EnableMe | enableme - stroke recovery and support

Hi,

I was wondering if the misdiagnosis of a TIA/Mini Stroke were common? Recently I was at my friends house for a social gathering and I experienced what I thought at the time was a mini stroke. Symptoms appeared out of nowhere and included drooping of facial muscles on left side of face, slurring words, difficulty forming sentences, chest pain and heart palpitations, visual hallucinations (including but not limited to room breathing i.e lights getting brighter and dimmer), numbness of my limbs and face, trouble standing/dizziness as well as breathing and lastly sudden confusion. When i arrived at the ER, the symptoms had subsided besides the confusion. After performing an ECG (nothing else) the nurses told me the symptoms i experienced was due to anxiety and all they had found was slight atrial fibrillation.. so they gave me a vallium and sent me home.To this day I still have no feeling whatsoever in my big toe on my left foot, and often my whole foot goes numb. My GP does not believe I had a mini stroke as it was never recorded at the hospital..... Is it possible these symptoms were from something else or was it probably a misdiagnosis due to me being a young male (22 years old). At the time i was going through an extremely stressful period, in combination with my bad eating habbits as well as nicotine addiction and unhealthy lifestyle I am almost certain what I experienced was a mini stroke. Since then I have chest pains that come and go, and cannot partake in light exercise without heart hurting.

Interested to know what you all think.

Thanks

Hi XJYS,

We are sorry to hear about your recent experience. What you describe does sound like stroke like symptoms and we suggest you seek further medical investigation and advice as soon as possible. We suggest returning to your GP to discuss the ongoing concerns such as the numbness and chest pain. Having a CT or MRI will help determine whether you've had a stroke. If you've had a TIA, sometimes called a mini stroke, this won't show on the scan and the symptoms usually resolve. If TIA/stroke is suspected usually a series of investigations would occur, including young stroke blood tests.

You might find it helpful to read our stroke recovery resource My Stroke Journey, particularly referring to page 8 which lists the tests that are recommended after stroke or suspected stroke.

If they found atrial fibrillation (AF) on your ECG this is a stroke risk factor, as well as lifestyle factors you've described such as unhealthy diet and smoking. Did you undergo further testing of your heart and AF? Were you medicated for the AF?

Stroke can happen to anyone at any age, however it can be missed in younger people who don't have many of the known risk factors or in cases where the signs of stroke have largely resolved by the time medical attention is sought.

If you experience any further signs of stroke please don't hesitate to call 000 again. Mention your previous episode. Here is more information on the signs of stroke.

Book in to see your GP and request a CT or MRI and further testing for AF and other stroke investigations. You could also request a referral to a neurologist (stroke specialist) or cardiologist (heart specialist). If you're GP isn't taking your concerns seriously then we recommend getting a second opinion or a new GP. Here is more information on getting good healthcare that might be useful, including how to choose a GP.

Please don't hesitate to give our health professionals a call on StrokeLine 1800 787 653 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) for more information, advice and support.

Best wishes,

Simone, StrokeLine

I'm so glad you guys are here to help make sense of what can be some confusing and dismissive treatment which only adds to the stress of someone who is trying to do the right thing for themselves.

All the best to you XJYS, you are doing the right thing to keep questioning and yes talk it over with StrokeLine if you need to !!

I was 22 years old when I had my stroke - I'm 50 this year :-)

Sue

I agree that sounds like a stroke, please go back and get more testing done. My first CT scan showed nothing so hopefully you can get a MRI. My GP didnt think I was having a stroke cos I had no other symptoms just communication and I did actually have issues with lights seeming brighter. I did actually have a stroke and ended up spending a few days in hospital.

I also had to have a heart monitor for a week, and had ECG and bubbles test done in hospital they all came back clear. Would be good to have it tested. They still dont know why I had my stroke.

Oh another note, I had for 3 month check up with the neurologist yesterday and have found out I am Factor 5, which is a blood disorder, but he doesnt think thats why I had my stroke. I had two clots front and back and he says that suggests its from the heart. So I am off to get a scope down my throat for my heart testings.

Good luck I hope you get some support and testings soon.

Possible TIA misdiagnosis

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