My mum recently had a possible stroke/TIA assessment. I’m finding myself constantly watching her and worrying about every little change. Has anyone else experienced this anxiety as a family member, and how did you learn to cope?
3 Likes
My family went through the same thing with me, though I was far too messed up with anxiety myself to notice. It’s a horrible time for everyone, and I wish that more attention was paid to the effects on carers and loved ones during a medical trauma like this. It’s a cliche, but it does usually get better with time. Your mum’s doctors should be putting the best meds and treatment in place, but ask questions to understand what’s happening and how they are helping. Ask questions here, as well - you have access to a community of people who have lived through this and will happily share what they’ve learned. Above all, you and your mum are not alone.
4 Likes
Hello @Subbu1987 - nice to meet you and welcome to the forum.
Sorry you are feeling worried and anxious following your Mum’s possible stroke/TIA assessment. What you are feeling/experiencing is probably similar to most people would experience or feel when they find themselves in your situation. How this is dealt with, often depends on us as individuals and learning to cope is also an individual thing.
That said, there are things you can do to try to better understand what has happened and what you can/should do as a result. You can speak with the doctors/team looking after your Mum and there may be information leaflets or booklets in the hospital wards with information.
The Stroke Association website has much information and there are members who have been there and experienced these things and they are happy to share these things on here.
Here are a couple of links you may wish to read
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) - NHS
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) | Stroke Association
TIA diagnosis and treatment | Stroke Association
Caring for someone close to you | Stroke Association
Right now, your Mum is being assessed and once she has been assessed you will be in a better place to know what to do next. For now, she is being cared for and I would suggest there is not much to worry about because she is not alone with no one there for her.
Wishing you all the best.
Namaste|
Jim
Hi @Subbu1987 and welcome to the community. Sorry to hear that you’re feeling so anxious after your mum’s stroke assessment.
What you are experiencing is a normal reaction & in time it will ease. You have to learn to cope & how you do that is different for everyone. There will be times when you have to leave her and not watch over her and when you get back and realise that nothing bad has happened that will hopefully help put your mind at ease a little. People experience many changes post stroke but they don’t all mean anything bad is happening. Have they put your mum on meds? If so, you have to trust that these are doing their job & lowering the risk of anything else happening.
I see ManjiB has shared a lot of links with you. Have a look at them. You could also ring the Stroke Association helpline 0303 3033 100 and talk to them about how you are feeling. They might be able to offer some useful tips & advice.
Look after yourself too.
3 Likes
Thank you so much @ManjiB . . She is assessed and now carrying on with medication for next 20 days. they told she had a mild stroke near back of her brain but it only impacted her speech. so it is mild. They gave list of tablets to continue for next 20 days. Thank you so much for the links. I am able to understand more on the medication now. I hope my worry will be bit ease in time. I need to look for different coping mechanisms. 
-- Laxmi
1 Like
Thank you @harimanjaro . I hope it get better with time 
. I have this worry of watching her 24/7 and assess each and everything as a new symptom and worrying so much which impacts other members of the family but I really don’t know how to stop myself from doing this.
1 Like
Hi @Mrs5K , Thank you. As she had high BP and High diabetes, they have increased her Metformin dosage, her cholestrol dosage and added
| Aspirin |
|---|
| Clopidogrel |
|---|
| Lansoprazole |
|---|
| Atorvastatin |
|---|
| Amlodipine |
|---|
1 Like
The aspirin and Clopidogrel are to reduce the risk of a second stroke. Prescribed together they are called Dual Anti Platelet Therapy or DAPT. The aspirin will probably be discontinued eventually as it can do some pretty bad things to the stomach long term. The Lansoprazole is for gastroprotection so that stops when the aspirin does. Then, in addition to her diabetes meds she’ll be on a classic combination of Clopidogrel, a statin and BP meds, like so many of the members here. For me, knowing how my meds are working to protect me has been a big help in getting me back to a “normal” state of mind.
3 Likes