Health Scare. Suffering a stroke at 53??

All,
Just thought I’d reach out to the guys I trust for advice about a lot!
Not such a good day last Monday.
Woke up, was ok for about 10 minutes then everything was spinning, could hardly stand, my wife called 911.
EMT’s Hauled me in, Doctors confirmed I had a stroke.
Speech was slurred, much better now. Gained strength back in my left side, they sent me home Thursday.
Lots of PT and appointments with the cardiologist and neurologist.
The only thing I have remaining is a bit of light headedness and a very slight balance issue.
Has anyone on here been through this?
Definitely an eye opener for me. Not that I drink and smoke everyday, I really don’t - just an occasional beer and a cigar.
Diet will change and shed some lbs……..not easy after hip replacements and everything always hurts.
I hate it, but won’t be at Belvidere this year. First year missed since…..I can’t remember?
Just a reminder to take care of yourselves everyone….this thing called life if pretty precious.

Wally.

I had a stroke scare the morning after my 58th birthday. Mine was very minor in nature....I had some typing issues, was light headed and similar things for a few days. I was fortunate.....no speech or physical issues. I saw a neurologist 2 or 3 times afterwards and basically have been cleared. Been over a year now and I seem to be 99.9%. However my family practice doctor reminds me of this history and the risk. I have lost about 10lbs....10 more to go and I should be at target. Also taking baby aspirin and Lipitor every day. I count my blessings this was not much worse. Best of luck in your recovery.

Joe

I have a co-worker that had one at 40. You need to know your risk factors. Blood pressure is the big one. It is the silent killer. You can have very high BP with no symptoms. Get up off the couch and walk once you are able. It doesn't matter how far you can walk at the beginning. Start with a short walk, then every week make it a little longer. Do it every day. My BP is way down now that I have been walking regularly. Good luck!

I had a mild stroke in my late 30's. Heavy drinker, smoker, etc. Cleaned up my act after that. For a while.

How many remember the commercials form the 60-70's that stated the above bolded statement?

My father died at 36 in 1960 from a heart attack. My brother who had not been to aDr. in probably 20+ years was rewarded with a SEVERE stroke at age 60. Pay attention to you're body, what it's telling you and see your Dr. at least once a year.
5 years ago I noticed i was having more and more difficulty breathing when exerting myself. When I had to stop while walking through Costco I made an appt. I had been seeing my Dr's on a regular basis, had 4 or so stents but kept smoking and hammering down the beers daily.
2days after the Appt. they went in to do another stent. Not so lucky this time It was Bypass time. 2 days later I went in on a priority basis. Things went sideways and I was intubated & IV'd with Propofol and Fentanyl for over 4 weeks. Another week in a long term care facility that fortunately became short term. 3 weeks of rehab and I was able to come home. Another 12-14 months shaking the side effects of the Propofol and Fentanyl and I was left with tremors that have rescinded but not completely.
Haven't had anything but Water, tea and milk liquid wise nor have I had a cigarette since.
Sorry for the length of this but hopefully it may help someone avoid the consequences of not seeing a Dr. regularly

Sorry to hear that. Strokes are scary things. My mom had one a couple weeks ago and is in rehab now. She's slowly starting to move her left side a bit more every time we visit.

Glad you had a good outcome.

Unless your doctor recommends against it, you really shouldn't have any problems going to the show. Hanging around a car show isn't much different than hanging around the house. Just don't over do it. Manage your activity level based on the heat and stay well hydrated (with WATER lol). Doing things you enjoy is good for your health.

