Public Service Announcement

(PSA)

This is a warning and information that might save your life or the life of someone you love.

If you’ve heard of TIA’s, you probably think of them as unimportant tiny strokes. You’re right about small and stroke, but mistaken about unimportant.

In case you’re not familiar, TIA stands for Transient Ischemic Attack. TIA’s are believed to be of fleeting duration, causing no harm to the brain. This is only partially true. According to some medical websites, they only last a couple of minutes and don’t result in permanent damage. Don’t let this fool you.

A TIA, often referred to as a ministroke, serves as a crucial warning. If you suspect you’re having one, call 9-1-1 immediately. It’s vital that you visit the emergency room since a TIA indicates you’re in danger of a major stroke. The risk may manifest immediately after a TIA, within the first month, or even after a year.

If you suspect a TIA, go to the hospital.

The symptoms of a TIA are similar to those of a stroke. Their duration is typically only a few minutes, but could extend up to 24 hours. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include:

  • Muscle numbness or weakness, typically on one side of the body
  • Trouble with speech or understanding spoken language
  • Experiencing dizziness or a loss of balance
  • Double vision or visual impairment in one or both eyes.

But what if your experience is different? If you suspect something off, don’t ignore it. Err on the side of maybe you’ll look silly, and get to the ER immediately.

Two weeks ago, I was in the car with my husband running errands. I didn’t think anything of it when I spoke and the wrong word came out. Thought it was just a silly aberration. I took notice when my inability to say the right words persisted despite my efforts. In fact, I forced myself to pay attention. The word was clear in my mind, but I couldn’t pronounce it correctly when speaking.

I waited for it to end, but half hour into this strange world of odd words coming out of my mouth, I forced myself to acknowledge what was likely happening. We had just turned into the Trader Joe’s parking lot, blocks away from the hospital. I forced reality to take precedence over any doubt and told my husband to get me to the hospital.

Fortunately, my neurologist advised me a few years back to call 9-1-1 and go to the ER immediately if I ever suspected a TIA as it indicated a high risk of a major stroke. I want to emphasize that even armed with this information, I still had to push away my inclination to think this was nothing. It would pass and I’d be fine. Please keep this in mind, because denial is not something we choose. We’re just there, and if we’re to survive, we must force to the forefront important information that may save us.

The hospital was so close that driving there was a better choice than waiting for an ambulance. I walked in and explained to the intake person what had happened. By then, I could speak, but intermittent glitches impeded my ability to get words out. This was not like other times when I might not remember a name. I felt like a piece of equipment with faulty wiring that prevented optimum functioning.

I was taken in immediately and the tests began. My blood pressure was over 200. I’ve never had high blood pressure in my life! After the initial intake, I was moved into one of the private ER alcoves. A nurse stayed with me the whole time and hours later, accompanied me to the room where I spent the night.

Many blood tests, an EKG, echocardiogram,  CT scans, one with and one without contrasting dye, and an interesting drive to another facility for an MRI, revealed the TIA. I was sent home the next day.

And here’s where I am today. Right now, as I write, I continue to be at high risk of a major stroke. Fun times!

I want to share something important I’ve learned. It isn’t true that there are no remnants of a TIA after a short while. For more than a week after I left the hospital, I continued to struggle to say the right word. I could feel the glitch that caused me to pause before I could get my brain and mouth to cooperate with each other and allow me to speak. Yes, for more than a week, which is longer than symptoms immediately disappearing.

Because I care, I stopped everything to write today hoping you will pay attention and if you ever suspect something, you won’t brush it off and think you can tough it out. You can’t. Don’t take the chance of a major stroke that could damage your cognitive and physical abilities, or kill you.

If you suspect anything, even if you’re young, please call 9-1-1. The life you save may be your own.

Thank you for reading.