Numbness in the head

[milton4567]

Hi, It has been a while since I have been here because my Mother is recovering well from her valve replacement procedure since last summer. But I have read that Valve Replacements can cause stroke.

A couple of days ago, my Mother felt and still feels some numbnesss in her head on the left side. Today, we called the doctor and he said not to worry and it should pass. It could be anything from a Sinus infection to possible teeth issue. However, if the numbness spreads to other parts of the body, to go to the emergency room at once.

Has anyone experienced this sensation?

 

[Lynlw]

Hi, what kind of valve did your mom get and what meds is she on? does she have any other med conditions? I think knowing these things would be able to get some answers a little easier, lyn

 

[milton4567]

Also, what exactly did you mean by "numbness in the head," please? And has it remitted, or is the problem still present?

She had a pig/cow valve replacement put in. I really don't remember but I know it is not artifical. She had the surgery done in July 2005. Is is still on Meds like Lasix, baby aspirin, toprol, magnesium oxide, linsopril. My Spelling is not that great. But she also has Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration. He PCP called her back yesterday (after she placed a call). He told her not to worry now. But if the numbness spreads to other parts of the body, then to go to ER right away. The numbness is located in a small area on the front left side of her head. It could be a number of things. But her doctor told her not to worry about it now because if she did go into ER- chances are if they did an MRI, they wont find anything anyway. But it seems like every 15 minutes that I am home, I keep asking her the same question. Are you ok? Are you alright? How is the numbness. I think I am overdoing it a little but that is because I am scared. Her future will affect my future as well. I read on line that the numbness could be a problem with her teeth to eating chocolate to Shingles to even having the A/C on constantly in the house. Regardless, the numbness is still there. Sometimes, she does not feel it but it is still there. The doctor is only concerned if that numbness spreads. I have also read online that when people get value replacement such as my Mother had, they are more at risk for stroke. I guess we will have to take it one day at a time.

 

[milton4567]

If you are talking about a small area of her scalp being numb and not getting any worse, that could probably be due to a lot of things that are a lot less serious than a stroke. How badly does it bother your mother?

She says she feels it but it is not painful. It is like if your foot fell asleep but it is there. Everything else with her is fine. Like I said, it could be anything from the constant Air conditioning (that could be messing up her sinuses) or eating chocolate.- A lot of it. But she also has Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration. She has complained to me that her vision has gotten a little worse. From what my Mother described to me, the numbness is right near her left temple. -She said to me not to worry about it but since I am the baby of the family and her primary care-taker, I am scared to death.

Since her operation last year, Death has been circling around me like a tornado. I am on anxiety meds just because of everything I have been through. As well as Acid Reflux.. Before all of this, I was perfectly healthy. Mentally and physically.

 

[milton4567]

I work a full-time job nearby at a bank and I go out to meet friends on Friday nights. But when I am away, it is a constant worry on my part.
I have 3 older brothers with families of their own but they can't visit because of their controlling wives- trust me when I say that.

I am so worried about my Mother, my future with her- without her - I just have a lot on my plate and its spilling over on the placemat!

At night, I even have a baby monitor in her room.

 

[Christine]

I pray everything will be OK.. I get a tingling everyonce in awhile on one side, that lasts for a second or two.. but everything has checked out Ok, so like your drs say, unless it starts to travel to other parts of my body, I'm not too concerned.. I do get very thorough eye exams as well as my annual GP and Cardio.. my eye dr keeps tabs to make sure i'm not having any strokes of any kind - checks the blood vessels in my eyes for that alone with keeping my BP in check..

my family does not believe in putting family members in a nursing home unless absolutely neccessary.. with that, I grew up from the age of 9 thru 16 living with my great-grandmother taking care of her into her 90's.. shortly after her death, we started to take care of my father's parents..(both) still in their own home, but driving back and forth twice daily for 10 years. the stress it put on our family was a difficult one.. it affected us all in different ways.. my father ended up in the hospital himself due to stress related health issues.. lessons learned: towards the end (as my fathers' parents passed within a year of each other, we used the visiting nurses to assist in some of the daily fuctions we would have to do.. I do understand about other family members.. while my father was a only child, his parents were not.. but he and us were the main care-givers..

my point, you need to start taking care of yourself as well.. you will not be any good to your mother if you're too sick to help take care of her. I don't know your situation, but there are other resources to help you so that you don't have to do it alone.

hang in there, you're in my thoughts

Chris

 

[milton4567]

Well here is the deal... My oldest living brother Michael is selfish. He only see's my Mother on Christmas and sends her flowers on Mother's Day and I think her Birthday. He will only call her if thereis a medical crisis. - His wife had a brain anuersm 6 months ago but nothing happened. Michael was worried sick about his wife that he would call Mother.

My Brother Victor has issues of his own. He had a quardruple by-pass 4 1/2 years ago. He is sugar diabeties and has a hole in his leg. The meds he is on is making it impossible somtimes to breath. Plus, his Mother-in-law suffered a severe stroke in May and will not recover. His wife had a metting with her side of the family that if she needs to be on a ventalator again, they will let her die in peace. Plus 2 of his brother-in-laws are going through bitter divorces (one of which lives with him and his wife and bird). Finally, his own daughter who moved to Georgia to escape Taxachusetts, just had a baby and Victor's wife now wants to move to Georgia to be with baby. My brother works 3rd shift for the post office and will be retiring in 2 1/2 years and chances are, he will be moving to Georgia also.

My Brother Greg lives 40 miles south of Boston. He definately has a spoiled Connecticut Bred wife who must have her way all the time. He has 2 young daughters and has his own business another 25 miles south from where he lives. So he hardly ever sees his Mother. He calls her once in a while. But since he considers himself the "Breadwinner" of the family. -Its like he does not have time for his "First" family. -He makes so much money that he controls any decisions that involve me or my Mother. Plus he is rude on the phone and thinks of me and my brother Victor as second class.

Yes I have a lot on my plate. And as far as planning my own nest is concerned, I plan to inherit 80% of the house I live in. Obviously I will buy cheaper when the time comes. But I guess I am scared most of all by the lonliness factor. I do believe in life after death and ADC's but whenthe times comes for my Mother, I will be all alone. No one in my family will make a long term committment with me. They might help me out for a while but that will be it.

I don't know why the subject has shifted from my Mother to me I will be 38 in 3 weeks and my Mother will be 81 in November. I am just worried about the numbness and Mother told me not to. I am a natural born worrier.- which is slowly affecting my health both physically and mentally. But I honestly believe that with all the care I am giving to my Mother- no nurse could do a better job.

God will reward me in Heaven- as many people who haven listened to my bitch and complain have told me.

That's what gives me strength!