My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

This is one of those WTH? Moments for me. 2 weeks ago I woke up and couldn't move my hand much at all, no fist, couldnt grasp anything unless it was as big as an orange and then still had no strength in the grip. So I went to the doctor where he initially diagnosed it as carpal tunnel syndrome. Great...Now what? He prescribed steroids and other anti-inflamatories which did nothing.

A week goes by and my wife keeps nagging me to go back because she insists my speech is slurred and there is something else wrong. A couple days later I notice that I am indeed slurring my words and I am now dragging my left leg as I walk. I stumble frequently because of it. I also am biting the inside of my left cheek and tongue as I eat.

I call the docs office and explain what's going on and they tell me to come in right now. I still hadn't put 2 and 2 together yet lol... On my way there I start to realize that everything on my left side is going whacko. I am not scared or worried but instead am getting angry about it.

I get to the office and they usher me right in to a room and after a few minutes of testing reflexes and trying to walk a straight line, touch my finger to my nose etc...the doc says there is a neurological problem and he suspects I have had a stroke in my sleep. I am referred to a neurologist who has yet to call me, waiting on insurance to approve a CT scan and MRI, and have a carotid artery ultra sound scheduled for the 5th of June... This bothers me a lot, what if there is a serious problem that needs handled now! Why the long wait? I will have to hope I don't have another one before it's too late...

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Holy shit... the only thing I can say is, I wish you the best of luck and I hope life doesn't go down the wrong road.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Holy crap! Hope they can find out wat the problem is with the quickness. May God b with u n youll b in prayers my friend

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Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Read up on the warning signs of a stroke. Not all hospitals are stroke care specialists. ( wife had neck fusion last weekend, spent a lot of hours reading the hospital walls about strokes.)
If you’ve been examined relax and let them take care of you. Good luck, stay positive, you’ve got that 6x6 build to finish !


Hang up and Drive

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Sorry to hear that.

Only advice I can give you, Stay positive. Mental stress is So Bad for you.

And that you have to constantly nag and push the insurance companies and doctors.
Do Not wait for them to get back to you. Its your life that is important.
My mom had the insurance deny multiple test that the doctor had ordered. We have constantly been on the phone getting pissed at them. Once you speak up they start to listen. But they still like to drag their feet on referrals. But keep getting on them. Don't let them win.

I wish you the best.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Dang thats terrible, I hope you can get to a specialist ASAP. Man insurance companies are the worst!

I dont really like to bring it up much but I had a stroke at 36 and was lucky to have caught it immediately and got flown to a better hospital where a specialist had just started working. They did a non invasive procedure and I was back to normal the same day, I was extremely lucky.

I hope you can get some help very soon.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Screw waiting on insurance, go straight to the ER!

I'm dealing with similar myself, but like a dummy, I waited a few days of not being able to speak at all before my wife took me to the ER. As soon as my wife described my symptoms, I got moved straight to the front of the line and got a CT, an MRI, and MRI with contrast. It's been over a month and I still don't have anyswers other than it was possibly a "mini stroke" (TIA) most of my symptoms remain. I can speak slow, short sentences now, but things could have been worse. Don't wait, hours count.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Hopefully you'll have answers soon for your peace of mind and for the best possible final out come if there's something to be done. Not a big fan of this getting older stuff wish we could go back to our 20s.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

I appreciate the replies, I am going to keep on the insurance company like fleas on a hound dog...I am beginning to walk a bit better but I have to make a concerted effort, it don't come natural anymore..Now if I could just get my hand to work better...

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Dr or NP can order therapy for that


Hang up and Drive

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

X2 and go to ER at a good hospital! Don’t wait, dang insurance and too many doctors see you as an expense, not the human that you are. Prayers out to y’all with these problems, stay positive and keep us posted. :)

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Geezus, we're falling apart here! I home things start looking up for you here and fair warning if you get admited, weekday TV still suuuuuuucks!

The hospital I just got out of has it's own mobile stroke unit with this beast of an ambulance, I've seen it running around the area as well as into and out of the hospital parking lot when Mom has been there as well as when I was waiting to finish up my stint in there yesterday. If anybody is wondering, yes, it is a big as it looks and it dwarfs normal cab/chassis ambulances (both van cab and pick up cab):shock:

https://live.staticflickr.com/4479/3...fa5dd4a5_b.jpg

https://westmobilestrokeunit.nm.org/

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Thats terrible its unfortunate having to deal with insurance companies when that shouldnt even be a consideration! Thank god here in the great white north we have government supplied healthcare. If you need a cat scan or mri it gets done asap. Wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery.


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Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Wishin' you all the best on your health scare, my man.

Sucks that this thread wasn't what I thought it was - I was thinkin' it was pics of some Cadillac with a stroker V8 motor in it...

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Good luck man! Wishing you the best going thru this!

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

I was thinking the same thing as durok. If you aren't doing any better, go to the ER, insurance has to cover it (stroke, emergency) less any deductible owed, even if it isn't a part of your HMO program. There is some shot you can get that restores you, but also has a slim chance of a meeting with Jesus. Time is not on your side, be proactive to getting attention. If your hospital has a good cardiac ward, the lack of an appearant sense of urgency may not be as bad as you think. Anyhow, may the believers here be praying for your diagnosis /recovery and that you see the best doctors in your area for any and all treatment or whatever you need. Get well. "thumbsup"

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

All i can say is, DAMN that sucks, stay strong ,at least they caught it before it GOT worse. PRAYERS.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

DAMN!!!

