Strokes - how much do you know about them?

[Miri]

Didnt know where to put this so I thought i would put it here.

Everyone knows what heart attack means, but very few seem to know
about strokes. They can be just as fatal and if bad ones, they can be devastating
to quality of life after.


Uk data / information - maybe other countries have different data,
but the results are pretty shocking. A stroke occurs every 3 mins 27 seconds
in the UK.

https://www.stroke.org.uk/sites/default/files/stroke_statistics_2015.pdf


I never realised strokes were so common until I did a bit of reasearch recently.
It seems that while strokes can be unpredictable, things like high blood
pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol etc can increase them. Age is a factor especially
if combined with other risk factors.

As some of you may know there is a regular on here whose husband
had a stroke, now unfortunately he has cancer.

A friend of mine 79 had a massive stroke a few weeks ago effecting both sides of
the brain with devastating results. For the first few days they were talking about
organ donation and didn't expect her to survive.
She is marking progress but how much she will recover is not known, she
still can't speak can't fully move her arms, can't swallow. I think she is the
worst I have seen personally. She does not drink, is slim, does not
smoke so that was a complete shock as she does not meet the usual stroke profile.

I also found out my former pastor had a stroke in January. He needed
the blood thrombolosis to break up the clot but is now completely recovered.

My aunt has had two TIA strokes in the past, mini ones over and done with
in 24 hours, barely noticeable.

I've since found a couple of other people have also had strokes to varying
degrees.



Anyway I thought I would create this thread so people can find out a bit
more, and maybe it might even encourage some to see if they can
reduce their risks.

I honestly would really hate to see anyone on here, in the position my friend is in.
If she does recover enough to go home, it is likely her and her husband will need
to move to a bungalow and that she will need carers. Though of course God may
have other plans.

 

[oldethennew]

several years ago, when I was taking narcotics for pain, I was sitting-down and cutting
some lilies - well to make a long story short, I got dehydrated and started to lose
control of my body - I made it to a lounge chair but by then was unable to speak
or move my facial muscles - hubby grabbed the hose and began to soak me down
all over - after a while my power began to return and I could move my mouth and
speak...I fully recovered, but it was really very terrifying, a couple of hard lessons
were learned...

 

[Depleted]

What I don't know about strokes:
-- Hubby had "some TIAs." This was found out last year in the rehab/nursing center. No idea what that means to him. I know what the term means. I just have no idea if it affected him in some way. I also have no idea why they did the brain scan to show that, since that's all we got out of that. He had mini-strokes and we have no memory of them.

-- I have aphasia. No idea how I got it and doctors have taken in that information as if I said, "I have brown eyes." I'm not really fond of aphasia. Strange thing about it -- it's both oral and written. If I pick out a word that's just wrong for that spot, I don't notice it if whether I say it or write it. The only time I can tell I even did that is there is a 50% chance I'll notice it if I'm proofreading, and a 100% chance a confused look goes on the person I'm talking to's face when I do that. And there is some connection to the words I use versus the words I meant to use. They both start the same way. (While, instead of why. Dive, instead of divide. Power, instead of pottery.) I wouldn't be surprised to find out it is caused by a stroke, because it sure wasn't caused by an accident, but it seems like it's no big deal to doctors in America.

-- I've had neuropathy on my legs, but unlike most neuropathy, it goes from my hip down to my ankle. Doesn't that sound sort of like a diabetic problem? Well, if you know diabetic neuropathy, it starts at the toes and works its way up, usually no higher than the knee. What does that have to do with strokes? I think I just figured out what is causing something I've been ignoring for a year. I'm on two statins, because my triglycerides are that high. (Not cholesterol, which is great, just the triglycerides.) And I've been taking two to avoid strokes.

Great! My foot is beginning to go, and I didn't even know the tingling was related to a possible side effect of the meds. Taking two statins is dangerous, so I was told to watch out for muscle pain or weakness. Pins and needles is annoying, but it's not pain. My foot is going. Who thinks "muscles" in feet?

It seems a lot of what we don't know about strokes is because the health field doesn't seem to want to tell us exactly what it does to us -- only how to avoid it, (which, lets face it, is nigh impossible), or what to do after one. It happens in my brain. Someone really ought to know how it affects that. Brains are very important organs.

 

[Miri]

There is a lot of thinking in the UK, that statins aren't needed unless a person
has heart failure, already has high cholesterol, or a life style with a higher risk of
a heart attack, that there is no pointgiving them out to people just because they
reach a certain age.

Over here doctors seem to have routinely given them out just because you
reach a certain age.

