TIA SUPPORT Community Group
This is primarily a sub-group for stroke victims,,a TIA is a mini stroke and has its own conditions and own problems and it's own issues..
Hi,
Im 52. Entered menopause at 50. After a routine MRI because of having tinnitus (ringing ears) my neurologist found a 3-4 mm bulge on the internal carotid. I found out alot about human anatomy after having a TIA. Your carotid goes through your legs, up in to your neck, and then branch off. You have an internal carotid (supplies blood to the brain and vertabrae) and an external carotid (provides blood to other areas). The area of the bulge is in the internal carotid artery up in the cavernous sinus area which is deep behind your eyes and is under the base of the skull. Neuro said I have vascular changes in the brain, the aneurysms indicating two mini storkes, and have microvascular disease. Changes in hormones brought about in menopause pretty much put you at risk for bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. Also, being overweight and lack of diet and exercise adds to it. I dont recall when I had my TIA's...no earthly idea. Menopause has brought about so many symptoms I cant say. I remember having extreme fatigue but that is a menopause symptom too. I also had a period of depression which can be brought on by menopause. Both of these things can be related to a TIA as well. So, I have to live with fact I dont know when I had them. I am on a full strength Bayer aspirin to thin the blood. Told not to worry, the bulge is small. Am seeing a neurovascular to review my MRI and find out if the artery wall is thin or not, or if this bulge is more indicating a structural defect and not a mini stroke. Radiologists report indicated microvascular disease, vascular changes in the brain, so I doubt Im going to get off without a hitch here. I also am hearing "whooshing" like turbulent blood flow in my head, have ringing ears, and sometimes hear and feel a loud and hard heartbeat in my head. I have read this can be indicative of a blocked carotid artery. Im pushing my neurovascular surgeon for a CT angiogram of the 3-4mm aneurysm and to do a Carotid ultrasound or include the carotid in the CT Angiogram. I have to be proactive and no one else is going to look out for me. There would be more people on this site if they knew they had a TIA. Many dont know they had one, me included, until it was discovered on the MRI. Im glad I know but also think ignorance is bliss. If I didnt know it wouldnt make a difference in how I think about all this now. But glad I know so I can make some changes and ward off any future problems. Glad to see this sub group. Think we need an actual TIA group of its own and not part of a sub group. Judy
Im 52. Entered menopause at 50. After a routine MRI because of having tinnitus (ringing ears) my neurologist found a 3-4 mm bulge on the internal carotid. I found out alot about human anatomy after having a TIA. Your carotid goes through your legs, up in to your neck, and then branch off. You have an internal carotid (supplies blood to the brain and vertabrae) and an external carotid (provides blood to other areas). The area of the bulge is in the internal carotid artery up in the cavernous sinus area which is deep behind your eyes and is under the base of the skull. Neuro said I have vascular changes in the brain, the aneurysms indicating two mini storkes, and have microvascular disease. Changes in hormones brought about in menopause pretty much put you at risk for bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. Also, being overweight and lack of diet and exercise adds to it. I dont recall when I had my TIA's...no earthly idea. Menopause has brought about so many symptoms I cant say. I remember having extreme fatigue but that is a menopause symptom too. I also had a period of depression which can be brought on by menopause. Both of these things can be related to a TIA as well. So, I have to live with fact I dont know when I had them. I am on a full strength Bayer aspirin to thin the blood. Told not to worry, the bulge is small. Am seeing a neurovascular to review my MRI and find out if the artery wall is thin or not, or if this bulge is more indicating a structural defect and not a mini stroke. Radiologists report indicated microvascular disease, vascular changes in the brain, so I doubt Im going to get off without a hitch here. I also am hearing "whooshing" like turbulent blood flow in my head, have ringing ears, and sometimes hear and feel a loud and hard heartbeat in my head. I have read this can be indicative of a blocked carotid artery. Im pushing my neurovascular surgeon for a CT angiogram of the 3-4mm aneurysm and to do a Carotid ultrasound or include the carotid in the CT Angiogram. I have to be proactive and no one else is going to look out for me. There would be more people on this site if they knew they had a TIA. Many dont know they had one, me included, until it was discovered on the MRI. Im glad I know but also think ignorance is bliss. If I didnt know it wouldnt make a difference in how I think about all this now. But glad I know so I can make some changes and ward off any future problems. Glad to see this sub group. Think we need an actual TIA group of its own and not part of a sub group. Judy
mycroftt
Well..DS is not the most responsive and timely organization...I did this probably well over 6 months back and NOTHING !!!! ..either way..There are a multitude of symptoms associated with a TIA...there is definitely a percentage of fatigue.. and for me some stomach disorders ongoing..probably brought on by constant medications which at best may have some side effects if not some toxicity associated ,,,The junior Senator from your state just had a TIA...in the past week,,,of course he received premium first class care, none of this testing, stablization, and out the door,,...well,, good for him at least ,,
deleted_user
Im sure he walked in and said Im Senator Kirk he got the gold standard of care. I feel Ive gotten gold standard though even though I am person on the hospital's patient assistance program. They have treated me as well as anyone else. They have covered for me to have the MRI with contrast and seadation. They have covered the visit to the neuro, the visit that I will have with the neurovascular surgeon, and a visit to a dietician today. I am fortunate to have a good group of doctors in my area and a primary doctor that considers all the angles and goes the distance. I know everyone is not so fortunate.
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