Hello PT Reddit! Not a group any of us want to be in but here we are. I (36F) started experiencing PT in right ear the end ago. Went to ER, they gave me a priority referral for an ENT. ENT took it super seriously, ordered an MRI. MRI came back positive for potential carotid artery dissection.ENT got neuro involved. Expedited CT scan the next day. Scan also came back abnormal. Drs disagreed initially on what they saw, but further imaging confirmed a carotid artery dissection. Started on low dose aspirin daily. At risk for stroke. It may heal on its own or they may decide to put in a stent. No other symptoms or risk factors present and no it was not the result of trauma. Thankful to have doctors that are taking it seriously and to be in a big city with great endovascular neurology services.
Questio: if you had this, did yours heal? How many months?
Question: what things haven't I thought of to help keep me safe in the meantime? I'm educating my coworkers about the signs of a stroke and what to do if I show symptoms. I'm not watching my younger kids alone. I've told my older kids what to do/how to call 911 if need be, etc.
Already dealt with things like having a will and life insurance and my affairs in order for unfortunate events back when I had preeclampsia (twice) so relieved that's not something I need to worry about right now.
Feeling hopeful, I guess. Totally sucks, but at least I'm not dead yet and the CT scan didn't show any other potentially fatal conditions.