TIA symptoms but ALL tests come back negative for anything

Hi @neisie13 - glad you are having this testing done. Always good to get answers.

That sounds disconcerting to see the words on a page and have them make no sense. So glad to hear you've not had an episode in several months.

Tagging a few members on Mayo Clinic Connect who have mentioned definite or possible transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in themselves or others, or are knowledgeable about the field of stroke, and can share whether they have had symptoms like you had with the words on a page or trying to speak but being unable to get the words. Please meet, if you've not already, @dks @californiazebra @scottrl @lorrie48.

While waiting for these members to respond, thought you might be interested in reading Mayo Clinic's information on TIA:

- Transient ischemic attack (TIA) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/transient-ischemic-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20355679

When will you be doing the tests to check the blood flow to your brain, neisie13? How did the EEG go for you?

I am being evaluated for a TIA right now. I had two or three episodes where the words on the page made absolutely no sense to me. I could see them but I couldn't understand them. Also, when I was trying to speak I couldn't get the words. I had no idea what it was and it passed quickly so I ignored it until I recently saw a neurologist for something else and we went over my history. I just had an EEG and now I am going to have two tests to check the blood flow to my brain. He put me on a baby aspirin until the tests are completed but I haven't had an episode in several months so I hope it turns out to be nothing. Not sure if anyone has had the same type of symptoms?

My doctor informed me that TIA’s often don’t show up on CT scans. Mine did show up several years later when being evaluated for a possible stroke (CT SCAN).

In reviewing this history with a neurologist, I remembered that I had had a head injury, was taken to a terrible emergency room where I did not have the wherewithal to demand a CT scan of my brain and was essentially abandoned in a hallway until “found” by a senior MD. I allowed myself to be discharged without a needed CT scan and didn’t think to seek help from relatives.

@calanbrown
About 2 yrs ago, I had some odd problem...I was getting ready for bed and all of a sudden I couldn't catch my breath and got dizzy. I told my husband and he called 911. The EMT's started and IV and rushed me sirens and all to the hospital to the ER. Everyone thought I was having a TIA with my high blood pressure, light headed, and difficulty breathing. They ran tests, kept me overnight in the hospital. Saw the cardiologist for tests, and saw a neurologist the day after the event occured. Her conclusion with normal tests, she asked me about migraine headaches. When told her yes, she said I had a migraine attack. They can supposedly resemble heart attacks. I still don't know what to believe as it seems too strange. I have done some reading and this can occur.

@lisalucier 👋 Ms Lisa, I haven’t had anymore episodes since a few months ago. When I discontinued utilizing Lyrica, it seems that some of my neurological conditions have resolved themselves. It could also be coincidence.

I deal with a lot of neurological conditions along with the stroke residuals such as, severe peripheral neuropathy, and autonomic neuropathy.

Thank you so much for inquiring about my health.

I’m sending warm (((hugs)))your way. 🌻

@missladybug wondering how things are going with your health? Have you experienced any further possible TIAs?

@calanbrown Great advice, that I have applied in my daily life! Thank you! Life is precious!! In the current cruel, mean, world, that us regular folks live in, these days, it has become difficult for many, especially the more vulnerable citizens , including elderly, like me, and young people, just starting out! An example of this is part of the story of my life. Directly because of Federal Administrative decisions, last year, I lost my Medicare Advantage Insurance coverage, along with thousands of other people, at the end of 2025. An Insurance broker signed me up for a Medicare Supplement plan in November, 2025! With the thousands of applicants signing up for Medigap, who lost Medicare Advantage coverage in 2025, the Medigap Insurance Company that I signed up for, through my broker, became overwhelmed with applications, and, in my case, in spite of my broker and myself checking the status, of my application, on a daily basis, which included me faxing my paperwork to them, proving that my Medicare Advantage coverage was terminated on December 31,2025, through no fault of mine, this Medigap Insurance Company would NOT approve my Medigap policy, until FEBRUARY 2,2026! Meanwhile, I ended up having a major medical crisis, in January, where, because of a diagnosis an by a Neurologist, serious neurological symptoms, required an urgent MRI imaging, also, ultrasound of caratoids, bloodwork, and more Cardiac and Neurologic Doctor visits! I was covered ( about 80% ), by Medicare A/B! Thank goodness for that! Anyway, I HAD NO MEDIGAP COVERAGE, for the remaining 20%. The Hospital Medical Providers where I live, were INDIFFERENT when I tried to explain to them that I had applied for Medigap coverage, but the approval had not happened yet, because the MEDIGAP provider was processing thousands of new Medigap approval applications, and was behind with their paperwork! Imagine me, a nearly 80 year old senior, possibly seriously ill, being harassed by hospital personnel, who told me, that they would NOT follow through, with the needed MRI, imaging, or the ULTRASOUND of the caratoid’s, unless I paid $280.00 for the 20% of the MRI cost, and the $150.00 cost of the ultrasound 20%! So I paid up! After the MRI, was analyzed, the Docs found out that I had several lacunar strokes! With my also having atrial fibrillation, I was put on a blood thinner, Eloquis, that cost me $650.00! I have been quite upset about all this! Oh well! Such is life in these difficult times, for an old man, like me!

