PFO Closure Part 1 of 2 - CLOSED

Once I knew I had the PFO, I made the decision to see the doctor on the West Coast that did my Dad's surgery because it was clear that the cardiologist here was not pro closure and had relativley no experience with it.  I did not want anything in my medical record that questioned whether I should have the closure because I was certain after seeing my father have 3 strokes from 59 to 61 years old that I wanted the closure.  However, I was very surprised when insurance approved it immediately given I had not had aTIA or stroke.  I believe seeing a doctor who specialized in closure and knew how to work with the insurance company was the only reason I was able to have the surgery.

I have not had a single migraine or aura in 5 months now.  I feel better than I have in 20 years and I had no expectation that any of these results would be the case.  I had the surgery solely to minimize my long term risk of stroke.  Once I knew I had the PFO, I mentally felt like a ticking bomb and knew I wanted it closed. 

My recovery was incredibly easy.  I felt good almost immediately.  I had a few strange but fleeting pains, occassional heart beating so hard and loud when I laid down, but nothing that lasted or created anything but brief mental concern.    I was psychologically challenged in the early days - fear prior to surgery having never had any surgery and questioning even the smallest aches and pains early on.  After 30 days of no migraines, auras and emotionally relaxing, I experienced no more side effects. 

I was prescribed paxil and aspirin combination for 6 months which will be up in February.  I am not supposed to take advil with that combination so I mostly avoid it.   There are migraine medicines I took that were still okay with the paxil and aspirin, but to date I have not needed any migraine medicine! 

I hope this helps.  I live in New Jersey and had surgery in Southern California.  If you would like information on my doctor, let me know.

Best wishes,  Mama Bear

We live on Far North Coast NSW and my husband had his op in Southport. Doctor was very nice and has done a lot of research in respect to PFO closure and migraines. I know that Gold Coast Hospital are doing further research in relation to PFO Closure and Migraines as well so maybe someone there could help with info about doctors closer to Brisbane. Hope this helps. Your right about your comment about fixing his pump. We think his pump must have been pretty broken.

To everyone else.

Further update on my husband....one month on from his PFO closure and my husband is still getting migraines but not as severe as he used to get....just daily. He used to get migraines once every 3 or 4 months that required hospitalisation and sometimes intubations due to seizures or stroke. Since the op he has been getting them daily but treatable with panadol and only lasting for a couple of hours. The surgeon advised that unfortunately Tony had a migraine storm that should subside after about a month. And he did have 10 days without any symtoms but we had a big day out, he got too tired and they have started again. We agree that the PFO closure has definately made a difference with his migraines. They are much more treatable, even more "normal" with his paralysis only last for hours and not days. Has anyone else had a migraine storm after PFO closure?

Will keep you posted about hubby's progress cause we hope the outcome will be good and give other people some information they may not have been provided prior to making choice of op.

Thanks for the forum.

Glass Half Full

I started getting symptoms over 3 years ago,i was an international cyclist and at the peak of my fitness,there was no way i thought this was serious,the doctor thought the same and told me to come back if it happened again.I carried on as normal,as i read somewhere it could have been a heamoplegic migraine.Then in july of this year I had another TIA which lasted longer 3 days before i flew out for a holiday,the doctor just referred me to a migraine clinic,even though she said it sounds if ive had a mini stroke,no asprin nothing i even had to ask her to take my blood pressure.After i came back from holiday i had another one,the day after i raced in a championship event and did well.I was lucky that i had private medical care and got all the tests done,and right enough the neuroligist found evidence that i had 2 mini strokes,the cardioligist then found i had an ASA with right to left shunting of greater than 1cm,he wanted to put me on warfarin but i would have to give up racing my bike-no chance-so after further discussions with my neuroligist and cardio,i went and spoke to Doctor Hillis about closing the hole.I had my pfo closed on the 19th of january by DR walker at the Golden Jubilee in Glasgow.It went really well no problems,after 1 week off my bike,i did 30 miles nice and easy yesterday,so far so good,i have a follow up in March.Ive been told i can race in 4 weeks,roll on.

Thanks.

Post Edited (Braveheart) : 1/26/2010 3:27:26 AM (GMT-7)

My husband had a PFO closure on 9 December last year. Since the closure he has had daily migraines and is exhausted. Much different to what we were told would happen. Have spoken to GP who spoke to surgeon and was advised that this could go on until the hole is closed. My husbands was a large hole and took a long time to close and was a difficult shape. We are supposing that the hole is now open all the time by the closure devise. Until the skin grows over the hole he will continue to get migraines. He is still have aura's and the headaches are severe but we are coping. He cannot drive and it is very hot at the moment and the heat gets to him a lot.  See the surgeon 9 Feb to hear more. Will keep you posted. Good luck. Hope you feel better.

 My thoughts and prayers are with everyone!

I had asd/pfo closure on Jan, 2009. I was a pre-olympian gymnast as a kid.  I have been athletic, strong and healthy slim-muscular build.  I also have athsma.  I am on the west coast and had a great medical team.  I had a TIA that prompted all the tests that found the asd & pfo.  I had the amplatzer put in.  I am fairly young, 42, and did not want a debilatating stroke risk at 52-I also have three children-now one year later are 3, 9 and 15.  My 9 year old was with me when I had the TIA - she wanted me to read something before I took her to school and I couldn't read it, nor was I speaking properly and was listing a little to one side.  What came out of my mouth was completely different than what was on the page even when I asked her to tell me what the first word was in the sentence.  She got very very nervous of course. 

It turns out I also had migranes for years.  I just pushed through not complaining about the daily headache or auras.  Never told a doctor about them. I had had them for so long they were just a part of my day - my Dad said I had headaches from at least late elementary school.  Most likely I had other TIAs and didn't pay attention to them.

Waiting for the surgery was the hardest part.  I was very fearful I would have another TIA or worse.  I sat in my special chair in a sleeping bag knittig and watching tv or playing games with the kids.  I did a lot of research also.

I never went under the whole 3.5 hours of surgery!  I had been given clonazepam by another dr for anxiety and that raised my tolerace level to the anesthesia. At one point I too had a device in and the dr said "no, that's not going to work.  Pull it out."  I thought it was neat to be aware during the process.  I did look at them and say "that's not going to work?"  I talked too much to them during the surgery-chatting and asking questions- but the Dr said he could tell I wanted the procedure.

I took Plavix for 3 mos post op and aspirin since the noted TIA. I had a very small opening at 6 mos and surgery is considered successful. 

Right away after the surgery I didn't have to worry about how I was breathing.  I can run and not gasp for air. (I ran 3 mi to see in Jan 2010- I have more stamina even though I have not hardly worked out the last year and have gained weight.  I feel like I could fly as I run and I am so grateful.  I have been afraid to work out hard and long like I love to because of the fear of TIA /stroke.  I have to get over this and work out hard at least a couple times a week.  There is no reason not to according to my Dr.  He did his part and I took it easy like I was supposed to but now it is time for me to work out for health too! 

Also, I do not have that daily headache!!

In joy, Peony42