Problem with left leg....TIA???

[Mary]

While it is true that individual TIAs leave minimal damage, repeated TIAs can add up to permanent damage.

Mary, I hope you will see your doctor to determine why you are having these. Was your INR above 2.5? If so, you need a workup to find out why these are happening. Having 2 TIAs in a few months is a huge risk factor for a stroke.

Marybeth and Al,
I have been following this thread closely and using what you've both said in my own situation.
I actually knew when the clot hit my brain. Looking back, I can pinpoint the very second it happened. I then had a very short amount of time before the weakness traveled to my hand and leg. I now recognize that I have experienced this same feeling several times this year, but there was no accompanying weakness in my extremities. I guess I was lucky!

Al,
I'm only on 81 mg of aspirin since I have not had replacement. However, after reading your post, I am being very careful about what I do. My blood pressure was high for me that day, and I had a nagging headache that came and went.
This morning I had a little bit of a headache, and I went to the school nurse who took my blood pressure. Sure enough, it was up. Although it's not as high as it was on Saturday, we decided I should come home and not risk it.
Thanks for reminding me that this is serious, and it is something I need to be aware of and acting upon.
Mary

 

[Mb]

Dear Mary:

Your post itself holds some interest. My husband's first two TIA's were prior to surgery. Both were while working, sitting at his desk. Visual problems only that we know about.

When he threw the microemboli to his feet, I am positive the first time was after he got VERY upset about something. Showed up the next day in his toes. I have noticed if he gets angry or upset about something, he really will not feel well the next day or so. He tries now to keep everything in perspective.-Marybeth
PS - Mary - please be careful.

 

[Mary]

Dear Mary:

Your post itself holds some interest. My husband's first two TIA's were prior to surgery. Both were while working, sitting at his desk. Visual problems only that we know about.

When he threw the microemboli to his feet, I am positive the first time was after he got VERY upset about something. Showed up the next day in his oes. I have noticed if he gets angry or upset about something, he really will not feel well the next day or so. He tries now to keep everything in perspective.-Marybeth
PS - Mary - please be careful.

Marybeth,
I had attributed "that feeling" to being a visual disturbance and had posted it on Sherry's visual disturbance thread (I think it was Sherry) last spring. Now I realize that the visual disturbance was probably a tiny emboli passing. As I think back, I recognize that I have had a fair number.
I also recognize that getting upset makes it more likely to bring an episode on.
I didn't work Monday due to the fear that I would have a confrontation with a student that might push my poor brain too hard. Although I have never had one occur during a confrontation, I have had problems on days that have been very stressful (including problems with students and administrators!)
Maybe will we figure all this out between us!
Mary

 

[Guest]

The first person with Purple Toes Syndrome that I treated was the husband of a medical malpractice attorney. I was pretty new in the field. I was scared. The doctor's referral asked that I get him stabilized and after awhile they would decide how much of his foot had to be amputated. With that prognosis, I figured that I couldn't fail!!.

We got his INR pretty well controlled and his foot began to clear up. Eventually everything healed except the tip of his middle toe. It died and fell off by itself. They were happy that he didn't lose his foot and didn't require surgery.

 

[Mb]

Dear Al:

My husband's INR was controlled both times it happened. The Dr.'s just kind of shrugged, and said "oh, it's from the coumaden". He did NOT have any permanent damage, but sure did take awahile for it to clear up.

Regarding the "visual distrubances". Wayne's most recent TIA was NOT the result of getting upset (I don't think). We were out in the afternoon, had a nice lunch, and we were going into a small gift shop in our small town, when he said he was going to go back to the car and sit down. When I came out, he asked if I would drive, at which point we talked about what was happening. He was at the end of it at this point, and refused to go to the ER. He also occassionally has the flashing light thing with his eyes. Probably happens a few times a year. I wonder if this is the same thing.
He did go to a stress management class offerend by the cardiac rehab folks, and that seems to help him manage a bit. My newest expression is "Is this the battlefied I want to die on?", and we both try to remember that we do not have to go to every fight we are invited to. -Marybeth
PS - What concerns me today, is that we are supposed to go on vacation next week.....Europe.

 

[Guest]

I'd go - hope it is a stress reliever.

I had a student once who was always trying to stir things up by making real off the wall statements. On her last day she said, "You weren't much fun. I'd say the most outrageous things and you wouldn't get mad." My reply, "I've been married longer than you've been alive. I know which battles are worth fighting." She just gave me a strange look.

 

[Mb]

Hello all:

Well, we are back from vacation, and Imust say for the most part, he did just fine. My daughter got those compression stockings for him for the flight, and they truly worked wonders,. Usually if we fly, his feet swell, and he has problems walking.

We did a lot of walking while away, and he was fine, as long as we didn;t have to do the stair thing. He does have problems issues climbing a ste of stairs. We had thought the metro would be great, forgetting that one has to go down flights of stairs......to get there, and you have to CLIMB a set of stairs to get out. We stopped using them, and took taxi's!!

He did NOT gain any weight (fluid) while away,but has gained 4lbs. this last 5 days or so. I think it will all settle out.......in a couple of days.

I am 95% sure at this point that he has had a small stroke. Between the brain scan, and the fact that the leg is no better....leads me to believe that it cannot be a pinched nerve, or anything like that, as he has NO pain anywhere, etc. etc. etc. - So, we will continue to pray, and see what His plan is for us. He has shown a light on our lives so far, and there is no reason to think that that light is dimming. - Marybeth

 

[Nancy]

I was wondering how your vacation went and have been thinking about you both.

I am so glad you were able to enjoy things without any additional problems. Nice to see your post.

 

[Mary]

Marybeth,
I'm glad you enjoyed the trip. My last TIA episode has brought me an early surgery date. I hope the replacement will put an end to them.
Mary