I'm getting to that age now, where doctors keep wanting to check my
blood pressure, do diabeties checks. Cholesterol checks. (They've always been fine).
I got an invite the other week to take part in a long term study aimed at
breast screening in pre menopausal women. Usually that doesn't start until
you get to 50-55. I said go away there's nothing wrong with me. I think
sometimes the medical world just treats the population as guinea pigs.

Statins have been a massive guinea pig trial. They seem to help
those with a higher risk, but there is evidence emerging that they make no
difference in low risk or no risk groups and cause side effects.

 

[JosephsDreams]

As usual, it almost always comes down to lifestyle.

Young atheists and agnostics have a better idea what that means than most of you here. The sad part of that is that they are using all of Gods principals on this. Stated clearly in the Bible. They often do not even realize that, and if they do, it does not register to them what that implies.

Yet you all keep holding on with a death grip your notions of what a healthy lifestyle is. Yet it is evident to me and should be to people here, judging by how many of you are desperately ill, that what your doing is not working, but you keep doing it.



This is one of many reasons why the educated left laugh at us.

 

[Miri]

As usual, it almost always comes down to lifestyle.

Young atheists and agnostics have a better idea what that means than most of you here. The sad part of that is that they are using all of Gods principals on this. Stated clearly in the Bible. They often do not even realize that, and if they do, it does not register to them what that implies.

Yet you all keep holding on with a death grip your notions of what a healthy lifestyle is. Yet it is evident to me and should be to people here, judging by how many of you are desperately ill, that what your doing is not working, but you keep doing it.



This is one of many reasons why the educated left laugh at us.

Actually over the pond in the UK, it's often the other way around.

People in their 80s 90s remember the food rations during WW2 and many still use those
principles. I've been in loads of geriatric hospital wards and the older people tend to
be slimmer non smokers etc. Although I've noticed that dementia seems to affect more
slimmer people than over weight people.

Whereas its the younger people who are into binge drinking, drugs, and especially
young men seem to live off takeaways and Mac Donald's. Smoking does seem to
be on a downward trend though, but weed is often a substitute.

You might find this interesting, veg and salad isn't mentioned as people grow their own.

WW2 Food Rations.

 

[JosephsDreams]

Actually over the pond in the UK, it's often the other way around.

People in their 80s 90s remember the food rations during WW2 and many still use those
principles. I've been in loads of geriatric hospital wards and the older people tend to
be slimmer non smokers etc. Although I've noticed that dementia seems to affect more
slimmer people than over weight people.

Whereas its the younger people who are into binge drinking, drugs, and especially
young men seem to live off takeaways and Mac Donald's. Smoking does seem to
be on a downward trend though, but weed is often a substitute.

You might find this interesting, veg and salad isn't mentioned as people grow their own.

WW2 Food Rations.

Wow. That's cool. It's not the way it is here. People under 25-ish are more hip to the truth of it here than any other age group, as a general rule.

 

[Miri]

Wow. That's cool. It's not the way it is here. People under 25-ish are more hip to the truth of it here than any other age group, as a general rule.

Maybe we should go back to rations again.

There has been a few experiments where modern peolle have been challenged to
live off WW2 rations to see how they coped. Various people have also tried it to lose weight.
Here is an example.

WWII enthusiast saves money and loses weight by living off 1940's wartime rations | Life | Life & Style | Express.co.uk

 

[Depleted]

There is a lot of thinking in the UK, that statins aren't needed unless a person
has heart failure, already has high cholesterol, or a life style with a higher risk of
a heart attack, that there is no pointgiving them out to people just because they
reach a certain age.

Over here doctors seem to have routinely given them out just because you
reach a certain age.

I'm getting to that age now, where doctors keep wanting to check my
blood pressure, do diabeties checks. Cholesterol checks. (They've always been fine).
I got an invite the other week to take part in a long term study aimed at
breast screening in pre menopausal women. Usually that doesn't start until
you get to 50-55. I said go away there's nothing wrong with me. I think
sometimes the medical world just treats the population as guinea pigs.

Statins have been a massive guinea pig trial. They seem to help
those with a higher risk, but there is evidence emerging that they make no
difference in low risk or no risk groups and cause side effects.

My triglycerides rose to twice the levels they were supposed to be in a short time. That comes under "dangerously high" levels, so they put me on a statin. It was still above average, but not dangerously anymore. They told me to take flaxseed oil. I was taking flaxseed oil already. "Take more."

Most of the pills I take are vitamins and supplements. My prescriptions could fit into a quarter teaspoon with room to spare. But my vitamins and supplements fill out the pill box. lol Another flaxseed oil wouldn't fit.

I swapped doctors, and my next doctor put me on two.

