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PFO Closure - Open Heart or Transcatheter 2

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Posted 10/27/2008 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Dinby, I chickened out. But, the chest pain is gone. I think it is just my body adjusting to the exercising, again. I will get back on it but will slow it down. I was doing 3 miles a day. I will just go a bit slower this time around. It is a learning process. Stay well and happy!!!
Posted 10/27/2008 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
CatMom5 and patched 1129,

Thank you so much for the response. It really helps to hear from others who have been through it. My right fingers go completely numb and my hands and feet are always cold if the tempeture drops. I didn't realize that could be one of the side effects. I see my Dr. this morning to find out the next steps. I am so grateful to hear from you. The threat of stroke is very scary. Thanks again
Posted 10/27/2008 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
dinby,
Thank you for your response. I am assuming your irryrthmias and irregular heartbeats are better since the procedure? Thanks for the website. How nice that you have recorded your journey! I havn't gone to it yet but will do that today. Thanks for the encouragement.
Posted 10/30/2008 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

It's great to find a site where others share similar thoughts and concerns after their PFO closure.  My story is a bit different than most of you, but I've still had the PFO closure regardless.  I am 30 years old and consider myself an active person.  I play soccer once or twice a week and other sports throughout the year.  I had my PFO closed because of fatigue.  I have never experienced a stroke or any other heart arrhythmias.  I usually feel exhausted the minute I wake up in the morning and experience quite a bit of fatigue throughout the day.  I'm still able to play soccer, but I can only manage quick sprints, then have to rest a bit to regain some of my energy.  I was diagnosed with asthma when I was a child and was diagnosed with sleep apnea 5 years ago.  After surgery for sleep apnea, I felt no difference in my energy level.  Since then, I have seen various doctors in various disciplines, resulting in no new diagnosis.  Luckily, I was talking with a friend at work whose wife had her PFO closed and noticed that she was experiencing similar symptoms as I was.  I also had a brother that died 4 days after birth because his hole did not properly close (I'm not sure if it was a PFO or an ASD).  Regardless, I decided to go to the cardiologist to have an ECHO and bubble test done.  I did in fact have a PFO.

I had it closed two weeks ago and luckily for me, it was one of the simplest procedures I could imagine.  I was in and out of the room in about 45 minutes.  I felt nothing during the procedure, although I was awake the entire time.  I stayed the night in the hospital and was released the next day.  I've experienced no ill affects from the procedure.  My question to the gorup is, how long does it take to start gaining energy and feeling better?  I can't say that I've felt even more tired from the procedure, but I haven't noticed any improvement in my energy level either.  Some have said it takes a week or so, while others have said it takes a few months.  I'm not losing hope yet or anything, just curious how long it takes to feel good.  I'm lucky that I haven't experienced any strokes or stroke-like symptoms, so I can't say that the closure helped that.  I was just hoping to see my energy levels improve.  I'm still hoping this happens.

Again, thanks for all of the posts.  Reading this site helps one to know that they are not alone in this. 

Posted 10/31/2008 8:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Fozzy welcome to the forum........ I had my ASD closed 5 weeks ago and I am returning to work on monday. I still feel very tired by the afternoons but I have noticed that I can do an awful lt more than before the closure so I guess my energy levels are getting quite good. I still can't run because my heart then goes into irregular rhythm but I hope that will get better. Yours is still early days yet so it should hopefully improve

www.tonette.co.uk
Posted 10/31/2008 3:50 PM (GMT 0)

Hello, everyone!  Fozzy5 welcome to the forum!

Slgreennewyork1, how did your appointment with the doctor go on Monday?  I hope all went well.

Patched1129, I'm happy to hear your chest pain went away.  You are right, it is a learning process.  I am not planning to even start "walking" as exercise before a full 2 months have passed.  And then, it will be gradually, over time. 

Dinby, going back to work on Monday... is it exciting or scary for you?  I see my cardiologist on Monday, and even though I am recovering nicely, I will ask for 2 additional weeks off from work.  I am certainly not physically or mentally ready to get back to work on November 7, just 2 weeks after the procedure. 

I wanted to update you all on my recovery.  Today marks the first full week since my procedure was performed.  Yesterday was the first day I started feeling my energy coming back.  On Tuesday, I had a follow-up appt. with my neurologist and my partner/boyfriend took me since I'm not supposed to be driving.  I had to wait about 2 hrs. before being seen, and I think this waiting and the outing itself tired me out.  So, on Wed. I spent most of the day in bed sleeping or just resting.  On Thursday I felt really good, but I only did about 1/3 of the things I would have liked to have done because I did not want to tire myself out.

