When a woman complained of severe neck pain, doctors initially dismissed it as a trapped nerve. But her husband's gut feeling told him something far more sinister was at play—and he was right.
A Husband's Instinct Proves Lifesaving
Mark Goodwin, 54, knew something wasn't right when his wife, Julie, 52, woke up with excruciating neck pain and dizziness. After a trip to A&E, medics diagnosed her with a pinched nerve and sent her home with painkillers.
But Mark's instincts kicked in. "She couldn't even hold a cup of tea," he recalled. "Her speech was slurred, and her face looked droopy. I knew it wasn't just a trapped nerve."
The Shocking Truth Revealed
Rushing her back to hospital, Mark demanded further tests. A CT scan confirmed his worst fears—Julie was suffering from a vertebral artery dissection, a rare type of stroke caused by a tear in the neck artery.
"If we'd waited any longer, she could have died," Mark said. "The doctors admitted they'd never seen a case like this presenting as neck pain."
A Warning to Others
Julie spent weeks in intensive care but has since recovered, thanks to her husband's quick thinking. Now, the couple are sharing their story to raise awareness about atypical stroke symptoms.
"People think strokes always cause facial drooping or arm weakness," said Mark. "But Julie's main symptom was neck pain. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and push for answers."
Neurologists stress that strokes can present in unexpected ways, especially in younger patients. Key warning signs include:
- Sudden, severe headache or neck pain
- Dizziness and loss of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Vision changes
