I've had a TIA/ mini stroke, any changes I should be making?
Discussion
It doesn't really matter if you consider 60 units a week in order to sleep at night a dependency or not (it is, and probably makes you more tired), your body won't be happy with it. I'd hate to see the state of your liver! It sounds like this was good wake up call to consider your lifestyle. No doubt your consultation will go through all this in the morning, anyway. Good luck
Firstly I'd like to wish you all the best Fermit. 
I had a TIA in 2006 (at 47) at the Royal Albert Hall when I had tickets for an Eric Clapton concert, but I was stumbling about when I left the Gents before we went to our seats - everyone just walked around me thinking I was p*ssed and giving me dirty looks, but Mrs Tidy knew I wasn't and I got taken to the First Aid room then off to hospital.
A few times I lost control of a couple of limbs which was really scary, as my Dad had a cerebral haemorrhage when he was 61 that left him unable to stand again - that really made me understand how frustrating that must have been for him.
Anyway after some tests I discovered my Cholesterol was less than 3 and I got put on 75mg Aspirins and Statins, but I stopped smoking and thankfully I've had no recurrence - so it can work out OK!
All the best.
I had a TIA in 2006 (at 47) at the Royal Albert Hall when I had tickets for an Eric Clapton concert, but I was stumbling about when I left the Gents before we went to our seats - everyone just walked around me thinking I was p*ssed and giving me dirty looks, but Mrs Tidy knew I wasn't and I got taken to the First Aid room then off to hospital.
A few times I lost control of a couple of limbs which was really scary, as my Dad had a cerebral haemorrhage when he was 61 that left him unable to stand again - that really made me understand how frustrating that must have been for him.
Anyway after some tests I discovered my Cholesterol was less than 3 and I got put on 75mg Aspirins and Statins, but I stopped smoking and thankfully I've had no recurrence - so it can work out OK!
All the best.
Wishing you the best Fermit. Some years back I had an episode at the end of a flight. Long week, slept all the way, on landing couldn't seem to get my head straight, couldn't remember phone PIN number. Got myself awake and operating, then drove home from Heathrow instead of seeking a medic, bloody idiot.
Long story short, GP sent me for a scan, which discovered a problem with carotid artery, which turned out was a combination of something I'd probably had all my life but not known about made worse by a bit of furring up that we all get as we get older. Straight in for an operation, corrected both issues, stayed in only one night, kicked out 24 hours later with a wicked looking scar up my neck. NHS doing what it does. Christ knows what the bill would have been if it happened a day earlier in USA.
Long story short, GP sent me for a scan, which discovered a problem with carotid artery, which turned out was a combination of something I'd probably had all my life but not known about made worse by a bit of furring up that we all get as we get older. Straight in for an operation, corrected both issues, stayed in only one night, kicked out 24 hours later with a wicked looking scar up my neck. NHS doing what it does. Christ knows what the bill would have been if it happened a day earlier in USA.
I've had the call from the stroke consultant. He's leaning towards me not having had a TIA, instead thinking it's more likely a combination of stress, too much booze, and the two meds I'm on for anxiety and sleep. He's arranging an MRI brain scan just so he can be sure. I've also taken my blood pressure this morning, and it's in the elevated range.
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
I've had the call from the stroke consultant. He's leaning towards me not having had a TIA, instead thinking it's more likely a combination of stress, too much booze, and the two meds I'm on for anxiety and sleep. He's arranging an MRI brain scan just so he can be sure. I've also taken my blood pressure this morning, and it's in the elevated range.
Definitely work to get the blood pressure down since that's a big risk factor. Mine was always at the upper range of 'normal' but after my stroke they were really keen to get it down and were suggesting medication if I didn't manage it myself. I cut down on booze, sugar and salt and really upped my exercise (loads of cycling) and it's still not really low, but low enough for them to be ok with it.You may have to take blood thinners (I'm on Clopidigrel which I think someone has already mentioned) which is fine until you cut yourself shaving or remove half of the skin from your arm and leg in a bike crash like I did and then you bleed like crazy and everything takes ages to heal. I was put on statins but stopped taking them after a while as they really knocked my energy levels, even having tried a few different ones. I don't know what your cholesterol is like now but I manage mine myself and it's lower than most who take statins.