Then I swapped doctors, and got a "statins are poison" doctor, who wanted me off them. He went on an on about how they poison the body and absolutely no one should ever be on them, with going a little concession that maybe one, if I really needed them. But first he wanted me to take a blood test. I did, and next time he saw me he said I was crazy for even suggesting maybe I could drop one. (And that's why I dropped him. Not the last time he called me crazy for something he recommended. Yeesh!)

So, I really should be on them. I am curious what's going on with the leg and the aphasia, because it might come down to which is more important to me -- walking, talking, or stroke or heart attack. I can live with neuropathy, if I have to. I'm not so sure I can live with being woken up by leg cramps though. It's kind of like waking up to find someone staring at you. Just not an easy wake-up to take. lol

It is funny how different our healthcare is in our two countries. I'm not keen on the UK thinking people don't matter as much as age does. I was 44 when my statins spiked. A mere kid.

 

[Depleted]

Actually over the pond in the UK, it's often the other way around.

People in their 80s 90s remember the food rations during WW2 and many still use those
principles. I've been in loads of geriatric hospital wards and the older people tend to
be slimmer non smokers etc. Although I've noticed that dementia seems to affect more
slimmer people than over weight people.

Whereas its the younger people who are into binge drinking, drugs, and especially
young men seem to live off takeaways and Mac Donald's. Smoking does seem to
be on a downward trend though, but weed is often a substitute.

You might find this interesting, veg and salad isn't mentioned as people grow their own.

WW2 Food Rations.

Funny. Your ration list looks like how I grew up. The difference is Dad hunted and fished, so meat was usually not store-bought. (Rabbits, squirrels, pheasant with no glass, quail, geese, ducks, and, on a rare day, venison. (Dad didn't bag a deer but once every three or four years. lol)

We lived on powdered milk for most of my growing years. We used and reused lard until it was somewhere between brown and black. And, although we only grew tomatoes, a can of vegetables fed a family of five, (and then six.) I think we eat healthier today, because we use spray oil, if we need to coat a pan. (Use the skin of chickens, and we don't even have to do that.) Produce is fresh, often out of the garden, so far less salt, and far more veggies. And Splenda, instead of sugar, whole wheat flour, instead of bleached. Added bonus -- cheese! Real cheese, instead of "processed cheese food." (Both of us are lactose intolerant, so don't go hog wild on the cheese. Asiago is our friend though.)

 

[Miri]

I'm no doctor, but I often get leg cramps if my calcium levels drop.

I think potasium and magnesuim can have a similar affect as they are all needed
for muscle and nerve function. It's better to get them from food though, as
if kidney function is compromised then too much potasium for example, can
mess up the body big time (my aunt nearly died due to high potassium levels).

Most everything which grows in the ground contains potassium so it's hard not to
get enough. Calcium and magnesium have to be worked at a little.

But im sure I read somewhere that statins can cause cramps, something to do with
how they lower certain things the body needs, essential fat, possibly Vit K.
Have a look on the internet. It makes an interesting read.

Asphasia - you said you had a TIA. They can cause Asphasia, so can tiredness. I talk
gibberish all the time when I'm tired.

 

[Miri]

Funny. Your ration list looks like how I grew up. The difference is Dad hunted and fished, so meat was usually not store-bought. (Rabbits, squirrels, pheasant with no glass, quail, geese, ducks, and, on a rare day, venison. (Dad didn't bag a deer but once every three or four years. lol)

We lived on powdered milk for most of my growing years. We used and reused lard until it was somewhere between brown and black. And, although we only grew tomatoes, a can of vegetables fed a family of five, (and then six.) I think we eat healthier today, because we use spray oil, if we need to coat a pan. (Use the skin of chickens, and we don't even have to do that.) Produce is fresh, often out of the garden, so far less salt, and far more veggies. And Splenda, instead of sugar, whole wheat flour, instead of bleached. Added bonus -- cheese! Real cheese, instead of "processed cheese food." (Both of us are lactose intolerant, so don't go hog wild on the cheese. Asiago is our friend though.)

Ive often thought that it would be nice to grow veg in the back garden, my aunt isn't keen on
it, she likes grass. We did try it at the other house which had a bigger garden,with great success.
The snails and slugs loved us forever too! They thought we were so generous when the lettuce
came up!

 

[Depleted]

I'm no doctor, but I often get leg cramps if my calcium levels drop.

I think potasium and magnesuim can have a similar affect as they are all needed
for muscle and nerve function. It's better to get them from food though, as
if kidney function is compromised then too much potasium for example, can
mess up the body big time (my aunt nearly died due to high potassium levels).

Most everything which grows in the ground contains potassium so it's hard not to
get enough. Calcium and magnesium have to be worked at a little.

