Strokes

[girlsmiley]

Hey up petal!

Aww did you. I shall read that later in the week and post summat. Thanks for the link - I will read that.

All good. You take care darling I have to run xxx

 

[Fata Morgana]

Hey, sore subject with me. Both of my parents lived to a ripe old age but at the end, the local hospital treated them like shit in my opinion. With the way things work now, (in the US), they weren't likely to recover so they were shown the door and sent to hospice. It may have been inevitable but there was so little compassion, no empathy from the doctors. I'm not sure living a long time is anything to wish for. You can become as helpless as a young child and have no one to advocate for you.

For sure the elderly seem to get a raw deal here too. It's like they're considered a drain on resources. My mum's GP definitely feels that way. Cunt. Wonder if he feels like that about his own mother?

Yeah I agree - there's nothing to look forward to in old age. I watched my Dad decline with dementia and it was fucking horrific. And I had to fight tooth and nail to get him into care. I can't fault that nursing home though, they were bloody brilliant. I think we were exceptionally lucky, heard and seen some awful horror stories about care homes.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

Anyone had one? Know much about 'em?

One of my closest friends had a stroke at the weekend. She's only 30. Today she started her speech therapy. Apparently she's had three brain bleeds, lost the use of her right side and can't communicate well.

Are strokes likely to be followed by more strokes? Seriously, I know fuck all about strokes and if you google anything medical it all ends in death.

Very sorry about your friend. Frankly, she sounds lucky to be alive.

I had a very mild stroke over fifteen years ago. I was headachy and dizzy. But my girlfriend and I had a weekend trip to Vegas scheduled the next day. And I went anyway. Clearly the dumbest ass thing I've ever done. No, wait. Second dumbest. I'm about to trump it.

Upon arrival and check-in, I went to sign the register, and while my signature felt perfectly normal, the resulting scrawl looked like a bad autograph from a wise-ass baseball player. Up in the room, I kept practicing my signature. Felt great. Completely illegible. Also, my speech was a little slurred.

So.....rush to the ER, right?

Nawww. Played craps. Went to shows. Ate some great dinners. Had raucous sex. Went to the doctor the following Monday. He scheduled me for an MRI that same afternoon. Whatever I had barely showed up on the imagery. But because of my very specific symptoms, they still classified it as a stroke and not a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).

Went on Plavix right away, and within a few weeks, everything was back to normal. Since then, I have religiously stayed on my blood pressure meds and dropped a much needed 30 pounds within the past year. I also get a carotid arterial scan every three or four years just to make sure. Oh, and I don't smoke (and never have).

If you have any doubt someone is having a stroke, the best field test is "FAST."

F Face. Ask the person to smile. Do the facial muscles droop to either side?

A Arms. Have person raise and hold both arms out in front of him. Can he do it or does one drift back down?

S Speech. Have person say a simple phrase with soft "s" and "c" sounds. Is speech slurred?

T Time. If any of the above warning signs are visible don't squander the time like I did. MOVE!! I could have died.

postscript: Recently on a hot summer day I was driving to the club for a workout. I was seriously dizzy and nauseous. I couldn't shake it. I had also recently had some ringing in my ears. Mindful of my stroke history, I made a beeline for the nearest ER. Got an EKG and CT scan. All's well. Maybe the onset of Meneire's. Have an appointment with an eye, ear, nose, throat specialist in a few weeks.

But I will never, ever again fuck around with any abnormal symptoms that could reasonably be a stroke like I did that weekend in Vegas.

 

[Fata Morgana]

Very sorry about your friend. Frankly, she sounds lucky to be alive.

I had a very mild stroke over fifteen years ago. I was headachy and dizzy. But my girlfriend and I had a weekend trip to Vegas scheduled the next day. And I went anyway. Clearly the dumbest ass thing I've ever done. No, wait. Second dumbest. I'm about to trump it.

Upon arrival and check-in, I went to sign the register, and while my signature felt perfectly normal, the resulting scrawl looked like a bad autograph from a wise-ass baseball player. Up in the room, I kept practicing my signature. Felt great. Completely illegible. Also, my speech was a little slurred.

So.....rush to the ER, right?

Nawww. Played craps. Went to shows. Ate some great dinners. Had raucous sex. Went to the doctor the following Monday. He scheduled me for an MRI that same afternoon. Whatever I had barely showed up on the imagery. But because of my very specific symptoms, they still classified it as a stroke and not a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).

Went on Plavix right away, and within a few weeks, everything was back to normal. Since then, I have religiously stayed on my blood pressure meds and dropped a much needed 30 pounds within the past year. I also get a carotid arterial scan every three or four years just to make sure. Oh, and I don't smoke (and never have).

If you have any doubt someone is having a stroke, the best field test is "FAST."

F Face. Ask the person to smile. Do the facial muscles droop to either side?

A Arms. Have person raise and hold both arms out in front of him. Can he do it or does one drift back down?

