TIA symptoms but ALL tests come back negative for anything

Posted by calanbrown @calanbrown, Mar 14, 2025

I am looking for someone that has had a similar experience. TIA symptoms,was brought to the emergency room and admitted and treated as possible stroke patient. All tests come back negative for stroke related attack. Brain and heart and blood showed nothing indications of anything at all. Ruled out diabetic problems, medication problems, drinking or drug problems, physical or physical activity problems.

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Profile picture for nbo @nbo

@lyndall79 I also had blurred vision in one eye (as well as the inability to read words or attempt to speak them). They diagnosed me with a “mini-stroke”, aka, a TIA. Like you, the tests showed no damage to my heart or brain. I was put on a statin and low-dose aspirin. Now following up with my PCP, a cardiologist and neurologist. I’m hoping the ER doc you saw suggested similar follow-up for you? I know, it’s scary; a real wake up call. Warm hugs to you.

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@nbo it must be frightening to read TIA after a hospital visit, with no instructions. I’ve learned that. Dr’s well often write what they suspect before seeing imagining. After a battery of tests, my neurologist wrote: Pontis stroke. Later, she changed it to Bell’s palsy because they could not find any blockage. They still can’t and I continue having many TIA type symptoms after two years. I’m hopeful, but not getting overly excited, to see a vascular neurologist this week.. Keep your head up, and I will too!

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Profile picture for danny67 @danny5

no. just be cautious and pay attention to your body. @danny5

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@danny5
You have to be proactive. Your body is talking. Listen to it and trust it. You need a doc that listens to you. There is little focus on this sector of this phenomenon. You are what you eat. Do what’s best for you. Prayer and faith for healing works. ✌🏿

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Profile picture for lyndall79 @lyndall79

On Saturday evening I experienced blurred vision in my left eye for about 5 seconds and a pain on my chest bone and shortness of breath for a brief second. My husband rushed me to the ER, did a brain scan 2 ECG's also ultrasound of my heart all came back 100% no findings. One of my blood test that came back my iron was extremely low. Doctor advised he dont think I had a stroke. When I got home and read my discharged form it read TIA. I am very worried.

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@lyndall79 I also had blurred vision in one eye (as well as the inability to read words or attempt to speak them). They diagnosed me with a “mini-stroke”, aka, a TIA. Like you, the tests showed no damage to my heart or brain. I was put on a statin and low-dose aspirin. Now following up with my PCP, a cardiologist and neurologist. I’m hoping the ER doc you saw suggested similar follow-up for you? I know, it’s scary; a real wake up call. Warm hugs to you.

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On Saturday evening I experienced blurred vision in my left eye for about 5 seconds and a pain on my chest bone and shortness of breath for a brief second. My husband rushed me to the ER, did a brain scan 2 ECG's also ultrasound of my heart all came back 100% no findings. One of my blood test that came back my iron was extremely low. Doctor advised he dont think I had a stroke. When I got home and read my discharged form it read TIA. I am very worried.

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Profile picture for nbo @nbo

My story as well. Symptoms included headache, one eye blurred and at one point I was unable to comprehend written words and could not speak for a few minutes. All tests came back normal, so I guess no damage done. Started on statin but still expecting the other shoe to drop.

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@nbo First, what do you mean by: “still expecting the other shoe to drop?” Regarding your issues, it seems like many (including myself) have similar symptoms, but have not been diagnosed as having a stroke. In my case, not blockage showed up on my MRI or CT angiogram. I’m sorry about the issues you’re having with comprehending written words, and being unable to speak at times. Regarding your eye issue, I continue to have migraine-type pain above my left eye, and began noticing that my L eye vision had gotten worse. I understand that getting an Eye exam and new glasses would be free due to this issue, but he keeps getting worse, so I’m going to wait until I see the vascular neurologist next week. Anyway, best of luck to you!

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My story as well. Symptoms included headache, one eye blurred and at one point I was unable to comprehend written words and could not speak for a few minutes. All tests came back normal, so I guess no damage done. Started on statin but still expecting the other shoe to drop.

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Profile picture for brigid4 @brigid4

@neelishere1948 You will have to reach out to University Hospita (UTSA Medical Center). SA woefully lacking in specialist care among the physicians who have practices. The research teams at the University Medical Center may have someone they can refer you to.

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@brigid4 I’m so sorry about your husband (and your) situation. I used every doctor I had to try and get a referral to a vascular neurologist, and kept striking out because their first question is: “when did you have a stroke?” I reply honestly that my neurologist could not find any blockage in my MRI or CT angiogram, but I’ve had stroke symptoms (according to Mayo Clinic, Cleveland clinic, etc.,) for months and now two years. I finally started writing my own referral letters that my doctor could send. Then I began calling and sending my letters directly to local vascular neurologists at large facilities, like Baylor Scott & White, Methodist, and others. I finally got a call and appointment (a month from tomorrow) from a vascular neurologist who received a referral from my doctor and me. I don’t know if any of this helps you, but if you do decide to send letters, I would make them as concise as possible, stating how your husband‘s symptoms mimic those listed on sites like Mayo Clinic. -Best of luck to you!

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You’re welcome. My hope, love and prayers are with you. 🙏🙏❤️

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Profile picture for stauggroomer35 @stauggroomer35

@txwalker22 he showed signs of a stroke like the weakness on left which was his arm and his face drooped. His speech slurred. He was just sitting on the couch talking to my mom when it started. My mom asked him if he was ok and he grabbed his face cause it felt weird. She knew the signs since she had a few mini strokes from clots. All the tests they did including CT and MRI didn’t show anything at all. They never could find where the clot had been, etc. it just so happens the doctor has a PFO himself and decided to do the bubble test. It wouldn’t hurt to have that test done.

Some people go their whole like and never know they have one. I look back and think about different signs that you would just write off. Like he has horrible migraines. The kind you would throw up and very sensitive to light. Also feeling tired for no reason. Sometimes shortness of breath. Migraines were thought from the 2 car accidents he was in. Shortness of breath he used to be a smoker. Tired we just figured just over worked. One of the things that happens is your oxygen level will drop with a PFO so you will have times of shortness of breath which he gets and looks like you do too.

If it is a PFO you can have surgery to have the hole covered in a type of mesh. My husband opted not to do the surgery cause the risk was close to being the same with or without having the surgery. He’s on slow release aspirin once a day. He was on a statin but came off of it cause it made his legs hurt and made him feel worse. They had him on the highest dose which dropped his cholesterol really low. You need cholesterol for your brain. He was having brain fog and forgetting. After a week being off he was more himself. He still has moments but he has learned to cope. His stroke symptoms that he had was minimal which he was lucky. He has worked through those.

I hope you do find out what is going on with you. I pray you find your answers and wish you all the best. If you have any more questions just let me know. 🙏🤗❤️

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@stauggroomer35 This really is ironic, and I’m definitely going to bring it up at my appointment with the vascular neurologist. Within the last 8-10 months, my breathing has been labored, I started getting migraines just above my left eye, and it has caused my vision vision to change in that eye, and I was in the hospital for nine days starting April 16 for acute kidney issues (my creatine level had climbed to more than 6). It fits so many of the PFO symptoms. I’m happy I found this site and your post. Thanks again for your kind reply.

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