Is there anything that would have the same symptoms as a minor stroke?

Question

My mother-in-law went in the hospital Saturday afternoon. When we first took her it was for dizzy spells and we thought it was carbon monoxide poisoning. When she got to the hospital she began to lose feeling in her right side. They said she didn't have CO poisoning and they did two CTI scans and two MRI scans in two days and they still haven't diagnosed her. Meanwhile she said her right side is getting heavier. They wont let her eat or drink while they are still running tests. In my opinion they are ignoring her. They were suppose to do a test early yesterday and they didn't do it until after 5 pm. (Yesterday she was trying to get someone to help her urinate and when she couldn't wait anymore she tried to do it herself and ended up making a mess. Then the nurse acted like it was my mother-in-law's fault). 

I'm worried about the competency of the people caring for her. To me this is obviously a stroke and these people are beating around the bush with the diagnosis instead of treating it while they let her starve in her room.  Is there anything else that has symptoms of a stroke?  Should we take my mother-in-law to a different hospital?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

"Is there anything that would have the same symptoms as a minor stroke ?"

Yes, there are at least two :

Transient Ischaemic Attack

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Transient-Ischaemic-Attack-%28TIA%29.htm

and

Hemiplegic Migraine

http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/types-of-headaches-38571-5.html

Obviously she is on intravenous fluids, they would not be starving nor ignoring her.

Tests are often delayed in hospitals because the doctors have been called to Emergencies; all of that doctors inpatients would be considered and the healthiest would have their operations or tests delayed or cancelled.

Try to remain calm while the staff observe your mother-in-law as tension felt by relatives is quickly transferred to the patient.

dein_85 · Answer

Yes, you should take her to a different hospital if they are treating her with such disregard.  She obviously has something wrong with her, so she should be treated just like any other patient and be given the full attention of the doctor until they discover what is causing her symptoms.  
There are things that could be causing her symptoms.  My initial thought would be TIAs (Transient Ischemic Attacks).  These are called 'mini-strokes' and for good reason; they often mimic the symptoms of an actual stroke.  However, TIAs usually resolve themselves (symptoms dissipate) within 24 hours.  This is not always the case and she have had the actual stroke that the TIAs usually are the precursor to, but I am not a doctor and cannot tell you this.  This would have to be determined by an MRI or other test.  
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/transient_ischemic_attack_mini-stroke/article_em.htm
This is a link explaining what causes TIAs and the symptoms.  This may or may not be what your mother-in-law is suffering from, but I do know that she needs different medical care.  Take her to another hospital where she will be treated more like a human being and less like a number.

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Is there anything that would have the same symptoms as a minor stroke?

2 Answers