Hey rick hope your feeling better soon. Thought I would update too as our cases are so similar to each other.
Since my last post in Jan my life has changed dramatically. I lost my flying job as a result of the medical suspension, lost my home (as it came with the job), have moved in with my parents again (highly humiliating but thankful) and have a dwindling supply of cash, hope and patience. I can't even get a job as a baggage handler as I'm "over qualified"
Medically wise the reason for my lack of comments was due to a series of diagnostic options and tests being undertaken. Initially I was told I had most likely suffered a carotid artery dissection of the neck which had led to the stroke... this was a very promising development as the outcome was potentially good and recurrence rates low. A CT angiogram with contrast was arranged to radiologically confirm this and to my dismay came back all clear - I had not had a dissection.
Cue MORE tests, more waiting, more uncertainty... next up it's 24hr ECG and bubble echo to look at the possibility of PFO (as mentioned earlier by another poster) If these tests come back negative then they say I will be diagnosed with "cryptogenic stroke" - i.e. unknown cause!
As you can imagine the possibly cause being unknown is a disaster... I can't see the CAA liking that one bit. I'm so exasperated - I have luckily made a full recovery and have passed all neurological tests 100% but feel like my flying career is slipping away. I wouldn't mind perhaps if I was 30yrs in already but I have only had my licence for 3 years after 5 years of saving, working and living in caravans to make it happen
