Jan Walls

Stroke: August 2004

My name is Jan Walls. I live in Brighton with my partner Steve and daughter, Leelah. I had a minor stroke aged 35 following a car accident in August 2004. I was a smoker, also taking oral contraception.

The morning this happened was like any other and I didn’t feel unwell or different in any way.

On my way to work I rear-ended someone coming off the A23 on a slip road when my brakes failed. All involved seemed OK and there was minor damage to the two cars involved. I called out the AA who towed the car and took myself and a colleague on to work.

On arrival at work I told everyone what had happened and of course everyone was concerned that we were both OK. I set my voicemail intended to get on with the working day. A colleague asked if I’d been to the dentist and another insisted she take me home. I wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about.

My partner, Steve was away on a cycling trip and I was looking forward to going to Brighton Pride with a few friends. One friend in particular, Mandy was really not happy that I was OK. The first symptom she noticed was my rollies were really badly made and baggy on one side. Mandy started to notice other symptoms (occasional slurred speech, slight droopiness on the left-hand side of my face) and she insisted I went to my GP who was quite dismissive. (I now have a new GP)

I was blissfully unaware of any symptoms until they were pointed out to me. Luckily Mandy persisted and took me back to see my GP again. This time she called the hospital who wanted to see me straight away.

I guess my symptoms were intermittent so the doctors didn’t pick up much when I was examined. I did have a Cat-scan but was discharged the same day (I was whinging about going to Pride the next day). The following day however, the hospital called and asked me to return.

I was admitted for observation and further tests. Steve returned that night and was allowed in to see me after visiting hours. I stayed in hospital for 5 days, had an ultrasound on my neck to check that a tear hadn’t occurred in my artery during the accident and also an MRI (not fun). One of the doctors then explained that I’d had a minor stroke but were not sure of the cause. I was given a box of dispersible aspirin and sent home.

I returned to work which was stressful anyway at the time but did not feel 100%. My brain felt like it had been wrapped in muslin and squeezed. Known for my sharp tongue, I was apparently harsher and blunter than usual, although I never intended what I was saying to come out like that and was often confused or upset by people’s responses. Bizarrely, I was unable to eat certain foods and lost a lot of weight. But overall I just didn’t feel like myself, I felt slightly displaced.

By the way I listened to that voicemail I had set at work and my voice was unrecognisable – a lot like some deaf people sound like when they speak (very soft enunciation).

I eventually got an appointment with a neurologist (who apparently I should have seen a lot sooner) who diagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-Concussion Syndrome but crucially he referred me to cardiology. After a weird test (where I had fizzed up saline pushed into a vein whilst holding my mouth and nose and blowing!!) it turns out I have a small hole in the heart and always have had. So the likely cause of my stroke was unfiltered blood shooting through the hole during the car crash and allowing a small clot to travel to the brain.

Many of you will appreciate that the psychological after effects of a stroke, however minor, can be perplexing and infuriating and even now 3 years later I still don’t feel back to my old self. I have to say that I was disappointed by the lack of information offered or available following my minor stroke.

On the up side I was extremely lucky to have had no long lasting physical deficits and just two years on (July 06) Steve & I welcomed our lovely daughter, Leelah. I take 75mg of aspirin per day and have (eventually) quit smoking & don’t take oral contraception.

Thanks to Jan for sending in her profile. Anyone else who would like to share their story can send it along with a photograph (if you're not shy!)

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