Hi. Exactly 4 weeks ago I had a TIA and went through the whole A&E experience and then the Stroke Unit for 48 hours. I came home with a bag of medication.......................... Clopidogrel, Amlodipine, Paroxetine, Aspirin & Atorvastatin. I have tried really hard to reduce my risk of another Tia or full blown stroke by not having any salt or saturated fats, having a much healthier diet, no alcohol, gently exercise and my blood pressure is now down to 120ish over 70ish! I know I should be pleased and able to get on with my life but I feel like a time bomb waiting to go off! I am extremely "bodily aware" and notice every twinge, ache and pain. It is making me nervous and scared that it will happen again. I'm probably being really stupid winding myself up like this. Am I normal to feel like this and how can I stop it? Advice/support would be appreciated please! Cheers.
Hi Confidence will return but does not happen overnight.It been nearly 6 months since my TIA and I notice the slightest body change but learning to carry on with a normal life. Your blood pessure is good, so pills are working. 1st month is up so can return to driving (if you drive). Go and enjoy life and stop worrying. Have a chat with your GP.
Bless you! It's good to know that somebody else notices every body twinge and that it is ok. I'd forgotten about driving! That will help no doubt!
Many thanks.
Absolute Ditto,
Sorry I sent that to quick, I would say that you are normal, I thought I had wrote that myself, if I didn't know better, Except I'm trying to give up smoking too,
I had to get some beta blockers of the doctor for my panic attacks, Mainly happens when I'm relaxing or at bed time, I had mine 8 weeks ago and it gets better every day, I have episodes where is forget about it now for a while instead before it was constant I couldn't of told you what had happened in East Enders even tho I had sat and watched the whole episode, I couldn't take any thing in, I do think these are good sites to help everyone but I also think they are a bit daunting, nearly everyone who has had aTIA or stroke have more or a heart attack, That alone is scarey, poor people
xxx
Hi Aneta, I feel the same as you, my family doctor actually said to me that you are waiting for the big one, I realised then that this was normal.I smoked cigarettes for 42 years but gave up 15 months ago, I do not drink or eat fatty food. My blood pressure was not the cause as I was told I have the blood pressure of an 18 year old, good to know when you are 60. They have put me on statins which I know is for cholesterol but I have not been given any dietary advice, I am seeing my own doctor next friday and a consultant on the 29th I will hopefully get some answers then. Rest assured you are not on your own.x
Did they tell you you had a high cholesterol? Mine was border high, 3.5 and in a copy of a letter sent to my GP it said I need to get it down to 2, I wasn't given any advice either, the only person I have seen is the consultant on the 10th of Nov, He just said what tests they are going to do and told me what tablets I will be taking, didn't explain any thing really
Cheers! I feel so much better to know I'm not alone. My GP wants me to remain on the statins even though my cholesterol level is just ok. He says there are huge benefits to be had with statins. I'll go with it! I was given a booklet with lots of dietary info. when I left the hospital: it included details about reducing salt intake, staying rehydrated and having "5 a day". I've also not had any alcohol for the last month in order to let the pills do their job with my BP. Oh for a glass of red! Good luck seeing your GP on Friday. xx
No I was not told anything Karen, just given the pills to take but no explanation. Have you had any tests on your heart yet? I was told I needed to have an echo and 24 hour monitoring but as yet I have not had an appointment.
No they don't really explain any thing, It's very matter of fact to them I suppose, I have had a 7 day loop Heart monitor, and my MRI but iam still waiting the echo! been 2 months now😳, no results for loop back yet.
My GP didn't even bother to see me! I rang to explain my Anxietys and she offered me beta blockers on phone x
Hi Trudy. I had a 24 hour heart monitor (19/Dec) but was told that I wouldn't get the results till my outpatient appointment (14/Jan) unless there was a problem. So I suppose that no news is good news. Could you ring and speak to your consultant's secretary to see if a letter could have got lost in the Christmas post?
Like you, I am finding the anxiety/worry/panic worse than the original TIA! Would it be worth making an appointment with your GP to talk everything through face to face? xx
Yes aneta, I was thinking of doing that, Because I have things I would like to ask them, just purely like I keep getting tingling in my left hand, and wondered if that was normal, Lots of little things I would like to know, I haven't had an outpatient letter, The only thing I have seen is a pp letter to me for which the consultant sent to my doctor, telling them my treatment, If you don't mind me asking how old are you and where abouts do you live? Xx
I get tingly fingers too but put it down to age! (60) Sounds good to make a list of questions to take when you see your GP 'cos it's the little things that cause the worry. Let me know how your appointment goes. xx
You are not alone
I had one in November and still have blurred vision in right eye. I am so paranoid re: the symptoms to look out for.It does make us sound like a time bomb.
I too had mine in November, I find it gets a little better every day, I'm not thinking of it 24/7, although still every twinge I think it is it
No fun at all
I am a 61 yr old woman and in November when it hit pretty hard I was absolutely terrified when your body is getting spasms and jumping and your mind can't stop it. My right side of the lip is still drooling. I saw a pulmonary specialist on Tuesday and he said oh you have a wandering eye. I wanted to burst out crying. I also have an upcoming appointment with a cardiovascular surgeon. The blood clot dislodged from my heart sending it through the left side of my brain, hence the right side problems. Also am dealing with peripheral artery disease. I am freaking out all the time. I can not believe how the doctor told me, upon discharge that this can happen again at any time, scared me so much I think it stressed me out even more. And the #1 thing not to do is become stressed. Go figure. I am new to this forum but from what I've read, we all feel that same fear. Just want to feel better. Julie
Hope all is well with you. It really is unnerving to have this illness. Keep me updated on your recovery. Julie
Will do, I have yet to be told why I had one, I haven't had any follow up appointments yet, I am still waiting for echocardiogram appointment, So I'm none the wiser, They didn't tell me any thing, I read it all up for myself.
xx
Hi Julie oh you are going through a lot, I feel for you. I will be 61 next week and was looking forward to retiring in 3 years now I have been off work for 7 weeks and find it hard to think that I will be able to go back and do my job but need to stay positive. I have had 3 small strokes and the first thing the doctor said to me is you will be waiting for the big one, not something I wanted to think about. I hope you feel better soon. Which part of the country are you in? xx