TIA

What a day you’ve had. It must be reassuring to know that your health concerns have been fast tracked. Why not discuss the matter with your doctor or the practice nurse. I am sure they will give you the best advice about lifestyle changes.

Teacheranne so you had a stressful time but you have been seen quickly and that is the main thing.

Why is it rude to be have to go too the Elderly care department? Anyone over the age of 60 is in medical terms classed as elderly. I am 63 I have no problem with it. The main thing is getting the medical treatment you need.

I know you are scared and that's only natural. I live on my own have had a neurological condition for 33 years which effects my limbs. I was recently been with AF which increases my risk of a stroke.

But I don't make a worry of it as there is no point. I either will have a stroke or won't. I do everything I can to stay healthy and active.

Over 4 years I have lost 7st, cut lot of meat out of my diet and don't buy food I have no control over. I go to an exercise class for Active Ageing. We do some exercises sitting down,holding onto the back of a chair and walking exercises which I use my walking stick.

4 years ago I was told I borderline LVH so have had to take my BP every morning. I know what my normal range for my BP. If it goes high for a 3 or more days it usually means I have an infection or virus so contact my GP.

Talk to you GP about your health and ask for advice on how to improve it. If you take your own BP it will give you some control.

The main thing is not to worry as that will only make you feel worse. Not easy I know.

The worse thing to happen to so far is being widowed at 45 my husband was 47. I lost half of me that day and still feel that way.

So everything that has happened to me since comes nowhere near as bad as losing the love of my life.

Try and relax again it's not easy but for your bodily and mental health you need to. Read all you can about your condition and you will find groups that can give you help and advice. Then you won't feel so alone.

Have you talked to family and friends about your fears? Your loved ones will help and support you.

Hope you feel more positive soon.

It’s great that you were seen so quickly and can now get a plan in place for the future.

Your GP will be the best person to advise you, but following a TIA scare last year I was advised by a neuro consultant to drink coffee , red wine and eat dark chocolate along with my usual pescatarian diet . It was serious advice .

It’s perfect natural to be scared but you need to talk about it and take up any support you can , including here on GN .
Take care .

It sounds as though the care and advice you have received was excellent - that is very reassuring.

My sympathy, Teacheranne. It's scary isn't it. I had the same three years ago. Lost the sight in one eye which turned out to be a TIA. I'm on Clopidogrel now. It does haunt us a bit, living alone, as to when the next, bigger, stroke might happen, doesn't it.
I don't know what the answer is. I suppose just try to live a healthy lifestyle, take the medication as advised, and hope for the best. Lots of good wishes to you.

Notagran55 I am allergic to Red Wine, hate Coffee and do not like Chocolate.

Can I ask you what explanation your GP gave for these choices.
Mine is quite happy that I do not eat them.
I have a number of health conditions including 5 small strokes.

Usually a TIA ( transient ischaemic attack) is given when neurological symptoms occur but resolve within 24 hours. You still have loss of vision to some degree so it sounds like a small stroke rather than a TIA. I am sure with medication your BP will soon improve. Have you already cut out any added salt? That will help lower your BP. Do you take daily exercise? Losing weight if you are overweight will also help lower your BP. Try not to worry and take small steps each day to improve your health. Good luck.

Teacheranne I sympathise with your situation. When you're on your own, it's scary wondering how you'll cope if the worst happens. It sounds as though you're receiving excellent medical care, which is great.

In addition to taking whatever steps you can to improve your lifestyle, I would start making some contingency plans. Do you have close family and/or friends who could help with shopping, driving, etc, if the worst happens? Maybe think of practical things like making sure that somebody has a key to your home, that you have emergency numbers on your phone, that somebody can feed your pets, if you have any. I have a hospital bag permanently packed.

If you've done everything you can, you might find that you worry less. You can't prevent some things from happening, but that doesn't mean that you need to let them control you completely.

What a stressful day you have had. I know living alone can be worrying if you are taken ill.
My neighbour has a key safe in a discreet place in his garden. He has given the code to trusted family and friends so that there aren't a lot of keys about but enough people to get to him in emergency.

Just one thought - if you are frightened that you might have a further TIA or even a stroke and you live on your own, why not get a telecare pendant?

I have one and it is very reassuring as I know that I could get help if I needed it. I have osteoporosis, and know that if I fell I would likely break something - and also not be able to get up! I have AF and there have been times when that has been bad and needed hospital treatment. It was my OH's and I arranged to continue with it after he died.

It is associated with a key safe outside, so if the cavalry were needed they can get in - the central telecare hub has the code.

I do think it is reassuring for people on their own. And very cheap - it is done via the local council.

Thank you for all the comments and good wishes. I am very grateful that my optician picked this up and that I was seen at the hospital in two weeks. The staff at Stepping Hill were absolutely amazing, very efficient, caring and nothing was too much trouble. I was given a prescription to collect from the hospital pharmacy which was a bit of a walk away and a health care aid went and got the meds for me then booked me a taxi home.

I need to wait a few days then go and have a chat with my gp once he has the notes back but I’m taking my blood pressure daily now as I know I’ll be put on a monitoring programme. I do need the nurse to check that my readings taken at home match the ones she gets as I’m not totally convinced I do it properly!

A lot of the measures you suggested are already in place as lockdown got me thinking about the risks of living alone. I now WhatsApp my children every morning just to let them know I am alive and kicking! I also had a key safe installed last month so my children and sister can get in and it will be handy if I ever lose my keys. I am in a local WI and have been inundated with offers of help which I am very grateful for, I already get groceries online but i know I can always ask help I might need. And I packed a hospital bag this weekend! No specific reason but I’ve seen mention of them on here before so thought it was a good idea. The bag has ended up rather large as I included more than just toiletries, it has underwear, slippers, dressing gown, reading book, note book, puzzle book, pens, masks, sanitiser, a £20 note, spare phone charger, panty liners as well!! But I felt better for getting it ready and my sister, who lives closest to me, knows where I keep it.

I don’t think I will worry too much once I process everything and get the bp under control but it is a wake up call and my excess weight will be dealt with.

By the way, my referral to it being rude being sent to the elderly care department was a joke! I was just happy to get the care I needed.

Lucky girl, I will look into getting a pendant, I’d not thought of them so thank you.

Can I suggest you add your CHI number and next of kin information to your hospital bag.. the first in case you get separated from the bag and the second in case the hospital staff need that information quickly..

Hopefully it will never be required but it is reassuring to be in control as much as possible and no-one living alone wants to think of a neighbour digging through the undies drawer.. however well meaning!!☺

You seem to be well organised and doing all the right things Teacheranne. It must be scary. Some excellent advice on the thread, other than one post which seems rather condescending and lacking in humour. All the best for the future.