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PFO closure ~ new member

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Posted 7/7/2010 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hey All,
I'm a 54 year old male. Had a TIA in 2003, Massive strokes in 9/2009 and 4/2010. PFO discovered in 9/2009 but procedure to close at that time was not recommended. Plavix prescribed. Had another stroke in 2010. PFO closure now recommended and the procedure will be done 7/30/2010. Fortunately, my deficits haven't robbed me of my independence. I still drive, work and dress myself. I'm not 100% but I can still walk unaided and talk. Balance not where it should be. My only concern is that my cardiologist and neurologist don't communicate. I find that its left up to me. I do it because I think it needs to be done.

My current question is after my PFO closure when can I expect to go back to work. My job doesn't require heavy lifting but a full day of walking on unlevel ground. Thanks

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 7/7/2010 8:06:18 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/7/2010 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Just found an answer on this site linking me to the cleveland clinic. Looks like about a week after closure I can go back to work.
Posted 7/7/2010 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
I had an ASD closure about 6 weeks ago. My procedure was done on a Thursday and my doctor said I could go back to work as early as that Monday, but I took a week off. I was still pretty tired, but able to work after a week. Unfortunately I had some complications (not exactly from the surgery itself, more my body just throwing me a few curve balls, med reactions, etc.), and had to take some more time off work after a couple of weeks.

I hope your procedure goes well. It sounds like you're definitely due to have that repaired.
Posted 7/7/2010 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Noah and welcome to HealingWell.


I am glad you found answers to your questions here and also great input from Mindbottling.



Kindly,

Kitt
Posted 7/13/2010 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Saw my neurologist today. He says that the PFO closure will not guarantee I won't have anymore strokes. I guess I know that but its a piece of the puzzle that may need correcting anyways.
Anybody else had strokes then a PFO closure. Any more strokes?

Just a little more background info. Before my 2009 stroke I had just lost 82 pounds. Didn't lose it to prevent strokes, just to look better. I have no trepidation or anxiety of my upcoming procedure. I would do it now if I could. Well since my strokes I've gained 20-25 pounds. Back to my diet.

Post Edited (Noah Body) : 7/12/2010 9:36:11 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/31/2010 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Had my PFO closed yesterday (7/30/10) at Childrens Hospital in Columbus, OH by Dr. Ralf Holzer. I'm home today. He used an Amplatzer cribriform 25 mm. I was knocked out completely. Woke up about 1 -2 hours later. No pain or discomfort even the second day. Good appetite. I need to add aspirin for 6 months to my plavix. Had a X-ray, ekg, echo cardiogram and bubble test prior to discharge. Dr. and tech saw no leaks/bubbles. Dr. said it fits well. Will see my cardiologist at OSU for a follow up. Dr. says he expects full closure in 6 months. This has been a good experience. Back to work in 2 weeks. Current thought is PFO closure is no guarantee of future strokes. Maybe the placebo effect will kick in. If this isn't the answer what else is there. Anybody got any ideas?
Thanks!

Post Edited (Noah Body) : 8/1/2010 1:03:21 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/23/2010 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Noah,

My Dad had suffered 3 strokes by age 59 (all within 18 months) and lost all peripheral vision. He had his PFO closed three years ago and has been stroke free since. I am his daughter and had the surgery a year ago. I suffered from severe migraines that have been completely eliminated. Wish you well in your recovery. This surgery has been a huge blessing for my family and I hope it will be for you as well.
Posted 8/27/2010 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I have been diagnosed with a "med." size pfo. I really am torn about what to do. When in stressful times and w/o good blood pressure control, I feel like my lungs are full and cannot get a deep breath. Any advice?
Posted 8/27/2010 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
worriedpfo

Hello and welcome.  What does your  Cardiologist suggest ?

Posted 9/1/2010 7:31 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Noah:  I've had 2 TIAs and a stroke.  TIAs weren't clearly TIAs at the time because no obvious cause (no risk factors inc no plaque in vessels, tests indicated no PFO), but I was put on baby aspirin (ASA)-proven as adequate as full-strength ASA-after the 2nd episode last fall, 2009. 

I had a stroke 2 weeks ago, so now on warfarin to hopefully prevent more.  And repeat echo w/bubbles clearly showed PFO-the first tests done last fall were flawed.  Interestingly I developed daily headaches about 1-1/2 year ago, but no one picked up on that relationship to PFO. 

Docs are not recommending closure now, although I have appt for 2nd opinion in a month.  It's all so confusing.  Studies are inconclusive about which is best approach.

If you want to eliminate plaque from your vessels, look at Dr McDougall's diet  www.drmcdougall.com  It's a healthy lifestyle change where you lose weight as a side-effect of gaining total health.

Is OSU Oregon State University?

Posted 9/13/2010 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm 41 years old and had a 10 minutes TIA in July, when the ER discovered the PFO. I've also been suffering from migraine-headaches and "regular" headaches most of my life. I'm on 325 mg aspirin since the TIA and while the first cardiologist told me to wait and see if I have more TIAs before considering closure, the second opinion one strongly recommended it. Well, cardiologist #1 does not perform the procedure while #2 does...So, given all the skepticism and controversy about PFO closure, I'm trying to figure out if our US docs are over-killing it or if I should go ahead with it.

What do you guys think ?
Thanks :-)
Frenchanna
Posted 9/22/2010 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
There's a great article on the Cleveland Clinic's website by Dr. Richard Krasuski titled, "When and how to fix a 'hole in the heart':  Approach to ASD and PFO.  I would suggest anyone with a PFO confused about closure or not to read it.  It can be downloaded and printed.
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