Does cough syrup cause STROKE in some people? My mother suffered a stroke following a course of cough medicine. She is fine now, but someone told me that she should not take cough syrup anymore.\n\nMay I have a reply from a medical doctor.\nThanks
131789
I am not a Doctor,  but,  I can tell you,  that my sister in law has performed research on this matter,  and yes some cough syrups can cause a stroke.  I believe it may happen due to the fact that the cough syrup is designed to "shrink" the bronchial tubes in our lungs;   and it may also have a adverse reaction to the brain (blood flow).  I hope that your mom stays well.
458484
Get the flu shot! You've gotten many good answers. While new strains of the virus are always occurring, at least you can protect yourself from those known. They do NOT make you sick, (per annie7951) If you already have the virus & it's not known, you may "assume" it made you sick, but will actually make your flu less severe when it becomes apparent. Please! I never "bash" anyone on this site, but the comments of "orangen" (something or the other) were erroneous at best as to flu shots being a "money making scheme."  Much bias against pharmaceutical companies (some justifable) but they work very hard on the "new strains" to make them effective. I hate to think of the potential of epidemics if no one got flu shots. I've been taking them for years, have NEVER had any reaction, & NEVER get the flu. Until, if you decide to get one, when you are "out"--stores, shopping carts etc., be careful not to touch your face with your hands & wash your hands THOROUGHLY as soon as you get home. I've seen check-out people coughing into their hands & then handling my items. I always suggest that if they HAVE to cough, (or sneeze), to do so in their sleeve ELBOW if no tissues are available. Pharmaceutical companies even provide vacines one can get free at some drugatores or clinics. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...
23827
Yes, a stroke is caused by a blocked artery causing a decrease in blood/oxygen to the brain.\n\nConversely, a heart attack is caused by a blockage that prevents blood/oxygen from reaching the heart.
312808
The list of causes are long, however since the symptoms you described were progressive and did not suddenly appear all at once, stroke is a remote possiblity. What she may be suffering from can be brain cancer, TIA (transient ischemic attacks), or some other rare genetic disorders such as huntingtons disease. Best thing to do is to see a good neurologist with your MRI films and report in hand (you did get a MRI right?) so he can make a diagnosis.
365009
Demand a second opinion. Positive note I had similar symptoms for years rarely a day off. I had a brain scan, a EEG and other tests turns out I have hemiplegic migraines - very scary. I have an aura with mine - a bad taste often triggered by what I eat or smell. Gloss paint sends me off my legs for up to 2 weeks. I was investigated for having a stroke! Go back an see your Dr if symptoms don't improve and demand further tests! Have allergy/ sensitivity tests done, mine showed my triggers as being corn, melon, larger etc. I changed my diet and took FEVER FEW natural health supps and have made a fantastic recovery, with the occasional relapse. I f your symptoms are new to you and you have had no further investigations than a DR appointment, go back and demand more. Take a friend or relative with you if your reluctant to push the issue. You only have one life - enjoy it. Luv J xx
501278
Who gave her the Narcan? You skip that part completely, just going from calling 911 to talking to the doctor about her possibly withdrawing. Did the medics give her Narcan? The doctor upon his initial evaluation? You said yourself that your mother was on a couple of heavy narcotics, and respiratory distress/depression is a sign of possibly overdosing. In that case, Narcan was absolutely warranted. Perhaps at first glance, that's what they thought your mother had done. Sounds to me like they were trying what they could to save her life, given the information they had.\n\nNo, I don't think you should seek legal action.
305879
two way pills are made of ephedrine. I, too, have taken them. They can cause serious side effects. I know two different ppl who have had strokes in their 20's because of it. It is extremely addictive. Heart palpations, dehydration(which in itself, can lead to premature aging) There are many risks with taking this med. I urge you to seek help.
109389
I am not a physician but when I had this problem I went to one.  Turns out that my blood-pressure and blood sugar were all out of whack.  PLEASE see a physician immediately.  Have a freind drive you or take the bus but do it soon and please don't drive a car until you have this solved.  Today if possible.
181923
My dr said not to buy store cough syrup bc it doesn't work. if your over 21, my dr said to take a couple of teaspoon's of whiskey, a teaspoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey and heat it up. it tastes like crap, but it works for me.
397230
Please please go see a doctor immediately.   It could be something as simple as an inner ear infection ... or something as serious as a stroke.   Don't wait ... call now.
