Lupus & Stroke

My brain mri looks like i've suffered from tiny strokes (or tias) at least that's what my neurologist has told me. But i'm too young to have that kind of thing. I have the symptoms that go with it however. Numbness in my hand and sometimes my toes. Or, it could be vasculitis says the radiologist.

So, i'm in the midst of being diagnosed. Have been going through this for two years now.

Are they sure what you had was a stroke and not vasculitis? Vasculitis in the brain is one of those things that people with lupus can get and they (vasculitis and tias) look the same on an mri.

Sounds like your doctors are doing what they can to help you.

May I ask what your presenting symptoms of lupus were at the age of 14? I'm just wondering. I think I have lupus, and I think i've had it most of my life, but it's mostly been mild except for a horrible flare during a pregnancy a lot of years ago. The docs back then thought it was preeclampsia, but it was severe in that my kidsneys shut down and I had a pneumothorax. I recovered from that and was fine for many years.

The doctors are sure I had a major stroke. I had to relearn to walk. I could not use the left side of my body. I had been having spottin in my vision right before the stroke. The mri proved I had a stroke toward the back of my brain. The first symptom of lupus I had was the malar rash on my face. I also had lupus nephritis...And still do. I have seizures due to the lupus affecting my brain. I have bad osteoporosis because of the predinisone. It took my doctors two years to officially diagnose me.

quote="tallwoman"]my brain mri looks like i've suffered from tiny strokes (or tias) at least that's what my neurologist has told me. But i'm too young to have that kind of thing. I have the symptoms that go with it however. Numbness in my hand and sometimes my toes. Or, it could be vasculitis says the radiologist.


So, i'm in the midst of being diagnosed. Have been going through this for two years now.

Are they sure what you had was a stroke and not vasculitis? Vasculitis in the brain is one of those things that people with lupus can get and they (vasculitis and tias) look the same on an mri.

Sounds like your doctors are doing what they can to help you.


May I ask what your presenting symptoms of lupus were at the age of 14? I'm just wondering. I think I have lupus, and I think i've had it most of my life, but it's mostly been mild except for a horrible flare during a pregnancy a lot of years ago. The docs back then thought it was preeclampsia, but it was severe in that my kidsneys shut down and I had a pneumothorax. I recovered from that and was fine for many years.[/quote]

With this disease at such a young age. Was the stroke related to the lupus? Or was it just an additional thing? I worry about having a major stroke too. We can live without a lot of things in our bodies, including our kidneys with the help of dialygis. But when our brains are affected, it really is a scary thing, isn't it? I don't like to worry, and I want to live my life as if there's nothing wrong. But sometimes, when i'm driving, I just pray, god don't let anything happen while i'm driving. I don't want to hurt anybody else. But what can I do? Stop working and go on disability because of "what if"? They don't award disability for "what if." and so, I continue day by day and hope and pray for the best.

My neurologist put me on aspirin therapy. I take a baby aspirin every day. But I worry about what it might do to my kidneys. My urine is showing blood in it.

I don't like to worry either. The stroke was a result of the anticardiolipin syndrom related to lupus. I ignored my doctors when they told me to take my coumadin, prednisone ect... I'll take the meds from now on. You are right about the driving. I can't have someone haul me around everywhere and I am definately not quitting work. Technically I am not supposed to drive, but the stroke affected my left side, so I don't see a problem. I drive well. How long have you been dealing with the symptoms?? Are you in a flare-up now or in remission??

Strokes are something that someone with the anticoagulant and other issues do sometmes need to worry about.

I am so sorry you've had to deal with so much! It's amazing to hear what lupies go through...

As for driving, please be careful. I know I had to stop driving for almost a year because of complications from lupus...It wasn't easy. But I did for my safety and the safety of others.

Hugs,
ladybrannon

I've also had a stroke a few years ago. My rh and neuro-drs.,both told me it was caused from having lupus.I still sufer from the effects of it.I have spoken of it in past post,so I won't go in to all of it again,but it is a scary thing!!
sharon

I have factor v leiden disorder, protein c deficiency and homeostasis thrombosis. All of these things are common in lupus sufferers and are responsible for blood clots. My family has all been tested for these disorders because they are genetic. That is how I found out I had lupus. I have all the disorders but my brothers and sister and my children only have one of them. I have to inject heprin every time I travel for more then an hour, take aspirin daily and also folic acid and b12. These were all prescribed by my hemotologist.

I also have severe migraines so I am watched carefully by a nuerologist as well. I am on a medication that opens the vessels in my brain during the headaches to keep any clots from entering my brain, if there are any.

Good luck to you and please be very careful.

My niece was diagnosed with lupus at a young age and died 3 months ago from a major stroke she suffered while in the hospital with spinal meningitis. the stroke occured in the back of her brain which left her brain dead. we didn't know it could happen and where not prepared in anyway. This has left our family devastated My sister cries all the time. my niece was only 17yrs old she would have been 18 this month. I'm not sure what caused it, I only know my sister blames herself as well as the doctors for this devastation which as left her life empty and full of misery. Her name was SARAH. I wish someone could tell me what my have caused it so my sister will find some peace. So that she will at least quit blaming herself.

I am a long-time lupus sufferer that suffered a moderately severe stroke in the back of my brain about four weeks ago. Doctors say that the stroke was caused by a clot. Last year this time I started having seizures. My rhumy, neuro, and pc agree that the stroke and seizures are lupus-related.

kstein831: my friend, a long-time lupus sufferer just had a stroke last week. his right side of his body was affected so he can't walk unassisted. did you have extensive rehab? how are you doing now? any suggestions?
thank you.

My husband was just diagnosed with lupus, he is soon 50. His brother had a stroke at 16, has been bedridden ever since. Is it possible that his diagnosis is genetic and that possibly his brother, who 35 years ago had a stroke, could possibly have lupus which caused his stroke as well? It is just all making so much sense in reading about all of the symptoms and everything else that goes with Lupus.Should I expect my husband's rheumatologist to explain and answer any and all questions? Just curious. Thank you.

I myself have been tested for lupus and came back with 2 of the signs in my blood. Last week I suffered from a small stroke while I was sleeping. Im 18 years old and so when it happened I really didnt even realize it. People with lupus are more likely to have strokes then those without.

i am 35 years old and i have had 1 major stroke and 5 tia's. I was also diagnosed with Lupus about 6 months ago, after my 2nd and 3rd tia. can the lupus be causing these?

i am 35 years old and i have had 1 major stroke and 5 tia's. I was also diagnosed with Lupus about 6 months ago, after my 2nd and 3rd tia. can the lupus be causing these?

My mum has lupus & had a stroke 2yrs ago due to blood clot on the left side of the brain caused by lupus. Luckily I was with her in the car when it started or heaven knows what would've happened , she needed steroids 2 build up her strength b4 they could operate 2 remove it & she had six wks intensive rehab , she then ended up back in hospital as the lupus had infected her bone marrow & needed chemo she still has problems relating 2 the stroke which happened 2yrs ago & can definitelynot drive , I hope u never have an accident or cause one . How selfish of u 2 put others in danger , in my opinion its as bad as drink driving !