Everyone is different, but I am taking my cardiologist's advice to rest, rest, rest very seriously.  The last 8 months took a huge physical, emotional and mental toll on me.  Going from always being healthy to being sick, constantly fatigued, coughing, sinus infections, the mini/small stroke, then having the doctors not know what was wrong, then having my first set of doctors play down my symptoms and results of my numerous tests, thus having to fight harder to have more tests done, get second opinions and finally find doctors that took me seriously and listened, and all the while my health was deteriorating... these past few months have been very difficult for me.  So, now that I have won my war, I want to make sure all my scars heal properly, both the physical and the emotional ones.  I am resting and relaxing a lot.  Other than my trip to the neurologist, I have not even gone out of the house since Sat. when I returned from the hospital.  Thankfully, I have a very supportive family.  I have always been very independent, so I kept most of what I was going through to myself (especially because for a while I myself started doubting whether I was even sick or if it was all in my head, all thanks to my first set of mediocre doctors!).  One of my sisters is also going through a difficult divorce, so I did not want to add more stress to the family.  It's not until now that they realize how serious my condition was and all that I had gone through - the only one who really knew and was incredibly supportive along the way was my partner of 7 1/2 years.  Even my 16 year old son was kept in the dark until I could not hide it any longer, when they scheduled my procedure, and I then used this as a "teaching moment" so he can learn to be persistent, determined and courageous no matter what life throws his way.  They are currently treating me like a china doll.  I am having to convince them that it is OK for me to do a tiny load of laundry (with 4 or 5 pieces of clothing!), without stressing my heart, on Thursday, almost a week after the surgery.  I have to tell them that it is OK for me to finally start driving this coming Monday Nov. 3rd to my cardiologist appt., which is only a 15 minute drive on streets and not highways!  I have to slowly start doing these things to get back to normal, but it has to be done at an easy pace, although not as slowly as my family would like.

So far, I have not had heart palpitations either - knock on wood!  I have also adjusted well to the Plavix/Aspirin treatment.  I forgot to mention earlier that the implant I received was the CardioSeal, not the Amplatzer.  My neurologist seemed so happy and relieved when I told him I had the PFO closed.  He says women have a hard time sometimes getting this procedure done - he did not go into details but, from my own personal experience, I knew exactly what he meant.

Fozzy5, as a regular athlete, I am sure you can appreciate the value of resting after a tough work out.  Make sure you are not doing too much after the procedure.  Take it easy and get plenty of rest.  Although the procedure seemed simple, remember you now have a permanent implant inside your heart that your body has to get used to.  Also, the procedure itself does take a toll on your body, so you need to recover from that as well.

I wish everyone well and I will continue updating you on my recovery.  I am also more than happy to answer any specific questions anyone may have.

Greenhope

Posted 10/31/2008 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Greenhope,
So awesome that you are doing well!! I am scheduled for surgery 12-8. Not sure which device I will be getting. I think I am lucky because both my Dr. who diagnosed and my surgeon have had PFO closure. The understand everything because they have lived it. My surgeon has done over 2700 closures with no deaths, strokes or serious issues. (knock on wood) The Dr. who diagnosed me said the surgeon is the best in the USA. She waited 8 years to have her procedure done until she was satisfied the procedure and hardware were good. Thank you so much for your support and again I am thrilled to hear all went well. Take is slow and easy.
Best wishes!
slgreennewyork1
Posted 11/1/2008 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
Slgreennewyork1,

I am so happy to hear you have excellent doctors taking care of you. I wish you all the best on your upcoming procedure. Please keep us posted.

Regards,

Greenhope
Posted 11/2/2008 3:06 AM (GMT 0)

Hello Everyone. Good to hear from you, Patched. Greenhope, I'm so glad you're procedure went well. I haven't been on for a while--things have been crazy busy. But, I do have some updates.

