Hi everyone. I’m new here, hoping for advice and reassurance really. So last night my husband suffered 2 TIAs, the first one happened while I was at work, he put it down to a ‘funny spell’. The second happened after I came home, immediately got him to A&E who confirmed it was a TIA.
They have given him some blood thinners to take and referred him to the stroke clinic.
I was just hoping someone has been through something similar and can offer some advice, we are both very anxious as they say a full blown stroke can occur after these TIA episodes.
Does anyone know if the meds that he was given help reduce that risk of full blown stroke or are we just in a wait and see period?
I feel myself constantly watching him, checking for any signs/symptoms, don’t want to leave his side in case something happens.
They did not give us any indication at A&E as to what could have caused it. He had an ECG which they advised was all ok, they did take bloods but never gave him any results on those.
Thanks so much in advance 
The meds should reduce the risk of a full stroke. Now you are forewarned you and your husband can do all you can to reduce your risk. Unfortunately you cannot reduce the risk to zero.
Try not to worry and obsess too much over the possibility of a stroke. That can destroy you life together as much as a stroke would do. We none of us know what the future holds - it is as likely that a good thing will happen as a bad.
@Mamaswainy hi & welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your husbands tias.
It is good that you got him checked over & the meds they gave given him will help reduce the risk of a full stroke. You need yo try not to stress too as keeping stress levels down will help reduce the risk too. Try & eat healthily & drink alcohol sensibly until too as that can also help reduce risk.
Hopefully ge will be seen in clinic soon. After my TIA i was seen a couple of days later. It can be a lottery though depending where you live.
He will likely undergo more tests when he attends the clinic either there or be referred for them.
Best wishes to you both.
Ann
After my TIA, as well as being given blood thinners I was referred to a TIA clinic. I expect the stroke clinic that your husband has been referred to will be similar.
On the day of my appointment I turned up bright and early only to see about a dozen other patients waiting for the same clinic. It was my first realisation that what had happened to me isn’t that uncommon. The clinic was a bit like being on a production line - we were shuffled from department to department for all sorts of tests, including taking blood, blood pressure, carotid ultrasounds and MRI scans (my favourite). It took a while but everything ran very efficiently, mostly thanks to the awesome organisational skills of the lady coordinating it all.
At the end I saw a consultant who explained that I had had a stroke, probably caused by a rogue bit of plaque that had gone walkabout from my carotid artery, and he showed me pictures of my brain. To be honest I was a bit unimpressed by him. He gave me a prescription, said he’d write to my GP and sent me on my way. He seemed a bit bored, and after all that had happened I wasn’t really thinking about what sort of question I should be asking. I had noticed that everybody else had someone with them, and I was on my own - if my wife had been with me she might have filled in the things that I missed. She wanted to be there but I insisted.
Anyway, I emerged blinking into the daylight, went to Boots to fill my prescription, then thought “what now”? It turned out that the information sent to my GP was very vague and I had a hell of a time getting my hospital prescription turned into a repeat prescription. Then came the real anxiety, the realisation that my family were as frightened by this as I was, and a lot of sleepless nights. Then I found this forum, met people who have been there and know what stroke is all about, and slowly started to feel much better.
So your husband is probably on the right meds and it’s quite normal for both you and him to be anxious and afraid. Me saying that won’t make it easier though. You’ll meet some great people here who will really help you, but do try to get your husband to join as well. There’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster to come, and I certainly needed all the help I could get.
All the best to you and your husband, I hope he makes a swift recovery.
Thanks so much for your reply. I guess it’s just about trying to learn new behaviours when it comes to diet, exercise etc and try to not let it make us too scared or anxious. My husband has a lot of underlying issues too, he has AS ( Anlylosing Spondylitis) , and 5 years ago had a benign brain tumor removed, lots of ups and downs so it’s trying to wrap our heads around another health issue X
Thank you. I really do appreciate you taking the time out to reply. It’s comforting to know that there are other people who have or are experiencing similar. X
Hello @Mamaswainy - Welcome to the community.
I echo everything the other members have already said and have nothing new to add. I take this opportunity to wish you and your husband all the very best.
If there is anything else you would like to know then you should not hesitate to come ack here and ask away. I should also add you can always speak with the GP and the hospital consultant looking after your husband - their views and advice will reflect a professional bias whereas the forum members will likely be speaking of their personal experiences.
All information is good information, it’s what you do with it that matters 
Namaste|
