General Chat

Every minute counts in getting help when someone has suffered a stroke, but thanks to a television advert and his quick-thinking wife, one Thorpe St Andrew man has told how he is well on his way to recovery.


The FAST message

FAST stands for Face, Arm, Speech, Time to call 999. It is an easy-to-remember checklist to spot the signs of a stroke and then act - fast:

F - Facial weakness - Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?

A - Arm weakness - Can the person raise both arms?

S - Speech problems - Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

T - Time to call 999 - If the person has any one of these symptoms call an ambulance

John Alexander, 75, suffered a stroke in January, but already he has hopes of playing tennis again like he used to because of the prompt help he received.

It is all thanks to his wife Maureen spotting the signs of a stroke, remembering the NHS’s FAST message, and straight away calling the East of England Ambulance Service.

Mr Alexander, who retired as a legal executive from Mills and Reeve ten years ago, said: “I was washing my hands when I felt a twinge in my head. It was a weird feeling. I knew instantly that it was something serious. I collapsed at the wash basin.

“I called my wife. She knew what was happening and dialled 999. The ambulance told my wife to keep on the line and told her what to do. They asked if I could speak and do various other tasks.”

Mrs Alexander, a grandfather of two, said: “I stayed on the 999 line until the ambulance got here. They were here within minutes. The lady on the phone kept asking me how he was.

“I knew from the start it was a stroke. Fortunately, they had been putting adverts on the television about strokes, including the FAST message.”

Mr Alexander, who had suffered an ischaemic stroke, was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital’s stroke unit and given thrombolysis, a drug which dissolves the clots but which must be administered during the first three hours after a stroke has taken place, hence the need to act FAST.

Mr Alexander, who lives on White Farm Lane, said: “They said if I had been two to three hours later I could have been affected much worse. With all strokes. the quicker you get to the hospital the less damage is done. My wife was great. She saved me a lot of problems.”

Mr Alexander spent eight days in hospital and described the care he received there, and that of the ambulance service, as “absolutely fantastic”.

N&N consultant stroke physician Kneale Metcalf said: “We are now regularly giving patients who have a stroke a very high standard of care. This includes acute care with thrombolysis or clot busting, as well as the kind of rehabilitation services Mr Alexander describes. There is no doubt that if patients who have a stroke get to us in the hospital earlier, there is less chance of ending up with a disability. It is exactly the same as for a heart attack.”

After being discharged home, the care did not end there. Mr Alexander received intensive support and therapy in his own home from Norfolk Community Health and Care (NCH&C).

The NCH&C Early Supported Discharge service (ESD) provided specialist therapy, including mobility exercises to help Mr Alexander regain movement, balance and coordination, as well as his confidence.

He said: “I have lost some of the use of my left leg and arm, and have difficulty walking any distance. I also have a small blind spot on my left side which has resulted in temporary loss of my driving licence. These are, however, all improving thanks largely to the support I have received which has been a tremendous help.”

Tomorrow is World Stroke Day, and NHS Norfolk is urging people to remember the FAST message, which could save someone’s life.

Dr Ian Mack, a GP at Watlington, near King’s Lynn, who is also the chairman of NHS Norfolk’s Clinical Executive, said: “Everyone is at risk of a stroke; it can affect the young as well as the old, but there are some very clear actions to take that we must all remember in case someone close by suffers a stroke.

“The FAST message should be in the back of everyone’s mind. One day you might need it.”

Some people can experience one or all of these symptoms for a short period, maybe a few minutes or a few hours, before they recover.

They might put this down to a “funny turn” but in fact they may have suffered a mini-stroke called a TIA; a warning sign that a full stroke might come at some stage later.

It is important to consult a GP as soon as possible, who may want to refer you to a TIA clinic. Very often TIA patients are given drugs to prevent a stroke from occurring.

Dr Mack said: “If you think someone has suffered a stroke, waste no time in dialling 999.

“If you experience some of the symptoms of a stroke which then pass and you feel better, then you should consult your GP urgently. The symptoms you would feel are significant dizziness together with difficulty in walking, talking, balance and co-ordination. You may feel your face is numb and you cannot use one side of your body properly. These are the telltale signs of stroke or TIA.”

can we keep this nudged please?

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"n"

n

Nudge again, This is important to remember. we are all at risk.

My niece had 2 strokes last year, she was at the time just 26 years old. When she had a brain scan, it showed 2 scars on her brain thought to be from previous strokes. We never expected that to happen at such a young age. She has recovered very well, she gets tired easily and a bit forgetful.
So this thread is very important to keep going. thank you for putting it on here PsD

Sylvia

Another thing to look at is the tounge. Can it be stuck out straight, as it should ?

I think the T for time can be for Tongue as well

Lizx

n

I know now that my dad had several mini strokes before the big one. In fact he had his biggest one in hospital and they did not seem to notice. He was in the cottage hospital by that time and it took them a few days to get him back to the main hospital.

It is when you get them home you are really on your own. I think I read two pamphlets which were available.Luckily I chose the viscious approach, much to the consternation of some but it certainly seems to have paid off.

Sharron, I think you have done wonders with your Dad and made sure he had a useful and interesting life, not just left him in a chair like poor old Jim on Eastenders, it's so sad and the actor who plays him is ill too. Great to see him still in the soap tho, brave chap, I am not sure how much his own health is reflected in the 'acting'

Lizx

Think I might have hit on the right way but it was only luck.I think there needs to be somebody to explain to both the victim and their carer that they are not ill now,the hospital has dealt with that bit.They are inconveniencedLittle or.no nursing is required.
Motivation is the key I think.

Perhaps you and your Dad could send a little story about the way you care for him to a national paper so others could take a leaf out of your book and not treat the expatient as an invalid.

Lizx

If only i had the knowledge 30 years ago...

my mom had a stroke..waited 2 hours for doctor.. a hour for ambulance..

sadly to say .mom didnt recover.. if it happened now ..it would be 999 for ambulance .....

I first knew my dad had collapsed upstairs because Other Half was faffing about looking for out of hours doctor's number. Maybe nobody had ever thought to tell him about 999!

Please can I tell you about my stroke?

I had NONE of the 'common symptoms'...

1) I was TIRED.
I came on the computer to tell my pals that I was having a bit of time out, and I would not see you all for a day or two.

When I switched the electrics on.... I sat and stared at the screen wondering what to do next!
I was completely baffled and had to leave the computer..... I was TOO TIRED TO REMEMBER WHAT TO DO!

As for all the 'necessary' tests.... I managed to remember how to do them!

What I am trying to tell you all is... that although the tests we are all told to look for are valid, there are other signs not so well known.

I had had a massive bleed, yet the doctors did NOT seem to know anything.

Had my son not argued with the doctors, I would not be here to tell this tale.

SO...... PLEASE.
YOU know your loved ones better than the doctors do, so if you notice any serious differences in his/her behaviour, take them straight to the hospital.
My son saved my life by KNOWING ME..... I was in hospital 7 weeks.

You all know your loved ones, take notice of any serious changes and act on them.

Good luck, and I hope if you ever do have a stroke, you recover as well as I did.
Bless you all.
Deanna X

So glad you bred a strong minded lad Deanna, what would we do without you?

Will try and call you soon.

love and hugs
Lizxx

Before his stroke,my dad was addicted to Rennies(cheaper than heroine!) at least two packets a week.
Would the staff at the hospital listen when I tols them this?Don't be silly!
His digestion was well out of baance but all they would take on board was that he took Rennies. Talked me down by telling me what they used instead.
I had to go through the speech therapist to get them to understand the extent of the problem.Meanwhile he had no speech and painful indigestion!