Things like this do serve as a reminder that you only have one body and you really need to look after it. I was lucky and recovered fully from my stroke but I'll never forget how it felt to spend a week on a stroke ward where I was half the age of the next youngest person and I had to be taken to the toilet and shower on a zimmer frame by a nurse because I couldn't walk.
Thankfully it sounds like you've only had a minor incident but next time you might not be so lucky so best to do something about it whilst you can. That said, no one wants to live like a monk just so you get a few more years in the nursing home, so it's about finding a sensible balance. I'd suggest that 60 units a week isn't very balanced!
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
I've had the call from the stroke consultant. He's leaning towards me not having had a TIA, instead thinking it's more likely a combination of stress, too much booze, and the two meds I'm on for anxiety and sleep. He's arranging an MRI brain scan just so he can be sure. I've also taken my blood pressure this morning, and it's in the elevated range.
Did he give you any idea when the MRI scan would take place ?Waiting for one myself and not had any contact from the hospital
The_Doc said:
FiF said:
........... kicked out 24 hours later with a wicked looking scar up my neck. NHS doing what it does. Christ knows what the bill would have been if it happened a day earlier in USA.
Probably around $25,000Hooray for the AMA, (American Medical Association)
And for us Doctors let's have higher pay,
If you can't afford my bill,
then don't tell me that you're ill,
cos that's the free enterprise way.
Think about how to manage stress better - or eliminate the causes if you can. Easier said than done, but stress and how the body reacts to it is a key to good health
Vaping and drinking. It’s up to you of course, but you already know that reducing or stopping both will be better for you in many ways
Drink lots of water
Vaping and drinking. It’s up to you of course, but you already know that reducing or stopping both will be better for you in many ways
Drink lots of water
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
V8covin said:
Did he give you any idea when the MRI scan would take place ?
Waiting for one myself and not had any contact from the hospital
He didn't, but did say he'd speak to his colleagues today, and they'd post an appointment letter ASAP. Waiting for one myself and not had any contact from the hospital
The Moose said:
Is it just my imagination or has this thread had a mega pruning?
All I noticed was a single post yesterday that said "Oh dear how sad" or something to that effect without context. I do recall OP saying in another thread that he has a stalker who follows him around the website and posts on every thread he goes on.60 units + meds doesn’t sound like a good plan. This has to be the place to start doesn’t it?
Humour being the best medicine, I thought this should also get more recognition as an excellent first reply
.
Humour being the best medicine, I thought this should also get more recognition as an excellent first reply
.Ozone said:
Sorry to hear this, I can't offer any advice but hope you are OK.
(Obviously if you slip away and Sarah needs a shoulder to cry on......
)
Wishing you well
(Obviously if you slip away and Sarah needs a shoulder to cry on......
)Wishing you well
Don't worry about it too much Fermit. You're doing the right thing getting it looked into.
I had full on stroke a few years ago. Completely out of the blue. I am usually a pretty chilled bloke but in hindsight I should have got my blood pressure checked more often. They don't call it the silent killer for nothing.
I was working from home, finished a phone call, stood up and wallop fell over.
None of that burning head stuff they do in the adverts. No slurring speech.
To cut a long story short, a couple of hours later I was in an ambulance. Wife told me I was a t
t for not calling. I just thought I had trapped a few nerves!
It turned out I had mega blood pressure. I had no idea it has always been low .... so I thought. It then made sense that I used to get occasional really bad head aches.
It's not the end of the world. I am fully recovered. Possibly a bit grumpier than before. I'm on a concoction of pills for ever. On the plus side I now haven't had a head ache for 5 years!
Have fun in the MRI...... it's like a machine gun going off by your head
And yes, you can't drive until your doc says so.
