 Poster: A snowHead
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@REM1, the heart scans you are being referred for which may take 2 months, you could ask your Consultant the cost of getting those scans/that scan done privately for speed if you don’t want to wait 2 months. It might not be too expensive, a number of years ago I needed a bubble echocardiogram done pronto as I was going scuba diving (long story as to why I needed it done) but I had it done like the next day, I was in there a couple of hours and it cost me about £300. Well worth it for me to find out quickly it was normal instead of not going diving.
Just a thought.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Still no response from the Consultant, i’ve chased again today and the secretary said they have my email. Fingers crossed I hear back ASAP!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Just wondering in your case if they have ruled out a hemiplegic migraine. It's a rare type of migraine but many of its symptoms mimic those common to a stroke.
Early November last year I had a suspected TIA with numbness in my right arm, right side of the face drooping, slurred speech and confusion. I also had an aura migraine.
A CT scan and blood tests were fine and after some 13 hours in A and E I was allowed home with a script for Clopidogrel. The following day I had a carotid artery ultrasound test which was fine and then saw a consultant, who after listening to the timeline of the 'episode', diagnosed a hemiplegic migraine and not a TIA. She prescribed Propranolol.
Appreciate circumstances may be different in your case but it may be something to consider
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@REM1, I wouldn't hold out any great hope for an unequivocal response from the consultant......
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I have skied on Clopidogrel. I had a vertebral artery dissection in 2017 after a weird fall skiing. I had multiple TIAs but luckily no stroke. Was on it for a while and then again for a while after a surgery on my artery in 2019. Did ski. BUT nothing too crazy.
A couple of points:
Your TIA was caused by something. If that could be an artery then skiing now is risky. Find out the cause of your TIA. You are at a relatively high risk of a stroke in first few weeks after a TIA. You want to avoid a stroke and any additional damage to an artery (if that was the cause) .
TIA is a trauma to the brain, albeit without long term effects. My doctor described in as slightly akin to concussion. Immediately after there may be discrete changes in your eye tracking which can reflect higher potential for all injuries, just like concussion does
I am not convinced a caratid doppler is the gold standard for artery dissections; you need a CTA with contrast.
Are you signed up to it for life? I know the cause of my issue, its treated and am now only on baby asprin, a much better long term alternative. Again, don't accept no answer or no cause. There is always a cause
You will likely bruise really badly. I think the biggest ski risk is a head injury, with major trauma also a risk
My consultant was clear, life is a managed risk. Stopping skiing , which is something you love and reduces stress, may not be the best thing for long term health anyway. However, if its a torn artery, caratoid or vertebral artery skiing is not recommended until it has a chance to heal, the intima needs to grow back
Overall, honestly, I wouldn't be going without knowing the cause of stroke. If it could be a neck artery (either carotid or vertebral) and you fall, the consequences could be very serious. I know people who had the same thing as me and are in very poor states having had a stroke.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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PS I alos know people who turned up at ER multiple times only to be told migraine, when they were in fact TIAs. Then they had a stroke caused by verterbral artery dissection
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PS, I was under 50. V healthy. No furring of arteries. I had speech and vision issues as my symptoms.
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I actually read the leaflet with my blood thinner (Edoxaban) today and am going to query my dose. Standard dose is 60 mg once a day, but I've been put on 30 mg, probably because of my weight. But that is supposed to be for weight below 60kg and though I'd like to be 60 kg, which is 9 stone 7 lbs, I'm really generally nearer 10 stone.
I'm going to query it as given my condition (heart failure and permanent atrial fibrillation) a stroke is a major risk - probably THE major risk, for me.
I realise it's marginal, but..........
I wonder what the OP decided in the end? I did some skiing in Italy a couple of weeks ago and didn't fall over or have any other threatened trauma. But I reckon the roads were probably more of a risk than the ski slopes of Pila!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@pam w, dosing also depends on your renal function, but assuming there is nothing wrong with it, you should be on 60mg if you are 61kg or above. If you have access to your records, for a 30mg dose, you Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) should be less than 50mL/minute.
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Thanks @Hells Bells. I have the results of a blood count in December 2022 but creatinine clearance doesn't figure, nor in the blood tests I had done the previous year. There's never been any question about my renal function as far as I know.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@pam w, you should have had a blood test every 6 months to 1 year called Urea and Electrolytes as well as a blood count if you are taking Edoxaban (and also the Apixaban before). There will be a result on there, along with Sodium, Potassium and Urea called Serum Creatinine, which is used to calculate the CrCl.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I found record from October 2021 with Serum Creatinine of 81 umol/L
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@pam w, ask your surgery to have a more up to date blood test and to then check if you are on correct dose.
