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pfo closure and still very tired

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Posted 3/28/2009 2:06 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone, 

This is my first post and hoping someone may be able to answer this one.  PFO closure with an amplatzer occluder 3 weeks ago 3/4" hole leaking considerably at rest under anaesthetic  fenestrated aneurysmal septum and Cardiologist said was more of an atrial septal defect than pfo.  Symptoms prior were just migraines 3-4 a week with visual and odour auras and luckily a very thorough neurologist her referred me.  Also have fibromyalgia/hashimoto's/arthritis and I'm 43.  Had serious bleeding in recovery and they needed to knock me out again because I couldn't stand the pain of the burly male nurse's fists in my groin!!  Result was a huge haematoma and lots of pain  still causing some discomfort.  Main problem is I am so tired.  Needing naps at least twice a day and if I miss out I spend the next day asleep.  Could this be plavix (I was told to take in the mornings), the surgery or just everything else that's wrong with me?

Thanks Cass

Posted 3/29/2009 1:59 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Cass,

I think it's pretty normal to still be tired only 3 weeks out. I had my closure done last April 28th [large PFO/ASA] and it took me a good 2-3 months to finally start getting past the tiredness. I also had a huge hematoma and some other issues but no other medical problems. There are some people I know that recovered quite quickly and others like us where it took longer.

Posted 3/30/2009 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks CatMom,

Took a while to get back. Had to take my daughter for a violin exam on Friday (3 hr round trip) and my youngest to hospital on Saturday for minor surgery (6 hours) so Sunday and this mornng were spent in bed fast asleep! I'm a bit concerned if I'm ready for 10 - 12 hour shifts next week back at work. I think I'll see the GP tomorrow and see what he says.
Posted 4/11/2009 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
cassii- Hope this finds you better...I am 7 weeks out and had the same bleed problem you did. Big male nurse (who was an angel) trying to stop the bleeding...huge black bruise. It went away in two weeks but sometimes it can still feel sore along with my IV sites. I find myself bruising much easier and the bruises stay longer and are very sore. I take my plavix at night and have not had problems, though I am starting to wonder about the little burning feeling in my esophagus. Lovely to have another issue/worry, isn't it? As far as being tired all the time, I agree with CatMom5...we have had our heart manipulated and a device added, we should be tired :) Give it time, take your naps, make sure your family is supporting you and understands when you come home you need to rest. Fortunately and unfortunately, we are mothers...there is no rest to speak of :)
Best of luck...positive thoughts your way!
Posted 4/12/2009 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
My closure was prompted by a small stroke.  I had a PFO and ASD closure with amplatzer on 2/19, I was on atenolol before the surgery and 3 weeks after the surgery had a terrible near syncope episode while driving.  That scared me, I no longer take atenolol but still occasionally have dizzy spells.?? Almost 2 months post closure, I finally am feeling better which I didn't think would ever happen.  I lived 50 years with 2 holes so feeling different naturally should occur until my body adjusts.  My groin was killing me for about 4 weeks, but also is much better.  If I could resolve the frequent tachycardia and PVC's I think I'd be great.  There's always hope.
Posted 4/13/2009 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
I am scheduled for my closure in 8 days and counting, I also will have the Amplatzer device. I am similar to Tampaheart with the PFO and ASD closure. At the moment I feel pretty good, however I am sure as the day comes closer I will start to lose my cool. I have had a history of migraines for 20 yrs and last fall it changed drastically. I began to randomly fall down, shaky hands, slurred speech, extreme confusion and loss of side vision. Finally after extensive testing we found the problem in my heart. Its been a long road, but I can see the light. I pray that I can live a normal life again. My thoughts are with all of you that have gone through the procedure...If anyone has any helpful information to share, I would appreciate. Thanks:)
Posted 4/18/2009 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
mntlivin,

Good luck with your procedure! One thing I can say is that even though I've had some complications, I have not had one migrain since my procedure and it's been a year.
Posted 4/18/2009 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
This is my first post. It is nice to find others who have had this procedure too! Not feeling quite alone right now. I have a Helix device put in in June of 08. Went for 6 months having 3-4 small TIA daily and 2 that sent me to the emergency room. I had a stoke in 03 that I am still recovering from and another in July of 06. All and all, I am SO glad that I had the closure. I had another TIA in Aug after the procedure. They did another cath to check the device. It was fine, but it was not all sealed up yet. They continued me on Heparin for another few months. Went to see my cardio in Jan. They did an echo (I can not have a TEE because of a esophageal blockage). They did the bubble test and did not see any bubbles so......it is all sealed up. They ended up using a 25mm device. Said it was a nice size hole, about 8mm (the size of you little fingernail). I was awake through the whole procedure, found it very interesting. The second time, they must have given me more anesthesia and I was pretty much out of it. Both procedure I was out of the hospital that same day. They took me off the heparin and I only have to take one 625 aspirin day.

For you who have been a few months out after having the PFO closed, do you have any other problems? In the past week, I have been having pressure in my sternum, running down my right arm. I have also had numbness in my right side of my face, the same as I was before the procedure. My husband is a paramedic. Keeps telling me I should go get chck out, but I am so tired of going to the hosp. We do not have a good Nuero in town, so every time I have anything go wrong, the send me by ambulance 2 hours away to Mayo (that is where my Dr's are). so, is anybody else having any problems? Any pressure in the chest or numbness anywhere?
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