One week ago on Friday I took my partner to hospital as he was suffering from right arm heaviness. No other symptoms but something told me to take him to our local A&E. Following thorough neurological examinations and tests by an Advanced Nurse Practioner, an A&E Dr and two Stroke Consultants, a CT scan was done, a chest x-ray and bloods. CT scan clear. Chest x-ray clear. Full blood count fine, U/E's fine and liver function tests all normal. Cholesterol 5.6, Having an MRI done on 13th February. No other outward symtoms. Dr treating as if it is a minor postural circulatory stroke. My partner does not smoke, does not dring alcohol, is not overweight and eats a healthy diet. This has come as a bit of a shock. I am trying to be strong to support him and WE WILL get through this with help and maybe physiotherapy. He is not feeling himself and this episode has really knocked his confidence. He is a fit, healthy and extremely confident man with a strong constitution. I am doing as much research as I can but suppose I need to wait for a formal diagnosis first. The wind has been knocked out of my sails. I cannot rest and concentrate on anything until I know what we are dealing with. Any advice anyone can give would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Wait for the MRI. Strokes can happen to anyone, it doesn't matter how fit you are.
They will disorientate people, believe me, I had two months in hospital for a massive stroke (I would have been there longer if I had not demanded to be dischagred). Not a day goes by when I don't think about it. It sounds like they have taken it serioulsy and are running all the tests, some hospitals would send you home with some ibuprofen.
Hi my name is Steven I had an operative stroke I'm in excellent shape worked out everyday and sustained a major large stroke during an operation. Support is so important and physical therapy is also very important.
That's what made me laugh (my stroke was 18 months ago). They said i didn't qualify for physio (at the stroke hospital) even though I had spent most of the time in a wheelchair, and only through sheer grit and determination did I manage to walk out the general hospital with a stick rather than a chair. And that was only by disobeying the nurses and getting out of bed and trying to walk all the time (I fell over a fair few times).
The funny thing is, the stroke hospital sent em two different letters reminding to make an appointment at the job centre, about two months after I got out of hospital. I had to get my GP to organise physion, and where did I end up being sent? Yes, that;s right, to the stroke hospital, he could get me in there when they refused me.
Thankyou so much for taking the time to respond. Just the shock of it really. Hospital being very thorough which is a relief.
It could be worse. Imagine going to the doctors late one Friday afternoon, because you feel ill, a feeling you've never experienced in your life and your legs start to lose all control.
The wife drives you to the GP, he tells her, take him to the hospital, whilst I phone the bed mananger. He'll need an over night bag, because he won't be coming home, but take him straight to the hospital first.
I got to A&E and I don't think I got as far saying my second name, before two nurses grabbed me, helped me along the corridor and stuck me in a bed. The wife went to get my over night bag and I wasn't there when she got back, because they'd taken me for a CT scan, whcih showed a bleed on the brain.
They then told my wife when she came back, that I was going to have to go to a specialist hospital 10 miles away, but they wouldn't risk it, until they had brought the plasma for a blood plasma transfusion, whcih they did under GA.
The following day I awake to find myself in an ICU ward, a catheter on me, a cannular stuck in my arm, a drain on me, and about a week later they're giving me an enema. Along with about 10 different medications everyday.
So tell your husband, when he is feeling down, it could have been worse and to look on the bright side, not the negative side. Better to have a small warning one, that a massive one straight out of the blue.
I learn one thing at surround yourself with positive people and get the urgent help that needed positive thinking positive people around you.
My goodness you have been through hell. I know positive thinking is what will get us through. Perhaps this is a wake up call. Thanks for your help and advice.
Hi its Steven. May I ask where you guys are living ? I'm in Canada it's been really tough however where there's a will there's a way and there is a light at the end of the tunnel everything will work surrounding yourself with excellent positive people wll help so much
Hi Steven. We are in the UK. We getting prompt medical tests and treatment but unfortunately one week has felt like a month. I will keep you updated. Thanks a lot.
Sounds good. You guys take care and always stay hydrated take lots of vitamins and stay strong my UK friend.
Thankyou.
Hiya don't worry I'm sure he will be ok if they find anything on the mri they will give him medication and if needed physio there are lots of support groups out there so don't feel alone
Just another perspective... a weak arm only could be a sign of a pinched nerve root in the neck. I have had a stroke but also had neck nerve issues. I get a weak arm from post stroke issues and also from pressure on my ulnar nerve either in my neck or shoulder.
Thanks Joanne. He has already started with medication as a precautionary measure until we know what the formal diagnosis is.
Thanks for your post. I guess it is important to wait to get the MRI done and see what the results show. We then know exactly what we are dealing with.
TIA won't show on MRI. Just FYI. Neck nerve root issue may or may not. One other thing I have is called "hemiplegic migraine" and makes my arm weak, numb or very sensitive. Just another thought.
Thanks wdtony. The key symptoms my partner has is right arm heaviness, feeling like his throat is closing in at times and he says his right leg feels very very slightly clumpy. I want to make sure he gets all the right support and that may be through physio and speech therapist. I think one of the biggest issues for both of us is anxiety. When something is wrong our minds have a habit of running away with us and we end up imaging all sorts of things that then lead to severe anxiety. I am just glad the hospital are treating it seriously to eliminate anything serious. Thanks so much for your help.
Have they told you where the physio and speech therapy will take place? Such as, the local hospital or a specialist stroke hospital?
Neuro physio and normal physio are quite different. Tell him that the physio doesn't give you an easy ride, mine must have been about 5 stone when dripping wet, but she had me doing press ups on the floor.
Speech therapy makes you feel like a bit of a tit, repeating things over and over, having yourself recorded and then played back to you.
He will no doubt see a neuro consultant, because mine was more serious, I saw the Dr. Consultant and then the Mr. Consultant (neuro surgeon, they lose the title Dr. when they become a surgeon).
He may see a psychiatrist for a cognitive test, but the neuro consultant will run some basic cognitive tests, as well as physical.
Loss of use in the right arm and legs is quite normal. I had physio on my right arm, after I left hospital, because it was getting worse not better. My speech was really slurred when i came out, I only got therapy about 18 months later, when it had almost returned to normal.
I know this is hard, but try not to show anxiety, as this raises blood pressure, which is not good.
Hi there. Thanks for your message. The hospital have not said anything about physio or speech therapy yet. There has yet to be a formal diagnosis of minor postural circulatory stroke. The Dr wants the MRI to rule this out but I am also aware that the MRI may show up nothing at all. He can use his right arm ok and he has excellent grip and can hold things fine. He only noticed the heaviness when he lifted is right arm to brush his hair and after a little while he felt as though he could not hold his right arm upright any longer. At the moment it is the Stroke doctor who has requested the MRI and carried out the CT scan. I know an excellent Neuro surgeon who practices at our local private hospital. We may well go to see him when we get the MRI results. I think during the past week anxiety has got a hold and then all sorts of things enter your head. My husband has no speech difficulties at all. He just describes the feeling of his throat closing up and very, very infrequently he seems unable to get a word out because his mouth goes very dry. He knows what he wants to say but sometimes the word takes a second longer to get out. We are monitoring blood pressure and pulse rate twice daily, both of which have continually been in the normal range. In front of him, I am trying to carry on life normally as I do not want to raise is anxiety and stress levels.