I am 32 years old and recently suffered a bizarre episode in work a few weeks back. Looking into it more I think it’s possible I have had a TIA. All I can do is describe it and ask if anyone who has had a TIA or Stroke can relate to my experience. My memory of the event is somewhat sketchy but I do remember being quite off balance, being sick, this is where the colour seemed to go from my vision, and feeling very out of it. I dont think this lasted very long but ive never had anything like that before.
I have spoken to my GP, however like many other stories on here they are quick to dismiss this in someone of my age. I dont worry excessively about my health and im not one for seeing doctors on a regular basis. I do know however that my Cholesterol level is 7.6mmol, with the LDL (bad fat) figure sitting at 5.3mmol, when it should ideally be under 3.0mmol (tested Dec 2024). My BP has been on the high side every time it’s been read (approx 150/100).
Also, is hallucination or muddled thinking a hallmark of a TIA?
Thanks in advance for anyone who can compare notes with me on this.
I had 2 and didn’t realise it at the time, one when i was driving and mind went blank but could hear my site engineer who was in the car screaming like a demented child and then the other was on a Saturday morning woke up and my arm was shaking for a few good minutes then stopped. I wish I listened to my wife and went to the hospital as the full blown strokes may have been prevented.
What a scary experience that must have been! This is what is also worrying me, as a TIA is difficult to diagnose after the fact, how would you possibly explain if you or anyone had injured someone, like in your case? The figure of 10-15% is quoted for the number of strokes that occur in people under 50, however I seem to hear more of these stories these days. I dont smoke and occasionally take a drink. Healthy body weight too and keep active. Only risk factors are raised BP which I put down to stress and the cholesterol levels, which I feel are unjustly high.
Hi @James5 welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your possible TIA.
It is difficult for any of us to say whether what you experienced was a,TIA or not. It is possible. My stroke affected my balance - started with dizziness & nausea then vision issues (different to the ones you describe) & then balance being off. So it’s not possible that what you experienced was a TIA.
Age doesn’t really have a lot to do with it. Many of us are on the yonger side gor a stroke but it can still happen.
I’ve attached a link to a leaflet which explains more about TIAs in case that helps.
Your BP & cholesterol are definitely on the higher side and i would hope the GP is following up on both of these? You may alao need to look at some lifestyle changes to try & lower them diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking etc.
You could always try asking to see a different GP to get a 2nd opinion & i would also ask them what they think it was if they’re saying it is not a TIA.
Thanks for your reply. The GP will review bloods again in 6 months and consider a statin if diet changes haven’t been able to make inroads in lowering the cholesterol figure. I have a healthy BMI and eat a balanced diet, so im not sure I can change a lot on that front.
Hi @James5 this must have been worry for you.
I am an old bag so my experiences may not help that much. I had a stroke at the end of last year but many moons ago I remember standing in my kitchen and had no idea where to find the kitchen utensils I needed to fry breakfast eggs. After a short time everything clicked back into place, I did nothing about it.
A couple of years ago my also elderly husband had made a coffee for us when he grimaced and looked straight through me, and was unable to respond to my request to sit down. It was over in less than a minute. He has never got a completely satisfactory explanation as over the next year various diagnoses proposed.paramedic at minor injuries thought low pulse ( he has heart probs), neurologist thought prob heart as brain scan showed nothing butchanges due to old age. But MRI was months later. Cardiologist said had it been heart he would have been on the floor not standing. So who knows but to me TIA would fit but I’m in a minority of one!!
It is frustrating not to know, but it could be a blessing in disguise if it galvanises you into action re blood pressure and cholesterol.
I have finally agreed to statins after a cholesterol over 6 since in my fifties. It did hit 7.2 and I started taking plant sterol capsules and at the time of my stroke it was 6.2 so they must have helped a bit.
Good luck in your quest for answers but sad to say, you may never know
I suppose it’s just a process of elimination and doing your own ground work. They put so much down to anxiety these days, which I know can cause a multitude of effects but this for me was an odd experience. Thanks for your reply and best wishes. It’s heartening to see a good community on here though.
Hi there. I’m 33 and suffered a stroke in September.
Certainly sounds like a TIA but no one on here can diagnose that unfortunately. The health service aren’t known for being proactive either.
I doubt you’ll have much luck with the NHS checking as you’ll need an MRI to establish it.
Please try to pester the GP or if you have health insurance, to get checked if it was a TIA or not. Better being safe than sorry
Fit and healthy, competed in a very intense sport.
Not sure if I had any TIAs prior. I had one intense bout of vertigo a few years before it but honestly not sure if that was it or not.
Honestly it’s hard to say. I didn’t even know what a TIA was before September!!
I’m good now thank you. Physically almost 100%.
My symptoms were intense dizziness, weakness, co ordination and slow speech. All I was left with was slight dizziness/balance problems (thankfully)
You are in good company here and hopefully, soon you will have the answers you seek. I have nothing further to add to what has already been offered by other membas of this community - they’re a keen and helpful bunch
If I may, I will briefly comment on the above and suggest, perhaps, it might be worth reconsidering this. I have heard it said often “Men don’t go to see their doctor enough” or something along those lines. Often this is said in relation to prostate cancers or testicular cancers, but basically it says men miss out on early diagnosis and treatments as a result of this phenomenon. I would hate to think you’ve had a TIA and not know about it, given it is said a TIA may lead to another TIA or worse a stroke. In my humble opinion, you do not want to have a stroke - it’s probably the worst thing that can happen to anyone (just my opinion).
Hi @ManjiB. You’re correct in everything you say. Im not sure what I’ve experienced but TIA seems like the best fit so far. And yes, it’s reassuring from the responses I’ve had so far that it’s a warm and welcoming community.
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your suspected TIA/stroke.
I can see you’ve already had a few response which I hope have helped. I would echo what some of the others have said to try and get more help from your GP on this or a second opinion.
If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