I had full on stroke a few years ago. Completely out of the blue. I am usually a pretty chilled bloke but in hindsight I should have got my blood pressure checked more often. They don't call it the silent killer for nothing.
I was working from home, finished a phone call, stood up and wallop fell over.
None of that burning head stuff they do in the adverts. No slurring speech.
To cut a long story short, a couple of hours later I was in an ambulance. Wife told me I was a t
t for not calling. I just thought I had trapped a few nerves!It turned out I had mega blood pressure. I had no idea it has always been low .... so I thought. It then made sense that I used to get occasional really bad head aches.
It's not the end of the world. I am fully recovered. Possibly a bit grumpier than before. I'm on a concoction of pills for ever. On the plus side I now haven't had a head ache for 5 years!
Have fun in the MRI...... it's like a machine gun going off by your head
And yes, you can't drive until your doc says so.
Sorry to hear about all this fermit. As others have said though 60+ units per week 
+ meds..... This is where I’d be looking to drastically cut back as that is a seriously unhealthy amount to be drinking.
If you’re a heavy vaper cutting back on that wouldn’t hurt either. Maybe move onto a smaller device like a nord with a higher dose of salt nicotine to help? May help to puff on it a lot less each day.
Best of luck
+ meds..... This is where I’d be looking to drastically cut back as that is a seriously unhealthy amount to be drinking. If you’re a heavy vaper cutting back on that wouldn’t hurt either. Maybe move onto a smaller device like a nord with a higher dose of salt nicotine to help? May help to puff on it a lot less each day.
Best of luck
the internet said:
Don't worry about it too much Fermit. You're doing the right thing getting it looked into.
I had full on stroke a few years ago. Completely out of the blue. I am usually a pretty chilled bloke but in hindsight I should have got my blood pressure checked more often. They don't call it the silent killer for nothing.
I was working from home, finished a phone call, stood up and wallop fell over.
None of that burning head stuff they do in the adverts. No slurring speech.
To cut a long story short, a couple of hours later I was in an ambulance. Wife told me I was a tt for not calling. I just thought I had trapped a few nerves!
It turned out I had mega blood pressure. I had no idea it has always been low .... so I thought. It then made sense that I used to get occasional really bad head aches.
It's not the end of the world. I am fully recovered. Possibly a bit grumpier than before. I'm on a concoction of pills for ever. On the plus side I now haven't had a head ache for 5 years!
Have fun in the MRI...... it's like a machine gun going off by your head
And yes, you can't drive until your doc says so.
How high was the blood pressure?I had full on stroke a few years ago. Completely out of the blue. I am usually a pretty chilled bloke but in hindsight I should have got my blood pressure checked more often. They don't call it the silent killer for nothing.
I was working from home, finished a phone call, stood up and wallop fell over.
None of that burning head stuff they do in the adverts. No slurring speech.
To cut a long story short, a couple of hours later I was in an ambulance. Wife told me I was a t
t for not calling. I just thought I had trapped a few nerves!It turned out I had mega blood pressure. I had no idea it has always been low .... so I thought. It then made sense that I used to get occasional really bad head aches.
It's not the end of the world. I am fully recovered. Possibly a bit grumpier than before. I'm on a concoction of pills for ever. On the plus side I now haven't had a head ache for 5 years!
Have fun in the MRI...... it's like a machine gun going off by your head
And yes, you can't drive until your doc says so.
Cholesterol was about 6, now less than 3. I'm 6'3" and about 16 stone if that means anything.
I can't remember the exact figures for blood pressure other than when i was in the ambulance (so probably elevated a lot) ...... 220/120.
Now it's about 130/80, so i should try to bring it down still.
I think i was lucky tbh, outcome could have been a lot worse.
I can't remember the exact figures for blood pressure other than when i was in the ambulance (so probably elevated a lot) ...... 220/120.
Now it's about 130/80, so i should try to bring it down still.
I think i was lucky tbh, outcome could have been a lot worse.
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