British woman suffered stroke after spending 14 hours on cramped bus in Thailand

[webfact]

British woman suffered stroke after spending 14 hours on cramped bus in Thailand

 

She is now running a 5k in Edinburgh to raise cash for Stroke Association charity// The Scottish Sun

 

A British woman was left paralysed after a suffering stroke while sitting on a cramped bus for 14 hours in Thailand.

 

Ashley Macrae, 23, from Scotland, had been on the bus travelling from Cambodia to Bangkok last year when she developed a blood clot in her leg which travelled through an unknown hole in her heart.

 

“I had spent 14 hours on a bus from Cambodia to Bangkok. I was really squashed and didn’t really move at all during the journey, she told the Scottish Sun.

 

“I was just there a few hours and started to feel very dizzy. I hadn’t drunk any alcohol but thought my drink had maybe been spiked or I had eaten something dodgy.

 

“I couldn’t walk properly and my face had started to droop. My friends said straight away that I needed to get medical help.”

 

“I had no control over my body and I didn’t understand what was going on, she told the Daily Record.

 

“As soon as I got to hospital they took me for an MRI scan. They said there had been a bleed in the brain and that I’d had a stroke.

 

“I said, ‘Surely not’. Strokes were something that happened to old people, not people like me. I’m a healthy 22-year-old, I go to the gym, I’m not obese and I don’t smoke.”

 

Now back in the UK, Ashley has now made a full recovery and is this weekend took part in a 5K run to raise funds for the Stroke Association.

 

“The money we raise for this charity goes to helping stroke survivors who haven’t had a full recovery who may need help to speak, read or write again, Ashley wrote on her JustGiving page.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-05-29

[MaeJoMTB]

That's bad luck at such an early age.

Sad thing is, after one stroke, they often happen again with greater frequency and more serious effects.

Probably the end of her getting holiday insurance.

Edited May 29, 2018 by MaeJoMTB

[richard_smith237]

The danger of sitting cramped up for a long time is very real... 

 

DVT's can readily develop as a result of reduced blood flow in the legs, bit's can break off this thrombosis (clot) and lead to massive heart attack of the pulmonary artery is plugged or migrate into the lungs (Pulmonary Embolism) or into the brain (stroke)....

 

Wearing compression socks whenever sat for any length of time (in a car, bus, office etc) can reduce your risk to these issues. 

[trd]

She was paralyzed and now she's made a full recovery and running?

[Jeremy50]

Poor girl, those third world bus marathons are a nightmare, thankfully she has made a full recovery. Sitting anywhere for 14 hours is unnatural, and dangerous to your health. Our bodies are made for movement, and plenty of it. Never take a bus if a train is an option, try to get an aisle seat on a plane so it is easier to walk around. loosen your belt and other tight accoutrements. 

Edited May 29, 2018 by Jeremy50
spelling

[one baht]

l wear the compression socks now without fail ,something l wasn't aware of up until

4 years ago when a doctor suggested it would be a good ldea and

explained about Deep Vein Thrombosis and how the compression socks can greatly reduce

the risk of DVT

[VocalNeal]

Take aspirin before and during long sedentary journeys.

[connda]

Can happen in a bus or a plane or a train.  Gotta plan for it.  You need to routinely get up and move.

[mekko]

Please tell me it wasn't a thai hospital exclusively that made this diagnosis. I know of friends to be told they had cancer only for another hospital to say it's not - it wasn't (as time has proven).  Second opinions back home required imo

 

Edited May 29, 2018 by mekko

[Foxy52]

I believe sleeping pills and/or excessive alcohol are also significant risk factors for DVT on long journeys

 

[hansnl]

10 minutes ago, connda said:

Can happen in a bus or a plane or a train.  Gotta plan for it.  You need to routinely get up and move.

Canhappen anywhere.

But as you can move around easily in a train, and the route is possible by train instead by bus, take the train.

[gearsau]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

The danger of sitting cramped up for a long time is very real... 

 

DVT's can readily develop as a result of reduced blood flow in the legs, bit's can break off this thrombosis (clot) and lead to massive heart attack of the pulmonary artery is plugged or migrate into the lungs (Pulmonary Embolism) or into the brain (stroke)....

 

Wearing compression socks whenever sat for any length of time (in a car, bus, office etc) can reduce your risk to these issues. 

I know all about that. I suffered a major stroke back in 2011, after a flight from Bangkok to Australia. I used to do a lot of work all over Asia, and was always flying.  However, on this particular flight, I was " trapped " in the middle of a row of 4 seats and the seats in front were  reclined back, just about in my face.

 

People both sides of me were asleep, and, as I didn't need a toilet break, I just sat there. One week later, they were prying my mouth open, with what felt like a crow bar. I had suffered a stroke at home, and, taken to the hospital.  I could not walk, and, had lost my short term memory.

 

The hospital taught be how to walk again at 64 years of age, and, worked on memory training.  I had 118 days in hospital..

