TIA symptoms but ALL tests come back negative for anything

Thank you!

@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!

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.

@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!

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.

@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.

@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. ✌🏿

@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!

@kndaustin71 I had a TIA in recovery after having hernia repair surgery. It lasted maybe 45 minutes. Could not move my left side at all. All tests negative. This was the end of May. I have a follow up with a neurologist next month. Have been on low dose aspirin since. I do have high cholesterol and have Colon Cancer stage 3b having completed treatment the end of March. It would be disappointing to have a stroke take me out after all the work I’ve done with the cancer!

I can relate exactly to each and every one of you. When l was 12 years old was sitting in my grade 6 classroom listening to the teacher. All of a sudden l felt 'weird' 'other worldly' as though l was in a play. I blinked with confusion as rhe teacher's face had started to disappear like it was melting.Suddenly, l could only see out of one eye(Scotoma.) Scintillating 'lights and multicoloured shapes undulated in my peripheral vision. Just to top it off, l could hear my teacher say "Joanne, are you okay?" l tried to answer but the right side of my face had started to feel numb and what came out was gobbledygook, aphasia. I wasn't in any particular pain and then l felt numbness creeping down my right arm to the end of my fingertips.My tongue was numb too. Was rushed to Sunnybrook Medical Centre in Toronto where a team of Neurologists were called in and a myriad of tests taken. No real conclusion. Kept happening in one form or another when least expected.
Finally about a year and multiple tests, and symptoms later, these "transient ischemic attacks" still happening at random. Sent to a reknowned Pediatric Neurologist who also specialized in ENT. Looked at all the data and asked:" Is there any history of Migraine in the family?" Turned out there was a good deal of it on my Mum's side. What some people are unaware of is an 'episode' does not have to include an actual headache. Eventually painful headaches sometimes occurred as l matured. Meanwhile, l am now 72 and have these episodes just once in a while. I worried that l wouldn't know if l was having a stroke, so when in doubt, always check it out, However, if one has ever witnessed a true CVA, the one-sided drooping or paralysis, it does not go away just progresses. My point is sonetimes these symptoms can be migrainous in nature. Two out of my three sons were diagnosed very young. This has at least helped in managing this very troublesome disorder with its multiple, often bizarre symptomatology. Take care. Joanne