First, my 31 daughter who had a large ASD closed on Oct 6th. She says she feels fine and is completely back to normal activity, although I'm not so sure she should be. I am actually still worried about her. She hid it from me until just this past week, but had quite a bit of dizziness and a few seconds of her vision fading when she'd stand up that first week. It seems she'd been having those symptoms for years and just ignored them. She is still having some but says that it is gradually improving. She says it is worst when she is squatting and stands up. I cannot get her to call her doctor--just says that he told her the hole would not close right away and that her body needs time to adjust. On Monday, my husband has an appointment at the same clinic where her Doctor (and my Doctor practices) and I'm going to be an interfering Mom and tell them what is happening to see if it is normal. Her Doctor did tell her (I was in the room with her and heard him) that an ASD is more difficult than a PFO and that it will probably continue to leak some for 4 to 8 weeks, but then it should close completely. He did not tell her, however, to expect the symptoms that she is having. He told her that her heart racing and pounding should improve fairly soon--maybe even right away and she says that is better.

My update. November 6th will be 1 year since my closure. My energy level and stamina are dramatically improved. I'd been having frequent TIAs of varying severity before my procedure (for years--decades, actually) and I had not had any TIAs after my procedure. My headaches are about 80% better and I had only had a couple of minor migraines until about 4 weeks ago. Then out of the blue, I started having aura migraines again. The headaches were not bad, but was having the visual aura like before, once or twice a week. My PFO was completely closed at 4 months so I was at loss. However, the cold hands and feet that some people have mentioned. Well I've had that all my life. Mine was and is bad enough to be diagnosed as Raynaulds. I had some improvement with my procedure (my hands didn't turn purple/blue anymore, but they still got numb, tingling and pale when cold. In fact, I have episodes where I can just be in the grocery store and one of my fingers and toes will turn completely white--looks just like a dead person's finger or toe. It is so dramatic that it looks as though someone tied a tourniquet around it and completely shut the blood supply off. The rest of my fingers and toes will be pink. My cardiologist has been disappointed that my Raynaulds did not improve a lot, but I think it is because my body has dealt with it so long that it is now a chronic condition regardless of my improved circulation. Anyway, he says that almost all patients that he does closure on with PFOs and ASDs have Raynaulds and lots of them get almost complete resolution.

Then this past Sunday, I had a big time TIA. Went to ER and was admitted to do the million dollar work-up as I call it. They did MRI with contrast of my head to look both at the blood vessels in my head as well as brain. They did ultrasound of my carotid arteries (in the neck) and they were all normal. They also did another bubble echo to evaluate my PFO closure and the closure was still completely intact--no leakage at all. The neurologist told me that the PFO closure resolved the major trigger of my migraines and TIAs but did not eliminate all of them in my case (and this is particular to me). He told me that the white toes and fingers happened because my blood vessels are going into spasms and that the same thing is happening in my head. So bottom line is that he put me on a drug called Verapamil. It is an old drug used to lower blood pressure and to improve blood flow to the heart. Problem is, my blood pressure runs low and I have this condition called vasal-vagal syncope syndrome which means that my nervous system over-reacts to things such as nausea, stomach distention, heat, etc and causes my blood pressure to lower even more and me to feel faint (most people faint, but I just feel like I'm going to). But they decided to try Verapamil to see if my blood pressure could tolerate it because it is the drug of choice in treating spasms of blood vessels--it relaxes blood vessels and prevents spasms. I started it on Tuesday and so far I have tolerated it amazing well--especially considering I don't usually tolerate medicine well. But, I contribute that to prayer.

I guess the moral of my story is that I got amazing great results from my PFO closure and the closure is still great one year later, but I have other chronic conditions that will continue. Closing a PFO or ASD will not get rid of chronic conditions that are not directly connected. In my case, I felt so much better, I just convinced myself that it cured everything and that was an unrealistic expectation.

I also want to share with any of you who are trying to make a decision the following. It is really kinda freaky--strange and ironic at the least. The husband of my daughter who had the ASD closure is an OB/GYN physician. He is in practice with one other physician--a woman. This past Monday, her husband who is only in his 40s, had a stroke with some significant damage. I told my daughter as soon as I heard that I bet he had a PFO. Sure enough they did a bubble echo and he did indeed have a PFO. The neurosurgeon who saw him tried to tell his wife that the PFO was not a big deal and they didn't need to do anything. But, only because of the wife and mother-in-law of her partner (my daughter and I) did she even know about PFO. She insisted that he see the cardiologist who did our closures. He is still in the acute phase so I don't know anymore at this time.

Good luck to all of you. This is long enough so I didn't hit on everything. But, I'll be glad to answer (based upon my own experience) any specific questions anyone wants to ask.

