Tishtomom -that’s a good point. I did have an extremely thorough work up including lots of blood work. Passed my drug screen, yay! Only my potassium was in the low side of normal. They also did an echogram and I wore a heart monitor while in the hospital. My carotid arteries were scanned and were clear. I was really dismayed when they thought it was a stroke because I eat a pretty healthy diet (vegetarian and have cut wayyy back in ice cream, LOL). I’m not overweight, and religiously take my blood pressure med and cholesterol med.virtually all of my blood work came back uneventful.

@Bestyears Yikes! What a scary experience. I have had a similar experience with my DH. It happened many years ago, he was probably 29, we were recently married. DH went into the shower, and when he came out he didnt know my name. I thought he was joking, but then we realized he didnt know lots of things. Lots of tests, no real diagnosis, nevere recurred(to this point)

Hopefully, you will never have this again. Personally, however, I wouldnt retake the same colonoscopy prep, and I am also a person who suffers greatly with prep.

Bestyears, how frightening for you and your family. I'm glad you are feeling better.

My Dad had severe symptoms because of low potassium caused by his blood pressure meds. He became disoriented and started hallucinating. I don't know all the details because trying to get health info from my parents is like pulling teeth.

He now has potassium pills for when he starts to feel loopy. I'm not sure why he won't take one regularly but that's another question of mine that goes unanswered.

Hopefully, this is a one-off. I too suspect that it was related to some imbalance caused by your test prep but I'm not a Doc so take that for what it is worth.

What a scary experience for you and your family, Bestyears! I'm glad things seem to be resolving and hope this was a one time experience.

I'm sure the last thing you want to think about is prepping for another colonoscopy, but if it were me I would want to avoid the SuTab just in case it did cause some weird reaction/interaction in your body.

Keep planning that trip! A solo vacation sounds like a wonderful experience!

When I had my TIA, my MRI was normal. They told me that it was likely they would not see anything on it since it resolved on its own. I also had negative CT scan, carotid artery scan. But still, I can relate, it was very scary. I was thinking I was having a heart attack and not stroke based on arm numbness and just general feeling "off."

Bestyears, hoping this is a one and done situation whatever it was. Aging is not for the faint of heart 🙁

By the way, if you don't mind the hi-jack, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank and praise this community once again.

When my son had his seizure it was a very scary event and the waiting to see a neurologist seemed interminable (though in actual time elapsed, it was a matter of days). Hearing from people on this board about their own experiences was so helpful.

I know some physicians are exasperated by patients trying to figure it all out for themselves on the internet, but as long as you are a careful consumer of information, use multiple verifiable respected sources, and are humble enough about it to defer to your physician, the internet is invaluable for making us educated consumers of healthcare.

Hope all goes well for you Bestyears

Thank you mtn, could not have said it better myself. I was greatful to have this community to reach out to as well. The high level of measured, thoughtful responses to anything like this is unparalleled in my experience.

And oh-geeze, gsciencechick, that's opposite to what the hospital neuro told me! I have an appointment now with a nuero tomorrow morning, so will double-check this. And you're right -I just went and read up on it. But my symptoms are a 100% match for TGA and only the confusion matches the list of TIA symptoms. I had zero physical impairment.

Mayo Clinic lists sudden immersion in cold or hot water as a cause. Localeater's husband seemed to have an episode while in the shower. Maybe the volume of cold water you drank that morning could have the same effect as a cold shower.

For my sister's TIAs there was no memory loss after the initial incidents. Her face went lax on one side her speech was impaired but her memory did not seem to go away at all.

Whereas with her stroke she didn't have speech impairment at first but she didn't know the words we spoke. I would say the sky is green with purple polka dots and she would say I'm fine how are you to every comment I and the nurse made over the phone. Instead of rushing over to her when I said she had had a stroke they had to talk to her on the phone. That sort of still Riles me a bit. Every second counts with a stroke.

I think that is the telling symptom for you is memory loss. Complete confusion is definitely normal and memory loss less so.

