Angus

Angus had 2 TIAs in December 2009. The first time he briefly lost his speech, which he knew was a symptom of stroke; the second time, 2 days later, he lost vision in one eye, and did not realise till he went to his GP that it was connected.

In late 2009 (about three months before he was interviewed) Angus was sitting at home one evening talking to his wife, when suddenly he lost his speech. He had seen the FAST advert (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) on TV, so he knew this was a symptom of stroke. He wrote stroke; on a note to his wife, and she was about to call an ambulance when within ten minutes his speech came back, and they thought maybe it was something else. So Angus went to see his GP the following day, who said it was a TIA and that he would make him an appointment at the hospital. But 2 days later, before Angus had been to hospital, he had another TIA, again at home in the evening. This time he lost part of his vision in one eye for 15-20 minutes. At first he did not connect this with TIA, as he did not realise sight problems can also be a symptom, but when he called the GP he was told it was probably a second TIA.

This time the GP asked the hospital for an urgent referral to a TIA research clinic. The hospital rang Angus on his mobile and told him to come in immediately. But Angus did not fully realise the urgency of the situation and said he needed to finish some work, so he drove off to finish a fencing contract. He remembers that the doctor wasn’t too pleased; but does not remember anything being said about the fact that he should not drive. The next day he drove to the hospital for his appointment, and was told he was not to drive for 6 weeks, and it was only then that it really hit home how serious this was and that, particularly for the next month, he was at risk of having a full stroke. His daughter-law drove him home.

The hospital did lots of tests and scans, and he has since had a range of medication and regular blood pressure monitoring. For the first month, his blood pressure readings were sent off by mobile phone to the hospital three times a day and the staff would ring him if they felt he needed to check his medication. No definite cause of the TIA has been found, and he has not had another one since. He was already taking medication for high blood pressure and the dosage has been increased, so he has now got it down to a normal level, whereas before it was still a little bit high. Angus is trying to lead a healthier life, though he already took exercise regularly and did not smoke or eat particularly unhealthily. Because he has a family history of heart problems, he was expecting that would be his problem, if anything, rather than TIA or stroke. In fact the tests that he has been having have reassured him his heart is in good shape.

Not being able to drive had a major impact, as Angus relies on driving for work, so he lost income. He was also advised not to fly, so the TIA meant he and his wife had to cancel their 40th anniversary trip to the Caribbean, the travel insurance firm are disputing his claim. Now, three months on, he is feeling pretty much back to normal and does not dwell on what has happened. He is keen to put it behind him, though his wife wants him to take things easier. Angus feels he is lucky to have had very good care and advises anyone who has any unexplained symptoms like his to take it seriously, because getting treatment quickly is crucial in reducing the risk of further TIAs or a full stroke.

Angus says that if you are experiencing symptoms and dont quite know whats wrong go to the GP…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus thinks the research team have been dedicated and very thorough. He can ring the research…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus had not heard the term TIA before he experienced one and the doctor explained that it was…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus was surprised to have to stop driving for six weeks because he felt back to normal very…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

The GP wanted to see Angus immediately but he put off going until the next day as he was busy…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus needs to be able to drive for his job, so having to stop driving for a while had an effect…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus got plenty of information about the research he took part in, and he and his family could…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus wife worried about him and wanted him to take things easy but he didnt want to be…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus had mobile phone blood pressure monitoring at first, and was impressed that his medication…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus takes a number of different tablets some of which he can remember and some he cant. He had…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus was called to the hospital soon after he had experienced two TIAs, and tests were…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus wife was going to call for an ambulance but the symptoms soon disappeared so he decided to…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

The GP wanted to see Angus immediately but he put off going until the next day as he was busy…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus had two short episodes which were confirmed as TIAs. During the second one he partially…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus checks his blood pressure at home regularly and then sees the research team every three…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus has used a number of different websites to find information, and talks to people about…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus found the GPs explanation of what happens during a TIA helpful because he had never heard…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60

Angus thinks a little bit more about what he eats but generally he feels that he can live life…

Age at interview 61

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 60