Kevin

Thank you all for the kind words and stories with good or bad outcomes, it’s all a lesson learned for us.
I think I’ve been pretty fortunate as it’s been less than 2 weeks and I’m almost back to 95% (haven’t been 100% in years)
Going through physical therapy pretty good and I already see a difference in how I feel.
My blood pressure is regulated pretty good and keeping a close eye on heart beats/minute.
I’ve lost 15 pounds in this time and plan on losing more.
It’s definitely an eye opener and I hope anyone else reading these posts take note and take a little bit better care of themselves.
I pray everyone that’s told stories in this thread continues to heal!
I usually sell at the swap meet in Belvidere so that’s why I’ll probably skip this year, possibly pop over there on Sunday for the show, we’ll see how I’m feeling.
I’ll definitely miss Rhino, Eric and his crew of misfits, Scott digging stuff out of my truck for me as I’m unloading it….and for sure Roger, Diane and the whole CMC crew.
My Demon is almost complete…..I feel like I’ve been given a second chance - pic below.
Thank you again everyone.

Wally.

As I have gotten older it has been one thing after another with health related things. My best advice is stay on top of things. Don`t ignore anything.

Yes, selling can get exhausting.

And I'd think it would be easy to wrapped up in things and forget your limits.

One of my friends had a small stroke at 50, last year. She's fine now, but she was in the hospital for like a week and had to wait a while before she was allowed to drive again. I think her main issue was fine motor control on one side. She didn't lose consciousness or anything, didn't fall down, just felt a little off and one hand wouldn't respond.

Good looking Demon.

My daughter is a PA in an Emergency room just outside Detroit. Eveytime we talk she tells me about "a guy my age" (I'm 59) who came in for this or that but "didn't make it". Recently a "guy my age" was braodsided while riding his motorcycle. She said he came in. Very talkative. Leg chewed up like hamburger. The ER doctors couldn't find all the arteries to pinch them off fast enough and "he didn't make it".

We are all getting old. Glad you're still here.

And very glad to still be here.
Thanks for the compliment, I bought some stuff from you guys at the Indy show in March. Great dealing with you!
God bless your daughter for being a PA in an ER, They’re amazing!
I am so very thankful of everyone that cared for me - from the EMT’s that picked me up (it was cool, I was coherent enough to hear the say “We’re coming in Hot!)
everyone in the ER and the hospital I stayed at, they were so caring and complete with everything they did.
Thanks again everyone, please take care of yourselves!

Wally.

My sister never woke up after her second stroke. Her smoking and getting drunk was her priority.

Had a mini stroke at 57, Thanksgiving day I was down in the field tending a horse all of a sudden my eyes crossed and had to put hand over one eye to get back to house. When there i took 14 aspirins and 10 minutes later was fine. Went to dinner that day and next morning called my doctors office, they said get here immediately. Spent the weekend in the hospital home on Monday. ER doctor said where did I hear to take the aspirin, I said read it somewhere. He said it was very smart because it saved me from any damage other than the dead spot in my head. Like all said DON’T dismiss anything, you have no time to mess around. So far at 73 it’s ok just everything else is going to crap. lol

Holy crap Wally! My dad had 4 strokes and 3 heart attacks, so there is history in my family and me being in such fine shape, we could be twins! Sucks you are missing Belvidere, it won't be the same without you, but take care of yourself and you will be around for many more...

clotting strokes have harmed so many friends

there is also the danger of bleeding strokes, which disabled my mother beginning in 2006, when she was taking warfarin

my youngest brother is now taking Eliquis daily,
and is still working on equipment,
and complains the slightest nick will bleed 3 or 4 times as long as a nick would before.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/apixaban-oral-route/description/drg-20060729

How many here on moparts are taking any blood thinner?

I’ve always considered “Round” a shape!?
I’m seriously working on that now.
Down but not out.
Please tell all the gang hello.

how WELL i know this !!!
make sure a guy looks at his family history, noting health issues and the age they happened. pay attention to what the doc[s] say, and don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

I’m on Plavix since this began and 325mg/day aspirin.
Many older friends swear by the 81mg childrens aspirin/day.

Neurologist and Cardiologist appointments next Friday.
Feeling much better, still a bit of light headedness and fatigued easily.
Thanks again everyone.
I’ll keep the updates coming to possibly help others that do as I did and not take care of myself.

Wally.

