Question about TIA's

[Freddie]

Can someone still experience TIA's (mini strokes) while on medication?
My S/O mother who is 86(?) 5' 3" and about 220lbs (she lost some) has an EF of 20% in one valve, on warfarin, metoprolo, ramapriel (sp), aspirin, crestol, a water pill of some kind and other meds for diabetes.

 

[Braveheart]

Medication can only attempt to alleviate the causes of different diseases. It is not a sure thing. If it were, no one would become, or remain ill after taking medication for an ailment.

If you think that your s/o mother is having TIAs, why not take her to a neurologist? He can do some testing, and you will know for sure. He can also give her some medication to improve her chances of not having more TIAs.

 

[Freddie]

Thanks for the reply BH, but getting her to a neurologist would be tough - she won't even go for a angiogram.

So I guess it is still possible for her to experience TIA's......Thanks

 

[geebee]

Freddie,

I still have occasional TIAs and I am on warfarin and aspirin. The frequency reduced after my last OHS and going on aspirin but they still happen now and then. I think mine may be more related to the a-fib than anything else but the doctor does not really know for certain.

When I have symptoms, I immediately take an additional aspirin or half aspirin (depending on severity) on doctors orders. Not entirely sure what that does but I have never been hospitalized with a full blown stroke so I guess it does something.

I am not suggesting that is what your S/O mom should do but it wouldn't hurt to ask her doctor if it would help.

 

[Freddie]

Thanks Gina, but arises another problem - she wouldn't realize if she was having a TIA or not and wouldn't even think of taking another or 1/2 aspirin. It took her 3 days to call the doctor after noticing she was having shortness of breath. That episode was determine that she did experience a mild stroke.

 

[Bina]

I don't think there is much else that you can do if she is refusing more tests..... she is on some good meds at least.

 

[Nancy]

Joe had maybe 16 confirmed TIAs. He had them while on Coumadin, when his INR was low, when it was high and when it was on target.

It isn't just blood clots that can cause TIAs. It could be from tiny plaques that break off from several areas, bits of cholesterol, etc. This is what Joe's doctors told me when I asked, "How come??"

Going to a neurologist seems like a logical step to take. Got to find out what caused the TIA, if possible.

Also telling the doctor just what was going on right before and during the TIA would be helpful. Joe's neurologist could sort of pinpoint where in the brain the thing was traveling through just by the symptoms he had.

One time he spoke garbled words, another time he couldn't remember how to wind up the garden hose, another time he has a vision blackout, another fainting and another stabbing pain. The neurologist wanted to know where the stabbing pain was located in his head.

He eventually threw some piece of plaque or clot that cut off the blood supply to his eye, and he lost vision permanently in that eye. That eye had been hit with small and temporary vision changes prior.

So, I don't want to scare you, but it is important to get it looked at. It could even be a forerunner to a full blown stroke.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

The doctor assumes that I have occasional TIAs, although none are confirmed as all are too quick. Many here have talked about blurred vision and that is exactly my symptom. It passes within 15 minutes. I think from what I've read, the valve can even throw tiny tiny clots.

 

[Freddie]

Thanks Lisa, Nancy and everyone.

I'm just trying to educate my S/O so this can forward to the rest of the family.........a family who always takes the doctors word as Gospel and don't ask any questions.

 

[olefin]

I had a few TIA's about 4 or 5 weeks after having AVR. No doubt what they were, it was like a window shade had been pulled down over one eye. Got my attention right quick. My cardiologist thought they were probably mini clots left over from the surgery. I was on warfarin and aspirin.