I’m after some advice / support please. I’ve had two episodes 13/9/22 and 18/9/22. Initially suspected to be TIAs but as I still have symptoms I was starting to suspect the second episode to have been a stroke.
I’ve just got a letter through with my MRI result, which I’ve been chasing for weeks. The letter basically states that MRI was “essentially normal” and they would discuss it further at my phone consultation in late November but to speak to my GP for further support. I’ve had no follow up since my discharge where they brushed it off as a migraine due to my age.
Symptoms I have been left with are: fatigue, brain fog, inability to multi task, weakness in my left hand, my left hand naturally wants to rest in a tight fist position and my forearm muscles all feel right, vertigo, double vision at times and my blood pressure is unstable.
My questions are:
Where do I go from here?
What questions do I need to ask at my consultation/GP?
Would a stroke ever not show on an MRI?
Any ideas what else it would be?
Thank you, as you can tell I’m very anxious and frustrated x
@danielle.gowran an MRI would usually pick up changes related to stroke but there is always a chance it could have been missed. A 2nd MRI may be useful.
Your symptoms do sound like stroke symptoms but there is a condition called Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) that can mimic stroke symptoms. I’m sure there are others too.
Anxiety can cause a whole range of symptoms so its worth trying to keep yourself as stress & anxiety free as possible.
The best advice I can give you is to discuss the MRI findings with your GP whilst you wait for your consultation at end November.
One of the things you should ask is whether they think it is a stroke & if not a stroke then you need to ask what could be causing these symptoms instead. Ask what further tests you need.
Hope this helps a bit. We’re not medically trained though so please do speak to your GP.
An MRI is usually accurate in picking up on strokes, but I’m not medically savvy enough to say for sure. Go and see your GP and explain your symptoms.
There are types of migraine that mimic stroke symptoms, but your GP can explain that.
Good luck
Minnie
Thanks everyone! Yeah, ive spoken to my GP this afternoon but I value your experiences in these situations. The after care and follow ups are none existent, which is very frustrating as I work for the NHS and I just can’t understand it.
My GP couldn’t answer any of my questions but has requested a further MRI, another ECG and a 24 hour BP monitor. He said he couldn’t view the MRI report but just the letter from the consultant and he doesn’t know what he means by essentially normal.
Trying my best to not let it affect me too much, I’m still less stressed than I was at work, so that’s something! Haha!
My consultant phone call follow up isn’t till 29th November
@danielle.gowran you’ve got to love these consultant letters. glad your GP has requested some further tests. Hopefully that will reassure you a bit.
29th Nov is a while away but will be here before you know it. Use the time now to write down all your questions so you’re prepared & can make best use of that call.
Best wishes.
Hi
Looks like your GP is on the ball. My stoke was at the back of brain. I got discharged from hospital early sep without seeing anyone from stroke team. Got appt for… 8 march 2023! Went to gp with loads of questions and she said " well im not a stroke specialist. So now looking how i go private. Have gad 24 hr ecg and heart doppler but no results of tests.
I think your GP has done right thing of getting more tests so you get the reassurance you deserve. Good luck!
Thank you, yes I feel luckier than a lot of people here for the follow up I’m getting. I just wish I knew what was wrong, so I could start an action plan for getting better.
I will write my questions down cause I always forget something, especially now I feel so scatter brained x
Your symptoms sound like they could be stroke related to me,but you need to consult a doctor and probably have another scan.
I had an incident in late 2009 which affected my eyesight and had an MRI scan which was negative.
A few months later in 2010 my doctor referred me to the National Hospital for Neurology and the consultant diagnosed a small stroke and confirmed his diagnosis with another MRI scan,this time using a highlighting dye and this
showed a small stroke (non life threatening) which had affected my balance and eyesight.
Write down your questions for the doctor so that you do not forget to ask them .
Thank you, I feel as though a stroke is the only thing that makes sense to explain how I felt at the time and how I feel now. I can’t help but feel if I was older, I would be taken more seriously too
Hi Danielle ,so sorry you’re feeling anxious etc. I think i am lucky i live close to N.Tees and James Cook hospitals .
I had a TIA in May , weak left arm and grip and high BP the following morning .
On the Friday at N.Tees stroke dept. i had an ESG, Ultrasound which were not conclusive.
However the MRI scan at 1630 was conclusive , and a TIA was confirmed at 1700.
Try not to worry , i have been on meds since May , also my specialist at N.Tees had a 24hour hear tape strapped to me for 24hours , no Atrial Fibbrilation or irregularities.
I feel essentially normal now , i had fatigue,headaches for the first couple of months.
My BP and Cholestorol are normal now .With the meds i am still taking.
Don’t worry they will get to the bottom of this . You will be ok .
Hi Danielle also some people need an op on a neck artery to clear plaque , from the MRI scan.
However the surgeon will decide if an op is necessary , for myself not necessay , the medication was sufficient for myself.
Again they will decide from a second MRI etc. and treat you . Try not to worry or to get stressed.
Hi Danielle,
You are very welcome . I have not had a holiday in 3 years , I have just had travel insurance quotes , the best quote was from LV insurance £241 for a month.
A couple of questions e.g.no episodes in 6 months.
Also have I been checked for Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).
Hi Danielle i had a stroke in august my symptons are quite mild compared to alot of peoples but are very similar to yours i too have a hand that is tight when resting but it now feels comfortable like that im still chasing results dont give up and keep asking questions
The 29th felt forever away but it’s getting closer and closer now, I’m getting my list of questions ready. I just hope I get at least some answers at this time. Waiting for further MRIs but my trusts machine was broke so goodness knows when I will get that appointment. Thank you for your reassurance and sharing your experience x
