TIA symptoms but ALL tests come back negative for anything

I live with a cerebral cavernous malformation (cluster of weakened blood vessels in my brainstem) and have had two bleeds. I awoke 9/11 with massive right head pressure, imbalance, and said to my SO, "I'm having difficulty getting the words to come out--slow motion." The symptoms subsided but then I had a headache, which subsided hours later.

Went to ER 9/16...yes days later. Anyway, they saw my CCM but said it did not bleed according to the report and advised me to have my PCP order an MRI. I asked her if it also came back negative if it meant that I did not suffer a TIA (which I suspected---I've also had serious difficulty swallowing for 7 weeks). The ER doctor told me that even with negative imaging, it is highly suspect as a TIA. I wish I had gone earlier but they advised that the tests can often show negative even if a TIA occurs.

Thank you for your input. If it Wasn’t a TIA, nobody seems to know what
else it could be.

Almost all medical tests have a false negative rate. That is when the test indicates no disease when the disease is actually present.

Regarding strokes, CT scans often miss strokes, particularly those in the brainstem.

Although MRIs are much better, they can miss strokes as well and there may be an incorrect interpretation of the MRI results.

Of course, it is also possible that you have not had a TMI, but rather some condition that has similar symptoms, at least in your case.

Hope that is helpful,

Eric

Eric

I was just admitted to the hospital 2 weeks ago, almost same exact situation. Stroke like symptoms, bloodwork, MRI and CT Scan ruled out. I was told it was TIA but I also have bradycardia. They told me I could possibly have a POTS diagnosis also but because I failed 2 tilt table tests they can’t be for sure. I still live daily with dizziness, extreme fatigue, headaches, weakness, bad brain fog, numbness and tingling in fingers, arms and sometimes legs, blurred or spotty vision and neck pain. I can’t find anyone in my area to help figure out what it is and they are currently trying to refer me to Vanderbilt for a consultation with a POTS specialist and Neurologist.

Thank you ! Hopefully you will feel well and not have any more occurrences. Enjoy the autumn weather 😊😊

@susanpmadigan Thank you for filling me in on the details of what happened. It does sound like he has had all the appropriate tests and is on the best preventive medications so hopefully his symptoms won't return. I have been on a statin for years and drink plenty of water but didn't have the same symptoms and they pointed more to a TIA. I am relieved that all my tests have come back normal. I do have an autoimmune disease so maybe that is playing a part. I hope you have a great fall season and that you will still be able to see your son either at home or in Florida!!

Hi Neisie
Yes, they put my husband on a baby aspirin every day and also he did need to go on statins. He probably should have been on them 10 years ago however he always complains that he has leg cramps. Now he is fine because he is drinking a lot of water. I make sure of it each day lol and my husband did have the MRA of his head and neck as well. All they saw on these scans was that he did have little TIAs that were very old so they were non-significant. When we got off the plane and went to my son‘s house, he woke about five in the morning complaining of a terrific pain in the back of his neck and blurry vision and could not move both arms. He also felt nauseous . I really got scared and thought it was a stroke, but the results showed that there was no stroke, and the doctors came to the conclusion that his arteries may have been clogged so therefore he is now on Repath and satins and baby aspirin. My husband did say that by drinking a lot of water he does not have the cramping from the statins. I hope this is a help to you.

@susanpmadigan Did they put your husband on a low dose of aspirin as a precaution? What were his symptoms when he got off the plane? I had an MRA which is like an MRI but of the arteries leading up to the brain and also an MRA of the arteries in my head and all was clear and so was the MRI so my symptoms are still a mystery!!! I hope your husbands upcoming visits will give him ore information.

@carmenb6 It is quite a scary thing and some doctors don't seem that concerned and others automatically think it's a TIA and run tests so you are not heading towards a stroke. I've had both reactions from doctors. I will mention my lasted incident when I see my primary care doctor next week but I doubt he'll do anything since I just had a complete work up this year. Yes, let's hope you don't have any more episodes but it will be interesting to hear what your doctor says about referring you to a neurologist. Keep in touch!

My husband experienced what we thought was a TIA after a flight to our son‘s house in Florida. He was rushed to the hospital and CAT scan and MRI all came out negative. The Neurologist final concern was that he possibly has.
Posterior circulation disease.

My husband’s initial CT scan of head/neck showed that he had a small clot from one of his posterior arteries … could it be that possibly you also may have had a blood clot that traveled? Fortunately, for my husband, he has a strong heart, and this stopped the blood clot. We are currently following up with cardiologist and a neurologist.