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What Causes Facial Droop,right Side Weakness And Mild Headache?
Question: I am post right anterior aneurysm (7.0) surgery (clipping) (7/15/14). I have been hospitalized four times since surgery with symptoms of TIA's. My last hospitals stay was in April for 4 days and my symptoms reoccurred 3x times while hospitalizeb but the studies performed did not show proof of a TIA......my symptoms included facial droop, right side weakness and mild headache. Since my release I have experienced these symptoms at least 4X and just elected to wait for most them to disappear. (I am embarrassed) I will attending physical therapy for the right side weakness. I was told that I am probably suffering with stress and I needed to see a psychiatrist (which I did). He did not agree with the Internists and after 3 sessions I was discharged. I have a small 2.5 on the left side and currently there no reason to be concern.
I have hypertension, high cholesterol, G.E.R.D., fibromyalgia diastolic dysfunction- 2nd degree, venous???? , borderline diabetic and slight arteriosclerosis left side of brain.
My internists said that since they didn't see anything that it is probably nothing and not to go to the hospital. That frightens me but I feel rediculous that there is no proof of a TIA just symptoms.
I have hypertension, high cholesterol, G.E.R.D., fibromyalgia diastolic dysfunction- 2nd degree, venous???? , borderline diabetic and slight arteriosclerosis left side of brain.
My internists said that since they didn't see anything that it is probably nothing and not to go to the hospital. That frightens me but I feel rediculous that there is no proof of a TIA just symptoms.
Brief Answer:
TIA is mostly diagnosed on the basis of symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms and agree with you that these are suggestive of TIAs- transient ischemic attacks, affecting the left middle cerebral artery territory. The speech area and the control for right arm and leg are located there.
I can understand your frustration on account of lack of diagnosis by the doctors.
TIA is mostly diagnosed on the basis of symptoms. However, if MRI is done at the time of TIAs, about 50% of them would show an acute infarct (diffusion restriction on diffusion weighted images). MRI would be normal in the remaining 50%, where we still have to rely on the symptoms for diagnosis. So, it would be useful to get an MRI done next time when you have symptoms.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
TIA is mostly diagnosed on the basis of symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms and agree with you that these are suggestive of TIAs- transient ischemic attacks, affecting the left middle cerebral artery territory. The speech area and the control for right arm and leg are located there.
I can understand your frustration on account of lack of diagnosis by the doctors.
TIA is mostly diagnosed on the basis of symptoms. However, if MRI is done at the time of TIAs, about 50% of them would show an acute infarct (diffusion restriction on diffusion weighted images). MRI would be normal in the remaining 50%, where we still have to rely on the symptoms for diagnosis. So, it would be useful to get an MRI done next time when you have symptoms.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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