catmon, you are right about ways around the restrictions... it's called using "off label". It's why there are not many long-term followups in progress. :-(((...
I hope I didn't discourage anyone. I just think as with any surgery/invasive thing, proceed with lots of information and caution. The link between PFO and stroke is not well established as a...
I am not a doctor, but from experience I don't think a PFO contributes to your palpitations. The only concern I would have for what you say in your post is that your heart raced, which could be...
Congratulations Catmom :) I hope you continue to do well, and feel better every day. Please keep us posted on how you are doing....
Insurance companies are somewhat notorious for this practice. I heard from one doc that in the medicine world it's called "stalling", meaning an insurance company will deny the claim hoping that the...
I didn't have mine closed thru the transcatheter method, but you will see here that others have experienced the chest sensations you are having. Seems it is somewhat common. I have never heard of...
I had a PFO surgically repaired about 5 weeks ago (not the cath repair). I had 2 small strokes, severe light headedness, palpitations (PVC's). Mine was very large (1.5 inches) with a high degree of...
buffalo/amy. Hmmm about going thru the rib cage, seems they would still have to cut something to get access to the heart. I do hope they don't have to go in and remove that device. That would royally...
Amy, so sorry to hear of your struggles. I really hope you get this all under control. Brain attacks are horrible events. I also hope you see some recovery from your previous events. I am sending you...
Amy, good luck with your follow up. i have read your posts and about the device, but I am not up on the Gore-Helex one :). Sorry to hear about the pressure headaches. Very interesting, as I used to...
Hi CatMom, originally I did not want to have a permanent device inside my heart w/o a long history or established clinical trials, being pushed for expanded use. I entertained device closure, but...
Hey CatMom, you are doing the right thing by pursuing closure. They are able to close very very large defects now, so don't worry until they tell you they can't. Mine was 1.5 inches, and altho I had...
Hey neurogirl, what size is your PFO? I thought I had read 1-2 mm is considered small. are you on coumadin for your clotting disorder? It seems you should be, if not. (or an anti-coagulant). Aspirin...
dingby, a TEE is a transesophageal echocardiogram. It's a better method of looking at the heart than thru a standard echo. They sedate you, and pass a tube with sensors down your throat to your...
GreenT603a7, I don't know if you are still reading the boards, but I too am following the surgical route to close the hole. We know I have a very patent foramen ovale that swings wildly with high...