Any doctor who performs surgery?

[asd_pfo_asa]

I am a 31 year old female with a 3 year old son.  Last year at this exact time I was hospitalized for 4 days with a "untreatable migraine".  Of course I had stroke symptoms but was never formally diagnosed through words or in writing.  Months and months later I am diagnosed through an EKG and TEE with having a PFO, ASD and ASA with right to left shunting (small).  I went to see a doctor who was suppose to be open to the idea of closing the holes, but he was more interested in throwing me into a research study.  I have suffered with severe migraines my entire life and I am having stabbing chest pains, dizziness and shortness of breath every day.  I am terrified that I am going to die and I would like a doctor to at least consider closure rather than repeatedly telling me "let's monitor the growth of the aneurism and size of the holes."  That doesn't make sense...I'm young and otherwise healthy.  Why not make the repairs now????  Does anyone have a doctor who is more willing to take an aggressive approach?

[cara007]

I am 41 years old, a mother of a teenage son & daughter, self employed,  extremely active horseback riding lover.  For as long as I can remember I have had sharp pains in my chest, fatigue & symptoms getting increasingly worse.  I got to the point of having anxiety attacks and shortness of breath.  My Dr. said  I had hypothyroid.  It was later dismissed.  Then I was said to have chronic lung disease.  That was dismissed.  I kept going back due to constant chest pain with sharp painful stabbing,  More attacks & shortness of breath.  They wrote me up as needy.  In Sept I was jumping my horse when I fell for no reason.    I had 3 broken ribs & dislocated shoulder.  The next day I was home alone, my husband had to work.  The second day he stayed home because I was vomiting.  The third day my Neurologist sister came out to visit me. Thank God!  I had a massive stroke.  I then ended up going to an excellent Neurologist whom my sister knew well.  He discovered that I have an ASA/PFO/ASD with severe shunting.  My lungs were filled with blood clots to the point that the Dr. is writing a paper about me for the Dr. journal.  Two blood clots had nearly blocked my pulmonary arteries.  I too was about to join a study program, but have refused to live on blood thinners, with chest pain, purple legs etc.  Just to be "watched".  I need my life back!  I have found a Dr. who is performing a TEE on me this Fri. 3-14-08.  They will see if my situation can be repaired  via a transcatheter device implant . If not, surgery will be my only choice.  Since I have already had a massive stroke reoccurance is high.  Write me back if you want more info.
Jo Ann    

[Atia_Julii]

I have a VSD, which is similar to an ASD, only in the ventricle.  I too have wanted a doctor to close my hole, and have heard of many procedures to do it. . . most notably, a procedure called double umbrella.  What my cardiologist (and I've seen a few, including the best at the Mayo Clinic) have told me that they will only close the hole depending on the size.  My hole is considered small, so surgery would pose a bigger risk.  

If surgery isn't being mentioned in your situation, I would hope it's because the doctors don't see it as a risk.

Hope this helps.