655494
I had my stroke at the old age of 46.  It was difficult the first week in the hospital as I had difficulty talking and my entire left side was weak.  When I got home I practised the exercises I was given to do as therapy and also attended rehab.  I asked the family not to do things for me unless I asked them to.  It was frustrating not to be able to do simple everyday tasks.  And while I intellectually knew strokes could cause depression I never applied it to me.  Shortly after going home I one day decided I just couldn't stand it any more.  Of course I was now suffering major depression but didn't recognize it in myself.  Luckily my Dr did and started me on a regimen to control this.\n\nWhat I am saying is treat your brother the same as always.  Let him be your guide on how much assistance he needs.  And be on watch for the sudden depression - not saying it will happen but it is possible due to hormonal and chemical changes in the brain.
521781
Some guy Andy got a stroke and got half paralysed. He started to go into the deepest hell of overwhelming emotions and cried himself to sleep every night. However, there are these friends and relatives there who visit him and tell him not to give up. He started physiology and regained his former self.\n\nThis is a rough idea. Write it in ur own words.
371398
I've heard of it. Lungs don't filter everything and it only takes a tiny clot or bit of one to damage a tiny blood vessel or more in the brain. So this would be a stroke-like happening, yes, damage to the brain.\nOlder CT machines only pick up larger damage, or else the damage might not be visible even to a better (Newer) one.
644
Holy christmas (literally!)... the last poster, be careful.\n\nI was diagnosed in 1999.  I didn't start taking medications until 2004 (had a bit of denial there)...\nI got a flare-up that forced me to think harder about my future (and a great fiance to boot!).\n\nA lot of people go on the interferons, and Glatiramer acetate, which is what I'm on.  When I decided what to go on, I thought about what I'd have to do for it.  I was a bit worried about giving myself a shot, and I figured that I would need to have the least intrusive method of medication delivery... so I decided subcutaneous (just under the skin).  That cut down the list of interferons... \n\nThen I thought about side effects, a lot of the interferons have flu like symptoms.  When I started the meds, I was feeling weak, pins and needly, and limpy.  I said, do I want to have a cold on top of that.  No siree.\n\nI mean, you really have to talk to your NEURO, and what (s)he recommends.  It just so happened that the first NEURO in 1999, recommended Avonex as he was drinking out of an Avonex branded mug (no foolin!).  That is what turned me off from the med idea in the first place.  My SECOND neuro, he asked me my concerns, and we decided on Copaxone.  Yes, it's daily, but it's under the skin, and it just has local reactions for me as a side effect.\n\nI WAS PETRIFIED of giving myself these shots.  Many of the companies (my drugs, included) have autojectors, so you don't even have to see the needle.  Copaxone (or my doctor, I can't remember, it was so long ago!)... required me to have a home care nurse there the first time to show me how to administer the drugs.  I gave it to myself without hesitation the first time!  I am a little wary of someone else doing it (though she had recommended that my fiance learn how, too).\n\nResult?  Well, there's not much to say!  (that's a good thing)... my original symptoms had faded, and I don't know if that was the copaxone or what.  I've been on it since 2/2004 (wow!  going on 2 years soon!), and I have NO NEW LESIONS!  boy, that's more exciting than I thought it was going to be.\n\nNow, your milage WILL vary, and unlike my first time experience, you will LIKELY have to go through a few drugs to find one you like.\n\nGood luck to you!
21501
I've never heard of this, so first of all my thoughts are with your family.  I knew strokes, heart attacks and those types of things didn't only happen to "older" people anymore, but that they were also happening to people as young as their 20's.  I had absolutely no idea, I am going to try to look this up tho, as I have two young children.  Were there any symptoms, something long coming that didn't get noticed because it was also considered a normal thing?  I hope he stays strong and has a great turn around back to good health.
72301
NO MASSAGE!!!!!!!!!\n\nDONT massage!\nIf a blood cloth has formed and blocks the blood flow, a massage might losen it and it might move on and cause a stroke!\nGet into an upright positon (lean on desk/cruches) and see a doc!
482949
OK when I had it, both my partner and I had to take the medication.  I took it like I was supposed to, but my partner was a beer drinker and alcohol makes the medication not work right.  So he drank beer with his medicine.  I ended up having to take the medication again because my symptoms came back.  (Lucky him, he never had symptoms!)  \nI guess what I'm trying to say is, if you take the medicine correctly, you should make a full recovery.