More lightheadedness than the normal Wally? Ohhhhh myyyyyy...

Nothing prior but I was told I had a Aneurysm and I had to have open heart surgery. Was put on on eliquis and then was switched to xarelto. Also taking a statin and some BP medicine. Took me a long time to mostly recover due to a stroke during surgery.

Glad you're doing good Wally.

I know I'm running on borrowed time, I've had high blood pressure for decades.

In my 20's "oh, you're just nervous being in the doctor's office"
In my 30's "oh, you just need to change your diet a little"
In my 40's "oh, you just need to exercise more"
Now in my 50's "YOU'RE GONNA STROKE OUT AND DIE (if you do nothing)"

Nothing makes a difference. Got serious about lowering it in my late 40's and I had nothing but problems with the medication prescribed.
I've never drank or smoked, I've always tried to 'be aware' of what I'm eating, I don't frequent fast food places, avoid greasy/fried foods, am basically eating Gluten Free now. Never been one for sweets. I used to walk quite
a bit, but due to a recent foot injury, have gotten a bike. Oh, and for that matter I don't have a sedentary job. I need to loose about 20-30 lbs, (I'm 5'-10" 215lbs) but even when I was lighter, my pressure was high.

And now I live by myself, so if something does 'happen' I won't be found until I start leaking on the neighbor below or the rent comes due, whichever comes first.

Hereditary? My Mother struggles with her BP being too low, and my Father's BP was always spot-on despite being a heavy smoker all his life (now passed). I don't really have anything to do with relatives, so I can't ask them, but both of my parents have told me their parents didn't have high BP.

So, I don't know what to do at this point., Just frustrated with the whole deal.

I Like your Demon

Wally - that's scary. I'm very glad to hear you are OK & it sounds like kind of a "minor" stroke. One of my reps from IL. had a fairly severe stroke about 2 years ago - it affected his left side. He ended-up closing down his agency over it & has been retired since. I since found out that he had high BP & he was probably about 40 pounds overweight, so I'm sure those were real factors. I'm 64 now & have been doing pretty well all things considered. My BP is normal but I'm probably about 20 pounds overweight. Only thing that has been plaguing me for the past 25 years are bouts with basal cell skin cancer that just keep popping up. I've had MOHS surgery 3 times on my face & really don't care to have to go through that again!

When it's my time to go, I want to just fall like a sack of potatoes & lights-out. But we don't get to choose. And the rest of you who are plodding along, all the best to you. It doesn't get any easier as we get older.

Thank you everyone for the stories, advice, and I’m extremely grateful for the well wishes.
I played hockey most my life, was always in good shape. After having both hips replaced, and a couple knee surgeries, I stopped playing and didn’t pay any attention to my waistline……which expanded. 😖
I’ve lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks and planning on more as my wife has done nothing but take care of me and done everything to make us healthier.
I feel really good today and have only a bit of light headedness.
For all of you with any question of health at all, just get to a doctor. PLEASE!
I’m done with the tough guy act. Anything I notice that may not feel right, I’m going in.
We all have way too may good days ahead of us.
The Demon is on hold for now, but I’ll be sure to let everyone know when I finally get it to the drag strip.
Pic below is of me in ‘85 after winning High School drag night, been a long time since I’ve raced it.
Stay well everyone!,

Wally.

You should come out near normal. My brother had one at 57 . Wouldn’t quit working outside on an extremely hot day, in spite of his crew insisting they stop. By the next day he was in the hospital after rejecting their telling him to go to the hospital.

He couldn’t talk or use one side for a while. Did the rehab and came out okay. Has slacked off contract construction and does cash work. No insurance because of his hatred for a past President ( showed him, huh?) He was enrolled in our State program but is limited to a pretty modest annual income to qualify. Could have wiped out decades of wealth building in one swoop.

Don’t ignore your health or protecting your assets.

Glad you are recovering so well and quickly. Love that car.

