Ex-wife, suspected stroke.

[croyde]

Just writing as I'm waiting for news.

Ex-wife stayed over in what is still her room so she could be with the kids for her 44th birthday today. I came down for breakfast and she didn't look good as one side of her face was all droopy. Happened really suddenly.

I called an ambulance which was there almost as soon as I had put down the phone. They took her off and the current news is that she has a very high blood pressure and is being taken to MRI for a head scan. Not good.

I'm also kind of angry at her as she has refused to stop smoking or cut down her drinking all the time I have known her and since we split 4 years ago she has really hit the bottle. Basically she is slurring drunk every night and smokes 1 to 2 packets of cigs a day.

I had a heart attack back in 2009 as a pretty fit bloke who doesn't smoke and I have done my best since to do better as we have 3 young kids who will have to rely on us being around for another 20 years at least.

Sorry just letting off steam and to be honest a little scared.

[kiethton]

This smacks as bells paulsey....

My mum had it in her late 40'sand recovered fully (barring no taste/smell for a longer period) within 3 years, although was only really bad for 2 or so. Not nice but not all too serious.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell's_palsy

Hope all turns out well though

Edited by kiethton on Friday 22 March 11:05

[TinyCappo]

Much rather you were on here venting at us than the Kids

You did the right thing getting on the blower to 999 as soon as possible the quicker you catch these things the more of the person they can save.

[Aphex]

kiethton said:

This smacks as bells paulsey....

My mum had it in her late 40'sand recovered fully (barring no taste/smell for a longer period) within 3 years, although was only really bad for 2 or so. Not nice but not all too serious.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell's_palsy

If it is this, I had it when I was 17. I was mostly back to normal within 3 weeks. If it it does turn out it's this, make sure she works her facial muscles. I was a bit lazy with mine and now when I drink I get a lazy eyelid.

Also I was told by my Doctor that they don't really know the cause. I was told its possibly, too much alcohol, too many drugs or a draught :\

[Eric Mc]

People are their own worst enemies. Hope it all works out.

[croyde]

Cheers.

[TTmonkey]

Its hard to judge someone on their drinking habits if you dont know why they drink. As we the audience dont know then we only have half the story.

[Ross1988]

If it's a stroke, I think you loose motor funtion in the left half of your body or one side of the body. A guy in work is suffering from Bells Pallsy, and he is similar to previous after about 4 weeks now I think.

[croyde]

TTmonkey said:

Its hard to judge someone on their drinking habits if you dont know why they drink. As we the audience dont know then we only have half the story.

Very true. It's another matter but something I have begged her to sort out, for the kid's sake and hers.

[Shaw Tarse]

Ross1988 said:

If it's a stroke, I think you loose motor funtion in the left half of your body or one side of the body. A guy in work is suffering from Bells Pallsy, and he is similar to previous after about 4 weeks now I think.

A stroke affects the opposite side of the body to the side of the brain that's damaged.
Hope all's ok for exmrs Croyde

[Bill]

Ross1988 said:

If it's a stroke, I think you loose motor funtion in the left half of your body or one side of the body. A guy in work is suffering from Bells Pallsy, and he is similar to previous after about 4 weeks now I think.

There are a million and one ways a stroke can affect people, and the docs are doing a scan to find out one way or another so there's little point trying to guess from a couple of paragraphs on the web.

Hope it's minor OP (whatever it turns out to be) and it gives her enough of a shock to buck her ideas up.

[croyde]

Bill said:

There are a million and one ways a stroke can affect people, and the docs are doing a scan to find out one way or another so there's little point trying to guess from a couple of paragraphs on the web.

Hope it's minor OP (whatever it turns out to be) and it gives her enough of a shock to buck her ideas up.

Lets hope so but if her reaction on finding out that the results of a suspected lung tumor a few years back was negative.......she rushed out and celebrated with a pack of cigs.

This is not some tattooed chavette but a public school educated, pretty posh business woman with her own company. She also has a boyfriend who she appears to love and he her.

If anyone should be hitting the bottle and the smokes it should be me

Sorry still letting off steam. No news from the hospital as yet. Cheers for listening/

[PistonSmegs]

Nothing constructive to add, but I hope it all comes OK for you both.

[Pistom]

Best wishes fom here too. Will all do stuff we shouldn't, some just can't stop themselves so don't give her a hard time over it.

The natural thing is to beat yourself over it and again, try not to. It's all part of life.

[fatboy69]

I had bells palsy when i was in my mid 20's - recovered fully after a month or so. Hope your ex is ok & that it is 'only' bells palsy.

[a boardman]

Friends daughter had stroke aged 15 last year.

Could not move left arm, & leg and speech went 71 days in hospital ,speech now back and can walk slowly but still limited use of left hand.

Hope everything turns out ok for Ex wife and you.

[croyde]

Hi all, have tried to update but PH has been down again.

She's been sent home. They think it's a Mini Stroke but consider her low risk so is on Aspirin and has to be with someone (her boyfriend will do) for 48 hours in case anything happens. Bit of a rum do for your birthday.

Not doing an MRI until Monday!? but unsure why the wait. Maybe it's booked out.

Now having to get me old Dad down to look after the kids next week.

Thanks for the kind words ta.

[Shaw Tarse]

You did the right thing dialling 999, hopefully she will be ok, though a TIA can often be a warning sign of a "proper" stroke.

[julian64]

Stroke is more likely than bells because of the sudden onset, ischaemic is more likely than haemorrhagic because of the lack of vomiting/headache and the obvious lifestyle history.

Bit dissapointed with the lack of an site urgent MRI especially when her age is taken into account.

[croyde]

a boardman said:

Friends daughter had stroke aged 15 last year.

Could not move left arm, & leg and speech went 71 days in hospital ,speech now back and can walk slowly but still limited use of left hand.

Hope everything turns out ok for Ex wife and you.

That's awful. So young