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Suggest Ways To Rule Out TIA
Question: My husband has had several things happen to him during the last week. Sat, May 21 he got up disoriented and was staggering, like taking 1 foot forward, two to the side and 4 backwards trying to get into our den. He sat in the chair all day with his eyes closed and off and on went to the bathroom. The next day he was alright. Then Thursday, May25 he was trying to get out of bed and couldn't move is legs off the bed and was trying to raise his torso. I asked him what was wrong and he just garbled his words. I went around to his side of the bed and tried to help him get up with no avail.I told him I was going to call 911 and he said "NO" and I had no trouble hearing that. I asked him what he wanted up for and he said pee so I got a jar and turned him on his side and fixed him so he could urinate in the jar and after about 15 minutes he was able to void 6 oz. He was able to get up by himself the next morning and seemed better except he had a headache and was slow walking. Then he was alright until this past Saturday night, May 27, he went to the bathroom, tried to use the bathroom and then regurgitated then fainted. He seemed okay when he got back in bed but the next morning, Sunday, May 28 he got up with a headache and sat in his recliner with his eyes closed until 4:00 pm when he began to liven up. He has been doing alright today so far. I was wondering if it could be TIA's. He has a vestibulary problem and had to be in rehab hospital 2 weeks with follow up treatment 3 time a week for 3 months so I thought it was maybe that when he lost his hearing for a period of time after the second episode this past week but I am confused. Can you help us?
Brief Answer:
Could be TIA, needs urgent attention.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Those episodes do sound worrying indeed. While the first could have been maybe attributed to the vestibulary problem, the other episode with the inability to move, the speech issue is not justified by the inner ear issue. As you yourself suspected it might well be in the setting of a lack of blood supply to the posterior areas of the brain, a stroke or TIA in that area.
A stroke in those areas is among the most dangerous ones, as there is a concentration of many nerve pathways and nuclei responsible for vital functions. A stroke in those areas could be catastrophic. So even more than with other types of stroke, urgent attention is needed. I think he should be evaluated in the ER and undergo brain imaging, preferably MRI which best visualizes those areas. Imaging of the head and neck vessels is also indicated for severe narrowing which may be responsible for the low blood supply. Hopefully nothing will turn out and it is due to the vestibular issue, but no chances should be taken when there is such a risk in consideration.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Could be TIA, needs urgent attention.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Those episodes do sound worrying indeed. While the first could have been maybe attributed to the vestibulary problem, the other episode with the inability to move, the speech issue is not justified by the inner ear issue. As you yourself suspected it might well be in the setting of a lack of blood supply to the posterior areas of the brain, a stroke or TIA in that area.
A stroke in those areas is among the most dangerous ones, as there is a concentration of many nerve pathways and nuclei responsible for vital functions. A stroke in those areas could be catastrophic. So even more than with other types of stroke, urgent attention is needed. I think he should be evaluated in the ER and undergo brain imaging, preferably MRI which best visualizes those areas. Imaging of the head and neck vessels is also indicated for severe narrowing which may be responsible for the low blood supply. Hopefully nothing will turn out and it is due to the vestibular issue, but no chances should be taken when there is such a risk in consideration.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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