Bald Rick,
New on here and just picked up this thread - In April 2009 I was a JAR PPL when I suffered a TIA whilst on the telephone at my place of work in Swansea. I had undertaken a Class 2 medical just a month or so before which was ok apart from raised blood pressure for which had been receiving medication for many years.
I totally lost my speech (very frightening) but I knew straight away it was a stroke. Fortunately I was taken very quickly to Morriston Hospital which was the only hospital in Wales trialling a new clot busting drug. I was given a MRI scan and assessed as being suitable to be given the drug for which I had to sign a disclaimer as it has risks like causing a further stroke or heart attack within 24 hours post administration.
The drug has to be administered within 2 hours and the Consultant who was awaiting my arrival in A & E advised me to have it administered as I was relatively young ( 60 ) The Consultant later told me that I was the fifth person to have it administered with varying results - he did not tell me what these were! I was hospitalised for 6 days.
Over a period of 24 hours my speech returned but slower than before and slightly slurred but this improved over the following weeks plus speech Therapy concentrating on aircraft jargon / call signs etc with my NHS Therapist!
My AME told me I would never fly again ( I own an Annex 11 Taylorcraft ) and the CAA pulled my medical but were very helpful encouraging me to go down the NPPL route. The DVLA also pulled my driving licence for six months.
After several months I resumed flying again with an Instructor and I suppose in all undertook 16 hours or so joint flying until I was totally satisfied that I remained competent and also wished to continue flying which I did desperately! My problem as such was slightly slow / slurred speech which spooked me in controlled airspace.
After 6 months my lady Doctor signed me off for a class 1 NPPL medical ( solo flying or with a safety pilot ) and I flew mainly solo locally around West Wales etc. My confidence increased with the radio work thanks to the ATC at Swansea and also Cardiff were helpful as on occasions they had to be patient with my read back of clearances and must have been aware I had a problem of sorts!
My Doctor told me that if I remained medically incident free for a further 6 months and passed a treadmill test that she would sign me off for the class 2 NPPL medical so that I could take non Pilot passengers which she did. My Partner had always enjoyed flying and wished to continue to do so with me as did certain members of my family and friends.
I now fly mainly locally in the West Wales and South West area and I am told that my speech is as good or better than some foreign commercial Pilots!
If I want to fly to areas outside my comfort zone in terms of radio work I take a Pilot friend to relieve me if needs be ( so far this has never occurred ) I think it helps flying a slightly unusual aircraft as ATC seem to spend more time wondering what you are as opposed to what you are saying!
My advice to anyone in a similar position would be never to give up the wish to fly but be realistic about what you want to achieve but always remember that there is no such thing as a mini / slight / small stroke as all are serious medical interventions.
Likewise don't waste time and energy trying to convince the " Authorities " that you havn't suffered a stroke or TIA as if you have displayed the symptoms you most probably have and they will air on the side of caution! In any case you can't change Doctors / Consultants reports which they will ask for.
Don't be complacent about your health and think a JAR Medical with ECG's is a safety back up - it certainly wasn't for me! as it is just a snap shot of you on the day!
Above else remain positive as if you are even considering flying again you have been very lucky to get away lightly on this occasion!