In my case, it was the other way around! I live in a popular retirement area of the country. Many baby boomers have moved here in the last few years, overwhelming the one hospital! So, minimal wellness checks are given, by the Dr’s, with a very limited time frame element, once a year. Neurologist appointments are rushed as well. So, when I complained to neurologist, ophthalmologist, and primary care physician, about seeing double, side by side, and seeing double one on top of each other, along with obvious eye ptosis, and seeing flashing lights, to the upper right side of my vision, for over a year or two, none of them seemed too concerned, saying probably transient symptoms. Also, this last year, I suddenly had urgency bladder issues, along with big time walking problems, where I walked like a drunk, and my legs wouldn’t obey my commands! That one was scary! When I told the neurologist, he dismissed it and I had complained of pins and needles sensations, in arms and legs, to all my Doctor’s. None of them even bothered to use a pin, to check my hands, feet, arms and legs. That went on for several years. My neurologist recently retired, and a new, young neurologist was hired by the hospital! Right away, even though she was busy, she got out a pin, when I explained about the pins and needles sensations. She checked it out, and came up with a polyneuropathy diagnosis. Then I told my new neurologist about losing my balance, and having 6 falls within the last year ( with minor injuries ), along with my vision problems, bladder , and walking problems. She seemed alarmed, and ordered an urgent MRI! The MRI revealed that I had had one old lacunar ischemic stroke, and 2 recent lacunar strokes! Unbelievable! I’m in rehab, now!

@debhealth12
Hi,
I'm sceptical of Dr's comments that are surely designed to shock us into action. Granted they mean well but scaring people isn't a smart option in my view. I always retort, when am I likely to have these strokes you have been promising me, how much longer, it's been years and I'm still waiting. There has been no response to that or more correctly I get a dumb look and silence!
I have some serious health issues that cannot be treated as I react severely to all known medications for these issues, now all they can administer is the shrug of the shoulder with the all too familiar blank look and the words, they can't offer anymore.
My bloods come back negative except for the health issues I deal with and they remain constant. Outside the guidelines but I survive.
I have stopped blood thinners, take low doses of BP meds and insulin which does little for me as they are such low doses, but persist in the hope I will get used to the side effects and may be able to increase the doses soon. But alas, I continue to react to them all still.
I have now decided to stop the medications as the side effects are greater than the cause or symptoms that they are designed to treat. My kidney function is constantly slipping away 3B, BP is as sky high as ever, diabetes T2 is slowly doing its damage with numb legs and feet and my glucose level is always above the guideline, Autonomic polyneuropathy has corrupted my digestive system, my cholesterol is way above normal even though it has come down from 9.8 and my enlarged heart is still taking care of business. So, I'm in pretty good shape unmedicated,
I guess I'm a big-hearted sweetie all said and done!
Cheers

Been there, done that! Same exact thing happened to me in 2024. They called it a TGA. However last November I had an MRI which showed up a possible stroke, but my Nero Dr. didn't know when, and he was not very concerned either.