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks very much @Hells Bells - will do. Not the work of a moment, these days. 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I had a stroke nearly five years ago. Admitted to hospital on the Friday morning symptomatic with on and off weakness down my left side. Thrombolysed and stuck in bed for three days. The symptoms came and went regularly through that time. I was home Monday tea time fully recovered. I have been on Clopidogrel since then. I carry on life as normal. I went skiing approx 16 weeks after my stroke, the only issue I had was insurance didn't cover for stroke related issues. I road cycle, ski and have a job where I'm forever walking into things. Yes I bruise easier but nothing else has changed
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Poster: A snowHead
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I just had an MRI scan of head and neck for suspected TIA. Unfortunately it had taken 13 days to get to that point.
They still don't know if it was a TIA or something like the migraine sufferers get, but without the headache. (my symptom was a loss of parts of my visual field, which cleared up in about a quarter of an hour, plus some dizziness for about another hour). They said at my age (75) the TIA was more likely. I am on dispersible aspirin, and the consultant proposes I go on Clopidogrel. That was 3 days ago and I haven't heard back from my doctor to get the prescription yet so am not yet on the Clopidogrel. Nothing was said about not driving and 16 days (of the month not driving people mention on this thread) have already passed.
Skiing is very important to me and I ski at a high level off-piste. I am not going to stop skiing and have felt fine since the hour or so it happened. I am familiar with feeling dizzy since for a few years I get dizzy if I exert myself for a while. Never got dizzy skiing since there are too many stops, but can do after about 20 minutes of back-packing or skinning or hard work in the gym. This was investigated three years ago with no clear diagnosis.
I would welcome any comments. Should I go back to the gym? Unfortunately lots of questions have occurred to me since, that didn't when I was with the specialist.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sorry to hear that, @snowball - always a worry. But if you're put on blood thinners, don't worry about it. Most of us realise that there are increased "risks" as we get older but that doesn't mean it makes sense to wrap ourselves in cotton wool. I have just returned from 18 days sailing, including two channel crossings and some quite rough weather, with an 89 year old skipper. We'll all die of something, but it needn't be boredom!!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@snowball, I've been on clopidogrel for many years after a TIA. No problem at all. Not planning to stop skiing that's for sure and I'm a few years older than you. Keep going.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I attended a GP session about changes to blood thinning meds a while ago (cheaper version than most of us were on).
I was surprised at the level of fear and apprehension which some of the participants displayed. It seemed that quite a lot of people just draw their horns in and "give up" on a lot of activities they could still enjoy. I feel delighted to be on meds (provided free of charge by the taxpayer_ which will make a stroke less likely (though by no means impossible). My fear of a small or medium size stroke is much greater than my fear of dying of some kind of uncontrolled bleed. I'm not fearful about a massive stroke..... lots of worse ways to go. Fingers crossed.........
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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My question, which I haven't had a chance to ask my doctor yet is can I go back to the gym and should I take it easy at first? And how long is "at first".
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@snowball, I'm not a Dr but I don't follow what your concerns are about going back to the gym whilst on a blood thinner? Is it more that's it after a suspect TIA?
If the latter I'd suggest slow and steady, then build up time from there? Listen to your body if it's harder than before, then back it off a bit. If you feel extra tired then perhaps skip a day.
There appears to be lots of info on here, ie a starter page https://www.stroke.org.uk/life-after-stroke/exercising-after-stroke
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@snowball, I had a stroke last December, I had very few symptoms and those I had resolved in a few days. At first they thought I had had a TIA but various MRIs confirmed it was a stroke (looking at scans of your own brain is rather weird!). When I said to my consultant that it was a minor stroke he said there is no such thing only strokes with few or no symptoms, he has seen plenty of patients with pretty much identical scans to mine with serious symptoms. I have been on clopidgrel since the stroke with low dose aspirin for the first six weeks (apparently the risk of internal bleeding at that point outweighs the benefit). I was not told not to exercise or ski only no driving for 3 months (Germany is 3 months, UK 1 month for both TIA & stroke). I was skiing again in January and a few more times during the season with no issues. My consultant and various other doctors are aware about the skiing & cycling with no objections whatsoever (in fact they think it is a good thing for my heart health). My consultant did say to take it easy at first (I was noticeably more tired in the few weeks after). Personally I think you should chase your doctors, my understanding is that you need to be on clopidogrel not aspirin, the biggest risk factor of a stroke is having had a previous TIA or stroke
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Yes, when my doctor actually gets the report from the specialist I expect to be put on Clopidogrel.
My question wasn't about exercising with clopidogrel but not provoking another TIA or more major stroke in the first few weeks (how many weeks?) after. As I understand it a TIA is a minor stroke where the block clears quickly. I decided to go back to the gym at the end of next week (24 days after the event) but to take it easy at first.
