PFO Closure - Open Heart or Transcatheter

Sorry to hear of all you are going through.I am not sure if you are talking about the same thing i had done but i will try to explain to you what i had done,

What i had done in june of this year is called a Amplatzer Occluder.What they basily did was go through my groin and inplanted a device to block a small hole i had in my heart,usually they don't put to sleep for this but i was so nevous that they did.I think it took about 1hour and a half not really sure,I was in the hospital for 3 days.I had to take plavix for 3 months and a full asprin,I went in for my re-check up in septumber and i was told i could stop the plavix and only have to take 81mg of asprin.i am going to my heart doctor this month for my reg check-up.I have other health problem fibro/chronic pain and just had surgery on my neck 2 fusion,so my pain level is very high right now.

I was told all is ok and my last echo came back ok, so i guess everything is ok,and i have had no problem with the divice[knock wood] I guess everyone is different as i was lucky they didn't have to open me up.I know it is a very scary thing and i do wish you all the best and know my prayers and thoughts are with you.and if you have any questions i will be more then happy to help out any way i can,I might not know the answers but i will do my best to help you look for them,best of luck and just know i am here if you need  anything

Take care

tyler's granny

Glad i was able to be of some help,and i can understand your worry,i had never heard of this i had it done,and i was so very nervous,I am not sure when you are planning on having this done,but maybe you could ask if it is possiable to put you to sleep for this,if being awake bothers you,as it did me,,also from the way it was explain to me is that after 3 months the device is cover over with scar tissue and that protects it,and in most cases all you need to do is go for check ups every 3 months at first then you only go every year if all is ok. please know my thoughts are with you and please keep me inform.

Take care

Tyler's granny

HI NEUROGURL

sorry i just read your post.i usually post in chronic pain and i only come here now and then .

In regards to your question the pfo is real tiny about the size of apencil eracer.I had the pfo done last june. in my case the hole was very small .I was told it was best to have it done as it could cause blood to leak and might cause a stroke,so i had it done after my husband and i talked at lenght with my cardio dr,i was in the hospital 5 or 7 days something like that.I was on plavix for 6 months and after that i now only take a 81mg of asprin a day.I do go for echo every 6 months just to be sure everthing is ok and so far so good[KNOCK WOOD}}

I have ddd and so i get the next pain and arm pain now and then but i think it is due to that.as far as the chest pain goes i have not have any big problems with that.

I would say it took me about a good 3 months to really start to get my engery back.and i do have other problems not realated to the pfo or my heart.with me i think it was a good choice and while i will say i was scare and when it came time to have it done i was a mess.they usually dont put you to sleep for that they just sedate you but i was such a nervous wreck my cardio put me to sleep for it.so if you do decide to have it done that is something you can ask your dr if you rather be put to sleep.

Im am not sure if the size of the hole would determined the size of the pfo.ask your cardio as i would not want to give you any infro that is not right.I do know that my carido gave me a dvd to take home and i could see just what they were going to do.

in any case if you have any more question please feel frr to ask and i will be sure to check the heart forum more often,

best of luck to you and whatever you decide to do please know i iwll keep you in my thoughts and prayer's

tyler's granny

Hello Winifred, Welcome to Healing Well forum we are happy to have you join us here.  I dont know much regarding PFO's as I dont have this disorder of the heart.  I have Sick Sinus Syndrom, Bradycardia (pacemaker implant) and a Ventricular Septal Defect.

I hope other members who have had this procedure will post so you will have some insight as to what you can expect and what others have experianced.  I have pulled up some information on PFO's for you though...the one from Barnes Jewish Hospital has some good information.  They are here in Missouri where I live and they are pretty much up on heart related issues.  I hope you do post again...HW is a great resource for support and information so feel free to come back.  Take care

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1766.htm

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

http://www.barnesjewish.org/groups/default.asp?Navid=1323

Yes they  are pretty common and odd how many people live with them and dont know they actually have one.   Welcome to the forum jjhuff, I hope you find the information and advice here helpful.  Please do feel free to post as often as you like.  The members here are always ready to help out.

Let us know how things go.  Take care

I have only just seen this after posting a new topic.......... so sorry all of you that are gong through the same as me, but for me it is a relief that i can actually talk to tothers   My hole is over an 1 inch and is facing my lung so blood could go into my lung . i have only just found out the size. apparantley i was born with it but now i am getting complications. i don't want to repeat myself as i have already posted a topic. But i am scared of the procedure.

I do not know any one that has had it done or how they felt. my consultant talks as though it is a walk in the park.............. love to know which park he walks in lol

I am pleased i never knew or my life would have been so different, i have rode horses since i was five and still have 2, i love dancing, walking on the beach ( never been able to run or jog unless someone was chasing me lol ) i am very active although i get tired more now i get palpitations but not as bad now i am on antacid tablets ( they work for me!) i get slightly breathless too, but i still work full time and look after a family and my 2 horses.

iam so pleased there are sites like this and maybe some one can help me make the decision to have closure done or not?

What are the side effects of having this done? how will i feel after? wouldnt it be better to leave it alone and go for monitoring?.......... (loads of questions) 

He thinks this is nothing and there is nothing to worry about............. i just think it could go wrong.

You sound like me you have a zest for life. maybe you are right. I am due to see my consultant this month and know i need to give him an answer.

Sorry for going on but this is really freaking me out. x    

I can't imagine how you felt, you are younger than me your children are younger than mine, you had a stoke and were lucky to come through. You must have been so scared to know that you had a stroke at such a young age. you sound like me you love life and don't take it for granted?

I have 2 heart consultants, i have to see the other one on tuesday ( he is my local one and not the one who wants to do the procedure ) i know i will have to make make my mind up then.............. i also have an interview the next day for a new job that i really want, they know about my medical back ground only cos' i told them............. why does life throw these obsticals in? or do we make them bigger than they are?

Take care Mamanuss ( by the way what does that mean? Dinby is my signiture who is my miniture horse lol little horse with big heart!) x