TIAs do not permanently damage your brain so yes they resolve themselves and leave little Trace. Which is a very good thing because my sister has also had a stroke and that definitely left damage in its wake. Luckily for her she has full strength back. Very lucky. Many people don't.

Big hugs to you and best of luck in never having this again and having super great health in revenge for it all.

I apologize for being long-winded -- I just wanted to respond and it was too late and I was too tired to do a lot of editing. I also wanted Bestyears to get the full flavor of the episode because it is the strangest and definitely one of the most frightening things I have encountered. I was helpless to get him help until I could get him home and I didn't know how impaired he was - whether others were safe. Turned out he was fully conscious, driving and managing the car well enough that I didn't hear any honks or screeches -- he was just disconnected from time and place. He knew enough to go north or south, but he didn't know where to go beyond that. He has no memory of that time other than what we have told him.

My dad had a TIA where he was fully conscious, sitting at his desk, but he could not move or talk for a minute, more or less. My understanding is that TIAs present differently from TGA and would be shorter in duration. On TIAs, we were told in the ER that many TIAs do not show up in scans. A larger one may but a lesser one would not.

I will add that DH has had at least 3 colonoscopies with the full prep. They were not in any way connected to or near in time to the TGA episode. I had a borderline low potassium event where I fainted and they could find nothing else wrong. Electrolyte imbalances can cause severe problems, especially if not recognized or ignored. I would try to remember if you felt tired, mentally drained, or fuzzy or otherwise different from normal before the incident and discuss that and the colonoscopy prep with the neuro for peace of mind, but I wouldn't be too concerned. I wouldn't be concerned about the test prep again, but I'd make sure someone was around me, just in case. Having a banana and/or some orange juice on prep day wouldn't hurt. I hope you have a good visit with the neuro tomorrow and get professional reassurance too.

Bestyears, you mentioned wanting to avoid the nasty prep drink. Do you think you could tolerate the Gatorade regimen? That's what I've done for my preps and while I can't say I enjoyed it, it seemed much better than what I've heard about the prepared drink.

Wow. The scary things that can happen to you for no apparent reason.

Oh Bestyears, that is so scary. I'm really sorry you went through this! I'm hoping this was a once in a lifetime experience; maybe brought on by the prep. I'm glad you have been doing better though. Do take things easy for a while. Gentle hugs.

Best, I am so sorry. What a frightening situation. I hope you find answers and this resolves soon. Holding you in my positive thoughts.

Zalco, how is your son doing?

Thank you so much for asking, Mtn. ❤️ He is fit as a fiddle. He caught Covid shortly after leaving the hospital and I worried how he would manage after being so depleted, but he bounced back immiediately. All is well.

Teeda, I will look into the Gatorade regimen. I’m not familiar with it.

@teeda do you mind sharing what the Gatorade regimen is? I avoided colonoscopies for too many years because I just would not be able to drink the prep drink. I did have one about a year ago and did the pill method that bestyears did. So of course now I'm concerned with that method again given her experience.

@Bestyears what a scary ordeal. Happy to hear you're feeling better.

For the Gatorade prep, you mix MiraLax with Gatorade. You need an 8.3 bottle of MiraLax that you divide between two 32 ounce bottles of Gatorade, then refrigerate. The night before the procedure you take 4 Dulcolax tablets. An hour later you drink an 8 oz. glass of the Gatorade/Mirolax mix every 15 minutes (4 glasses in total). After that you drink an 2 8 oz glasses of water, 15 minutes apart. You can drink any clear liquids you want the rest of the night.

4.5 hours before the colonoscopy you drink the second 32 oz. bottle of Gatorade/MiraLax mix just as before--one glass every 15 mins. (4 glasses), followed in 15 minutes by 2 8 oz. glasses of water 15 minutes apart.

I have only done the Gatorade prep, but DH always did the prepared liquid prep until his most recent colonoscopy. He thought the Gatorade was a much better way to do it. I think the Gatorade also helps a lot in preventing dehydration.