S Speech. Have person say a simple phrase with soft "s" and "c" sounds. Is speech slurred?

T Time. If any of the above warning signs are visible don't squander the time like I did. MOVE!! I could have died.

postscript: Recently on a hot summer day I was driving to the club for a workout. I was seriously dizzy and nauseous. I couldn't shake it. I had also recently had some ringing in my ears. Mindful of my stroke history, I made a beeline for the nearest ER. Got an EKG and CT scan. All's well. Maybe the onset of Meneire's. Have an appointment with an eye, ear, nose, throat specialist in a few weeks.

But I will never, ever again fuck around with any abnormal symptoms that could reasonably be a stroke like I did that weekend in Vegas.

Fucking hell Colonel! That was a close call.

Fuck knows why they turned her away from the hospital then? I think she went with facial numbness. Twats.

It's all I've been able to think about since Friday. Been so, so worried.

 

[Jennifer]

This is good news. Nikki is very, very positive and has lots of guts. She's got a huge supportive family too. And I know she'll want to get better for a her little girl who is also quite sick.

I'll know more when I see her but she's not up for non-family visitors as yet. I think she's embarrassed about speaking etc but as I pointed out to her husband, she'll still make more sense than me!

Aww. Poor thing, feeling embarrassed. Someone should get her one of those boards where she can point to words to communicate. It helped my friend tremendously. The pathway is where they know the words but can't make the mouth work to communicate. It's so frustrating for them.

As always, dear Fata, feel free to email or PM me anytime.

 

[Fata Morgana]

Aww. Poor thing, feeling embarrassed. Someone should get her one of those boards where she can point to words to communicate. It helped my friend tremendously. The pathway is where they know the words but can't make the mouth work to communicate. It's so frustrating for them.

As always, dear Fata, feel free to email or PM me anytime.

I will chickadee.

 

[Jennifer]

Very sorry about your friend. Frankly, she sounds lucky to be alive.

I had a very mild stroke over fifteen years ago. I was headachy and dizzy. But my girlfriend and I had a weekend trip to Vegas scheduled the next day. And I went anyway. Clearly the dumbest ass thing I've ever done. No, wait. Second dumbest. I'm about to trump it.

Upon arrival and check-in, I went to sign the register, and while my signature felt perfectly normal, the resulting scrawl looked like a bad autograph from a wise-ass baseball player. Up in the room, I kept practicing my signature. Felt great. Completely illegible. Also, my speech was a little slurred.

So.....rush to the ER, right?

Nawww. Played craps. Went to shows. Ate some great dinners. Had raucous sex. Went to the doctor the following Monday. He scheduled me for an MRI that same afternoon. Whatever I had barely showed up on the imagery. But because of my very specific symptoms, they still classified it as a stroke and not a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).

Went on Plavix right away, and within a few weeks, everything was back to normal. Since then, I have religiously stayed on my blood pressure meds and dropped a much needed 30 pounds within the past year. I also get a carotid arterial scan every three or four years just to make sure. Oh, and I don't smoke (and never have).

If you have any doubt someone is having a stroke, the best field test is "FAST."

F Face. Ask the person to smile. Do the facial muscles droop to either side?

A Arms. Have person raise and hold both arms out in front of him. Can he do it or does one drift back down?

S Speech. Have person say a simple phrase with soft "s" and "c" sounds. Is speech slurred?

T Time. If any of the above warning signs are visible don't squander the time like I did. MOVE!! I could have died.

postscript: Recently on a hot summer day I was driving to the club for a workout. I was seriously dizzy and nauseous. I couldn't shake it. I had also recently had some ringing in my ears. Mindful of my stroke history, I made a beeline for the nearest ER. Got an EKG and CT scan. All's well. Maybe the onset of Meneire's. Have an appointment with an eye, ear, nose, throat specialist in a few weeks.

But I will never, ever again fuck around with any abnormal symptoms that could reasonably be a stroke like I did that weekend in Vegas.

A fantastic post! It is boring but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

 

[DesEsseintes]

A fantastic post! It is boring but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Words I never thought I'd see from you.

 

[Jennifer]

Words I never thought I'd see from you.

.....

 

[ms_ann_thrope]

Anyone had one? Know much about 'em?

One of my closest friends had a stroke at the weekend. She's only 30. Today she started her speech therapy. Apparently she's had three brain bleeds, lost the use of her right side and can't communicate well.

Are strokes likely to be followed by more strokes? Seriously, I know fuck all about strokes and if you google anything medical it all ends in death.

Quite often the closest friends of stroke victims also have a strokes. It's called aneurism by proxy.

 

[Fata Morgana]

Quite often the closest friends of stroke victims also have a strokes. It's called aneurism by proxy.

Aren't you fake dead from your fake cancer yet, you rancid old cunt? What a fucking shame.

 

[ms_ann_thrope]

Aren't you fake dead from your fake cancer yet, you rancid old cunt? What a fucking shame.

I hope your friend dies in front of you. What do you think about that?

