Stroke Survivor's Sole Symptom Was Inability to Read Written Words
A stroke survivor whose only warning sign was a sudden inability to recognise written words is urging the public to learn about uncommon stroke symptoms. Gordon Robb, 63, experienced a bleed on his brain but hesitated to seek emergency care because he displayed none of the typical symptoms like facial drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulties.
Foreign Language Appearance of Everyday Text
Instead, Mr Robb found that words on emails, text messages about the Ryder Cup, and even cash machine screens appeared as though they were written in an unfamiliar foreign language. He initially planned to schedule a routine GP appointment, but his cousin insisted on an immediate visit to Accident and Emergency, where medical professionals diagnosed him with a haemorrhagic stroke.
Experts confirm that difficulty recognising written words alone, without accompanying symptoms, affects fewer than one percent of people at the time of their stroke. This makes Mr Robb's experience exceptionally rare but critically important for public awareness.
Participation in Groundbreaking Clinical Trial
Now, the former vice-president of a biotechnology company is participating in a new British Heart Foundation-funded clinical trial led by University of Edinburgh academics. Researchers are investigating whether clopidogrel or aspirin—medications that reduce blood clotting risks—can prevent future strokes, heart attacks, and premature deaths in people who have experienced haemorrhagic strokes.
Mr Robb, from Bonnyrigg in Midlothian, Scotland, is taking clopidogrel as part of this trial. The keen cyclist and runner suffered his stroke in September last year. While his symptoms are gradually improving, he now requires more time to read compared to before his stroke and occasionally struggles to find the right words during conversations.
Stroke Ward Experience and Recovery Journey
"I am incredibly lucky, and quite honestly felt like a fraud in the stroke ward because I was no different to how I am normally, except that I suddenly could not read words," Mr Robb explained. "I knew some of the classic signs of a stroke like facial weakness, being unable to raise my arms or speech issues, but had none of these."
He emphasised the crucial importance of paying attention to unusual symptoms, even those not commonly associated with strokes. "If I hadn't gone to the hospital, and quickly received treatment, I could have been walking around with a ticking time-bomb in my head," he added.
Detailed Account of the Stroke Event
Recalling the moment his stroke occurred, Mr Robb described being in his garden before going inside for tea and music. "I checked my emails on my phone—and it was like they were in a foreign language. I could see them clearly, and see who they were from, but the words meant nothing to me," he said.
Initially attributing the problem to fatigue from staying up late the previous night, he gave himself an early night when he couldn't read friends' messages about the Ryder Cup. The following day, after being unable to read cash machine instructions, he resolved to visit his GP. However, his cousin—whose husband had died from a sudden stroke just three weeks earlier—drove directly to his house and insisted on taking him to A&E, where the haemorrhagic stroke diagnosis was confirmed.
Medical Research and Future Implications
While hospitalised, Mr Robb enrolled in the new trial led by Professor Rustam Al-Shahi Salman at the University of Edinburgh. Professor Salman noted: "It has been hard to overcome the instinctive fear that if people have had a haemorrhagic stroke, taking aspirin or a drug like it might cause more bleeding. So we were very relieved when our research showed such drugs to be safe after a haemorrhagic stroke."
The Aspiring study aims to gather further evidence establishing whether aspirin and clopidogrel can help reduce future stroke and heart attack risks, potentially saving lives of haemorrhagic stroke survivors. "I believe there is a huge amount more to be done to help these people, whose lives have been turned upside down and who may be concerned about the future," Professor Salman added.
Personal Motivation and Broader Impact
Mr Robb expressed his motivation for participating in the trial: "Being involved in this trial provides some reassurance that this drug may reduce my risk of another stroke. But it is also great to know that being involved could help improve treatment for people like me in the future, and relieve the pressure on the health system."
He considers himself extremely fortunate to have avoided more severe long-term effects from his stroke while having the opportunity to contribute to medical advancements.
Expert Commentary on Stroke Awareness
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, the British Heart Foundation's clinical director, highlighted the importance of recognising all potential stroke symptoms: "Facial weakness, arm or leg weakness and speech problems are well-known signs you or your loved one may be having a stroke, but there are some lesser-known symptoms like being unable to recognise the written word."
She stressed that any unusual symptom, however strange, warrants immediate medical attention. "Every minute matters if you may be having a stroke or other medical emergency. We know stroke survivors often fear having another stroke and how disabling this could be. That is why the BHF is funding clinical trials like Aspiring, which will test whether prescribing antiplatelet drugs could protect more people," Dr Babu-Narayan concluded.
