Our 97 year Mom with severe dementia and has no other major health concerns but macular degeneration and some arthritis. She has woken up for the last 4 days with very slurred speech and some babbling. It has lasts approximately 4 hours or so. But yesterday it happened twice. The first time was in the morning and early afternoon and the second time it occurred was around the dinner ---after a 2 hour medical appointment. In fact, she was at her doctor's office yesterday for a check up, and her blood tests along a urine sample are all in the normal range. She has recently been complaining of being extra tired and her memory is continuing to decline on all levels. We have also noticed that her ankles are swollen but her blood pressure continues to be fine. The PA said it could be a stroke, her memories issues and/or both. Any thoughts?
My personal theory - based on absolutely no scientific data- is that it’s a chunk of plaque from their brain that falls off that triggers the TIA. The bigger the piece, the worse the TIA. The plaque is a clump of beta-amyloid. Amyloid plaque buildup is characteristic of most dementias.
As you can guess we are not familiar with your Mom, her case, her history, her norms, any medication changes, and etc.
This is a question for the experts. The POA should consult Mom's doctor.
My guess would also be TIA's, which happen, then pass, often leaving little to no after effects.
Someone told me that TIA's are like pre-earthquakes, signalling that a bigger one is on the way.
Again, at 97, I wouldn't worry unduly.
Wishing you the best of luck with all of this.
I would just keep an eye on her as if it was a TIA, it could mean that a bigger stroke is right around the corner, and that would probably take her out.
I wish you all well.