How strange and scary! I'm glad it didn't last long and hope it doesn't happen again. This group is the best! Not only does it provide wonderful support, I have learned a few things that I'm filing away for future reference!

So glad that you are feeling much better, extremely scary. lascatx, thank you for sharing your husband's story. Also, very scary, good to know about this type of situation. So glad you were able to direct him home.

Teeda thank you so much. Printing and saving! I won’t be doing the pills again.

I had a colonoscopy around 2001. I knew I couldn't get down all the liquid required. So I did another method, some foul (repeat, FOUL) tasting liquid, only about 8 ounces. It was disgusting but a small amount. I did that about 8 hours apart and, man, did it do the trick. Now I do a yearly home test.

I have only done the liquids. last time i did one that is a smaller amount of liquid, done in two doses. it wasnt pleasant tasting but it was manageable. it worked quickly and worked well. I will ask my dr his thoughts ob the gatorade method for my next time.

An at home test does not take the place of a colonoscopy.

I’m so glad you are better! Prayers that you get some answers so you can have peace of mind.

I had a colonoscopy when I was about 55 or 56. I have no history of colon cancer in my family and now I'm 78 and my doc thinks the annual at-home testing suffices.

The Gatorade method is sanctified by Cleveland Clinic. That's good enough for me! Thanks Teeda for sharing. I'm not feeling quite so irritated about having to do the prep AGAIN now.

Cleveland Clinic Gatorade Bowel Prep

Bestyears - your experience sounds so frightening and I'm so glad you are feeling better. AND, that it might be a one time event.

My doctor also recommended the Gatorade/Miralax prep so I will be using it for my own procedure next month. Ugh. But better than the alternative.

Thanks teeda for the Gatorade info.

I will have to decide what I am going to do for next one. I have a lot of trouble drinking anything I don't like. The prep liquid is a definite no for me. I've tasted Gatorade and hated it. I have a long history of colon cancer in my family including my brother who finished chemo a few months ago.

I didn't have any issues with the pills so maybe I just go that route again.

I am another who cannot stand Gatorade. When I was having to prep for colonoscopies, I found that substitutes like LMNT or Liquid IV, which both come in many flavors, easier to go down. I also drank the broth from strained chicken based soups from our local Thai restaurant.

Thankfully, like Bunny, at my age (75) I no longer will need to have another procedure unless something comes up on a home test.

This is excellent news, Bestyears. You must feel very relieved.

Yes, what teeda said! Great news. :)

I am thrilled for you!

I'm glad you got confirmation and peace of mind.

I just remembered something triggered by your vigilance comment. DH had been taking a baby aspirin daily until the guidance changed as a preventative for people with no cardiac or other episodes. He had his TGA episode not too long after that. His doctor thought it would be prudent to resume the aspirin, not out of concern but because it was the one thing that had changed adn it wouldn't harm anything to continue. Anyway, have a great weekend with less worry.

Mentioned this to DH and he says his neuro also said he has never had a patient with a repeat. His PCP has had only the one wit 2 and everyone has told him that is highly unusual.

Such good news! You must feel an enormous sense of relief.

Lascatx, they have put me on an aspirin a day regimen too.

YAY!!!!! Honestly that sounds like the best possible outcome for what you experienced.

The brain is amazing to me. So glad your issue was a one time blip. :) My IT folks always start out by asking me if I turned off the computer and rebooted it, so maybe this is our brain's way of rebooting itself if the server path gets temporarily corrupted?

After reading about your story several hours before, last night I had dinner with a friend who randomly told me about a friend of hers who found herself on her front lawn a few days ago with no memory of how she got there. The night before, she had had some stomach issues (interesting digestive—system connection?) but nothing too dramatic, but long story short, she was also diagnosed with TGA.

I had never heard of TGA before seeing this thread.

