strokes and arthritis

[Deleted User]

Good afternoon to all.
I searched the Forum to find out if my following question was already a topic, but I found nothing. So I hope my question is ok.
I just read about a Copenhagen Congress where the specialists were discussing the higher risks of a stroke for patients with certain forms of arthritis. I think the factor was x1,5 if the arthritis is older than 10 years.
Well- that is my problem. I had a couple of very premature strokes not very long ago. I always had my AS, but it was not diagnosed as that until two years ago. Neither my Rheumatologist nor my GP nor any other doctor ever mentioned the probable relation in between the strokes and the AS. The point is: the usual threatment is not possible because of the strokes, since the different medication would be contradictory.
My question is: Are there any other members on this forum with the same unfortunate combination stroke/arthritis? If yes, what is your treatment?

suzygirl

I have SLE and Anti Phosphilid syndrome amongst other things. I have already had a TIA and am on aspirin to keep my sticky blood thin. The inflammation in arthritis is a risk to strokes and heart disease for all arthritis sufferers which is why it is so important to get the disease under control.

It is an unfortunate problem we have to endure.

[Deleted User]

Thank you a lot for answering! I really wonder why none of my docs ever put the two in relation. I do not want another stroke even If they don't hurt. It's a very nasty experience, indeed. I'll call my gp tomorrow, because I'm angry right now. And another stress Just popped up. But thank you again!

ichabod6

rheumatoid arthritis has been the blip in my life for many years.
I had a stroke in April and take simvastatin and clopidogrel which are
doing the trick for me. For the ra I take a daily dose of azathiroprine
and self inject humira every fortnight. These two are the prescribed
medications for crohns disease which is another blip but I'm happy
that they serve a dual purpose.

barbara12

Hello caliban
Sorry I cant help, I did hear that antiinflams can cause strokes..so this is new on me...its good that you have started this topic...it may well help others..

[Deleted User]

Good morning GB!
I knew that anti-inflammatories cause a higher risk of strokes. But I'm talking of "the other way round". I never heard about the fact that some rheumatic- diseases may cause Strokes. In my case the AS was diagnosed a couple of years AFTER the strokes. I had the symptomes since I was 18 or 19, but was diagnosed with hip displasia, which was nonsense. I never took anti- inflammatories. And right now I'm told there is nothing really to be done against the AS because the risk of another stroke would be too important. Apparently there IS something to be done.
Welcome to the club, Ichabod. A stroke is a very weird experience, is it not? I was told the stroke(s) were due to a genetic pre-disposition and extreme emotional stress. And yes- Grandfather died of a stroke, my father suffered one a couple of months after me, and my brother had a stroke last year. And yes- I have been in a very nasty situation three days before the first stroke. My arteries are perfectly fine, my colesterol is fine, my heart is fine and the amount of oxygene transported by the blood is at 99%. I have never been a "big boy" and I live mainly outdoors with a lot of physical exercise. (Not right now, though. Not with this flare) But now I have learned that AS has to be considered to be another stroke- factor. It's somehow scary.
Yes, I think this is a rather important topic. Especially for the newly diagnosed. They really should be warned from the beginning on. I don't know if YOUR doctors told you about this added risk. I hope they did and do. It would be nice to prevent strokes or heart-attacks for young people with arthritis.

stickywicket

It's a tough one, caliban. I think there's an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, lung problems and all sorts of ingredients from the medical recipe book for all of us auto-immuners. Mine's RA, actually a juvenile form though I'm now far from being a junior . I always knew my kidneys were more at risk but I only learnt of the other unlovelies that might come my way as a result of these forums. I actually prefer it that way as otherwise I might have spent my entire life worrying about stuff that has never happened - yet There might be an increased risk but I think it's still a very small one.

I guess it's different for you as you got the strokes first. I'd want a really good chat with my rheumatologist in your situation to work out best plan of action. Knowledge is power.

[Deleted User]

Hello, Stickywicked (I like that name, by the way)
Yes- knowledge is power! I totally agree. So all I have to do is overpowering my docs
I'm definitely not a great worrier if it comes to illnesses. In a way that's the reason I never lurked on forums etc. That explains my relative ignorance of arthritis, for example.
In a way the stroke problem happened when I already had AS, without knowing it. So I'm probably one of the few fortunate in the statistic with that additional problem. Well- new-comers to our club should at least be informed about this unfortunate risk. That way they have a chance to control the stroke risk to a point.
On the conference I mentioned they talked only about a few forms of arthritis concerned with the additional risk of strokes and heart attacks.
So you are probably off the hook
ONE aspect of a stroke was a rather interesting experience, by the way. In a more intellectual way. It concerned the loss of speech. But that would lead too far now....