc. right there in one day that would otherwise take weeks to schedule this one and that one and coordinate in the Outpatient setting. Strokes have affected many of my close friends and family. There is a lot they can do before it happens to stave it off but not much after which is why I am saying this. All strokes are different, too. Again, I’m not expert.
Prayers up.
I don’t want to panic you, but oxygen deprivation-related brain damage is not reversible. Maybe at some future point, when medical care progresses beyond what we have today. With strokes, I have heard time is of the essence. Since you will be providing a good bit of his home care if things go sideways, you’ll want to be proactive on this. If the blood thinners he was presumably prescribed aren’t doing the trick, maybe he needs stronger stuff. Get thee to the ER, and may the Big Guy upstairs intervene as necessary.
Prayers for a full recovery! Any symptoms and force him to go to an ER without delay!
Yes-without a doubt. In our case for whatever reason the damage to speech left after 5 days & his sight will not be seriously harmed. It’s weird when you learn there was a stroke after the fact as the symptom was fairly subtle.
I so appreciate the advice.
Thank you for posting your comment. Every minute counts with strokes, so call 911 if a stroke is even suspected. Could mean the difference between full recovery and lifelong disability.
https://greenmedicinenewsletter.com/articles/
There are a couple articles in this you may find helpful...I greatly respect Dr. Jonathan Wright.
Prayers for successful resolution of your husband’s issue.
yes I can see the benefit of that after our Tues. appt. I will see if we should just go to a stroke center.
We are cash pay also which is why we are trying to get the testing done on our own & hopefully get it done fast.
And, I agree with others...get to ER and get tests...then deal with future issues
If hubby is worried about infection, be aware that 100% of untreated stroke victims suffer brain damage. Whereas even for 75-80 year olds, 9 out of 10 patients survive the bug.
Both of my parents had them. My Dad's first one left him partially paralyzed on the left side of his body, but cognitive and the second one left him totally paralyzed on the left (including having to have a feeding tube inserted), but he was still cognitive. Physical malfunction, no brain dysfunction.
My Mother was the exact opposite. Upper middle brain blood vessel leak was the initial stroke and it caused gradual mental degradation (stroke related dementia) but no physical ability loss. Mini strokes later on sped up her decline. She couldn't use so much as a TV remote control but she was strong physically.
Not much help medically, I know, but your husband has you to help him.
Follow your doctors directions. Since strokes happen in different areas it's all you can do. It sounds like you have learned the signs of stroke already and you've taken him to the right specialists so far. You're doing well!
God bless and good luck.
She called and said tha she was trying to talk to Dad but couldn't get the words out.
I told my sisters to call the ambulance but like you they didn't.
My BIL, fortunately, got her there quickly.
I'm an EMT so I know that of which I speak.
Next time call the ambulance.
Don't know if she had an MRA but a Doppler ultrasound found a 99% blockage of the gight carotid.
Came through surgery with flying colors.
No after effects.
Thanks for posting. (prayer)
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
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