MEDICAL: How to test for a possible stroke.

[Alfie168]

Re: MEDICAL: How to test for a possible stroke.

Well I was sent the STR email by a nurse I have known since I was 18. Sadly we never got to know each other as well as I would have liked (nudge nudge) which is probably why we still speak to each other in our fifties. She still works in the NHS. I trust the advice, not only because I trust my friend Sandra, but also having listened to numerous radio programmes about the importance of quick diagnosis and treatment of stroke..something we are far too slow at in this country, and it costs us dearly.

I say well posted OP

Stroke has hit my family, like many others I am sure.

Tim

 

[rogerthebodger]

Re: MEDICAL: How to test for a possible stroke.

Don't know about the others but your numbers for south africa are wrong.

Police (SAPS) 10111 (if you can get through)

Police (traffic) NO NATIONAL NUMBER

Fire & Ambulance NO NATIONAL NUMBER
in Johannesburg there are 3 numbers for Northern (011)394 2233
Southern (011)861 4200
Eastern (011)811 1111

In South Africa if you need emergency (ambulance) services use private Cell phone services 084 911 is one services provider the others have their own or DO IT YOURSELF.

US, UK, EU etc are lucky to have such a great service dont knock it.

 

[cliffordpope]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
...I've no idea whether this is true - anyone know?

[/ QUOTE ]
It's not - Snopes. Another well circulated email, passed on in "good faith".

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for that reference. I'll delete the tip from my memory!

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I'll add a bit of input here... I know about some of this stuff!..... (and I don't know about many above, but at least one of the other posters is also in the industry, and has posted a correct answer!)

Firstly the issue over mobile access to emergency services...

The UK airtime licenses given by Ofcom to the mobile providers require them to provide access to the emergency services for any caller regardless of whether they are a subscriber to that network or not. There is however, not universal implementation of this...

Secondly... the access number itself... again the only two numbers required to work in the UK are 999 and 112. However, quite a few operators also map 911 to the correct destination out of choice rather than compulsion. So it might work, or it might not.

HTH

 

[billmacfarlane]

A couple of things.
1. At the risk of being dissed for admitting to watching Neighbours, one of the cast had a suspected stroke and I learned about these tests from the programme. Neighbours is educational ?
2. What are the chances of seeing a competent neurologist in the NHS within 3 hours ?

 

[captainslarty]

Prior to my IT career, I was a paramedic for over 14 years, also, I HAVE had a small stroke, luckily, not too many lasting effects.

The advice is SOUND, the comments re difficulty actually seeing a neurologist is also sound (Often difficult in a 3 hour timescale, if not impossible in many parts of the UK)

As for a Neuro REVERSING effects within 3 hours... theres a chance, but not a huge one. !

Asprin re heart attack (MI), may have a small chance .. 300 mg soluable recommended. not 75

Coughing for MI, ONLY if the heart is in VF (Ventricular Fibrillation) AND you caught it within seconds.. unlikely without a heart monitor !

My first stroke was actually in the middle of Biscay with just Jayne and I aboard... not good. !!!!.. thats when you need MORE than a competent crew aboard.

Thank you to the original poster for sound advice.

The advice is more related to TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack), often the precursor to a large stroke. but very valid. often a large stroke leaves you in no boubt (as an observer) with paralysis down one side completely, or even death.

Joe.

 

[lyc]

Even being in hospital doesn't help!

I was in hospital, on life support in intensive care for 10 days then on the wards for another 2 weeks closely monitored. Slurred my words, couldn’t walk straight (more like a drunkard) not making a lot of sense (that I can believe!) couldn’t hold anything in my right hand, couldn’t write, terrible memory problems.

All the nurses, doctors, surgeons and physio’s I had during that time in hospital and not one noticed I had suffered a stroke! It wasn’t till I mentioned it at a check up a week or so after coming out of hospital that I was sent to see a consultant and was brain scanned and then told I had suffered a stroke.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

[ QUOTE ]
I'll add a bit of input here... I know about some of this stuff!..... (and I don't know about many above, but at least one of the other posters is also in the industry, and has posted a correct answer!)

Firstly the issue over mobile access to emergency services...

The UK airtime licenses given by Ofcom to the mobile providers require them to provide access to the emergency services for any caller regardless of whether they are a subscriber to that network or not. There is however, not universal implementation of this...

Secondly... the access number itself... again the only two numbers required to work in the UK are 999 and 112. However, quite a few operators also map 911 to the correct destination out of choice rather than compulsion. So it might work, or it might not.

HTH

[/ QUOTE ]

I concur with all of the above !! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[huldah]

A word of warning, unfortunately based on a horrific experience.

If your stroke is caused by an adverse reaction to a drug, go to hospital, Don't go to the doctor who gave you the drug. He is encouraged by big pharma to avoid admitting drug damage.

Three doctors and the drug company nurse, turned their backs on me. The nurse 'helped' me off the premises. The 'brain expert' I saw several years later deliberately avoided carrying out an examination.

The damage was caused by a whole body venous shut down. this resulted in multiple strokes that occurred overnight.

In ten years I have seldom been well enough to race my solo. I prefer not to think about my financial losses. Thankfully, now much better!

Philip

 

[Athene V30]

It is worthwhile to remember that strokes do not only affect those of more mature years. All ages can suffer.

One of my sons had a stroke aged 15 months. It took the medical services 6 days to believe that there was something other than a dislocated elbow wrong with our boy despite several trips to A&E and the GP. It was only when he had a fit in front of the GP that we were believed.

Fortunately over 12 years later he is a perfectly fit, healthy and active teenager.