Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Thursday, May 13, 2010 Teresa asks

Q: Migraine, TIA, stroke??

Symptoms: loss of sight gradually at first, but continued for over an hour (If I looked at something, like a face I'd see half the face one ear, one eye...), I was so confused (altough I was confused, I was aware that someting bad was happening) that had no idea the name of what I was attempting to cook (bacon and eggs), simple words (like bacon, eggs, my name, sounded like a foreign language I had no idea what a person was telling me; I felt it hard to speak like my jaw was numb; my heart raced, hands and fingers tingled, walking I felt like I was dizzy, weird feeling; actors on a familiar TV show and movie I didn't recognize at all, I thought It was a remake.

 

The eyesight thing lasted about an hour the confusion of not understanding language lasted about an hour, the confusion of not recognizing people lasted about 2 hours.

 

About an hour into the whole thing began getting a headache, like my head was being squeezed at my temples, the right temple hurting a bit more than the left. Also, a bt nauseated. 

 

The next day, felt woozy, eyes seemed dry and jaw numb, also very irritable. Is this a migraine, TIA, or stroke?? Other health issues, thyroid disease and mitral valve prolapse, the only medication I take is Atenolol and Levothyroxine I've been taking these for years, could the head thing be related?

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Answers (3)
Teri Robert, Health Guide
5/13/10 11:53pm

Teresa,

 

The only person who can tell you what this is is a doctor who can review your and your family's medical history, discuss your symptoms with you, and conduct a complete examination. Nobody can diagnose via the Internet.

 

PLEASE, call your doctor for an appointment immediately. If this was a stroke, or TIA, you need to know and may need treatment. This is absolutely nothing to put off.

 

Please, call your doctor NOW, and let me know how things turn out?

 

Good luck,

Teri

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5/14/10 7:23am

Teresa,

For some of us the lines between migraine/TIA or even stroke are very fine.  Any time you find you have loss of language or recognition, is a time to contact doctor or 911. 

 

I have had at least 2 documented TIA's.  The first, because I dismissed it as a migraine took close to a year to fully recover from.  The 2nd, while I delayed treatment took 4 months.  Since that time I have only had to deal with intractable migraines.  I hope/pray there will be no more times.  Depending on the cause, there are some excellent medications that can be used for treatment.  Only you and your physician can decide what treatment is best. 

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5/15/10 1:23am

Teresa,

 

with the symptoms you are describing you should call 911 or go straight to the ER to be evaluated - migraine patients makeup the majority of TIA and stroke patients in the US.  The can run tests to determine if you are having a TIA or a Stoke but a TIA is a "ministroke" and can be a prelude to something bigger so don't mess around with it go get it checked out.

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By Teresa— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 05/13/10