Glad you have a diagnosis that you are happy with ...

and sorry to jump in with a PSA, but strokes are absolutely not limited to those who are overweight, eat meat etc. The majority of people I know who have had strokes (friends and family) may eat meat but they are not overweight or in poor health. Both my grandfather and father were in fine physical shape, didn't smoke (a major risk factor) and not overweight when they had their strokes. There are many risk factors that contribute to strokes so don't discount the signs or possibility of stroke just because you are in good health. I won't detail all the risk factors but in the case of my family (as well as a member of this forum) it is a genetic condition that caused the strokes... in all three cases they condition wasn't known until after the stroke.

Bestnews, Bestyears!

Such great news and I'm sure a huge relief! This thread was certainly educational as I also had never heard of this. Glad there is a happy ending and you can go on your upcoming trip without worries.

Thank you, funkyart, that’s good input about stroke not just occurring to people who actually do not have what we think of as the risk factors . I don’t really have much incidence of stroke in my family so that may mean I don’t have the hereditary risk factor. And my point really is just that I this has made me just all the more watchful about not having a stroke. But besides going on an aspirin a day regimen I’m just not certain what to do that I’m not already doing.

While I'm not glad you had a TIA at least you have an answer and can do what needs to be done to hopefully prevent another. And that is great news - to know what you;re dealing with.

Referring to Funkyart's PSA - my 36 year old niece had a TIA 3 weeks ago - out of no where. She is healthy, eats well, gets healthy exercise and we have no history of strokes or TIA's in our family or in her fathers. She was a paramedic and she and her doctors are completely baffled.

Sorry to hear, @Blfenton -- that's soooo young but hopefully she is fine now. I just heard of a friend of a friend at about the same age having a stroke during a flight. It can happen-- and I would hate for someone to miss or discount stroke symptoms because they are healthy and fit.

Understood, Bestyears -- and again, glad for your diagnosis!

Bestyears, you mist be very relieved after the conversation with the neuro. I’m happy you can breathe easier knowing the diagnosis. We do all we can to stay healthy and yet still something can smack us down we don’t expect and cannot predict.

How scary for you! Glad the neuro said it was the TGA. Better than other options!

fwiw, I did the Gatorade before my one and only (due again) colonoscopy. I did not have to drink more the next morning. I do not like Gatorade either, but selected a flavor I tolerated well. It was not as bad as I feared.

Bestyear, I am so sorry this happened to you. I had a very similar incident. I experienced confusion, loss of balance, memory loss, and extreme tiredness. It resulted in two visits to the hospital.

During the first visit I was told I had vertigo after a CT, MRI, and blood test.

The second incident a co-worker observed what happened and communicated that to my SO. I refused to go to the ER but had SO call my doctor. The doctor had me admitted on a four-day observation in the stroke ward. No one did an EEG untill the last day. It was too late to diagnose a seizure, thought that is what my doctor suspected. At the hospital I had a strange sensation of a shade lifting and just feeling fine. The world seemed brighter, and I felt sharper. I am sure that is the moment when I was all better.

Fast forward four months later, my doctor called and asked if I had any connection to a particular daycare center. I did. It seemed a woman who worked there, also my doctor's patient and had the same symptoms I had. She had agreed to a spinal tap. She had aseptic meningitis caused by a Norovirus that ran through the daycare in April. I had spent time evaluating that daycare in April and had gotten sick with a very bad stomach virus that resolved after four days. It is presumed that I had aseptic meningitis. It took three months from having a stomach virus to seizures.

I went on vacation to Machu Picchu and Ecuador four days after my hospitalization and had a great time.

I hope you get a diagnosis, feel better and never have another episode.

hcbm -wow! Incredible story and what an astute doctor. You may not have seen my update post because it is buried amonst 70+ responses, but my neuro diagnosed me with Transient Global Amnesia. I had pretty much a textbook case, including the 4-5 hour 'black hole', and then an understanding of who I was and who family members were, but I wasn't able to form any new memories, so every question I asked, "Where are we?" "Where are we goind?" "Why didn't I have the colonoscopy" -were answered by family members, but I couldn't remember any of it and so kept asking. The very good news is that I didn't have a TIA or a stroke, AND that TGA is almost never repeated, and there is no lasting damage. So I consider myself very lucky.