Hi all:

I was diagnosed with MMD in 2001 and had bilateral EDAS.  Return of symptoms Summer 2012, and after evaluation it was determined I should have STA-MCA bypass on the left side in October 2012.  I also suffer from anxiety and depression.

I have been experiencing sporadic numbness on the left side, intense headaches, and "squiggles" in my vision.  I notice it is more prominent around my menstrual period.  In the past, these symptoms would have sent me to the ER.  However, every time a CT/MRI is completed the results turn out fine.  The ER docs here frequently make me feel embarrassed and ashamed, saying that "the mind is a powerful thing" and that all my symptoms are anxiety related.

In any case, I have not sought medical care at this juncture.  I was thinking of contacting my MMD surgeon in Cinci (I live in Ypsilanti, MI) but fear constantly crying wolf.  Have any of you experienced similar, anxious symptoms that mimic your TIA experiences?  I'm feeling a little lost.

Thanks!

Aly

sorry to hear you are experiencing such disregard at your ER.  We occasionally experienced similar issues with certain staff and physicians, being ignorant of moyamoya (and pediatric stroke in general), trying a similar thing with our son.  I had to be quite assertive at times.  Fortunately, there were more often people who didn't act this way.

I encourage you to refuse to let anyone embarrass you, and seek advice and consultation from a neurologist who will listen and respond.  You know your base point best, and if something feels off, I encourage you to follow up with a good physician.

best of luck

I have also had surgery for right sided moyamoya and often when I am tired I experience my TIA symptoms with extreme fatigue.  I have actually gone to the ER and been admitted only to find out the scan is fine.  I had two strokes prior to my moyamoya surgery and am told that the symptoms come from the old strokes when I am fatigue.  My feeling they really don't know my feeling is that it is happening to me and is often compromises me from being completely engaged each day.

Anxiety can cause odd symptoms. Have you ever tried acupuncture? Sometimes when I've been puzzled over something like you describe, I get insight from acupuncture. I was having trouble swallowing, and during acupuncture had an image of my throat expanding and I realized I was constricting my own throat (anxiety). It didn't immediately solve the problem, but over time, I got myself to stop doing it. Not saying that your problems are from anxiety, but might be work checking out.