Hi, My name is Laura.  I am a 39 year old female from Monroe, La.  After several years of horrible headaches and many doctors, hospitals and different diagnosis, I suffered a stroke a month ago today.  I was referred to Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas because the doctors here didn't know what was wrong.  They suspected MS.  After many test, Dallas diagnosed me with MM.  I am on many meds and will have a follow up visit with my neurologist in Dallas on Monday (2/l).  He didn't seem to think that surgery was an option for me.  I'm not sure why unless it is the location of the blockages or the severity.  One side is blocked by 50% and the other is by 40%.  I  am very scared and not sure where to turn.  It is so comforting to know that there is this website to visit with others that have gone through the same thing.  Thank you for reading this and please email me with any advice or words of encouragement.

Laura,

Please click on General Posts and go to the subject 'Re:  anybody out there who has not had the surgery'  Read Reply #4.  Mar did a great job explaining the syndrome.  Also, please read Reply #6.   

Again,  read all you can.   

Janice

New Buddy,
                   I'm sure others are sick of my story but my daughter at 20 yrs. old last year had 4 strokes she was unconsious for a week she has had to learn how to walk and somewhat talk again she walks with a limp and still cannot use her left hand and is still incontinent, her hand is coming back very slowly. She cannot take care of herself at all, at the time this happened she was already out on her own bought her first house already with her fiance and was getting married this past Valentines day. All of that was destroyed she now lives with me and her plans and life and future as she new it has done a complete 360 and no longer has a fiance. The moral of my story this disease destroys futures and lives if not taken seriously or diagnosed right, get 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions if you need to I can't believe there is no surgery that can be done. DO NOT wait until you have strokes, you more than likely will be rehabing for years to come. I hope I wasn't to harsh but you need to keep searching until you get the help you need, and realize how very devistating this disease can be.
                                        Nancy

Hi Paula!  I am so glad to see another 39 year old just like me that was just diagnosed with this weird disease!  I am so scared!  I have contacted Dr. Steinberg at Stanford in California by email and he wants me to forward my MRI's along with copies of my arteriogram to him and he along with a committee of other neurosurgeons will meet and determine whether surgery is necessary not for me or not.  My doctor in Dallas says he wants to follow me for now and decide in 6 months or so.  I am on 23 meds a day!  If you would like to talk,  my email is lweableschwab@hotmail.com and my phone number is 3l8-322-6465, I would love to talk with you.  There is just too much to write.  Laura

I am managing very well since I have a ton of help. ;
My family and friends are way too helpful.  This week both kids are at day care since I am not allowed to lift over 10 pounds.  My son, the  moose, is 15 pounds.  Yikes.  Good luck!  By the way my stroke affected my right side and I used my left for feeding and cleaning.  The real problems are my speech and my writing.  So this is great practice.

Paula