 

[Fata Morgana]

I hope your friend dies in front of you. What do you think about that?

I don't think anything of what you "hope" because you're a sad old man pretending to be a woman with cancer on the internet. I've flushed better down the toilet.

And you will note people are more concerned about a friend of mine on here that they don't know than with you and your supposedly disease ridden kidney. Speaks volumes eh? You are scum. Plain and simple. I doubt even cancer would entertain your cells.

Still pissed I wasn't banned I see!

 

[Lorilei]

I don't know much about strokes, but I hope your friend gets better soon, Fata.

 

[ms_ann_thrope]

I don't think anything of what you "hope" because you're a sad old man pretending to be a woman with cancer on the internet. I've flushed better down the toilet.

And you will note people are more concerned about a friend of mine on here that they don't know than with you and your supposedly disease ridden kidney. Speaks volumes eh? You are scum. Plain and simple. I doubt even cancer would entertain your cells.

Still pissed I wasn't banned I see!

I think you're making the whole thing up to garner sympathy points so people will understand you trolling me all over the board wishing me dead.

You have serious issues sweetie.

 

[Fata Morgana]

I don't know much about strokes, but I hope your friend gets better soon, Fata.

Cheers petal.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

A fantastic post! It is boring but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Ya know, lots of people are embarrassed when a health scare turns out to be "nothing." NOT ME!! I'm thrilled!

Besides, an awful lot of nothings easily develop into "somethings" by feeding off of months or years of neglect. How embarrassed and remorseful will you feel if that happens?

 

[pointless]

i have no idea, but googling medical things is indeed very unfun.

 

[Fata Morgana]

i have no idea, but googling medical things is indeed very unfun.

Tell me about it. One time I convinced myself I had myxomatosis.

 

[Oh_That_Guy]

Emotional changes are common after a stroke. It's likely she isn't embarrassed about her speech deficit but despairing, afraid and overcome. Depression is common in those who have suffered a stroke (or even a TIA) as time moves on.

I hope she makes a great and fast recovery - that she was active and fit pre-stroke will be of an advantage in her recovery.

My brother still gets frustrated sometimes and it turns to anger. Early on he would get mad and leave the room or hang up on people for no reason other than he had trouble saying what he wanted to say. Some people don't deal well with it.
I was lucky and had no lasting effects but I'm quite aware that next time I might not be so lucky. I don't dwell on it but I'm always aware.

 

[Oh_That_Guy]

i have no idea, but googling medical things is indeed very unfun.

Just a bad idea in general. A cough is cancer, a headache is a stroke, a bruise an early sign of AIDS. The internet made medicine fun.

 

[Disgustipated]

I watched an employee have one right in front of me. He started to wobbled a bit while walking. Then when he sat down he was slouched a bit. Then his face started to droop and I called 911. He didn't think it was a big deal and drove himself to the hospital.

He waited 5 hours before being seen and it probably fucked him even worse. Good luck to your friends.

Also, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT68FS3YbQ4

 

[Hard_Rom]

Strokes are related to heart attacks and embolisms in the lung. I guess the root causes are similar. I myself have had several heart attacks and bypasses (runs in the family).

Take your meds, watch your fat content in your diet and don't smoke.

Some strokes are a result of a blood clot, some are due to plaque buildup in blood system. A piece typically breaks off and plugs a narrow vein or artery. Similar to a heart attack.

They are all cardiovascular diseases.

My condition is due to liver kicking out to much cholesterol. A high fat diet triggers the liver to produce cholesterol. Statin drugs and diet can control this. Daily aspirin to inhibit plaque build up too.

Take your meds, watch your fat and salt content, don't smoke and exercise regularly.
Watch out for depression which is common after such attacks.

 

[StrangeView]

Just chiming in to offer my support to you and your friend, my dad had a second major stroke a couple of weeks back, and I know how it feels. His first stroke was around 3 years back, at the age of 82. Took out the whole right side, speech, movement, swallow reflex (leaving him unable to eat normally), and it didn't look good for a long time. A year on, he'd made a 95% recovery, and had a pretty normal life. This one has been worse, no improvement when they put him on life support when he arrived at A&E, so they decided to step back. I don't blame them for that; lungs filling with fluid, kidney function failed, precious little hope. If they'd asked me, I'd have had to agree. But he flatly refused to die, and has been clawing his way back ever since. Now he's eating a little each meal time, aware of his surroundings, recognising his visitors, trying to speak, and waving his good arm around at us. Christ he's a tough old bird, but then my gran (his mum) had 9, 5 of them big enough to kill her outright, and she died of old age at 94.

Your friend has youth on her side, and it sounds like she has the sort of support around her to get her back to health. It's a long road, but I think she'll make it.

Best wishes, and my thoughts are with you both.

SV

 

[pointless]

heart attacks and strokes may be similiar, but taking an aspirin during a heart attack may be highly beneficial to you while doing so during a stroke might just send your ass to the morgue.