1. < Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases
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Just found out I’ve had a silent mini stroke (TIA). Had this?

Posted by ginger123 @ginger123, Sep 21, 2024

After a fall, my doctor ordered a CT scan, and an “incidental” find was a silent mini stroke (not TIA) in a small vessel. Age indeterminate, so not sure how long I’ve had it.
I’m scheduled for Carotid artery Doppler, and a coronary artery CT. Doctor put me on .81 aspirin, and awaiting results of scans.
I’m quite concerned that this increases my risk for a large stroke, or more mini strokes. I’ve changed my diet, losing weight, getting cholesterol down (which wasn’t overly high) and watching BP, (which is normal). I’m 73 and otherwise in good health…. I thought!
Have you had similar findings? What have you experienced?
Thank you. I love our Mayo Clinic group.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases Support Group.

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jdfinfl | @jdfinfl | Oct 16 10:19am

I am 71 and had retinal surgery and at my post-op visit the surgeon discovered I had a retinal vein occlusion which is a stroke within the retina. I am taking treatment for this and when I told my primary care provider she ordered a carotid ultrasound. I was diagnosed with CAD & have an appointment with a cardiologist soon. CAD runs in my family and I was healthy - eating well, exercising for 40+ years. I went from not taking a statin to one of the most powerful statins. I actually feel better as I had started having problems with my heart rate going too high during cardio at the gym. My recovery time was getting bad also. I just thought I need to go to the gym more often! The retinal surgeon not only saved my sight he probably helped save my life.

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Zebra | @californiazebra | Oct 9 12:27pm
In reply to @lisalucier "@californiazebra - that does sound scary and like quite the experience with your TIA. Glad you..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

@californiazebra - that does sound scary and like quite the experience with your TIA. Glad you are feeling a little more normal today. What did the doctors tell you to expect for continued recovery from the TIA back at home?

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@lisalucier
Oh, I’ve also always read that TIAs don’t cause permanent damage. Not sure if that’s true after what the neurologist said, but I just read that temporary damage can last weeks or months. I had always thought of temporary as being days.

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Zebra | @californiazebra | Oct 9 12:17pm
In reply to @lisalucier "@californiazebra - that does sound scary and like quite the experience with your TIA. Glad you..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

@californiazebra - that does sound scary and like quite the experience with your TIA. Glad you are feeling a little more normal today. What did the doctors tell you to expect for continued recovery from the TIA back at home?

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@lisalucier
The neurologist just said he can’t tell if the damage is temporary or permanent but it’s new and either way I need to be on blood thinners. They wanted to put me on Lipitor too but I can’t take statins with my neuropathy. He said now that I’ve had a TIA my LDL needs to be under 70 instead of the usual 100. It’s at 97 now. I was also told 10% of people that have a TIA will have a full stroke within 30 days.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Oct 9 9:36am
In reply to @californiazebra "After several retinal TIAs in the past 3 years, I finally had a cerebral one. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for Zebra @californiazebra

After several retinal TIAs in the past 3 years, I finally had a cerebral one. I suddenly had aphasia which was scary. Suddenly I started typing gibberish and became confused. Fearing it was a major stroke I tried to talk and heard gibberish coming out. Luckily I still had full physical capacity and the presence of mind to quickly go to close neighbors for help. I couldn’t communicate but one neighbor knew gibberish is a stroke sign and called 911. I was able to speak again by the time paramedics arrived so I knew then it was a TIA. I was in the hospital for 24 hours receiving a battery of tests. I was in afib the day before it happened so likely a clot. I’m on Eliquis now. The MRI showed a small amount of damage to my speech center. After a week of feeling a little foggy, losing my train of thought, etc. I felt a little more normal today. Still having trouble hitting the right keys on my phone (much more than usual haha). I sure hope that’s my last TIA.

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@californiazebra - that does sound scary and like quite the experience with your TIA. Glad you are feeling a little more normal today. What did the doctors tell you to expect for continued recovery from the TIA back at home?

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2 replies
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Zebra | @californiazebra | Oct 9 5:36am

After several retinal TIAs in the past 3 years, I finally had a cerebral one. I suddenly had aphasia which was scary. Suddenly I started typing gibberish and became confused. Fearing it was a major stroke I tried to talk and heard gibberish coming out. Luckily I still had full physical capacity and the presence of mind to quickly go to close neighbors for help. I couldn’t communicate but one neighbor knew gibberish is a stroke sign and called 911. I was able to speak again by the time paramedics arrived so I knew then it was a TIA. I was in the hospital for 24 hours receiving a battery of tests. I was in afib the day before it happened so likely a clot. I’m on Eliquis now. The MRI showed a small amount of damage to my speech center. After a week of feeling a little foggy, losing my train of thought, etc. I felt a little more normal today. Still having trouble hitting the right keys on my phone (much more than usual haha). I sure hope that’s my last TIA.