Nowadays, I am on blood thinners daily.

I have been overseas twice since then, but, am careful with long flights. Only get an aisle  seat.

[yellowboat]

Many a young person buys a cheap, second hand motorbike and tours Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.   That may be a better and safer option over a sitting in cramped bus for 14 hours.  She probably spent like $7 for that ride, but it is not worth it at all.  It is best to spend the money on a decent bus company that allows you some room.  Many of the cheap buses in Cambodia carry all sorts of cargo in the passenger area and make all kinds of detours and unscheduled stops. 

[mogandave]

Deep vein indeed

[mogandave]

8 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

Many a young person buys a cheap, second hand motorbike and tours Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.   That may be a better and safer option over a sitting in cramped bus for 14 hours.  She probably spent like $7 for that ride, but it is not worth it at all.  It is best to spend the money on a decent bus company that allows you some room.  Many of the cheap buses in Cambodia carry all sorts of cargo in the passenger area and make all kinds of detours and unscheduled stops. 

Yes, a lot more tourists in Thailand suffer from bus-riding related blood clots than are injured on motorcycles...

[Formaleins]

LAST YEAR!

[impulse]

43 minutes ago, Formaleins said:

LAST YEAR!

 

Still a good cautionary tale, along with a young cutie to grab attention and drive home the point that it isn't just us old farts at risk.

[Borzandy]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“I had spent 14 hours on a bus from Cambodia to Bangkok.

Nice holidays isn't it? Then the backpacker can say: "I have done Cambo and Thailand"

[kannot]

2 hours ago, Jeremy50 said:

Poor girl, those third world bus marathons are a nightmare, thankfully she has made a full recovery. Sitting anywhere for 14 hours is unnatural, and dangerous to your health. Our bodies are made for movement, and plenty of it. Never take a bus if a train is an option, try to get an aisle seat on a plane so it is easier to walk around. loosen your belt and other tight accoutrements. 

if  u can afford it fly  business  class.

[off road pat]

2 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

That's bad luck at such an early age.

Sad thing is, after one stroke, they often happen again with greater frequency and more serious effects.

Probably the end of her getting holiday insurance.

Don't think so, I have the same insurance every year for 20 years, I had a stroke in Thailand 4 years ago the insurance paid all the hospital bills, repatriated my wife and I back to Europe in Business class. got repatriated last year with a severe infection. last week broke my car clutch in Paris France, was repatriated separate with the car. the car was in a garage near my place the next day....there are bad insurances and there are good ones !!! I have a excellent one !!!

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post and the replies to it.

[TexasRanger]

Don't rely on compression socks, I was wearing a pair and still had multiple clots in my lungs. Forget that in seat exercising and get up whenever possible and keep hydrated. 

[off road pat]

7 minutes ago, Borzandy said:

Nice holidays isn't it? Then the backpacker can say: "I have done Cambo and Thailand"

hmm,...and your point is ???

[sahibji]

surprising it happened to athletic young person. goes to prove that basic health rules should be followed. move your limbs to keep circulation going.

if opportunity permits you  must walk around a little.

[sahibji]

2 minutes ago, off road pat said:

hmm,...and your point is ???

it is not funny. somebody's life has been impacted.

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post and the replies to it.

[duanebigsby]

2 hours ago, Jeremy50 said:

Poor girl, those third world bus marathons are a nightmare, thankfully she has made a full recovery. Sitting anywhere for 14 hours is unnatural, and dangerous to your health. Our bodies are made for movement, and plenty of it. Never take a bus if a train is an option, try to get an aisle seat on a plane so it is easier to walk around. loosen your belt and other tight accoutrements. 

"Third World bus marathon" ? Really? Thai buses are top of the line, long distance haulers.

But yes walk around, get out of your seat, and stretch your legs. Why is a train better?

 

[off road pat]

1 minute ago, sahibji said:

it is not funny. somebody's life has been impacted.

My question was not meant to be funny, I wanted to know what was the point of his post !

[SpeakeasyThai]

2 hours ago, trd said:

She was paralyzed and now she's made a full recovery and running?

She is young. Stroke is traditionally associated with elderly people but can happen to all. Great chance that she lives a fit and healthy life and makes the right lifestyle choices all will be fine. I know as i suffered a stroke af 47 and now swim daily 1 kilometre every day. She's turning it around from being a victim to taking control and others here who blog BS all day should take heed.

Edited May 29, 2018 by SpeakeasyThai

[sahibji]

2 minutes ago, TexasRanger said:

Don't rely on compression socks, I was wearing a pair and still had multiple clots in my lungs. Forget that in seat exercising and get up whenever possible and keep hydrated. 

well summed up. keeps limbs moving and keep your toes and fingers moving regularly.

 

Just now, off road pat said:

My question was not meant to be funny, I wanted to know what was the point of his post !

sorry so was my response directed at the original  post.