Wow, what a series of events. I am glad he is on the mend.

My former grad student, who is about my age (late 40's), had a stroke a year and a half ago, and, unfortunately, is still having a few complications from it though she has been able to work. She was healthy, not overweight, and taught aerobics and water aerobics. She did, however, have migraines with aura, and that is also a risk factor.

When I worked at a hospital, they often mentioned the "golden hour" related to stroke or head injury. The faster you get help, the more likely you are to survive and recover. Never ignore symptoms. My father knew he had a bruit ( a humming sound in a blood vessel of the neck that indicates a narrowing of the vessel) and he ignored it. How did he know he had it -- he was a doctor and could hear it with his stethoscope. Thinking he was Superman, he just let it go. Then he had a stroke, which was made worse by an angioplasty that knocked loose some plaque, causing a more severe stroke. It was just awful. He had no use of half of his body for five years before his death.

He also had had a TIA, where his speech was garbled before the bigger stroke. Ignored it.

So -- listen to Gibby! Do not ignore the symptoms of a stroke and get yourself to the ER fast. Don't wait to see your own doctor. You need to get there within that Golden Hour. Honestly, the people in the ER will not think you are a bother or being paranoid.

I suspect my mother also had a TIA before her 'big' stroke. She didn't tell anyone or go to the doctor either. I think older people tend to 'not want to know' or discount those when they could probably avoid a more severe stroke if they would just tell the doctor. My dad called our neighbor (a doctor) in PA when the severe one hit and he knew immediately that she was having a stroke. I guess they didn't call him in time for her to get the meds within that time frame. Since every one of my relatives has died of a stroke, I do think family history must have a huge impact.

I agree with dedtired and gibby, don't ignore!

Oh and I am so glad your husband is fine, Gibby! I love happy endings.

What a miracle, Gibby! Your dh is so lucky that you called right at that time.

Thank you for the reminders. I think it's also a good idea to take some aspirin if something like that is happening. Not sure if it interferes with administering other meds at the hospital.

Did your husband by chance not take some aspirin daily or was he using that preventative?

I'm sure you will beware of a general cardiovascular problem with him from here out but it sounds like he is already on a good path taking care of himself. Often there is one event before another larger one. Not to scare you more, but just to point it out if there's anything else he can do to prevent something like that.

Doctors do say that good habits can gradually over time undo the effects of bad ones in the past.

This post was edited by snookums2 on Sun, Feb 17, 13 at 16:43

Wow. What a great outcome. You two are blessed. Really? What perfect timing!!!

'Mom' has Heart Failure, Afib with renal damage. She has been under the weather for three weeks... Had to run her to hospital for dehydration shortly after my Florida trip. We had an Eco cardio gram last week but still waiting to hear from the Doctor (!!???).

She is always confused, doesn't walk well (some days are worse than others) and hates drinking fluids. I have to force her to drink while I stand and watch her. Stroke and dehydration often mirror the same symptoms, as far as I can tell. Can't wait for the Dr to call. I phoned him twice Friday but he didn't respond. I'm frustrated because they canceled her first Cardio gram and pushed it out 9 days. She had it last Tuesday and I have yet to hear anything...

We had a gastro bug go through the house Friday and Saturday. I was only able to bark orders to DH. " Make her drink pedalite.,". "Give her water and watch her dink it..." "What color is her urine?". Poor DH.

Today she is still dehydrated but holding everything down. Feeding her celery and other water bearing foods along with Smart Water.

Sorry to take over the thread but I am wondering if anyone can tell me how to know if it's a stroke or dehydration? It seems dehydration can lead to stroke...
Also, she is taking water pills for her heart. Seems like an oxymoron to make her take water pills when she is dehydrated...

(So many questions for the absent Dr.)

SLARS (my own acronym) - Smile, lift arms, repeat sentences. You could think of it as the classic stroke symptom: slurs speech. Or SLURS, lift up (arms).

3-step stroke test:

1. Bystander told the patients, "Show me your teeth." The "smile test" is used to check for one-sided facial weakness -- a classic sign of stroke.

2. Then the patients were told to close their eyes and raise their arms. Stroke patients usually cannot raise both arms to the same height, a sign of arm weakness.

3. Finally, the patients were asked to repeat a simple sentence to check for slurring of speech, which is another classic sign of stroke. "In Cincinnati, the researchers asked patients to say, 'The sky is blue in Cincinnati,'" says Brice. But in the study, the researchers varied four simple phrases such as "Don't cry over spilled milk."

Another article on the test: article on stroke test for laypeople>

Here is a link that might be useful: 3-step stroke test

This post was edited by snookums2 on Sun, Feb 17, 13 at 18:05

Gibby--glad you called when you did and glad dh got tpa in time.

He is a lucky man.

Thanks for sharing your story and educating us.

I got chills reading your post, gibby. How scared you must have been not being able to be with him while all of this happened. I definitely believe it was divine intervention that you called him then.

So happy he's ok. Will keep you and DH in my prayers.

The acronym used by the National Stroke Association is FAST, which is easier to remember than snookums' acronym.

Face - ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms - ask the person to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
Speech - ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
Time - if you observe any of these signs call 9-1-1 immediately.

My ex-BIL had a stroke while seeing a patient, who lucky for him, knew FAST.

Wow Gibby, what an incredible thing that you were on the phone with your husband. I'm so happy for you and your husband that it worked out as it did.

Well, I just made up something quick so people might be able to remember the test. Surprised the official one wasn't part of the article. I will be lucky to remember either, I think, and hopefully will simply remember the steps, which are pretty simple. Hope to never be in that position! When in doubt, always call 911 and don't play doctor.

Gibby, what an ordeal. Thanks for the useful information, though I'm sorry it's now based on your first-hand experience. Hoping your DH recovers completely and never has an episode again.

Goldust,
My Mom lived with Afib for 10 years and had very severe side effects from the drugs she was prescribed. She would always feel nauseas and would land up in the hospital for weeks. Once the Cardiologist she insisted on staying with left the practice and went out of state, we were able to switch Doctors. It was a blessing.

He took her off the medication that was controlling her heart beat and making her very ill. He treated her irregular hearbeat as normal since she had such an extreme reaction to the medication that controled her heartbeat .She no longer required multiple hospitalization per year.

My point is her symptoms could be a result of one of her medications specifically blood pressure medication.

Great information. So glad you had a happy ending.

Gibby,
How terrifying.
I am so glad to hear that everything was done and your DH is well. One of those bad situations where the stars align so that every possible piece fits properly into place and the outcome is optimal.