A few weeks ago I posted on staying awake all night. The purpose of staying up all night was to get an EEG. If one is very tired things show up better. The staying up all night was fun for half the night but the second half was a real pain. I told you that I was not concerned about this test as I was not too worried that they would find anything that was critical.
Yesterday was finally the day to visit my neurologist. The test was done over a month ago and read the same day. So my neurologist started by telling me that they didn't find and really bad stuff like cancer. Then she got around to telling me that they found an area of my brain that had faster waves than it should. This could possibly indicate seizures. So the incident I had in June which started this investigation might have been a seizure. The neurologist doesn't know for sure and I don't know. I had juvenile epilepsy and I know that this was not in any way like the seizures I had as a child. So the whole diagnosis was very iffy.
So what happens with an iffy definition? They err on the side of caution. So I'm given medication for seizure prevention and control. For a kicker my license was suspended until Sept. 19. The incident occurred on June 19 th. If they'd made the diagnosis that day my license would have been suspended for three months which would have been Sept. 19 so in one way I'm lucky. The law is an ass when it comes to TIA's as they think that all people with these conditions completely pass out. Most TIA's people remain conscious and in control.
So I'm taking medication for a very iffy TIA which happened in 2008 and now I'm taking medication for a very iffy seizure. So my neurologist is erring on the side of caution. These medications will not harm me and if they do prevent harm to others that's a bonus.
Showing posts with label stroke treatment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stroke treatment. Show all posts
Friday, September 9, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
My Visit with the Neurologist.
Today was my appointment to visit the neurologist at the local Heart and Stroke Center.
June 19th an incident occurred which sent me to the local emergency department. I was not making any new memories(amnesia) and was rather confused and frustrated. I had just sold an old outboard motor and came in the house with the money and a plan to take the item off Kijiji. Some time later I found myself at the computer and wondering why I was there. I had probably been there about 20 minutes and became frustrated by not being able to complete a task as I had not remembered what I was there for in the first place. So off to the emergency we went where I was immediately given a cat scan and no blockage was found. Other tests were done and I was observed for about three hours. I was released and sent home. However, I was referred to the heart and stroke clinic. So that's why my visit today.
Backing up three years ago I had another incident where the amnesia lasted about 2 hours. I received the same investigation then. They could not find anything amiss and could not explain why I had the amnesia.
So today they are still at a loss for any explanation. I am not worried about these incidents. I'm told it's unlikely to happen again. So life goes on. I will continue to maintain a strenuous regime of keeping fit and enjoying an active outdoor life style.
June 19th an incident occurred which sent me to the local emergency department. I was not making any new memories(amnesia) and was rather confused and frustrated. I had just sold an old outboard motor and came in the house with the money and a plan to take the item off Kijiji. Some time later I found myself at the computer and wondering why I was there. I had probably been there about 20 minutes and became frustrated by not being able to complete a task as I had not remembered what I was there for in the first place. So off to the emergency we went where I was immediately given a cat scan and no blockage was found. Other tests were done and I was observed for about three hours. I was released and sent home. However, I was referred to the heart and stroke clinic. So that's why my visit today.
Backing up three years ago I had another incident where the amnesia lasted about 2 hours. I received the same investigation then. They could not find anything amiss and could not explain why I had the amnesia.
So today they are still at a loss for any explanation. I am not worried about these incidents. I'm told it's unlikely to happen again. So life goes on. I will continue to maintain a strenuous regime of keeping fit and enjoying an active outdoor life style.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Stroke of Luck
Yeah ! That's right ! I had a stroke . The luck part ? Well, I survived with no harmful effects and I get to tell you about it and hopefully spread some useful information about strokes . Too often people do not survive strokes and many times are left with debilitation which is so severe they cannot function well enough to pass on information about strokes .
My wife had asked me to make a small shelf for her laundry room . I was outside on a fine May day and had measured and found a suitable piece of wood and tools to make and install the shelf. The next thing I knew I looked at the clock which said noon and wondered out loud where the last two hours had gone. My wife said ," Get your wallet . We're going to emergency." My wife doesn't drive ! Oops ! I remember getting in the car at the house and finding a parking place at emergency . I don't remember the rest of the drive. My wife is one of these people who after they've left home , wonder if they've locked the door . So I turned around and took her back to check the door . Afterwards she told me that I drove as usual.
The emergency department was fabulous. They took some information and vital signs ... although I don't remember this. I was taken directly from triage to get a cat scan. My cat scan was done within 15 minutes of arriving at the hospital. My memory kicked in before the cat scan and I had continuous memory after that. The cat scan did not show any clots or bleeding .
