TIAs reclassified as strokes

[theflyjd]

My neurologist reclassified 2 TIAs that I had over the last couple of years as strokes. This means that I have had 4 strokes in the last 18 years (the first might have been a cluster). Has anyone else had TIAs reclassified and does this mean that all that I am doing to avoid strokes (quit smoking-lost weight-got active) doesn't matter? My Dr seems very happy with my life changes.

[hopefullnurse]

TIA is a stroke--rather a mini stroke.

[theflyjd]

Thanks, Hopefullnurse. Actually, I kinda always took that for granted after all I have read on strokes since the first one in '88, however, my neurologist kinda threw a curve at me last week when He said that "...after further review..." the 2 TIAs (that I always was convinced were strokes because I was hospitalized a week at a time) were indeed strokes. There is no new evidence to review. Does that mean the earlier Dr. misdiagnosed? My new Neurologist reread the old MRIs and came to this conclusion. I thought the difference (or one of the differences) between a TIA & a Stroke was evidence of a bleed. That evidence should have been there before, I would think. My right-side paralyses got worse after the last one. I wonder if I should get a lawyer because my whole life changed after these last 2 that were misdiagnosed.

[hopefullnurse]

there are different types of strokes.  easiest explaination--ishcemic stroke is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain; a hemorrhagic stroke is a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain.  you may want to talk to your new neurologist to get a better understanding of what you were first told/compared to now.   good luck.