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waynen | @waynen | May 16 4:38pm

Good luck to you. The Heart Brain Clinic is at the Mayo Rochester health System.

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OUMike | @oumike | May 16 3:27pm
In reply to @waynen "I understand your concern. I'm not sure what a silent or small stroke is. Two years..." + (show)
Profile picture for waynen @waynen

I understand your concern. I'm not sure what a silent or small stroke is. Two years ago at 78 I had a headache and my wife and I checked all the common stroke symptoms like weakness in muscles, etc. Didn't have any of those symptoms but several days later I had difficulty in remembering words and pronouncing words. Several weeks later I saw my cardiologist and mentioned it. He became very concerned that I had a stroke. My family doctor got his report the same day and met with me the following day and arranged a MRI the same day. Within 2 hours the report showed that I had part of my brain had a clot that basically killed part of my brain. I don't have any conditions that normally generate clots. My cardiologist became concerned about what caused the clot. He's been checking for afib and I have a loop inserted in my chest near my heart checking for afib, but no issues. He also checked my heart to see if I have a hole between the upper chambers of my heart called a Patent Foramen Ovale or PFO. We all have this hole when in our mother's womb to transfer oxygen to our body. After birth the hole is not needed and will close for most people but one forth of people still have the hole. PFO can cause clots. They can close the hole and I met with a specialist and Neurologist but based on my age they decided against it. So, I don't know if I had a small or silent stroke, but it's changed my life. I can't access part of my brain and wonder if another clot will be coming or when it will come and where it will hit. Mayo has a unit that deals with heart and brain connections and causes of clots. I wasn't able to get in and only on a waiting list with over 50 patients. My personal doctors monitor me, but who knows. Best to you both and good health.

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Waynen,
Hello. Best of luck in tracking down your cause(s) of stroke. I've had 2 small strokes ( if there is such a thing) and am interested in the Mayo Special Unit you mentioned. How to get more info? Thank you.
Blessings to all,
OUMike

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irishnanny3 | @irishnanny3 | May 6 9:03am
In reply to @irishnanny3 "I developed CPS about six weeks after my stroke in 2018. Effects left side of my..." + (show)
Profile picture for irishnanny3 @irishnanny3

I developed CPS about six weeks after my stroke in 2018. Effects left side of my body, head to toe.. like I’m split in two sides. Pain is constant Great neurologist
has tried multiple meds, I’ve had acupuncture, pain management specialists, medical marijuana, PT,
now seeing highly regarded
physiatrist (new specialty to me) who keeps trying to find help for me
I keep researching and hoping and praying something will work

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Thank you for support hugs

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irishnanny3 | @irishnanny3 | May 6 8:01am
In reply to @wnasholds "hello, please spell out acronymns. not all are common and familiar to all. Thank you! Wade..." + (show)
Profile picture for wade nasholds @wnasholds

hello, please spell out acronymns. not all are common and familiar to all.
Thank you!
Wade Nasholds
PS I had an ischemic stroke in my Middle CerbralArtery just over 3 years ago. within a month or so after pain started in my left arm and left leg joints burning stabbing pain. no drugs helped. I thinknit is something called Central Post StrokePain, CPSP. tho other acronymns and names can be used.
anyone ever heard of or experienced such pain after their stroke?
thx
WN

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I developed CPS about six weeks after my stroke in 2018. Effects left side of my body, head to toe.. like I’m split in two sides. Pain is constant Great neurologist
has tried multiple meds, I’ve had acupuncture, pain management specialists, medical marijuana, PT,
now seeing highly regarded
physiatrist (new specialty to me) who keeps trying to find help for me
I keep researching and hoping and praying something will work

REPLY
1 reply
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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | May 5 11:25am
In reply to @oumike "Hello. Just found out had 2 mini-strokes due to off of eliquis for 36-hours for dental..." + (show)
Profile picture for OUMike @oumike

Hello. Just found out had 2 mini-strokes due to off of eliquis for 36-hours for dental surgery which was a tough one. PCD now recommending a Watchman device for additional stroke protection if cardiologist okays it.
Would appreciate Watchman referrals from experienced users now. Thank you.
Blessings to all.

Mike Collins
Overland Park, KS

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Hi, @oumike - There are a few discussions on Connect that might be useful to you about a medical implant used to reduce the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation (Watchman).

Here's a recent discussion looking for those who may have experience with this implant:

- Watchman
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/watchman-2/
This discussion started back in 2017, but it has comments from members through 2024 that may be useful:

Any experiences with Watchman Implant for A-Fib?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/watchman-implant-for-a-fib/

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