EnableMe | enableme - stroke recovery and support

Hi,

I'm new to this forum. Four weeks ago I had a suspected stroke, part of major post surgery complications. My initial CT was clear, and I had an MRI a week later, which also was clear. Because there were no signs on the MRI, the head neuro at the hospital called it a migraine (never had a migraine like that). While in hospital I had left sided weakness,numbness, pins and needles, heaviness and clumsiness. These symptoms improved considerably within a week, but are still there. I now also have pain (burning, icy hot needles) down my left side, some days severe, some days mild. My left eye is blurred, I have lost hearing in my left ear, and I have lost my voice (vocal fold paralysis, left side). The physios at the hospital were great and got me started on rehab, and I was quickly able to walk, but with assistance. My balance is poor, I get fatigued extremely quickly and my left side is still very much weaker than my right. I have seen my GP and rheumatologist since and both are mystified. I am sensing that they think I am making it up. I am continuing with physiotherapy exercises, and trying to focus on getting strength and function back, but if this wasn't a stroke, what else could cause these symptoms? Can you have a clean MRI and still have had a stroke? One GP said that sometimes small strokes very deep in the brain stem are missed on MRI, but she also seemed to think I shouldn't be having these problems, that if it couldn't be seen, it wouldn't cause deficits. Friends and family are dismissive, it wasn't a stroke, so they don't offer help, yet I am considerably impaired by these symptoms. The doctors put me on blood pressure medication and daily aspirin for stroke prevention, and I know that its more important to move on and focus on getting better, but its hard to deal with all of this pain and disability, and just be dismissed by everyone, and also the worry of if it will happen again. I had a blinding headache as the first symptom and daily mild headaches now. But if the headache intensifies I start to worry. Sorry this is so long, I feel very isolated and alone. Thanks for any thoughts and advice.

Hi Redbelt,

I'm sorry to hear you've been unwell and that you're still searching for a diagnosis.

The symptoms that you describe (impaired vision, vocal fold paralysis, weakness and balance difficulties) are commonly associated with stroke, however other neurological conditions can have similar symptoms. Depending on the type of stroke, some stroke survivors also experience a sudden and severe 'thunder-clap' headache at the onset of their stroke and can go on to experience mild headaches throughout their recovery.

An MRI is commonly used in the diagnosis of stroke, as it takes more detailed images of the brain than a CT scan.

Did you meet with a neurologist to discuss the results of your MRI?

If not, I would suggest asking your GP for a referral. A neurologist can review the results of your first MRI, determine if another MRI is required, and help figure out the cause of your symptoms - whether it be a stroke or some other neurological cause. In some cases, it can take a while to get a firm diagnosis.

I'd recommend keeping a diary of your symptoms and any changes that you notice. This will help your GP and/or neurologist get to the bottom of what's happening

If you would like to speak with our team of allied health professionals, please contact StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 (9am-5pm EST).

Best wishes

Alana - StrokeLine

Don't know if it was a stroke

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