I need a little help from some of you who are more knowledgeable than I.  (That is rather sweeping!)  I periodically get hemiparesis on the right side during a bad hit.  Usually it is mild and just affects my hand/arm and face, but occasionally it will also affect my leg.  I've gone to the hospital for tests, have had CTscans, MRI's, MRA's and other tests done.  There is not sign of it being a mini-stroke and doesn't appear to have any permanent damage.  My question is, How does one know if it IS a stroke and needs attention?  I can't afford to run to the emergency room every other month or so.  Even if I just go for the major occasions it can still be four or five times a year.  Last year I went it three weekends in a row because they lasted for several hours instead of dissipating in about an hour like usual.  That cost over $60,000 for all of the testing done, most of it duplicative.  Any input? Especially from anyone in the medical field?

Thanks!
Jerry

Jerry, you must be dealing with pretty sophisticated docs on this one. I can't imagine a better source of information re. this troubling issue.

Basically, you are asking for some subtle symptoms which make the discrimination you want to make. Were I you, I'd not trust what I know to make the call!