MiMiFlo

Posted 11/4/2008 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
MiMiFlo,

I am so sorry to hear about your recent TIA.  How are you feeling and recovering?  I am happy to hear your PFO is still nicely closed and it was not the cause of your TIA.  Any updates on the doctor's condition - the one who had the stroke?

I went to see the cardiologist yesterday and he says I am recovering well.  However, he does want me to stay home 2 more weeks before I start work to make sure I rest and recover properly.  I'm not complaining about that - I need the break!  My blood pressure was a little higher than normal (144/80 on my right arm and 140/74 on my left arm), but he is not worried about it.  He said maybe because I was at the doctor's office it went up, although that has never happened to me before.  My BP is usually 110/70 or 100/60 and it doesn't normally go up when I am at a doctor's office - this is the only place I have it measured!  I'm thinking it was more because yesterday was the first day I became more active again.  It is the first day I drove, for example, so that probably had more to do with the BP being higher than normal.

Also, Sunday morning I woke up with pressure in my chest... the pressure woke me up.  I had the "chicken bone in my chest" feeling that some of you have described.  I was able to go back to sleep after a little while and when I woke up a couple of hours later I still had it but less strong.  After about two more hours it went away and I have not felt it again since.  I told the doctor and he says this is part of the process, my heart is getting used to its new friend.

Monday (yesterday) was an interesting day because I woke up feeling tired, but this is because I did not sleep well or enough (I'm not sure why, but it was not due to pain).  Then I drove to the cardiologist's, came home and rested but at night, 6PM or so, I started getting some blurry vision on my left eye.  It was the only symptom, nothing else.  I got up and took two more baby aspirin (I had already taken the Plavix and 1 baby aspirin earlier, which is my regular regimen), closed my eyes and rested for about 30 minutes.  It went away.  about an hour later I got up and went with my partner to do some light food shopping and while at the store I felt a little dizzy.  I came home, went to bed and slept soundly.  This morning I got up not feeling tired but not 100% either, I ran two errands with my son since he has no school today, and felt a little dizzy.  I came home, ate and as I am typing this I feel somewhat dizzy, so I think I am going to take it easy the rest of the day.

Just thought I'd share some of my day to day symptoms.  Recovery is a process.  There are going to be some good and some not so good days.  As long as the good eventually outweigh the bad days, it's OK.

Greenhope

Posted 11/4/2008 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
thank you all so much for posting information about your experiences. I have had chronic migraine for 18 months (have had episodic migraine since age 7) and are having my PFO closed at the end of next week. I'm not sure how big it is but both the Dr and Nurse Specialist were very impressed, which did not cheer me up smhair
I've been tired and had breathlessness on exertion all my life so hoping this will improve too.
Posted 11/5/2008 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Here's to hoping!!! I wish you all the best on your upcoming procedure and recovery.

Today, I feel almost back to normal, before my procedure and months of fatigue, breathlessness, sinus infections, etc. I feel like I have started to turn the corner... yeah!!!

I hope you will keep us posted.

Greenhope
Posted 11/5/2008 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
I am sooooo happy I found this site.  I just had my closure on Monday.  I am surprised how great I feel.  I am a nurse so I was very freaked out about the procedure.  No chest pain or anything (yet) LOL.  I hope it never comes.  I had a reaction to the Vanco, but other then that everything went great.  We found my PFO b/c I had a stroke Labor Day weekend.  I couldnt believe it.  The last 2 months have been horribe!!!!!!   When they found the stroke, they also found a csyt on my brain stem (also  a birth defect) they weren't sure what it was at first, I was in ICU b/c they thought i had a bleed.  They knew I had the stroke, but all the attention was on the cyst at that time.  I was discharged about a week later and had to do all the follow up out patient for the stroke.  Last week I had the TEE and thats when they found the 1cm hole and 6 days later, it's closed. 

I was told I am able to go to work next week wednesday.  Is that too soon?  I work nights and have 7 patients to care for.  I don't have anymore sick pay so I cant miss much work, the only option is short term disability.

I have all of you in my prayers.  This is the best site ever.  Good luck to you all!!!!  Also if anyone needs someone to talk to they can email me, I dont mind.  [email protected]

Carey

Posted 11/5/2008 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
MiMiFlo.....Sorry about your TIA I know what a horribel feeling it is. Keep strong and keep praying. Glad the meds are working!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 11/6/2008 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, patched, and welcome to this forum! I am sorry to hear about your stroke, but glad that you are recovering well from your PFO procedure.

