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Suggest Treatment For Transient Ischemic Attack, Tiredness, Low Energy And Excessive Sleeping
Question: My husband was diagnosed with having a Tia 1 month ago. He has no real physical side effects however he is very tired, has low energy and sleeps often. He has always been a very energetic self motivated person and now has lost interest in most everything. Another thing that seems to have happened is he claims that he has reality issues. The only medication he has been put on is Crestor, 5mg, 3xs a week. He is on no other meds. and never has been. He has always been the picture of health. Will this improve in time? I notice he no longer seems to filter what he is saying to people, he has been using bad judgement, the total opposite of himself for 64 yrs. Is it possible the Crestor is not right for him?
Brief Answer:
TIA shouldn't cause those symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
TIA stands for transient ischemic attack, transient meaning that whatever neurological sign (perhaps you could say something more on the symptoms which led to that diagnosis) there was, was temporary. So if your husband is still having symptoms that can't be due to a tia, it either was a stroke with residual symptoms or there is another cause for it.
You do not mention what tests did he have. Did he have any imaging test? If not I think brain imaging is necessary to look for stroke findings. If that is the case further predictions would depend on the extent of the damage.
As for his medication I don't think it has any responsibility for his symptoms. Crestor is a cholesterol lowering drug, as all drugs it can have side effects, but those symptoms you mention are not typical for Crestor side effects. Neither are they related to aspirin. The purpose of both crestor and aspirin is not to "cure" his symptoms though, but to prevent a stroke from ocurring, so you should have real expectations from them. Whether they are the right choice, that depends on the cause of the TIA, if the doctors think it's due to blood vessel atherosclerotic disease then it's a good choice.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
TIA shouldn't cause those symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
TIA stands for transient ischemic attack, transient meaning that whatever neurological sign (perhaps you could say something more on the symptoms which led to that diagnosis) there was, was temporary. So if your husband is still having symptoms that can't be due to a tia, it either was a stroke with residual symptoms or there is another cause for it.
You do not mention what tests did he have. Did he have any imaging test? If not I think brain imaging is necessary to look for stroke findings. If that is the case further predictions would depend on the extent of the damage.
As for his medication I don't think it has any responsibility for his symptoms. Crestor is a cholesterol lowering drug, as all drugs it can have side effects, but those symptoms you mention are not typical for Crestor side effects. Neither are they related to aspirin. The purpose of both crestor and aspirin is not to "cure" his symptoms though, but to prevent a stroke from ocurring, so you should have real expectations from them. Whether they are the right choice, that depends on the cause of the TIA, if the doctors think it's due to blood vessel atherosclerotic disease then it's a good choice.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
He had the typical tests done, Fasting Blood Tests, EKG, Carotid Artery MRI.
His blood pressure is borderline high , 130/80, someday,s better 125/70, and highest has been 145/85. Cholesterol 264. ldl- 181, hdl-47 . This was before Crestor. I am a little concerned because his red blood cells showed to be lower than usual but not anemic. Perhaps I should mention that he had cataract surgery
in both eyes during the last 3 weeks and is using eye drops regulary, one being a steroid. Thats all I know.
His blood pressure is borderline high , 130/80, someday,s better 125/70, and highest has been 145/85. Cholesterol 264. ldl- 181, hdl-47 . This was before Crestor. I am a little concerned because his red blood cells showed to be lower than usual but not anemic. Perhaps I should mention that he had cataract surgery
in both eyes during the last 3 weeks and is using eye drops regulary, one being a steroid. Thats all I know.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that additional info.
MRI is the best test to investigate for a stroke, so if that was negative then it is not a question of stroke and as I said TIA can not be held accountable for the present symptoms. Nor can the blood pressure issue or the cholesterol.
So another cause should be searched for. I think his blood tests should be repeated even if normal the first time, tests like blood count, esr, crp, glucose, liver and kidney function tests, thyroid function, creatine kinase, electrolytes, vitamin B12 levels.
At times Crestor can cause some muscle damage with fatigue, but still that should manifest with other symptoms like muscle pain, anyway if that is the case blood test would show an elevated creatine kinase.
If at the end of the day everything remains normal (or at least no alterations marked enough to explain the issues) then perhaps a psychological cause might be considered. Depression would justify that clinical picture and at times can be triggered by the recent health problems he has had affecting his previous lifestyle.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that additional info.
MRI is the best test to investigate for a stroke, so if that was negative then it is not a question of stroke and as I said TIA can not be held accountable for the present symptoms. Nor can the blood pressure issue or the cholesterol.
So another cause should be searched for. I think his blood tests should be repeated even if normal the first time, tests like blood count, esr, crp, glucose, liver and kidney function tests, thyroid function, creatine kinase, electrolytes, vitamin B12 levels.
At times Crestor can cause some muscle damage with fatigue, but still that should manifest with other symptoms like muscle pain, anyway if that is the case blood test would show an elevated creatine kinase.
If at the end of the day everything remains normal (or at least no alterations marked enough to explain the issues) then perhaps a psychological cause might be considered. Depression would justify that clinical picture and at times can be triggered by the recent health problems he has had affecting his previous lifestyle.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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