Hi folks, I had my first recognised TIA at the weekend and reading peoples stories here has been reassuring that what I’m feeling and what I’m going through is normal.
I’m 52, fit & well (normally!), don’t smoke, occasionally drink, exercise regularly, a little bit overweight and perimenopusal which is kinda sorta controlled with hrt. Out walking my dog Maisie on Saturday by myself, bent down to pick up her poop (sorry have to share that) and the world went all over the place, couldn’t speak, right arm and leg wouldn’t work, immediate thought OMG I’m having a stroke. Two calls to hubby and then eventually 999 ended up on a stroke unit in my local hospital, bloods taken, ECG clear and CT all good. Goodbye HRT, hello clopidog. Diagnosis left hemisphere TIA. Discharged and waiting for cardiac tests. Looking back with the hindsight specs on I probably have had two very minor episodes in the past, years apart.
Still having intermittent dizziness and my right foot is still a bit tingly. Anxiety, confidence and emotions on a rollercoaster. Family and friends mega supportive but do they get it? I’m a NHS manager by day, dog photographer by night - can I still do either, what if…
I would just like to say reading other peoples experiences let’s me know that I’ve been lucky, that what I’m feeling is all perfectly normal and I’m not alone, so thank you.
Good morning @Gayle_d welcome to the forum and our world. So sorry you’ve had to join us but at least you are not alone here. We are a friendly bunch and all know just what you are going through 
If you haven’t already read the Welcome post it may offer a little further enlightenment Welcome - what we wish we'd heard at the start. No two strokes are ever alike, some symptoms are even difficult to put into words let alone put a name to, so yes, it can be impossible to explain to the outside world. Doctors only see half the picture, if that, so don’t expect your family to have much understanding. Its not like a broken leg but knowing they are supportive is enough, there not much more that they can do for you anyway. Its all about the brain recovering now.
It is a shock and will be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for while. But you will get through it, get back to work and photography, although you might want to slow life down a tad. Your brain might not give you much choice there, your TIA’s are a warning sign so you don’t want to push your luck 
Slow and steady wins the race 
Take good care of yourself and I look forward to seeing you the
forum
Lorraine
Stroke Improvement Group
Hi @Gayle_d
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your TIA and the problems you’re going through it.
I’m pleased to hear that reading the posts on here have made you feel less alone with what you are going through.
I hope that you’ll continue to find the Online Community helpful, there’s a wealth of knowledge here for you to tap into.
If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol.
Anna
Hi @Gayle_d
Welcome to the forum and the community that uses it to share support for each other 
EE has already covered the basics
I’m glad you’ve managed to get some comfort With you’re reading the backlog of posts - while it’s true no two stroke journeys are alike It’s equally true that every stroke journey shares many many similarities with many other people’s so any questions you’ve got are very likely to have been answered and can be discovered with the magnifying glass or by just shouting out to us and we will signpost
Some pics of Maisie would be welcome just use the icon
To upload
In view of of your reinterpretation of previous possible near misses You might like to vote on Did ANYONE have classic FAST symptoms
@Gayle_d Hi & welcome to the community. Sorry you’ve had cause to join us but now you’re here you are very welcome.
Everything you describe is very normal so early on & in time those feelings should ease. Your brain will be doing some repairing right now so rest will be needed.
Just take 1 day at a time right now & i’m sure in time you’ll be able to return to the things you love.
It’s good that they’re doing further investigations & you are now on the standard meds so your risk of another event should be reduced.
Ask away if you have any questions.
Best wishes
Ann
Hi Gayle welcome to this community. We are a merry band of stroke survivors and their families and we look forward to hearing from you on your road to recovery. There is always someone here to offer advice and information or to offer a shoulder to cry on if things get tough.
Regards Sue
Hi Gayle - I’m 78 and before my stroke enjoying life with granchildren and regular holidays etc. My stroke affected my right hand and arm which to begin with was totally static. My speech was poor and in a hospital ward with others all with challenges.
To offer encouragement many of us faced the same challenges and i still keep a dail daily diary with activities and achievements. It also help my writting with my right hand. To have a target to aim for my wife and myself booked a cruise around the UK (luckily we had some savings) this cruise made me realise a stroke need not deter anyone and being around the UK never far from a hospital.
Keep up your repetition and keep a record of achievements. Bob
Hi there, sorry to hear about all you are going through, it is scary and confusing but you’ll find comfort, understanding and info here that you won’t get anywhere else.
On the HRT point, don’t despair, if you have no recurrences of stroke or TIA symptoms in the next twelve months you may be able to have transdermal HRT. I was referred to a menopause clinic and had a telephone consultation who said that was ok and my GP prescribed on my year anniversary! It made such a difference as the lack of sleep for me exacerbated my stroke fatigue.
Good luck, you will get through this. The support here is a real lifeline in amongst all the noise of doctors and appointments xx
Thank you every one, just trying to find the balance of being active and doing too much at the moment!
@SimonInEdinburgh vote done and always happy to share pictures of Maisie. This is her in full model mode and in not so model mode!
Oh she is absolutely adoreable 
the studio shot really pops - Good lighting and pin sharp resolution with shallowish depth of field centred on the eyes
And your model managed just a hint of coquettish slant. Cute ears too
Very nice
Is the bath pic 10sec before a nose to tail shake that resprays the water onto you & everything around?
On balance:
rest when it feels right. Be active when it feels right.
Err on the side of less or different active if you have lethargy, confusion, head fog, weakness, etal.
If That doesn’t introduce rules of thumb that are reliable keep a diary of sleep nutrition hydration cognitive and physical effort, social effort, light and noise, medication,… and also of fatigue’s character & onset and reliefs and then look for patterns across several days to spot potential causes & consequences. Some advocate the diary record at 1 hour intervals (!)
Caio
Simon
Thanks Simon. She hates the bath but gave us the full spray down as soon as she got out and then rolled all over the bed in payback! Thanks for the advice too.
Thank you, we love her to bits!