Getting a second opinion

Hi Jade
There is no harm in getting a second opinion.  As hard as it can be sometimes we have to accept that there is no known cause and regardless of what the second opinion may be if it will give you some peace then it is worth seeking.
Toni

Hi Toni, I believe my doctor has done every test he can do. I am still waiting to talk to him after having the DSA done (although I already know the results) so I guess I'll go from there. Thank you for responding

Hi Jade

When the cause of your stroke can’t be found, it’s called a cryptogenic stroke. It’s surprisingly common, with about 25% of strokes being cryptogenic.

You may find the American Stroke Association booklet on cryptogenic stroke helpful. It goes through the possible causes you should be tested for. Reading through this may help you confirm your doctor has ensured you’ve had every test you need and that you are as informed as you can possibly be. A second opinion is helpful when you’re not sure that’s the case, or where you really need it confirmed for your peace of mind.

Even if the cause of your stroke is never known, it’s important to understand all the stroke risk factors and how to manage them. There’s a whole chapter on this in My Stroke Journey, starting on page 38. You may also want to check out our Medication fact sheet, which covers the lifelong medications stroke survivors are usually prescribed.

It’s normal to be worried about having another stroke and when the cause isn’t known, this is especially the case. You can listen to a podcast about this on EnableMe – just hit the Community tab on the right and you’ll all our podcasts. Scroll down for the Fear on a second stroke podcast. If some time has passed and you are struggling, speak to your GP about getting some help. 

You may like to give us a call on StrokeLine to talk it through: 1800 787 653. We wish you all the very best and we are here if you need us.

With kind regards, Jude from StrokeLine

Hi Jude, 

Thank you for your post. My doctor has done every test possible but still nothing. I am very healthy and active so I think that's what makes it even more frustrating and hard to try and reduce my chances of it ever happening again because I already live a healthy lifestyle. But I am on aspirin so I guess that's one management. 

I have a friend who had a stroke before and her first doctor was clueless as to what has been the cause. Not sure how a "doctor" could not find anything for a case within his expertise. She did go to get a second opinion from another doctor and he's been her doctor since then.