Mini stroke question

[Sigarms]

Currently up in Pa to bring my dad back down with me. Apparently he had a mini stroke this past Friday after driving to the western part of the state for a wedding.

His only symptom was not being able to talk and slurred speech. EKG and cat scan showed nothing, so they released him.

Doctors today, and more test on his heart and main artery tomorrow. I'm figuring they'll find nothing.

He's 82, in great shape as of last year he played 36 holes in one day in SC. He's fiercely independent and he has no intentions of moving to be with us (ironically enough, one reason why we bought our house years ago, so he could move).

Planning on keeping him with us for 3 weeks so he's constantly around someone, then bringing him home when we need to go to New England area.

Other than getting him something along the lines of a "life alert" of some sort (which he isn't crazy about), not sure what else to do. Anyone been through this and what were your experiences? Thanks

 

[brin]

My Mother I were talking one day and she began to slur her words...the docs checked her and did nothing and in a couple of days speech was fine...A while later within the year she lost the use of both of her arms....I don't know if that was the result of that mini stroke or if she had another we were not aware of...she was not living with us....I'd say keep a close watch...

 

[Firemanbuck]

Is your dad still exhibiting symptoms? If not, and based on the scan results, it's likely he had a TIA or transient ischemic attack - the key word here being transient. Unpredictable but usually with no lasting effects.

My dad had a couple, many years apart with and suffered no ill effects (other than during the TIA).

I'd have a good, honest talk with his doctor, but in the end, if he's as independent and stubborn as you say, all the talk in the world won't do much good. Even the life alert wont work if he doesn't keep it with him and activate it when he needs it.

Best of luck.

 

[Sigarms]

Dad is not showing any symptoms from Friday night. He actually mowed today after the docs visit while I weedwhacked some hills that's become too hard for him (he won't say that though). He's been absolutely fine for except those 10 or so minutes since last Friday.

I'm figuring the more in depth tests tomorrow will show nothing as well.

I'd like to keep a close watch, but all his fishing, bowling and golfing buddies are in Pa, and honestly, he deserves to live his life the way he wants to, but my wife REALLY wants him to move in with us, but knowing my dad, that's not going to happen.

Even though he's the baby of the family, he's the one who still seems to take care of everyone up here, which is another reason he doesn't want to leave. I just don't like the possibility of worse case scenario and don't want to second guess myself if something happens.

 

[newbury]

About the only thing you can do is have a frank talk with him and tell your concerns and try to get him to agree to talk to you or someone FREQUENTLY.

My wife had a "small" clot type stroke in her brain, our daughter was home, noticed her slurred speech, ran her to the emergency. A few hours later she was hospitalized for a week, a month after that she had pretty much recovered. She went to the doctors (drove by herself) for a "ready to return to work" checkup. Wouldn't tell them she was having a slight trouble with her arm. She wanted to get back to work. I got home that evening and she was slightly slurred. I almost had to tie her up to get her to emergency. This time she had a fair sized "bleeder". She just about passed away twice. It was about 2 weeks before she could move her little finger. It took about 6 months of therapy and she was finally back to about 90% of her old self.

That was in 2009. Today she's at 95% or better, virtually all stroke signs gone.

The point of the story is that she tried to deny the small signs because she "wanted to get something done". If it wasn't for my daughter the first time and me the second I doubt I'd have the same wife now, or she would be a vegetable in a hospice.

Try and Skype or something with him daily so you can monitor his progress and keep in touch. Make him keep a life alert or at least a cell phone CHARGED on his person at all times.

My 86yr old MIL refuses a life alert but does keep a small cell phone with her and it helped when she slipped on the ice.

My Grandfather was like your Dad. Fiercely independent, very healthy, about 80 yrs old. One summer day (1977) in Vermont he went about 70 yards from the house and suffered a blood clot in his leg. He couldn't make it back to the house. My Dad found him about 6 hours later. He was rushed to the hospital but the clot moved to his brain and killed him. A life alert or cell phone would have saved him.

And make sure you tell him daily how much you love him.

 

[F3506]

How does he feel about cell phones? If he's not crazy about them, find a teenager to show him everything a smart phone can do in under 2 minutes. Then tell him you're getting him a cell phone and will text him every few hours on it just so you feel better.

When he argues, bring up the life alert thing as a compromise, even though that's the whole point of this. Just keep in mind life alert has some very significant distance limitations, or at least used to. Check to see what's available now with cell phone based technology in case he's off playing golf and not near the house.

 

[kenmac]

Well Joe, I have nothing to add to the mini stroke discussion other than I lost my mom several yrs ago to several strokes ( the DR'S just couldn't seem to stop them from happening). That's also how my mom's dad (my grandfather) went so, I guess it runs in my family. Keep an eye out, you never know when that mini will turn into something else.. Good luck.... I hope all turns out well for your dad

 

[Sigarms]

Thanks for all the input guys. More detailed tests showed nothing, couple more things tomorrow, but for now just a medication change. Actually had a TIA at the doctors office today so at least the doctor saw it first hand ( no more than 60 seconds). Blessing in disguise perhaps because my father understands and agrees he should be with us.

 

[Dennisfly]

My mother was about 90 and in good health, sharp mentally and still driving. She went to church one Sunday, stood up to sing a hymn, and when the hymn was over, and everyone else sat down, she remained standing with a blank look on her face. People sat her down and she returned to normal but remembered nothing of the incident. She went to the doctor who checked her out, did a number of tests, and said she was fine and it was probably a TIA. He revoked her driving privileges, three years have passed, and she is fine. She has had no other incidents (that she can remember or were witnessed). She lives alone and independently in a single family house. She volunteers at the museum, library, and church. She is there 100% intellectually. She really hated loosing her drivers license and the associated independence. She's doing better than 99% of her contemporaries though! She does have a Life Alert and Family and neighbors nearby.

 

[Sigarms]

Any suggestions on an alternative to aggronox? (sp?)

I realize this isn't a professional medical board, and yes, the doctor is the only place to get medical advice, however, since bringing my father down to NC, the closest date at this point I can get him in to see someone in neurology is over 6 weeks from now (trying to move that date up ASAP).

On the drive back to NC the neurologist called pertaining to the MRI readings taken this past weds, seems indeed he had two small strokes, but his brain looked healthy given the circumstances.

Medical records have been transfered to NC, but at this point I'm not even sure if anyone has looked at them. Honestly, I would of of thought two TIA's within 4 days of each other would raise a higher level of concern other than just additional medication (aggronox), but haven't been through this before, so I don't know.

Reading up on the aggronox, it seems it can cause headaches, which it's doing in spades to dad. Ultimately my father hates the drug already for the side effects as he says "this is no way to live".