Had a Minor Stroke!
I'm in generally good health but I had a scare last Sunday morning. I was preparing breakfast when I suddenly started dropping things (spilled some tea). Then I found I couldn't operate the microwave properly and when attempting to speak a sentence it came out a little garbled. After about a minute the symptoms subsided. I recognized I was having a stroke and immediately took a baby aspirin. I felt fine the rest of the day.
The next day I drove to the hospital emergency room (I know, I should have done that the day before! Don't copy me)). An electrocardiogram revealed I had an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation). I was admitted that same day. I was released this morning, having spent 2 1/2 days there (I even got a private room at no extra cost).
In the meantime they performed many tests on me: MRI, PET scan, echocardiogram, blood tests and a test to determine percentage of clogging of the carotid arteries. That MRI was particularly scary. Like being in a coffin for about 15 minutes. I had all I could do not to panic.
The upshot is that all the tests turned out negative and there was no damage done by the mini-stroke. I've been prescribed a blood thinner plus a statin drug (LDL cholesterol was a little high).
I'm glad I "dodged the bullet" but I don't look forward to taking these drugs. I haven't taken prescription drugs in the past for any length of time and don't like the side effects these particular drugs can cause. I'm not a "pill popper" but it looks like I'll have to acquiesce and take these for a while.
So, that's my story. I hope any medical emergencies you may have in the future will be relatively minor like mine was....and be aware of symptoms that necessitate quick action on your part!
The next day I drove to the hospital emergency room (I know, I should have done that the day before! Don't copy me)). An electrocardiogram revealed I had an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation). I was admitted that same day. I was released this morning, having spent 2 1/2 days there (I even got a private room at no extra cost).
In the meantime they performed many tests on me: MRI, PET scan, echocardiogram, blood tests and a test to determine percentage of clogging of the carotid arteries. That MRI was particularly scary. Like being in a coffin for about 15 minutes. I had all I could do not to panic.
The upshot is that all the tests turned out negative and there was no damage done by the mini-stroke. I've been prescribed a blood thinner plus a statin drug (LDL cholesterol was a little high).
I'm glad I "dodged the bullet" but I don't look forward to taking these drugs. I haven't taken prescription drugs in the past for any length of time and don't like the side effects these particular drugs can cause. I'm not a "pill popper" but it looks like I'll have to acquiesce and take these for a while.
So, that's my story. I hope any medical emergencies you may have in the future will be relatively minor like mine was....and be aware of symptoms that necessitate quick action on your part!
