Have you had a stroke?
Share your stroke experience here: What were the symptoms? How are you now? What has changed through your experience? What has helped you?
I had a TIA after double vision one evening. Had been at Walgreens. As I drove away, suddenly had double vision. Followed a car and the double vision was gone just before I got home. Called a friend about it and she insisted I go to the ER. They checked and wanted me to have an MRI. I stayed overnight in the ER on those flat beds and they sneaked me in for an MRI early the next day. Then got to go home. Yes, it was a TIA. Scary because then you wonder when the major stroke will happen. Several months later I had double vision again during choir rehearsal, then had to run to a restaurant to talk to a friend. Could have stayed there but went home. While watching TV had double vision again. Husband took me to the ER and it was a heart attack. Was sent to the major hospital by ambulance to a city 30 minutes away. Ambulance driver told me it was 17 minutes - what a good guy! They immediately took me to the ER and the cardiologist put in a stent. Was allergic to the dye used so my kidneys were affected. It was a bad attack and know that because my husband asked the nurse. I never saw anything about double vision and heart attacks and had forgotten to ask my cardiologist. Very grateful that I was well taken care of. I was on a blood thinner for a year but not anymore. Have heart failure and kidney disease but am doing fine. Grateful for the medical people who have studied so long and are doing so well. It's nearly 3 years since my attack.
Note: was checked again and they found my stent was totally clogged. That's how well God made us, other veins/arteries filling in doing the job. Wow. A heart attack is not fun, had the jaw pain from ear to ear, never had heart pain. So glad there are nurses and doctors who take care of us. Was finally glad to be home and then had visits from therapists. After a month went back to work at the radio station and 3 years later am still there.Thank you for sharing your story! And thank goodness you and the people in your life took your warning sign of double vision seriously (women do experience different symptoms and warning signs than men) and immediately got you the help you needed. I am so glad everything worked out well for you. All the best, Kathy (Team member)
Tq Soo much of your reply
I had open heart surgery. Heart Aortic valve replacement year 2007. Now yearly back to Mount Elizabeth Hospital do the full blood test, Echo test and ECG test. I like to know how long my heart valve can last me for the rest of my life. Tq
Thank you for sharing your story. It sounds like you've been through a lot with your heart surgery and ongoing checkups. While I'm not a doctor, I know that heart valve replacements can last a long time, sometimes 10-20 years or more, depending on the type of valve and your overall health. It’s great that you’re staying on top of things with your regular tests at Mount Elizabeth Hospital—this kind of follow-up care is really important. Your cardiologist would be the best person to give you an idea of how long your valve might last, as they can assess your specific situation. Wishing you continued good health, and I hope you get some helpful answers! John. community moderator.
