And, uh, well, I just wanted to say hi? I'm guessing I'm going to be spending a whole lot of time around this site educating myself in the near future, and I might as well introduce myself!

I literally just got back from my neuro's office a couple hours ago. Long story short, I (as a 28 year old Caucasian female) originally presented to him with headaches, and several short TIAs involving extreme weakness in my right arm/leg 2.5 months ago. I was also having less intense intermittent weakness in the right arm/leg on a much more frequent basis, but that has since stopped. There haven't been any more TIAs either, thank god. <knock on wood>

Many CTs (normal), MRIs (generically abnormal such that they matched my symptoms but apparently gave no other clues), blood tests (normal), an LP (normal) and finally the cerebral angiogram later, I just got my diagnosis. MM. I can't remember which artery (the middle left one?) that was (completely) blocked, but apparently the classic "puff of smoke" was clear as could be. Through all the tests we've also realized my BP is also high, with my right arm BP consistently higher than my left.

Oiy. I left my neuro's office with the impression this (the MM) wasn't such a big deal, but that could also have been my brain chose to interpret things, I dunno. I have a blockage, but new vessels grew to replace it, so whats the big deal? What's this stroke talk?

But being the geek I am, the first thing I did when I got home was put google to work. And hence, here I am. Thank you for this miraculous collection of info, btw. To be honest, however, to say I'm overwhelmed, freaked out and scared right now is an understatement. Given that, I'm already really grateful to see there's such a great group of people here who understand what all this is about and are allowing me this opportunity to vent! I'm not quite sure how to handle explaining any of what's going on to the BF or my parents quite yet...

I'm not sure what my next steps are. My neuro has referred me to the head of the stroke center at Vancouver General Hospital, so I guess I need to see what he has to say. I know I'm not going to sit around and wait for a stroke or bleed, however.

Sorry for the long post; once I get started, shutting me up is apparently hard to do!

Tammy

Tammy no need to apolize for speaking up it is overwhelming, scarey and all of that. You should she some of the posts i put up last summer when I first came here.

Welcome, to the MM Family, sorry your here but glad to hear from you. It sounds like your on the right track, DX is the biggest hurdle, at least it seems to be. I am assuming you figured out the answers to your stroke and bleed questions and that the other vessels forming are smaller weaker vessels. Thats why they are at risk.

The good news is that the procedures work, Robert had surgery (sta-mca bypass or direct bypass) 6 months ago by Dr. Steinberg (you will hear his name again and again) He is doing excellent, at the hieght of his spells he was having headaches and the works 3 times a week, full blown TIA's 1-2 a month since surgery he has had no tia's and mild headaches.

Dont stop advocating for your health, question all your doctors find out their knowledge before moving on. Find a surgeon your comfortable with (getting the idea). We had a couple surgeons that had never done the surgery before trying to do the surgery on Robert. If not for this site we wouldnt have known the questions to ask to find the the truth.

If you have any questions dont hesitate to ask, almost anyone of us will give you the best answer we can or help you find the person who can answer it.


again welcome, you are in our thoughts and Prayers
Mike

Hi Tammy,

I know what you're going through.  In 2005, I was 25 years old when I was diagnosed and had my surgery.  I had 5 strokes in August and by the end of September I had my surgery with Dr. Steinberg.

I could write forever about what I went through but that would take forever.  If you want to talk, you can call me at 011 49 711 72 69 997.  I'm an American, living in Germany.  I don't know where you live but there's a 6 hour time difference from the east coast.  With that being said...if you need or want to talk you can call me anytime.

Monica

Tammy~

Going thru all the TIAs and diagnosis is a tough tough thing. Glad you're smart and got onto mm.co.
Hope things go well for you.
Lots of love and support in this New World,

Love
Linda A (LA)

A big welcome to ya!

I got my dx July 06......then had STA-MCA double bypass's done at Stanford end of August 06.

Heading into 9 months post surgery...and overall much better. I still have a lot of my existing sx's....but my brain clarity is sooooo much better! I am able to function for long hours now....I can get a lot accomplished. No more waves of relentless fatigue.....and fuzzy brain!

That alone....is worth the surgery! Let alone the constant fear of living with an extreme stroke risk....which is now....no longer an issue!

Hang in there....hugs.....Diane : )