Now the incident I had was where the brain does not make any new memories. In other words no experiences you have during this time are retained in your memory. Thus I was able to drive with my usual skill , as I did not forget my driving skills . If I had met someone I knew , I would have recognized them and conversed with them , but I would not remember meeting them . For example, I had come into the house about 11:00 AM and asked my wife why the roaster was in the sink . She explained that I had put the roaster in the sink in the morning. I kept asking her the same question until she lost patience with me and I returned outside . I do not remember the roaster incident . So when I entered the house at noon and asked where the last two hours had gone , it immediately twigged with my wife that I had memory difficulties .
So lesson number one is to be aware of those around you as to any out of the ordinary behaviours they may exhibit. The sooner a detection is made and you get to emergency the more successful treatment may be . The cat scan can detect any clots or bleeding. Drugs are available to break clots before they cause major damage . Lesson number two is don't let the suspected stroke patient drive . Further debilitation may occur on the drive which could lead to a very serious accident.
I stayed in emergency for the day for observation. Appointments were set up for further tests. I have no history of high cholesterol or high blood pressure . I'm quite active ...run , walk. cross country ski , skate and cycle at least 1000kms every summer . I'm low key , I eat a good diet . My wife has high cholesterol so I'm fortunate to benefit from her misfortune. I was sent home with much information on strokes and told not to drive for 21 days . An incident is more apt to recur in that time and after that not likely.
My incident was termed transic global amnesia. After xrays and an EEG I met with my stroke specialist and she reviewed the tests which were all clear . I was discharged from the stroke clinic .
Since I'm rather low stress the incident did not cause me any worry . However , I realize that for my family there is worry that something may happen which could be much more serious. Later in the summer I was cycling with my daughter and did a major summer sault on my bike . My daughter was behind me and I heard some major screaming . She was afraid that Dad had the big stroke and had expired on the bike trail. No such luck. Tree branches had hit me in the face . I put on the front brake and the bike went over .
So be aware of conditions that may indicate a stroke and go directly to emergency .
My wife had asked me to make a small shelf for her laundry room . I was outside on a fine May day and had measured and found a suitable piece of wood and tools to make and install the shelf. The next thing I knew I looked at the clock which said noon and wondered out loud where the last two hours had gone. My wife said ," Get your wallet . We're going to emergency." My wife doesn't drive ! Oops ! I remember getting in the car at the house and finding a parking place at emergency . I don't remember the rest of the drive. My wife is one of these people who after they've left home , wonder if they've locked the door . So I turned around and took her back to check the door . Afterwards she told me that I drove as usual.
The emergency department was fabulous. They took some information and vital signs ... although I don't remember this. I was taken directly from triage to get a cat scan. My cat scan was done within 15 minutes of arriving at the hospital. My memory kicked in before the cat scan and I had continuous memory after that. The cat scan did not show any clots or bleeding .
Now the incident I had was where the brain does not make any new memories. In other words no experiences you have during this time are retained in your memory. Thus I was able to drive with my usual skill , as I did not forget my driving skills . If I had met someone I knew , I would have recognized them and conversed with them , but I would not remember meeting them . For example, I had come into the house about 11:00 AM and asked my wife why the roaster was in the sink . She explained that I had put the roaster in the sink in the morning. I kept asking her the same question until she lost patience with me and I returned outside . I do not remember the roaster incident . So when I entered the house at noon and asked where the last two hours had gone , it immediately twigged with my wife that I had memory difficulties .
So lesson number one is to be aware of those around you as to any out of the ordinary behaviours they may exhibit. The sooner a detection is made and you get to emergency the more successful treatment may be . The cat scan can detect any clots or bleeding. Drugs are available to break clots before they cause major damage . Lesson number two is don't let the suspected stroke patient drive . Further debilitation may occur on the drive which could lead to a very serious accident.
I stayed in emergency for the day for observation. Appointments were set up for further tests. I have no history of high cholesterol or high blood pressure . I'm quite active ...run , walk. cross country ski , skate and cycle at least 1000kms every summer . I'm low key , I eat a good diet . My wife has high cholesterol so I'm fortunate to benefit from her misfortune. I was sent home with much information on strokes and told not to drive for 21 days . An incident is more apt to recur in that time and after that not likely.
My incident was termed transic global amnesia. After xrays and an EEG I met with my stroke specialist and she reviewed the tests which were all clear . I was discharged from the stroke clinic .
Since I'm rather low stress the incident did not cause me any worry . However , I realize that for my family there is worry that something may happen which could be much more serious. Later in the summer I was cycling with my daughter and did a major summer sault on my bike . My daughter was behind me and I heard some major screaming . She was afraid that Dad had the big stroke and had expired on the bike trail. No such luck. Tree branches had hit me in the face . I put on the front brake and the bike went over .
So be aware of conditions that may indicate a stroke and go directly to emergency .
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