Your age is not really that young for strokes, unfortunately. My Dad's dad had a couple of them before 60, and several more afterwards before on killed him at 79. My Dad has had 2, but was older than you before #1. A good buddy of mine had one at 40. One of my employees had one, right in front of me at work, and she was not quite 50 yet. We live in a good time, as doctors kno so much more about how to respond to the different kinds of strokes, and can reverse some things if they can act quickly enough.

Good luck and good health to you.

Forgot to mention earlier I had a 49 YO Customer experience a stroke 15 or so years back while we were talking about doing some work to his Camaro. He suddenly said I'm not feeling right. I was going to get him a stool but instead caught him as he was falling. He of course insisted he was OK laying on the floor. I said you are going to the closest ER one of two ways: In My truck or in an ambulance. We called 911. He suffered a pretty good stroke that would have been much worse had we not gotten him to the ER as quickly as we did.
For Everyones Information:
The first hour is extremely critical with regards to the severity of the outcome, and the sooner one gets treatment the better their recovery chances are. They also say that calling 911 is better than transporting the person yourself as they will contact the ER and they will prep for the patient. That may not apply to those farther away from an ER but in that situation at least call ahead to whichever ER you are going to

Wally glad you’re doing so good!

Yes call an ambulance. A great boss at work was feeling bad and wanted his wife to drive him to ER, well he passed out in the car and was without oxygen for a bit. He’s all screwed up now, and mentally disabled from the Brain damage.

So let’s all face facts, you cannot keep eating like a teenager all your life, there will be consequences! Quit the garbage food and and drinks, change while you still can.
Just buried a great friend who would not change, only 60. And another in serious denial, 75lbs overweight and hands shake now at 62. REFUSES a doctor.
Look in the mirror and get real here. You have one life.

Also look at some of these guys hobbling around at the next car show, I don’t know why they haven’t stroked out already.

Wow. Some crazy stories here, thanks everyone. I truly feel for the ones that are worse off or lord forbid the ones that didn’t make it.
I had appointments today with the neurologist and cardiologist - both went extremely well.
Most importantly they explained everything to me in terms I could understand, and answered every question we asked.
Neurologist gave me the all clear, will go back in 2 months.
Cardiologist is having me wear a heart monitor for a week and ordered some blood tests and possibly a different type of test or 2…..
Physical therapy has been rigorous but very rewarding because I’m feeling the results.
A lot of balance and stamina work.
Maybe I’ll push myself, keep losing weight and eating healthy and get back on the ice to start playing hockey again! 🤪
Again, thank you everyone for the well wishes and support. Much appreciated.
Stay well all!

Wally

happy to hear you are doing good.
keep after it ! i know you can do it.

On the one month anniversary (June 20th - July 20th) My Doctor cleared me to go back to work - starting with 1/2 days, going to see him in 2 weeks for a check up and should get the all clear!
I was cleared to drive a week ago, been taking it slow though. Only short trips at a time.
The one thing that really threw me for a loop was going to the grocery store a few days ago.
About 1/2 way through the store I became really light headed. I figured out right away I was looking up, down, left - right, focusing in and out looking at labels etc.
I slowed it way down and just walked to where i knew where stuff was, put it in the cart, checked out and got to my truck to take a break.
It cleared up pretty quick so I was ok to drive home.
We take for granted how much information the brain is taking in at one time, and with the brain slowly healing this was a warning to take it slow - lesson learned!!
I am so very fortunate the EMT's got me to the ER as quick as they did and the ER nurses and Docs worked their magic on me, and to all of the nurses and Docs in the stroke ward....they were amazing.
Still seeing cardiologist and going through physical therapy - and taking much better care of myself!! It's a helluva lot better than the alternative!!
Stay well everyone and take care of yourselves!!

Wally.

Best of luck to you Wally! Medicine is really advanced today. I had a brain bleed in 2013. 3 neurosurgeries and 1 radiation treatment later I am still here...

Amen!!
I'll gladly pay my deductible and any out of pocket expenses.....At least we're able to talk about it!