I think going back to work really depends on how you feel. It sounds as if you are recovering well, so all the more reason to get back to normal. I'm personally going to take a little bit more time because I want to make sure I heal properly. But in my case, my body was suffering from the effects of my PFO for months, so my doctor wants to make sure I rest before I ease back into my regular schedule.

Good luck to you in making your decision and please keep us posted!

Greenhope
Posted 11/7/2008 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Today was my first day out of the house, kinda tired now.  I had a computer training class that was 6 hours (at least I made some money)  I've been feeling great the last few days and now the chest pain has started :(  I wonder if it's true chest pain or muscular or me just being crazy.  AAARRRGGGGGG.  I just want to be back to normal.

How long did it take you all to feel normal again (not to be worried all the time) ?


 

I continue to keep you all in my prayers

Carey

Posted 11/10/2008 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
New Here!

Im very glad to have found all of you & this Forum Thread.

My Story is long...I will try to have it make sense.

9.5 years ago while on the Birth control pill  (and having extremly heavy periods)   I had a TIA.  I didnt know what it was at the time.  It was the middle of the night- my Husband called the Dr on call & he said to stop taking the Pill.  Which I did. 

I was very anemic at the time & had Extreme fatigue & SOB (Shortness of Breath)

And alot of that was cause by my Anemia....Fast forward 5 years & with some research I concuded that I had had a TIA.

I also had surgery (an EA) to help my heavy periods & was No longer anemic.

But my Fatiue & SOB did not go away- although it was less severe.

I told my PCP my symptoms each year...But nothing really was taken as being important.

Fast forward again to spring of 2007.  I saw my PCP for my yearly check up- I told her my SOB & Fatigue were much worse & that I could hardly exercise, walk upo stairs, talk on the phone while walking.....I  was doing 10 minutes of very Mild Cardio- thats all I could do & still could not breath (Im sure most of you know the feeling)

So she ordered many tests for my Lungs, heart...Also had an Echo.  Everything checked out ok.  Went a few more months & told my PCP Still somethign seems up.  She sent me to a Lung Specialist who told me Anxiety was causeing my SOB & to take deep breths during the day & to work through it while exercising!  I told him I do not suffer from Anxiety.

I told my husband who was at the Appt...I dont suffer from Anxiety- We both know that.  But I give up.

Fast forward one more time...To Spring of 2008.  I was diagnosed with Breast cancer.  My Oncologist wanted me to take Tamoxifen - I told him I was concerned as it had a Stroke risk with it...and I had a TIA 9 yrs ago..He said and you have had your heart checked...I told him the tests I had had done & he said- No Bubble Echo?  Nope.

So I had that test done.  Exactly 2 months after learning I had breast cancer I found out I had a PFO & ASA.  I was scheduled for a Bilateral Mastectomy- so met with a cardioligist very quick to make sure I could safely have surgery.  2 weeks later I had my surgery & was put on Plavix after it.  it gave me severe side effects!...So I switched to 325 mg aspirin (on my Own) As I could not get my Cardioligist to call me back- His nurse will not give him messages.

Too Bad the Lung Specialist made me stop persuing my Symptoms- I could have had my heart surgery fixed & healed well before my Breast Cancer DX.

I had another surgery for Reconstuction 6 weeks ago- I switched to 81mg aspirin 30 days before that surgery & never went back to 325mg...Stayed on 81 mg because I had headaches 24/7 while on the 325mg.

This Saturday I ended up in the ER with a Probable TIA.  Had an MRI & everything looked ok- No sign of a stroke.

ER Dr suggested Lovenox shot...I have heavy periods again & am anemic again- SO I asked about trying 325mg aspirin until Monday...Monday I already had an appt to see my Cardio to discuss closure of my PFO & ASA.

I think I am ok with the surgery- although I have many questions for him.

Hearing many good stories here has helped.

My Problem is- I have a vacation planned for less then 3 weeks away.

I do not think I could have surgery before & then go on Vacation- Although the ER Dr thought surgery on Tuesday sounded good & fine still with my Vacation- Easy for him to say.

I am wondering about waiting til After I get back...And will hope my Cardio will think that is ok.  It would be about 1 month from now.   I will still hope to recover ok before Xmas.

