What are the first steps to diagnose a stroke or Tia when the symptoms are gone?

And keep checking your carotid arteries, since that has been a problem for you. You are very lucky, but you need to change your lifestyle if you don't want a full-blown stroke.

The window for tPA ( or the clot busting drug) is only a few hours! Boy were you lucky, Most TIA symtoms do go away,, but now you are at risk for more, or a full blown stroke so don't wait next time. My mom has had several TIAs, they are very scarey

1sally, my hubby woke up at 3 AM several years ago and announced he was having a heart attack. I immediately gave him one aspirin and called 911. The MD in the ER assured me that was exactly the right thing to do.

I arrived home this 5am and was being tested by 6am...I am lucky..speed is important in a stroke to get the serum to dissolve a clot..I did have a Tia. But nothing big showed up and symtems have gone away so will start on aspirin. And another RX..Thank you all for your support.

Then be sure to be taking some aspirin unless you have some other reason not to take it. You're playing with fire.

I am flying to get home to US..but then I will go to ER. I won't go to a Mexican hospital

The first step to get a diagnosis are going to the emergency room.

Not a DIY diagnosis! Not a 'do it yourself diagnosis'.
Means get yourself to any emergency room, even if the symptoms have subsided or changed.
Carotid rotorooted, so that's not it? Unfortunately, just the opposite of what you believe may be true. This condition is so very dangerous to your health, flying home may be contraindicated to your life and health!
CONTRAINDICATED means against what a doctor may recommend to you.
Go to an E.R. now, don't wait.
Can you please let us know how you are?
Do not fly.

Sally, DIY means do it yourself. It's typically used on building and home improvement shows and forums. But it can apply to self medical diagnosiss as well.

So, did you see a doctor for the post-stroke symptoms?

What is DIY?

This is not a DIY diagnosis. NEVER. Hie thee to an ER, now.

A good friend of mine had a 100% blockage in one carotid artery and 90% in another at age 60. She had a major stroke (ignored her symptoms for a day and was found the next day on the floor of her apartment lying in her own urine and unable to move). As a result of ignoring her symptoms, she has lived in Assisted Living ever since and will for the rest of her life. She's now 66.

Do NOT mess around with possible stroke signs, particularly since you evidently create plaque if you've had a carotid "roto-rooted". Get yourself to a doctor ASAP!!!

Oh my gosh, if I woke up with my hand in a claw position or I couldn't remember some everyday words for one week, I would have been on the phone to 911 and at the ER immediately. Don't try to diagnosis yourself.