Scary ER Trip

ACDC92912 · February 2014

Just a vent! Need to get everything out. Feel free to chime in with thoughts!

So, Monday I went to the ER with a crazy series of problems that progressively got worse, then better. First, I had blurred vision like when you stare at the sun too long and can't read anymore. Then the left side of my face went all tingly, and then my speech went out. I would try to say a specific consonant (like the J sound) and another sound would take it's place. (like the SH sound) Eventually I could barely get words out or even think clearly.

My first thoughts of course go to my baby (I am 36w4d today) and call my ob and ask what to do. The nurse tells me to go to my nearest ER and she calls in for me to let them know what I cannot. Then I call my mom (who's a nurse) and try to communicate with her. After many attempts to call my husband and no luck one of my co workers drove me to the ER.

After an MRI and some other testing to my head they've narrowed it down to me having had a mini stroke or something called TIA OR a migraine. I've had migraines in the past and this was NOTHING like a migraine. So I'm a little concerned. But of course, being pregnant they cannot treat me or test me for any stroke related symptoms.

I have a Dr. appt tomorrow morning to discuss what happened and go over some options. Up to this point I was looking forward to doing the whole "I'm in labor, let's get to the hospital!" thing. (This is our first) Mom is concerned that if we let this go until I deliver whenever baby decides to come that this may happen again. And if it is a stroke, there's nothing they can really do. I don't want to jeopardize my life or my unborn daughter's life. We are leaning more towards seeing if I can do a c-section ASAP so we can get baby out of any possible trouble and begin testing for me to find out if I have had a stroke.

Don't know what to do! Trying to stay calm and stress-"less" as much as possible.

Thanks for letting me vent.

FemShep · February 2014

Hi there,

I know what happened is super scary, but try to stay calm. I had a TIA in December. It came as a shock to my doctors since I have no risk factors, and I think I've had just about every diagnostic test known to man since.

All of these tests haven't turned up a thing.

With many TIAs, especially when you don't have any other risk factors, they don't occur again, and it was just one of those things, so try to take a deep breath. While a TIA can be considered a "stroke warning", you may also never have any symptoms again.

Baby aspirin is one of the most commonly recommended preventative treatments for TIA, and since the dose is so low and you're in your third tri, it may be a good option for you. Your OB will be able to give you better advice.

Also, there are diagnostic tests that can be done even while you're pregnant, like ultrasounds of your carotid artery to make sure there's sufficient blood flow to your brain. You need to see a specialist ASAP, and they can recommend tests that can still be done during pregnancy.

You don't mention how far along you are in your pregnancy. If you're at 39 weeks, a c-section might be a good option. At 30 weeks, not so much.

Best of luck to you, remember to go to the ER ASAP if you have the start of similar symptoms, and try to relax and take it easy. Hugs!

eves1989 · February 2014

YEs, the very first and important thing to remember is to stay calm, focused and relaxed... If you have difficulty doing this, just do some breathing exercises, then you'll feel relaxed afterwards. FemShep had mentioned everything clearly and I agree with what she said.

haziedaze · February 2014

Very scary! I had a friend with similar sxs and it was a migraine. I second what others have said, it seems like there are a few more things they can check before shrugging their shoulders. Did you see a neurologist? Hoping your doctor has a better plan tomorrow.

ACDC92912 · February 2014

Thanks ladies!

Did an echo, MRI (with no dye), and carotid artery ultrasound. All those tests came back normal. Had my Dr. appt today and he basically blew me off. Thought nothing of it. He didn't even have all the results from when I was in the ER...

I have a history of migraines in the past and they were nothing like this. Also, my blood pressure has been elevated since then as well. Normal for me is 90/60 and in the ER it was 130/100 and today it was 129/90. He said those were normal readings but they aren't for me and I'm concerned. I don't want pre-eclampsia and I don't know how to convince him that these aren't "normal".

My mom called my previous doctor that I saw when I had migraines and my pediatrician and both of them are concerned with what's going on. I'm going to take my mom with me on Tuesday when I go in for my 37 wk appt. Hoping for a better result.

Just a note so it doesn't seem like I just bring my mom everywhere I go- she's a nurse so she understands all the things I don't lol

Teresa1896 · February 2014

Fwiw I used to get migraines with aura/those neuro symptoms and it was exactly like you described: blurred vision, numbness on one side of my body, speech issues, cognitive "fuzziness." I had MRIs and other testing and there was never a cause found. I would get them every 6 mos and then around 25 I stopped getting them. I thought hormonal changes of pregnancy might bring them back but so far so good *knocks on wood.* but my migraines also changed over time, becoming less severe and with fewer symptoms over time, so I'd assume it's possible your migraines could change over time as well.
I hope you get some answers moving forward. Good luck!

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