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PFO with ASA

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Posted 6/17/2010 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,
 
I am new to the forum, and I am a 26 year old female. I have a PFO with a atrial septal aneurysm, both of which were found in 02/09.  I have been seeing neurologists and doctors for as long as I can remember, due to migraines with aura.  Mine actually act like strokes where one half of my body goes numb, my vision goes, my speech slurs, my actual cognitive skills can be hindered (I can see a chair, and not be able to think of the word for it), and I get an intense migraine.  Finally one neurologist sent me to see a cardiologist and they found a 7mm PFO with a atrial aneurysm.  I was measuring at a >>5 when the transcranial was done.
 
They decided to close the hole with an Amplatzer Cribriform Occluder, and the closer was performed in 08/09.  I had my one week, my one month check up, and my 6 month check up, and I was cleared.  On my six month I told my doctor about some discomfort and pain I was having, and showed him where, and he said that that is where my device is located.  He also said that because of the shape of my hole and the ASA, they were not able to clover the entire area.  It would still wiggle.
 
I have been experiencing quite a bit more pain and discomfort lately.  Has anyone else had this happen?  What have been your experiences with having both a PFO and an atrial aneurysm?
 
Thank you so much!!
Posted 6/18/2010 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi rmil

Welcome!.. and you are not alone. Reading your post, I can relate, so thank you your post has helped me. I had both and my closure was done just over 3 mths ago with the Amplatzer as well. I had been having many migraines with aura, and my vision would 'go' for about 20 minutes.

On my 3mth check up I mentioned to my doc about the sharp pains and fluttering ( which I still get ) I had been having after the closure and he told me they were not able to cover the entire area as well, but I am due for another check up in 3mths so will see how things are then.
When I also mentioned I could 'feel' something where the device was located, he seemed suprised?... I left feeling unsure & frustrated, but after coming here and reading other posts, I found I wasnt alone.

Can i ask...do you or did you ever get quite tired with this?. 2 docs have told me it was probably due to the 2 holes I had.
Posted 6/18/2010 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, very tired! Which is very frustrating to me because I am a very active and athletic person. I'm also in tough spot because I moved halfway across the country for a better job, thus leaving my cardiologist/surgeon behind, so now I am trying to find a new one. I was so run down and my chest was giving so many problems that my husband talked me into going to an urgent care a couple of months ago....all they came up with was that my heart was having a slight arrythmia and, and as for the tiredness, they said maybe a bug....but it happens quite often when my chest gives me problems. I am hoping to find a new and qualified cardiologist here in the next week. Thank you so much for your response!!
Posted 3/3/2011 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
Question - did they suggest closure in the absence of a stroke? I'm a young, healthy active person who has a PFO and ASA and left to right shunting. I get aural migraines, syncope, fluttering and palpitations, dizziness, numbness, and pains on my left side. My doctors are not sure they want to do a closure, however. I have a friend who had a PFO and the same symptoms and is close in age and physical health and he had a stroke last year. Doctors didn't want to close his either. We're weighing between the benefits and risks of closure, but from all the literature, the threat of a stroke, amongst other things, seems fairly high with a sizable ASA and PFO. Can you please tell me what they've recommended for you and how they came to determine a closure was necessary? I would also like to hear from people about the different experiences from blood thinners vs closure.

Thanks!!!
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