Strange or not???

[Buttoneska]

The main stroke thing is the FAST - facial weakness, arm weakness, speech difficulties, time (call for help) - www.strokefoundation.com.au

Could it be a side effect to medications - not sure if/what meds you are on, but I have heard of anti depressant/anxiety meds can give you that stabbing brain thing and a truck load of other symptoms.

It could also be a wierd miagraine thing.

Definately worth getting it checked out, it could be nothing but it may be something more serious.

[LifeInShadesOfGrey]

Absolutely get checked out and sooner, not later.

Signs of stroke can be varied and subtle or very noticable.

Not saying you have had one, but with issues like that arrising I would address them asap, and not delay. Even if you make a whole lot of fuss over nothing, you made a whole lot of fuss that may of saved your life if there was a problem.

Thats why they always say with the heart attack ads, if you think you are having one, call or see someone. Even if its nothing, its better then doing nothing and paying the consequences.

Hopefully you are just experiencing some bad migranes or something not as serious as a stroke.

[Girl X]

I would also say that there's a possibility it could be anxiety related.

Forgetting left and right, and forgetting to swallow, are 2 of those things that we do automatically, but they become really hard to do when you're thinking about them. A bit like when you start concentrating on breathing, and it goes all over the place.

Sharp stabby pains in the head may also be normal, and could be any number of things including a referred neck pain, or an unrelated headache.

I agree with people who have said check it out with the dr sooner rather than later, just to be on the safe side, but I wouldn't be jumping to any conclusions before you do so.

[MagicMud]

Girl X - Anxiety sounds way better than a stroke! lol
I get what you mean about things becoming difficult when you are thinking about them, except I wasn't thinking about either of these things when they happened. It just wasn't there, I couldn't work it out. I would say it was more like absentmindedness than over-thinking, if that makes sense?

Button - I am on 3 permanent meds, but none of them have these kinds of side effects. It's interesting what you say about anti-depressants/anxiety meds though. I've only ever tried diazepam for stress/anxiety but I hardly ever take that. It's been about 5 months since I've even had any and never experienced any side effects from that either. I'm thinking meds are an unlikely cause (but who knows).
And thanks, I'm familiar with FAST, and have had no arm or facial weakness, and no speech difficulty.

Thanks everyone else for your advice.

I'm certainly no doctor, but I honestly don't think I'm in any immediate danger. Out of everything I'm mostly concerned about the left and right disorientation, because that's happened more than 3 times. But I can't even think of what that could be related to.
I'm seeing the Dr tomorrow, so I guess we'll see if he thinks any of this is a concern. I'll let you know what happens.

[Buttoneska]

Could it be balls parsy or whatever its called. My friend has that and it made her mix up her left and right for months?

[Atropos]

Could it be balls parsy or whatever its called. My friend has that and it made her mix up her left and right for months?

Bells palsy.

[MagicMud]

I just googled Bells palsy. That seems to have facial paralysis. Doesn't seem to fit.

Found something called Gerstmann Syndrome. I guess disorientation of left and right can be an actual symptom of something?

[Atropos]

I just googled Bells palsy. That seems to have facial paralysis. Doesn't seem to fit.

Found something called Gerstmann Syndrome. I guess disorientation of left and right can be an actual symptom of something?

It is a neurological symptom, which is why you should see the dr. All the best!!

[starflame]

I would def get it checked out..My instant thought was Stroke. You can have a stroke without even realizing it..There is a type of Dementia that is caused by strokes that often go unnoticed. I sometimes forget how to swallow..but I dont know why that is..It could be an anxiety related thing but as its only happened once I would be more inclined to worry about the left-right disorientation.. Hope you go okay at the doctors hun

[CMF]

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is a common symptom of stroke. Difficulty telling left and right, and sharp headaches are also. I'm certainly not saying you've had a stroke but you need to be aware that these symptoms could be an indication of something that you would want to get checked out ASAP. Good luck.