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I'd be inclined to work up to a decent long walk (say 5 miles) at a fast pace before going to the "gym", especially if that means lifting heavy weights.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@snowball, I think it is pretty crazy that you are still waiting for a "report" for something as serious as a stroke, if it were me I would be giving the doctor (presumably your GP) serious pressure to sort this. I was put on clopidogrel the moment a potential TIA/stroke was diagnosed (which was within 24 hours of the likely incidence), it is very important and (as I understand it) the risks / side effects are very small. Impossible for anyone here to give proper advice via an internet forum but from what I have been told normal exercise can only be beneficial, to quote from one of the many source of information on the internet
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| Exercising regularly. Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of stroke in many ways. Exercise can lower blood pressure, increase the levels of good cholesterol, and improve the overall health of the blood vessels and heart. It also helps you lose weight, control diabetes and reduce stress. Gradually work up to at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity — such as walking, jogging, swimming or bicycling — on most, if not all, days of the week. |
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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The one form of exercise my cardiologist has counselled against is lifting heavy weights. But he did add that that didn't preclude my carrying a suitcase on holiday. "Using a pickaxe to break up concrete" was the sort of thing he suggested I avoid.
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@pam w, did he explain why no weights Pam?
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You know it makes sense.
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No, not really, and as I don't do weights I didn't ask. However, I think it makes sense in that if you cycle, run or walk there's a fairly natural and consistent build up of effort. Each moment is only a bit more (or less) effort than the moment before. You can feel how your body is coping and adapt accordingly. Whereas lifting a heavy weight is a sudden burden. The British Heart Foundation advice on exercise in heart failure recommends against heavy weights.
I find my rowing machine, acquired during lockdown, is ideal really - and it's about the only time I watch the telly!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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It was a few days before I contacted my doctor because I was away for 2 days and then it was a week-end. I was only able to talk to my doctor on the phone and then after a few days he phoned to say he got me an early morning appointment at UCLH (7th floor). When I got there it turned out the clinic had moved to the National during Covid, and when I got there after a 20 minute walk they knew nothing about me. They dealt with me as a "walk-in" and a doctor managed to fit me in and I got an MRI and blood test etc. I gather from an administrator at my local surgery that my doctor is still waiting for the report a week later. Since I don't remember the name of the doctor at the specialist clinic it is hard for me to chase them. I have yet to talk to my doctor face to face.
I don't do weights with my personal trainer in any case, and we tend to concentrate more on legs and stamina since the aim is skiing. However I often have to pause after a few exercises since I get dizzy.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@pam w, good point, cheers!
@snowball, I know you said the dizziness was investigated 3 years ago, did they put you on a long term heart monitor to see if you had any arrhythmias or anything during the dizzy spells? They can implant a monitor nowadays, my Mum is having one done to try and track down some occasional dizzy/passing out spells she has.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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One common cause of dizziness is low blood pressure, which can be a response to medication. My main heart failure medication (Entresto) had to be titrated over several months to get me up the top dose without lowering blood pressure too much. I am always careful not to jump out of bed, or up off the floor, too quickly.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I don't have low (or high) blood pressure but have always (?) had postural hypertension, so sometimes get dizzy just from standing up suddenly.
@kitenski, I did wear some sort of monitor on my wrist for two or three days, combined with keeping a log of what I was doing and how I was feeling. But nothing longer-term.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Well, they still can't say for sure it was a TIA but insurers would have to class it as one if I declared it. Does anyone know how the Ski Club of GB's insurers react to TIA's?
I talked to a woman on the insurers' switchboard and she thought they might refuse to insure me, but it would be up to the assessment people (and they couldn't asses me till all tests were complete (one is scheduled for October !!). What would happen if I didn't declare it and broke my leg and they found out about it later?
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@snowball, I wouldn't listen to advice from someone on the switchboard, talk to someone on the assessment team if you need to renew your insurance before the tests are completed. They would be in the best position to answer your questions.
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@snowball, I had a long conversation re my atrial fibrillation and travel insurance.
Long story short was that anything related to afib wouldn’t be covered, but something completely unrelated like a broken leg would.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@snowball, one option if you are worried or have concerns is to become a member of the Austrian Alpine Club, there is a UK branch. All members are covered by worldwide insurance aimed at those who undertake leisure pursuits in the mountains. It is not "travel insurance" so no cover for missing baggage etc but you are covered for any costs associated with getting you off the mountain if you need to be rescued (no issue off piste). Medical costs are only really a top up (but would work with the UK medical card, just in case you were is a resort that only had a private clinic) and I dont believe there are restrictions for age or previous conditions. It can be combined with other normal travel insurance to cover most things (some put restrictions on pay outs if you are off piste).
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@munich_irish, good suggestion. I don't recall there been any medical screening. Combined with a GHIC it is probably fine for any health related condition that is excluded by travel insurance.
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FAQ
