I had a minor stroke (not TIA) in the evening of 25/9. Very minor symptoms- speech a bit mumbled, minor coordination issues on left side and a bit of facial droop but not easy to see. Took a few scans to find it and I ended up having 3 nights in hospital while they confirmed where it was and how big.
I never had balance problems or significant weakness and my speech is almost back to normal. I am however very tired at times so know what they mean by post stroke fatigue.
My question relates to blood results. Without going into detail I had a blood condition many years ago which is still monitored even though I’ve had no signs of that disease for 15 + years. I had my routine 4 monthly test yesterday and my inflammatory markers are slightly raised. WBC, neutrophils, CRP etc They were normal at discharge a week ago.
I just wondered if anyone else with a minor stroke had this? It’s been suggested it’s reactive but I haven’t yet got anything from my stroke or haematology team. Also suggested it would settle. Anyone else with a minor stroke seen this? I wouldn’t have known but for my haematology clinic test yesterday
Hi @Richw42 and welcome to the community. Sorry you’ve had cause to join us but hope you fins it a useful place to be.
I don’t know for sure but your stroke ciuld have raised your inflammatory markers. It is normal to have raised blood markers sometimes and I imagine the haematology team would be more interested if the results stay raised. They usually look at trends rather than one off readings I think. I got diagnosed with a blood condition after my stroke (I suspect it was there prior to my stroke but had never been picked up as I didn’t have the right blood tests) which I am monitired for 6 monthly. I have had raised markers that have then settled - an infection can cause them to be raised.
If you are worried maybe ask your GP to repeat the tests in a couple of weeks.
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke. It’s good to hear your speech is nearly back to normal. Fatigue is very common after a stroke so make sure you’re resting when you need to.
I would echo what @Mrs5K has said about the blood test that maybe you could ask to get it repeated to see if the results are the same. You could also ask for a call with your stroke or haematology team, they may be able to put your mind at rest.
I hope you’ll find this community helpful for your recovery. If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
I asked really to see if anyone here had experienced something similar partly because I don’t yet have an easy way to contact the stroke team. I’ve been under the amazing care of haematology at the Hammersmith for 16.5 years and have excellent access to both my consultant and CNS who are both fantastic. Pretty certain it’s not related to my essentially historic blood condition.
Yesterday I had a mini follow up at the TIA clinic to return the monitor I’d been wearing to check for atrial fibrillation and via a slightly convoluted but ultimately successful process I managed to see a consultant there. He reassured me that in my case these raised markers, which are a result of my stroke, are not something to worry about. And they are now coordinating with haematology. My haematology consultant later emailed me and the CNS rang me so overall a pretty good response given I had no one in the stroke team to contact and didn’t want to go via my GP because that’s too convoluted and rather slow (not their fault).
I will have the bloods retested next week to make sure it’s all settling. I feel reassured. I know lots about my haematology issue (I’m a patient advocate for that) but stroke is completely new and the subtleties I am going to have to learn.
Hi Richw42,
Welcome and sorry to hear about your TIA, I had very similar symptoms but confirmed as a stroke at hospital. My blood tests showed no abnormalities or markers but was asked when I had liver damage or jaundice which was a surprise at it was around 50 years before my stroke and as an infant. I was amazed there was anything showing but my guess is as a doctor once told me that there s always something left behind in your blood,
Sorry probably not the best answer but hope it helps, good luck with your recovery too.
@Richw42 great that you managed to get some reassurance from the consultants and haematology yesterday. I have haematology to be great and like you I have access to them if I have any concerns about my blood condition. Hopefully your repeat bloods will show things have settled.
Hello @Richw42 - This is just to welcome you to the community and to wish you all the best. I am sure you will find it a friendly and informational forum.