I am worried about drugs after surgery...Since the Plavix gave me such serious SE (Severe Headache & Fatigue, Restless leg & arm Syndrome, Insomnia, Nausea, Joint Pain, Flu like symptoms).  My husband was ready to take me to the ER 3 times during the 3.5 weeks I was on it.

Have any of you not had Plavix after surgery & if so...What did you take after.

Thanks,

Dejaboo

 

Posted 11/10/2008 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dejaboo and welcome to the forum.

Wow, what a story!  Some of it seems similar to mine, with doctors ignoring or dismissing our symptoms, except your story has been going on much longer than mine.  I am also sorry to hear about your breast cancer.  Is it in remission?

My recommendation to you would be to go on vacation first and then come back and have the surgery/procedure.  You've waited all these years, what's another month, don't you think?  I have to tell you that in the midst of all the months of chaos I also took a vacation with my family which I had planned about 8 months before all the craziness started happening.  I told myself that I had to go  even if it was the last thing I did.  There were moments during this time of great anguish and uncertainty when I truly thought I was dying a slow death with all the weird and unusual symptoms that the doctors couldn't figure out.  I purposely made my appt. w/my first cardiologist after the trip because I did not want him to tell me I could not fly, hike, walk, etc.

On a couple of occasions during my vacation I felt very fatigued and we just went back to the hotel or my relative's house and I would rest.  But I summoned my last ounce of energy because, if this was my last vacation (as I feared at the time it might be!) I wanted to make it a memorable, beautiful one for my son and partner to remember.  We went to my native country of Nicaragua where my partner had never been and my son had not visited in about 11 years - he was the one who proposed the trip after not wanting to travel with us for the past 2 years, so I jumped at the chance and planned this beautiful itinerary to a rainforest, my mom's hometown, my hometown and we had a wonderful time!  It was also a wonderful break from all the stress I was going through and was awaiting me upon my return.

I am taking Plavix, with no side effects, but I read some previous posts where some people took Coumadin, but I don't know if this was before Plavix came on the market.  I think Coumadin may have worse side effects from what I've read.

Hopefully other members will let you know if they are taking something else.

I have to tell you that it has been 2 weeks and 2 days since my PFO closure and I am starting to feel so much better.  I get the occasional pressure in my chest, but this is nothing compared to the constant fatigue and other symptoms I felt before the closure.  I am cautiously optimistic that life will soon get back to normal for me.  My son asked me yesterday if I was feeling better and I told him yes.  He was very happy for me (for us I think now) and then he added, "Good, because this past year you were pretty boring."  It made me laugh and cry, because it is a brutal reminder of how different I have been as a result of my illness, months of uncertainty and the stress associated with both.  It made me smile because my son has inherited the same honesty and directness that I am known for... like mother like son!  My hope is that soon, I will once again be the happy, energetic and active mom he has known most of his life!

Good luck to you with your decision and upcoming procedure.  I hope you will keep us posted!

Greenhope 

Posted 11/10/2008 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Greenhope,
Thank you for your reply.  Yes, my cancer is in remission.

 It is nice to hear you think like me... take the trip.
Im very glad to hear you are starting to feel better & healing.
I can understand your sons boring year. Poor kid- But really there wasnt anything you could do & it wasnt your fault.
Our year has been crappy here too.

I will still need another reconstruction surgery too. My PS (plastic surgeon) wants me to get my heart surgery done 1st...But I dont think he understands I will have to wait several months after my heart surgery before I can have another surgery...I am assuming I will have to wait 3-6 months before I can safely have the reconstruction surgery..since the risk of blood clots on the Repair is higher then. I dont want to wait that long- I am in pain & want this finished.

Ill let you know what my Cardio says this afternoon.
Dejaboo

Post Edited (Dejaboo) : 11/10/2008 7:38:50 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/10/2008 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Greenhope.
I have posted my Cardio Appt Update on the thread I started with my Story.
Dejaboo
Posted 11/11/2008 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, FRIENDS!! I am sorry that it has been months since I have talked to you. The forums stopped sending me emails whenever someone would reply. Bummer!! It took me about 30 minutes to catch up on everyone's health. It seems like God is watching over everyone and keeping you all communicating!! That's FABU!!

 

Is everyone geared for the holidays??

 

Last week was the two year anniversary of my stroke and PFO closure. I took some time to thank those around me who made my recovery smooth. smilewinkgrin (Is it green...(I forget) that is 30-year-old with a closure? I had my closure 7 months after my youngest was born- I was 29. My energy didn't bounce back for about a year. But, rest assured, it does come!)

