Hello, Thank you for getting back. I have taken note of your question in continuation with the previous consult.
The current symptoms could be related to the old stroke. As the brain nerves recover, tingling, pain and paresthesias may occur. If these are troublesome, then, medications such as pregabalin or gabapentin capsules may help.
If you develop more numbness or worsening of weakness, then, you should consult a neurologist to rule out a new stroke.
I hope it helps. Would be glad to answer any follow-ups.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sudhir Kumar MD (Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Patient replied :
Thank you for your repsonse. I saw my neurologist today and he said that he wasnt worried about the feeling that I was having in my right arm. It did happen again tonight during my walk. But has seemed to go away now. If it was heart related it would be on the left side right?
Also, what is your take on 20 mg per day of Lipitor? My total cholesterol is 105 and they didn't find a clotting disorder. Actually they have no clue what caused my stroke. Which is very frustrating. They are considering putting a chip in my chest to monitor my heart to rule out Afib. Would you agree with that?
Also one doctor told me to take two baby aspirin.. 162 mg per day. And today my neurologist said to take only one baby aspiriin.. 81 mg.. What is your take on this decision?
So far I am doing the following to prevent another stroke:
- I don't drink or smoke anymore
- I eat healthy and drink water
- I walk 4.5 miles per day
- I take aspirin and lipitor
What else can I do to help prevent another stroke?
Thank you for getting back.
I have noted your new questions and here are my replies:
1. Yes, the heart-related pain would be in left arm along with centre of chest. Also, aspirin and lipitor would protect against heart attack too.
2. If your cholesterol is normal, you may take 10 mg of lipitor. This is because lipitor also has an effect in preventing next stroke, even if cholesterol level is normal,
3. I agree with doing a Holter monitoring to rule out atrial fibrillation.
4. Regarding aspirin, all doses ranging from 75 mg to 1000 mg per day have been found to be useful. So, as per the research, you may take any dose of aspirin. So, 81 mg would also work.
5. You are doing all the right things to prevent stroke.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sudhir Kumar MD (Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist,
Patient replied :
Is Long Term use of lipitor and aspirin bad for your body?
Thank you for getting back.
No, long term aspirin and lipitor is not bad. In fact, they protect against two deadly diseases, heart attack and stroke. They are usually required to be taken lifelong in a patient who has suffered heart attack or brain stroke once.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sudhir Kumar MD (Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist,
Patient replied :
Good evening,
Over the last few weeks I've been prettty stressed at work. I've noticed that some of my stroke symptoms come back when I get stressed. I get a little dizzy and have some odd feelings in my right arm. Sometimes feel a little uneasy when I walk. Is this normal after a stroke? My stroke if you remember was on May 9th. I've started seeing a neurologist in NYC and he ran another CT scan. He also told me to go from two baby aspirin to one baby aspirin a day. Ever since he changed the dose I have felt a bit weird.. What are your thoughts? Is two better than one aspirin? Is it possible that these odd feelings now could be coming from the change in dose?
Thank you for getting back.
I have noted your new symptoms. These are related to old stroke and there is no need to worry. Tingling, pins and needle sensations and numbness can occur in a patient recovering from old stroke.
These would get better over time.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist