Hello, I’m new here and trying to navigate the technology.
My husband had a suspected TIA just before last Christmas and has been discharged from the hospital after they couldn’t find any issues other than elevated triglyceride levels.
He’s still not particularly well and I think he’s had more than one TIA recently but he hasn’t sought help. This is difficult to deal with as I have a number of chronic health issues to manage myself and haven’t been able to work.
I’m shocked that the hospital didn’t offer any advice going forward e.g. this site or counselling etc. It’s been hard on both of us.
Any advice would be great. We’re both new to this.
@Worriedlilwifey hi welcome to our forum I’m sorry you’ve had to join us and sorry about your husband.
Did he have an MRI head scan? Sometimes a CT scan misses the stoke if it’s at the back of your head.
You should ask your Gp for counselling they cannot refuse they will send a referral then you will go on a list (as usual) you will have to be pushy as I’ve found recently doctors are sitting back until as the patient (me) forces the issues of what I want to happen.
You could ring the stroke association they were fantastic helping me.
Yes, MBH (My Better Half) had the works; CT, MRI, 24 hr heart monitor and they took about 10 vials of blood from him.
I’ll speak with him about contacting the GP for counselling. I just hope they don’t just bung him on one of those one-size fits all programmes. Thank you for the advice.
@Worriedlilwifey welcome although sorry you’ve had cause to join us.
If you suspect your husband has had some more TIAs recently he should really see his GP to get referred into the TIA clinic. TIAs are a warning sign & should not be ignored. If you think he’s having another TIA you should call 999.
Call the stroke association helpline too as they can advise you on all the things that should be being done. Also look up the NICE guidelines as that specifies what should be done too.
Contact your GP to see if they can get some hrlp for you too as you also have a lot to deal with.
@Worriedlilwifey if you give the stroke association a ring. They will give you advice and call you on a weekly basis it’s just like counselling. They were brilliant helping me come to terms with my cerebellar stroke. Good luck x
I have had this conversation with MBH (My Better Half) on more than one occasion and he’s not done anything. I don’t know what I can do apart from calling on his behalf but ultimately the surgery won’t talk to me as I’m not him.
My husband is just like that too. Sometimes you can ring the GP & ask if they’ll call him. But not all GPs will do that. You could see your own GP & just talk to them about how you’re feeling & register yourself as his carer.
If you can type a letter from your husband and get him to sign it, and put it into your G.P Surgery, they are obliged to speak to you. Also agreeing with everyone else, contact the Stroke Association they are very helpful.
Thinking of you, Jane.
I think MBH had a bit of an epiphany yesterday and has accepted he probably has had another TIA. He tried to contact the TIA clinic but his messages kept being bounced back. He’s contacting the GP himself today, or so he says.
Thank you, some great suggestions here. I wouldn’t be able to join the Zoom as Thursdays are out for me but I’ll definitely be in touch with the others. You’ve all been so helpful, I’m quite overwhelmed.
I think that’s a brilliant idea. Econsult, email and messaging are no longer being used by our surgery and the only way to reach them now is by phone. Invariably that’s engaged so yes, I think snail mail would be better. It always worked in the past.
Update: We’re in A&E waiting room. MBH called the GP and he promptly sent us here. Unsure why he didn’t refer immediately to the TIA clinic but we’re further forward than before. Thanks everyone for your help and advice xx
Remember too: stuff generally gets better, it generally is less pessimistic than the med staff say, it takes 5 times longer than you think, everyone has to work for the improvements, improvements only stop if effort stops, there’s likely to be further setbacks and wins - be sure to focus on the wins, you will BOTH benefit from all the support you can get from where ever you find sources, explain to family & friends (and recognise they won’t truly ‘get it’ but they’ll have more idea of they have had chance to ask & listen, we the community are still here when needed