But im sure I read somewhere that statins can cause cramps, something to do with
how they lower certain things the body needs, essential fat, possibly Vit K.
Have a look on the internet. It makes an interesting read.

Asphasia - you said you had a TIA. They can cause Asphasia, so can tiredness. I talk
gibberish all the time when I'm tired.

Banana girl, remember. (I'm back to eating them fairly regularly again. Far better a banana than sugar-free cookies, at those moments between meals and too-hungry-to-wait.) So, I've always been good on potassium, yet still cramp. And calcium? Just started taking that. (IBS-C, and calcium causes constipation, but I'm losing bone mass now, so got to anyway.) Magnesium, also related to cramping, so we make sure our multivitamin/mineral pill includes magnesium.

I don't know if I've had TMIs or not. Our government plays around with healthcare here too. And they got it in their heads that they can regulate who gets pain meds. Worse yet, each branch plays with the rules or makes up their own based on who is in office at that particular moment. As of January 1, 2000, the legislators mandated that doctors and hospitals have to treat pain. (My chronic pain hit months before that, so that is a landmark date for me.) And they did. BUT our attorney general back then had other thoughts and prosecuted doctors who prescribed "too many pain meds." So, I had to base my decision on which doctor I'd see solely on if he would prescribe them to me. And I found that doctor.

And I quickly learned he really stunk in any other form of the word "doctor." (Not kidding. Every time, I went to see him, he'd check my thyroid with his hands, and five years into seeing him, after he did that, I asked him if it was time for me to get another biopsy. He was shocked. He didn't know why I needed one until I pointed to my ping-pong-sized goiter. It's visible, and he couldn't feel it. And he said, "And I consider myself very good at checking for goiters." Funny thing. Even after he figured out I had a goiter, he never did bother answering my question about dealing with it, and the next time I went to see him, he felt my neck again and, again, didn't notice the goiter.)

At that point in time, I knew I had a useless doctor, except he'd give me my pain pills. I'm the one who asked him to tell me how to lower how many I was taking, and I was able to cut it down by 60%.

That's also when I developed the aphasia and asked him for help. He helped alright. He wrote the word on a prescription pad and handed it to me. (That's when I learned what I had.) That is all he did.

So, five years ago, something else changed about regulations, and he told me he'd have to let me go because he didn't know how to handle patients in pain. I remembered how hard it was to find any doctor willing to treat it at all, so I did what comes naturally to me. I burst out in tears.

And he said, "See? I don't know how to handle that. So get out!"

Well, geesh! It was the first time he had to "handle it," since it was the first time I ever cried in front of him.

The next doctor I found, also wouldn't prescribe them for me, so she sent me to a "pain specialist." (Which, in this country seems to mean "doctor who makes most of his money giving shots in backs, but will make pocket change by charging $120 per visit to write out pain med scripts.")

That freed me up to actually be treated like a normal patient with keeping up with the rest of my health needs, but not having a good doctor for ten years, got me so behind, that most other doctors treated me like a lab rat -- doing nothing but preventative tests for everything that wasn't wrong with me -- or thought I was a hypochondriac for asking about all the small little problems that weren't dealt with for 10 years. (Goiter, aphasia, this stupid leg problem.)

I've asked four different doctors about the aphasia, but they just write it down like that's a note in my chart, and get back to whatever they want to deal with.

Healthcare truly sucks, when it's government regulated.

 

[Depleted]

Ive often thought that it would be nice to grow veg in the back garden, my aunt isn't keen on
it, she likes grass. We did try it at the other house which had a bigger garden,with great success.
The snails and slugs loved us forever too! They thought we were so generous when the lettuce
came up!


View attachment 170817

Two things that stop slugs and snails:
1. Copper. (We have pennies, but a strip of copper around the perimeter would do the same thing.) Copper has a tiny electromagnetic field that feels like they're being electrocuted if they step on it. Not to the point of death, but not enough that they won't cross it.

2. Tiny pebbles -- like the type put on the bottom of an aquarium. Just think of what happens when they try to cross that. Think of what happens to something that slimy when trying to cross something like that.

As for your aunt's preferences? How about pretty plants? Veggies come in pretty. (Check out chards, they make them in neon colors now. Squash -- pretty flowers.) And, bonus idea: To keep bunnies out of the veggie garden, plant a thick row of marigolds. They hate marigolds!

You have that corner in the back of your yard. Garden doesn't have to mean big. And you don't have time for big anyway.

 

[oldethennew]

Miri,

get some pretty planters and plant what your aunt and yourself like to eat,
it takes very little attention and if done right will yield much - just ask Lynn.

 

[Thehappymom]

To be honest, not much