Tell me about TIAs

Could he possibly have a bladder/kidney infection? It could cause similar symptoms.

Could be TIAs or something else, first place to start is the doctor and would probably be wise for someone to go in with him to explain what they have seen. My husband is quite capable of saying that there is nothing wrong and it's just me making a fuss....luckily our doctor knows him well!

Hi wife is quite 'hands off' and thinks it's down to him to sort it. And he's really stubborn.

It could possibly be TIAs and he is developing dementia as a result.

My aunt's dementia was put down to TIAs. She had a scan(MRI?) of her head and it showed little black spots, which I was told were the damage caused by the TIAs and were the cause of her confusion and forgetfulness. When she was in care she had further TIAs and the symptoms were much like the ones described.

kittylester I think his daughter should accompany him to the doctor to tell him about the confusion and forgetfulness and press for a referral or scan. There comes a time when the most stubborn of people reach a stage when they are not capable of sorting it out. for themselves.

His daughter lives too far away, has two children and works, MOnica and the last time was an emergency admission. His wife didn't go that time either!!

Can you tell I'm frustrated! Sil just says 'yes dear, I'll tell him' and then doesn't. With this last episode of confusion she didn't know what to do so went to church to play her flute!

Water infections and Blood sugar problems can cause these symptoms.
TIAs can lead to dementia. We nursed FIL through it till end. He went from being a well read articulate intellectual who could lead his own life to someone stuck in a loop centered around meal times and hallucinations inside 2 years. He needs to get this thoroughly checked out - a certain stubbornness is also part of the scenario - almost one of the symptoms. Unless he has a recognised episode as in our case he will need frogmarching to the Doctors and someone needs to have taken note of his symptoms with times and dates as a sort of 'evidence'.

kittylester Perhaps someone needs to talk to his wife and tell her bluntly that it is possible her DH is developing dementia and may not be capable of sorting it out for himself and she needs to make sure he sees a doctor and that she is there.

That will be me then MOnica, this morning!! I got the usual 'Yes dear, thank you for caring about us!'

To be fair, BiL has always been bloody minded stubborn so it's difficult to tell whether this is any different.

I suppose I could be told to mind my own business but, as his wife is so detached, any problems would land on us and we are relishing not having my Mum to worry about.

I don't really know much about TIAs but 10 years ago I went to my doctor because I had a problem with my eye. He immediately told me to go to A & E and after two or three hours of investigation they told me I had had a TIA which has left me with very little sight in my left eye. As far as I was concerned I hadn't had any symptoms at all but they think it might have happened whilst I was asleep so I suppose what I'm trying to say is that TIAs seem to take many different forms.

My nana had many Tia's which led to her dementia I sometimes saw her while they were happening she went very vague, eyes set, sometimes mouth a bit crooked then all passed sometimes within five / ten minutes She often said she felt a bit sick went she came out of it Each time I could see her cognition get a bit worse I think she probably had others in her sleep or when I wasn't in the room
I would have a very serious talk with your sister if she does nothing there's not much you can do except warn her that things will get much worse for the patient and the career (herself)

They could be any of these things and someone needs to take charge and go with him and question the doctors about what it could be and any treatment and tests required. Is your SIL well as going to church to play the flute when your OH is rushed in to hospital is very unusual behaviour as well? I think maybe your niece might need to have some time off to sort it out.

If you could get your SIL to cooperate, she could try
Getting him to grab her fingers tightly with both hands (is the grip strong both sides)
Getting him to push into her hands (like trying to push er away) is he push the same on both hands
Using one of his fingers to touch his nose and then her finger

All these sort of things give an indication if there is weakness on one side of the body. I would be worried too but if SIL won't help the only one who can do something is their daughter. Perhaps she could have a word with the GP.

My husbnad had symptoms like that. Gp thought it was a TIA so sent him to hospital.
Two days later they still hadn't done a brain scan because a doctor had decided it was no different to his normal ataxia.
I insisted, and it turned out to be a brain tumour.
Would that scare them enough to get a scan done?
Careful how you suggest it, though, if you do.

Thank you all for your help!

I've persuaded their son to take some action.

He is not very hands on (a family trait!!) but I think I've persuaded him to look into it properly.

TIA's need to be taken seriously. They can also be a precursor to a major stroke.

I thought the days of being sent home diagnosed as being drunk were past history - apparently not!

kitty Does your BiL have raised blood pressure?. My Dad had several TIAs and was told they were the precursor of a stroke unless his BP was greatly reduced. Sadly before he could do anything constructive he did have a massive stroke. I don't want to alarm you but your BiL needs to see his GP a.s.a.p

Nephew says that the diagnosis was a combination of alcohol and his medication. I'm not convinced but I can do no more unless something I ng happens.

Let us hope that that was what it was then. A easy remedy can be found .