A Long Read About My Mini-Stroke

[T. Calderone]

Maybe this should be in Healthy Living because I have too many health problems, psychological and physical. I've had high blood pressure on and off for about three years and my cholesterol went down from 270 to 241 (still very high) But I didn't realize two years ago what a TIA (transient ischemic attack) was. The symptoms were general numbness on my left arm and I couldn't hold my glass. Just a bit shaky. So I went to bed and the next day I had blurred vision in my left eye and generally felt unwell. I was working at the shelter and asked my boss to take my blood pressure and it was sky high and he wanted to send me to hospital. But I took my lisinolpril and felt fine. Never thought much about it again, just to take my blood pressure meds.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, I was home just watching tv and just couldn't get my neck comfortable, very stiff and sore. Soon after, my right side started getting numb, hands, arm and leg. I tried to go to sleep and realised my face was twitching and drooping. I got up for some water and I tripped and fell, waking up my son. I tried to speak but my words couldn't come out right. He assumed I was just drunk and I asked him to call 911. I hadn't been drinking and now I was pissed. I knew something was very wrong.

So the paramedics came and took me to the hospital. They ran all these tests: EKG, MRI, ultrasounds, MRA, doppler and crazy bloodwork. The diagnosis was TIA which the little clot just dissolved on it's own . But the big concern was the high amount of ammonia, which was thought to be from alcohol abuse according to the medical report. I was honest with them and told them about my drinking habit. So I have to apply for the hospital healthcare system discount services because my shitty medicaid requires a $668 co-pay every month. This way I can get the several medications that were prescribed. I'm upset reading the medical reports that didn't mention liver enzymes, only high amounts of ammonia.

So when I go to the clinic, I'm worried that they will look at me as a crazy bipolar schizoaffective drunk? It's hard being scrutinized by medical professionals, especially given my past hospitalizations. Back in 2008 when I fell and broke my nose, the doctor chastised me and said "Every time you come here, you're drunk!" This is humiliating to say the least. I'm trying to get my life back.

 

[sickofthisshiz]

That is so scary! I am sorry that this happened to you, and during the holidays too Don't worry about what anyone thinks, just worry about getting the proper care that you need. It's sad that Medical professionals become so jaded...most are very unsympathetic about addiction as well. Get the rest that you need, l hope you are feeling better soon!

 

[T. Calderone]

Thanks that was pretty spooky. I'm just trying to get the county medical service to get my meds. I brought them my proof of income (child support and retirement pay stubs) state ID, social security card, and birth certificate. But they still want a notarized letter proving where I live and how much money I pay for rent. So I need to get that done. I'm just getting crazy pounding headaches this past week and nothing seems to help. Maybe it's from not drinking! That may have caught up with me.

 

[herbavore]

If a doctor said something like that to me, I would go home and write up a nice little paragraph that said something like this: I know that I am an addict. I do not need medical personnel to point that out to me when I am being treated for other health concerns. I do not need to be shamed or lectured. Addiction is a disease I struggle with along with my high blood pressure, etc. I am doing the best I can with my life which includes seeking medical treatment. I give respect and I expect it in return." Send it to him/her and make copies that you can send to anyone else in the medical profession that treats you that way.

My husband had TIAs. He radically changed his diet and improved his cholesterol a lot and hasn't had one since--don't know if there is a connection or not. His doctor recommends the South Beach type diet (mediterranean--lots of vegetables, fruits and grains and very few processed carbs).