I have a question:

I mentioned in a prior post about having a TIA on my return flight.  We are guessing it was a TIA - however, the paramedic who helped me stated it could have been a seizure; the symptoms are quite similar.  Since returning, I've had 2 quick moments of numbness and tingling.  

Can anyone describe their thoughts on the differences between the two?  I'm trying to determine if I've had one or the other and despite my internet research, I'm still not sure.  

Thanks,
Trina

Hi Trina,

I don’t have MM, but here's what I think from my research. TIA’s are a temporary interruption of the blood flow to an area of the brain, usually caused by blockage or narrowing of an artery. When the blood flow is restored to the brain, the symptoms go away, but within minutes, brain cells are still affected, causing symptoms in the parts of the body controlled by those brain cells. TIAs may affect vision, speech, behavior, and thought processes and may cause "seizure," loss of consciousness, dizziness, and weakness or numbness on one side of the body. But seizures are different from person to person. The brain controls how the body moves by sending out small electrical signals through the nerves to the muscles. Seizures, or convulsions, occur when the normal signals from the brain are changed. Did that make sense? Hope it helped you some.

In your case though, after surgery you could have a TIA for various reasons, blood pressure, spasms of small arteries, Inflamation, etc. I think it's common with the many people I've spoken to here, after surgery. Also, brain surgery can cause a small partial seizure or from stress or lack of sleep, so it may be hard to tell which you had.

My continued thoughts and prayers.

Mar

Hi Trinia -

Yes, I had constant TIAs after my first surgery.  While I was still in the hospital they put me on Heparin.  As Mar said, a few TIAs are "normal" after surgery.  But, if you are still worried, you should definitely call your doctor to put your mind at ease.  Keep up good healing!

-Shari

Hi again Trina & others on the board,

I don't understand why this surgery is so good if it CAUSES Tia's etc. I have MM and I will be getting this surgery done SOON, but I don't see how it's beneficial if
I may be driving and have these TIA's again. I haven't had one for 7 years but if I get this BYPASS done will I have to DEAL WITH IT AGAIN?
Why shoud this bypass be good if I'm going to worry about Tia's again????
CATCH 22, for me.

Thank you for letting me vent.

itsme

itsme wrote on May 31^st, 2005 at 1:18pm:

Why shoud this bypass be good if I'm going to worry about Tia's again???? CATCH 22, for me.

Because a TIA is temporary, which could just be from the swelling after the surgery. (Common after brain surgery) But if you don’t have the surgery for MM, it progresses and the collaterals eventually will not be sufficient and you won’t get the proper blood flow and oxygen that the brain needs, then you’re at risk of a probable, permanent, damaging stroke or even death without the surgery. So, no catch 22 here; surgery is the only option with MM disease, and IMO well worth the risk.

My [smiley=twocents.gif]

Mar

Trina,

I think that the TIA could be confused with a seizure only if you take moyamoya out of the picture.   Knowing that you have moyamoya, what you've described (numbness) sounds much more like a TIA.  Typically, a seizure would involve some sort of involuntary movement/ muscle spasm (not always.. but usually).   I think Mar did a great job explaining the difference between the two :)

Jenny

Hi itsme,

When I read your question about TIAs, my thoughts echoed Mar's response almost word for word.

TIAs, though frightening, are temporary, and they do not cause any permanent damage.  The possibilities without surgery are far more serious, with outcomes that are not temporary.  

Everyone's post-surgery experience is different.  You may not have TIAs at all, but it is impossible to predict, of course.  I don't blame you for asking, but I agree with Mar on this one . . . no Catch 22 here!

Looking forward to meeting you next month!

Jill

 

OK guys....STANFORD 6/21 Surgery "SOLD" I will go for it
with that positive attitude...NO CATCH 22. Thank you so much for your insights!
You are right I can deal with Tia's WHEN considering a STROKE can happen any minute but it still scares me THINKING about the TIA while DRIVING...it's happened to many mucho times and unfortunately, driving is a part of all our lives. How do you all deal with this?

Also, Trina sounds like you had a TIA...hang in there and each day is ONE DAY CLOSER TO GETTING BACK TO "YOURSELF."

LOL,
itsme

Hey itsme,

I LOVE your attitude!  You just bounce right back, and (in my opinion) you are making the best decision for yourself by having surgery.

With a teenager in the house just out of surgeries, driving and TIAs were at the top of our concern list.  Tara has had 3 TIAs since surgery - 2, 4 and 7 months post-op.  Her 1 year surgery anniversary is this week, though, and she's gone almost 5 months without one (knock on wood!).  She doesn't lose consciousness during a TIA, and we're pretty comfortable that she would be able to pull over if she has any more.  I wouldn't be truthful if I didn't say it scares me to death.  But, at the same time, we can't live our lives "in a bubble", so to speak!

Just my [smiley=twocents.gif].  Talk with you soon!

Jill

Hi Trina,

Cara's TIA's prior to her operation seem to do more noticeable  changes in her body than her TIA's after her two surgeries.

I read a TIA is little warnings before a stroke...so I worried for quite a time when she kept having them "after" her surgeries  (believe it or not she had over 140 of them !!!)...we actually marked the calender...then we thought maybe its seizures as there were so many...but an EEG and a 24 EEG confirmed they were not seizures but by the time she had the 24 hr EEG...the brain waves were compared to theEEG and showed alot of improvement.  They did put her on anti seizure medication, Trileptal (she's still on it)...very mild and sure enough slowed them down.

She was aware of every single one...she'd come up to me and write with her finger in the air "TIA" cuz she couldn't talk....but only few seconds....then she'll yawn real big which signals the end of the TIA.    

So far from reading all the posts...no one has had that many in a 6 week span...scary...oh yes...but she's doing SO GREAT now....she'd have one TIA.....once a month.  Good luck with your surgeries...and I'll keep you in my prayers.

Tight HUGS,  CarasMOM

Hi everyone:

Thank you for all the thoughts.  I think I get Mar's descriptions now.  That seizure could be part of the TIA?  That makes sense and something I didn't think of before.  I've heard that some seizures are so focused they are called focal or absence seizures and are very minor.  But I'm not sure those type of seizures require medication either.  Even if they do, I have not had enough to require any --- so far, Dr. Steinberg has said no anti-convulsant medication (thank goodness, I don't know if I could keep track of any more medications!).  

Itsme:
As far as the driving goes, here's how I feel about it.  After I had my stroke while driving home last Jan, I was very hesitant to drive alone for awhile.  But I had to to get back to work, and I thank god for cell phones and technology.  I truly believe every moya moya patient should carry a cell phone, esp. if they are driving.  I believe it saved my life that day, so I highly encourage it.  I agree with Jill, we can't live in a bubble but we can, and have to, take precautions, even post surgery.  

The other thing that is clear with moya moya patients is that you have to be hydrated - CONSTANTLY.  We believe I had a TIA on the plane partly b/c I was not hydrated enough (we believe that b/c I had no complications while I was at Stanford).  AGAIN, every patient is different so it may have nothing to do with hydration but I think in general it is important to stay hydrated all the time.  I have a post it note on my front door that says 'CELL PHONE, WATER BOTTLE, MEDS'.  Some people never leave home without American Express, I never leave home without those three things.  ;)  (Well, generally I never leave without my VISA but you get the idea :) ).   In any case, I agree with the others -- despite needing to take precautions, surgery is still the best option.  

I think hydration has something to do with it...Its HOT in AZ...when she's warmer than normal...she has a TIA...but if she has a drink in her hand, in the pool, being sprayed with water, wearing just her swimsuit...drinking here and there...the TIA's seem to be at bay, too.   :) CarasMOM