**PFO closure? Pros and cons please! (good and bad feedback)**

I am a 29 year old with a PFO (hole in heart - patent foraman ovale).  It was found last year after I compained of dizziness, food sensitivities, palpitations, pains, sensitivity to brings lights and noise, bad constand headaches, migraines, severe tiredness, anxiety, depression etc.

I saw a cardiologist in the UK who found the PFO with saline injections, scan and a TOE.  Although he found the PFO, he did not offer to close it as I have not yet had a stroke.  (Which raises the question - WHY shoudl I have to wait til I siffer with a stroke befor I am offered closire??! isnt this awful? Do I have to be paralysed or unable to speak before I get closure?)

Anyway, I am now seeking the opinion of another cardiologist in London.  He specialises in PFO closure, apparently.  I am having to pay over £200 to see him.  What I want to know is, if he takes a different view and offers me closure, should I go for it?  Could it save me life??

I have alss heard of dangers of havings closure, mainly due to the fitted device being made of nickel and possibly causing problems to the patient later on in life.  Does anyone have any comments on this?

Id be glad to hear from people who have a PFO, those who may or may not be considering closure, and people who had already had their PFO closed.  I dont know whether I should push for the op to close the PFO, or whether I should stay as I am.   

Has anyone had the symtpoms mentioned the first paragraph, only to find that these all dissapeared after PFO closure?

All comments very welcome please.  And any advice please.  I am confised!!!!  MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE.  Vikki x 

bump

Sorry, Vikki!!

Let's try this again and I hope someone sees this!!

Big Hugs, Teri

Vikki,

 

How have you been feeling?  Any new symptoms, or problems going on?  I'm not sure if I've put this link up for you or any of the others with the PFO problem.  However, I thought it might be well worth reading, in any case.

 

I sure wish you the best, Vikki!!

 

Hugs, Teri

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3400/3454.asp?index=11626

 

Vikki, I wish someone could have given you the advice you need. I certainly know nothing about PFO. I hope that you can get the information that you need soon. It sounds like you have a proactive stance when you have an illness and that's a positive thing! Hugs, Kathy

HI Vicki as we have chatted with each other through E-mail.. Dont' have alot to offer .. I 'm in the study for the Implant and today was told I'm wasn't picked for the implant .. not much choices .. I did have a stroke without having any problems afterwards..
Now I'm asking to have open heart surgery to do the closure of the hole..
I feel I don't want to wait til the next stroke comes which may leave me in worse off than I am ..
I have heard from a few others on another board that had the surgery for closure not the implant and are doing well.. without thoughts of having another stroke in the future ..

hoping you the best ..
Dennis

Just stoping in to say hello . I will have surgery this Thursday for the closure .. open heart surgery ..
it si a relief to know that the closure will be done .. .
ty all for your support ..

Hi Dennis!

That was quite informative already!  Please come back afterwards and let us know how you did!  Perhaps give us some info on the recovery process for this surgery?

So you will essentially expect a hospital stay of about 5 days?  Do you know how often this procedure is done and did you have to go to a special hospital to have the surgery?

Dennis, Good Luck and I'm sending all my best wishes!

 

Big Hugs, Teri