Has anyone ever had a stroke?

Question

My nan is suffering from a slight loss of memory- very simple things have started to confuse her. She keeps blacking out. it can't be fainting as it happened to her last week as she was sitting on the loo and she severely burnt her leg on the radiator and ended up in hospital for a week she never knows when they are going to happen. We think that they are like mini strokes that she is having but she says the doctors told her she is fine, we think she is keeping it from us and has ask the doctors not to say anything either.

Can anyone tell me what to look out for to know if they are or not? Has anyone ever experienced a stroke and does it hurt? I watched my grandad die in hospital this time last year after a massive stroke and I don't want to see that again.

Answer 1

strokes are normally characterised by a lack of co-ordination (like not being able to raise both hands together, strokes cause a sort of paralysis one one side of the body - could also explain why she didn't feel the burning), confusion and slurred speach. Sometimes also a greyness of the face but that can be hard to see.

Of course there are other things that can casue the sort of effects you are describing, I'm not a doctor so don't panic but things like alzhimers spring to mind, or just simply not enough metal stimulation (my grandad got like that, othing wrong with him but as he just watched telly all day he started to not bother to remember stuff).

The best thing might be to have someone go into the doctors with her as she may be forgetting to tell the doctor symptoms if she is forgetting things

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I had a stroke and I don't remember anything about it. When I woke up I was told I had been in a coma for 5 days. Your nan could be having TIAs (Trans Islamic Attracts) they are like mini strokes and over time can do a lot of damage. Your nan needs to see a neurologist. Many doctors look at old people with less dignity and respect than they deserve. People DO NOT just pass out with out a reason. Don't accept that as an answer.

Answer 3

Those blackouts are very common in old people. My grandmother used to have them and the dr said there was nothing could be done about it. Usually the only risk from them is if the person hits their head etc when they fall. It is not the same as a stroke.

The most typical indicators of a stroke will be difficulty with speech (slurring, aphasia etc) and physical problems especially if they are on one side only.

I have known a number of people who have had strokes and I've never heard anyone say that it hurt. Generally people lose consciousness when it happens. The hardest part is the learning to use hands etc afterwards when they have been damaged.

It might help your nan to learn some 'defensive behaviours' - these are just awareness of where the risks are - things like never going on stairs without firmly holding the banister, I don't really know what, but I have heard it mentioned and apparently there is a lot of sort of defensive awareness that old people can learn to minimise their risks.

Answer 4

My husbands granny suffers from the same condition. Think they are called transient strokes (unsure of spelling) she is about 86 years old and has been having them for the last 2 - 3 years. A few weeks ago she had her most recent one and the doctor asked her if she could feel them coming on. She confessed that she did but didn't want to alarm anyone when she would feel them coming on. She got a very stern lecture from her doctor who told her that if she wasn't going to tell someone when she felt like this that he would have to put her into hospital. She hasn't had one since but hopfully she will tell someone when ever one comes along again. She is a very spritly lady and think because of her age she sometimes forgets things but most of the time is very sharp. Keep an eye on your Nan and hopefully she will be OK.

Answer 5

Do speak to your Nan and ask her to let you go to the Doctors with her. Then speak to the Doctor and ask his advice. I believe people do some times get "feelings" when these small strokes are coming on. When my Mother had a full stroke she became unconscious. Stokes are very life changing mentally and physically, so prevention is better than cure.

Answer 6

My mother in law had a massive stroke 8 yrs ago at age 56.She was in coma for a week,Dr. didn't expect her to live.Her right side is paralized,can't speak,she gets upset easilly,and she does still have alot of pain.Dr. says it's just from the stroke.I would try to go to the dr. with her and ask lots of questions.

Answer 7

You have not told the age of person...
My age is 24..I know what it is. In this age group strokes will not occur. If it occurs it is called "Stroke in Young" They may occur due to Mental Tensions, or because of a shocky blow to head even a long back. If stoke occur in this age, mostly it will cure by it self.
Actually brain cells will be damaged because of sudden loss of blood circulation to them. This we call Stroke. because of it patient may loose sense of touch in some areas of his body.

For youngsters it will take some months to cure.In this period brain develops new cells.

For aged persons, cells wont develop easily. so the stroke symptoms wont disappear fully froo them.

Answer 8

There have been some good answers but why not do a search on the net and you will find loads more info than can be given here.
I hope your nan recovers sonn. x

Answer 9

could your nan be suffering from Alzheimer's ,the systems sound very much like it ,she may not tell her doctor everything so why not have a word with him