And I thought I had health issues. Hopefully the get you fixed up and back to 99%...

The health system moves unbelievably slow, it is maddening. Waiting weeks for a consult to go through and hoping they don't screw it up. Finally getting a call from the specialist and getting informed that their next available appointment is two to three weeks out. Finally seeing the specialist, getting another consult, which takes another couple of weeks to wash through the system, and so on.... In the mean time, you are still in pain... I went to the doctor for my back in October, and I finally have treatment for the specific problem scheduled in two weeks....

Good luck.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Very sorry to hear this and I genuinely hope that you are able to get the care and attention that you deserve. You're in my thoughts.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Thanks guys, it is maddening the way this works, and frustrating as hell knowing I can do anything I have to, only to be hamstrung by a hand that refuses to work. It's like having a 1000 horse power and no wheels to use it... But my mind is still sharp and I am working out alternative solutions for my job and hobby.. I refuse to take this sitting down...I have a few days off memorial day weekend, sun, mon,tues..so I will be making something for my hand...until I can get into PT...

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

If that's nation wide, that eases my mind immensely after going to the ER and getting admitted for heart issues!



We definitely got lucky with our issues, I'll take my 2 days of boredom interspersed by tests and checking of vitals and blood sugar. I had been admitted pretty quick (there were people waiting when I got there but was taken in immediately) and even though they couldn't find anything right off the bat, the decision to admit me was made and only waiting I had to do was for a room to open up and then for any tests that had been run.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Have they done a thorough blood analysis?
This thing also happens if your blood is poisoned.

Did you aquire a wound few days before it happened?

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Yea bloodwork was done and no injurhe's for quite some time..

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Best of luck to you, still kind of surprised you weren't told to go straight to the ER over this.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

I've been through a very serious health issue that I was born with and it will always be something I have to live and deal with. Speaking from experience that is the attitude (in bold in your quote) you HAVE to have. Never give up and don't ever doubt you will beat it. My motto in the hospital to motive me and others in similar situations was "No Fear!" If you give up life will quit on you. But you have the will to beat it.

I'm not sure if you are one that is easily and always stressed, but you need to cut that out of your life ASAP. Stress, literally, is a killer.

Good luck! Keep us updated!

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

dang man, sorry to hear that. Keep working on your hand. If it is slightly getting better, you can bring it back online through sheer will and determination. The muscles are still there, they just aren't getting the full message.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Stay strong in mind and do as much to help yourself as you can! Crashed my mountain bike hard several years ago and when I finally got to see a physical therapist and convinced him I wanted to heal up, not get a doctor's note, he showed me this simple exercise! He said do 3 sets of 10 reps per day, maybe it can help you. Found this demo with search for "rubber band exercises for fingers" :)

Edit; getting old sucks, ouch my **** hurts lol.

This website has tons of great health info, www.mercola.com although some of it's a bit over the top for me, still lots of good info to be gleaned from it. Search results on their page for "stroke recovery".
https://search.mercola.com/results.a...oke%20recovery

We've also found (kinda knew anyways lol) that diet and exercise play a huge role in health especially the older we get. :)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lQPppTK7mFc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Good advice Tim, can be difficult to do, but need to do.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Thanks Jato, John Rob and natedog, I got the MRI scheduled for this tuesday and am determined to get my hand working again if I have to build an exo skeleton to do it! I am a very determined individual and don't stress out easily. If there is a wall between me and my objective, I will go over, under, around or just punch my way thru it. I do not accept defeat under any circumstances. There is always a way. I joke that I have a plan for every letter of the alphabet.

I have never had to go past D and the plans after T get sketchy and involve aliens lol! Thanks for all the support! It truly means a lot.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Keep it simple, DON’T be shy in the Drs or Hospital. Let the nurses know, you and them together will beat this.
Positivity and good luck from all of us here....


Hang up and Drive

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Thanks Mike!

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Allanon1965, happy to help! :)

"thumbsup"

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

This is also a time to research and fine the absolute BEST doctors you can that specialize in what you're going through. Don't give yourself to an average hospital or an average doctor.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

holy shit I hadn't been on the forum in a while and find this. Best of luck man, I too know all too well the bureaucracy of health insurance and test scheduling. As someone who has Crohns disease, anytime I have a flare it seems I'm down 20-30 lbs before I can get any of the tests needed. They just throw steroids at me with Cipro and hope for the best. It indeed is maddening for sure. I'll be hoping the best for you.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

I finally got my MRI results back. no stroke which is great but........ it shows a 4.6cm x 2.5cm x 3.3cm mass on the right front lobe of my brain. i am waiting on a call from Rush Hospital in Chicago on an emergency referral to get this mass removed. I am told I will be able to recover fully, but I am leery of that right now.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Don’t be leery, check out your neurosurgeon and leave it the Drs hands. Major surgery today is unbelievable and recovery is easier.
We just dealt with my wife’s major neck surgery less than 10 days ago, she flew cross country to see her first grandchild, You will do great, many are pulling for you brother!


Hang up and Drive

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Yeah thats been my attitude with going under the knife in the past but when I had my scare a few years back I just let them do their thing and they did awesome.

I hope you're back to normal soon!

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

Yikes, hope you can get out here to Rush and have them take care of that quickly!

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

you got this brother. Stay strong

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

If doctors say you can recover you can. Doctors, at least good doctors, tell you up front if it's going to affect you. You'll be good! Good luck.

Re: My CTS turned into a stroke???
 

X2 "thumbsup"