Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Sudden Slurred Speech, Inability To Move Extremities And Blurred Vision?
Question: I believe I may have had a TIA this afternoon. For a little less than an hour I had trouble speaking, moving any of my extremities, blurred vision and severe pressure at the back of my head. But my blood pressure is 100/70 (I am usually 90/60), my cholesterol is on the low side, my HGA1C is fine, a prior angiogram showed no blockage, a carotid doppler done last year was negative. My only health problems some minor autoimmune issues and microvascular angina. I take Ranexa for the angina. I just had complete lab work done last month. The only abnormalities were vitamin D and DHEA. I am seeing a neurologist tomorrow. Can I wait to see her or do I need to go to hospital? My last CT and MRI was 6 weeks ago and were fine aside from some congenital cervical fusion.
Brief Answer:
I would wait.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
TIAs can be easy to diagnose when they are typical, but often they are tricky as symptoms do not correspond to a typical vascular territory and might not represent a TIA. Yours is one of those cases as the symptoms you describe are somewhat too diffuse to be explained by temporary interruption of blood supply in a single area, as you mention speech, limbs on both sides and vision. A TIA of the posterior circulation can in theory produce such symptoms (slurred speech, weakness of the limbs, vision changes) and can’t be excluded, but it’s uncommon, TIAs usually happen in the anterior brain areas.
So taking that into account, as well as the fact that you have had recent imaging tests of your brain supplying blood vessels which resulted normal, I would say that the likelihood of the episode being a TIA is pretty low and I would wait for the scheduled visit tomorrow.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
I would wait.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
TIAs can be easy to diagnose when they are typical, but often they are tricky as symptoms do not correspond to a typical vascular territory and might not represent a TIA. Yours is one of those cases as the symptoms you describe are somewhat too diffuse to be explained by temporary interruption of blood supply in a single area, as you mention speech, limbs on both sides and vision. A TIA of the posterior circulation can in theory produce such symptoms (slurred speech, weakness of the limbs, vision changes) and can’t be excluded, but it’s uncommon, TIAs usually happen in the anterior brain areas.
So taking that into account, as well as the fact that you have had recent imaging tests of your brain supplying blood vessels which resulted normal, I would say that the likelihood of the episode being a TIA is pretty low and I would wait for the scheduled visit tomorrow.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