Update me on how everyone is doing and nice to meet all that have joined since I fell off the face of the mountains here in TN!!!

 

Posted 11/11/2008 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi TN,
Nice to meet you & to hear you are doing good!

When I saw my Cardio yesterday he said my SOB & Fatigue probably would not go away with my closure. That surprised me & bummed me out too!
Are there others whos symptoms did not go away?
That is a large part of why I am choosing to have this surgery.

Dejaboo
Posted 11/12/2008 5:00 PM (GMT 0)

Dejaboo

I am glad to know your cancer is in remission :)  Sorry you have had so much to deal with, I know how you feel (read my post from about a week ago) I have had some crazy stuff going on.

I know there are other drugs besides the plavix and lovenox.  There is the ever dreadful coumadin (which isn't that bad) as long as you get your lab work checked, there is heparin, there is argatroban  which we use often in the hospital in patients that don't do well with heparin and lovenox.  There is also one other drug that is newer that I can't remember the name, it might be refludan. Maybe you can check with a hematologist, they would have info on that.

I had my PFO closed last Monday, (11/4) I feel great, can't even tell I had anything done.  I actually got the all clear to go back to work tomorrow.  I will have been off from work  just 10 days.  I am going to wear a heart monitor for 2 sure weeks b/c I was having some mild palpitations, I think my Dr. just wants to play it safe.  YUCK :(

Where are you going on vacation?  When you have it done depends on that.  Is it going to be lots of walking and moving?  If its a relaxing vacation then getting the procedure done first shouldn't be a problem. 

I have a great web site that shows how the procedure is done step by step.  Not sure which device your Dr. is using, but the procedure is the same. http://www.goremedical.com/helex/patient/videos  this is the link, I thought it was great, I even sent it to my entire family so they would understand what was going on.

I wish you a speedy recovery!!!!!  If you need anything let me know.  This site has helped me tons.

Take care and God Bless

Carey Goodwin

Posted 11/12/2008 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carey,
Thanks. I just read your posts- You have been through alot too. it is never fun. What will they do for the Cyst- Watch it?
Im glad to hear you are feeling good 8 days after your Closure. I set up my TEE test today for Nov 18th. And my Surgery is Scheduled for Dec 29th.
We are going to Sanible Island- It will be mostly relaxing & some day trips here & there. I hope its warm!

Good to be safe with the heart monitor- but probably not fun to wear.

The Medicine my Cardio Said I could try was Ticlid. I dont like what I read about it.

I have read on Several websites- Including the link you posted (thanks for that)
That many Drs just perscribe Asprin after Procedure- for 6 months.

I am really hoping Mine will say that is ok & that is all I have to take.

Is the TEE test Pretty easy?
Dejaboo
Posted 11/12/2008 11:09 PM (GMT 0)

This past Monday afternoon I leaned forward and had my arms in front of me for about 15 seconds and then I started getting strong heart palpitations.  Everyday, I wear my Polar heart monitor, an inheritance from my running days mad , and noticed that my heart rate was 172 bpm (beats per minute).  I immediately sat down on the couch, waiting for it to go down.  My heart rate was between 169-175 bpm for about 10 minutes before it got back to a normal rhythm (talk about getting a cardio workout!).  My chest was pounding! The only thing that kept me from panicking and calling 911 is that somewhere in the back of my mind I remembered reading that this would sometimes happen to some of the people posting here.  Thank goodness for this website!  It has not happened before or since, and now I know better that to lean forward like that again - if I lean forward for a second or two it's fine.  It was the fact that I stayed like that longer than usual that caused the problem, I think.  I don't know WHY this happens, but it clearly does happen from my own personal experience.

Something positive to report is that I don't get foggy-brained anymore.  It had been happening a little here and there, especially when I got up and started some activity.  But about 3 days ago I started noticing that it wasn't happening anymore.  Maybe it was the Plavix and my body has adjusted to it?  Who knows!  But, I know that slowly but surely things are getting better.  I have so much more energy nowadays, although I am still taking it very easy.

Dejaboo, for me the TEE test was very easy.  They give you a sedative to relax and then they numb your throat with some spray.  Then you swallow the equipment, lie on your left side, close your eyes and the doctor and technician go to work!

Take care and thank you again to all the "pioneers" who started the 2 PFO threads for helping the rest of us along!!!

Greenhope

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