Aa
PFO
I am a 54 year old caucasian male that has recently been diagnosed with cerebral vascular disease, they also found that I have a dilated aorta, a PFO, and have been having TIAs. What would be the best course of action to take at this time. Should I consider a PFO closure?
That's a great story. I am happy for you. I am also hoping to get my PFO closed. Which device did you have put in if you don't mind me asking.
I have no experience or knowledge about any of your conditions, other than I had my PFO closed, and I can share my experience with you, if it would be helpful.
Before we know about my PFO, I, too had some TIA's. Then one day I was feeling 'off', so I went to bed. While sleeping, I had a stroke -- tingly numbness on my left side; no other real symptoms. I wasn't sure what had happened, actually. But I knew having one side of my body feeling so differently from my other side was not good.
I went to the hospital; they treated me for a heart attack, and did an angioplasty which showed everything was perfect. They did a zillion tests, and eerything looked great. Well, they didn't do a TEE. After my internist ordered the TEE and the PFO was identified, it really showed me how lucky I was to have found the PFO. I mean, geez - the cardiologists were IN my heart during the angio and didn't see it -- but I guess that's because they were looking for a heart attack cause. Well, their heart attack diagnosis was wrong. I did NOT have a heart attack, but rather I had a stroke from having a blood clot go THROUGH my PFO to my brain (first stop after the heart). That is what had been causing my TIA's and eventually the stroke. They also found (during pre-PFO closure blood work) that I had a blood mutation inherited from my mom - called Leiden Factor V (five). It predisposes me to blood clots. Swell!
I had the PFO closure (so easy! Painless, 30 minutes or less to do; I was awake and watching. I had 12 to 24 hours of laying flat afterwards, but that was it. I took Plavix for 6 months, and keep annual appointments with my cardiologist). After having gone through this, I would recommend a PFO closure to anyone -- the side effect of no more headaches and no more migraines - EVER - has been such a blessing.
Given that I don't know anything other than my own experience, I'd sure talk with your doctor about what's best for you. Trust your instincts - you know when you really connect with your doctor, and you know what your body feel like and how it's different. For me, my only regret is we didn't find -- and CLOSE -- the PFO years eariler. It would have been so wonderful, to have felt better so much earlier. I had about 10 years of difficulty breathing, easily getting tired, headaches for 40 years, migraines for 40 years (I'm 53 now, and had the closure last year.) For me, the only side effects are wonderful ones! Six months of taking Plavix and aspirin, and that was it.
Good luck to you; I hope you feel as good as I do very soon.
Before we know about my PFO, I, too had some TIA's. Then one day I was feeling 'off', so I went to bed. While sleeping, I had a stroke -- tingly numbness on my left side; no other real symptoms. I wasn't sure what had happened, actually. But I knew having one side of my body feeling so differently from my other side was not good.
I went to the hospital; they treated me for a heart attack, and did an angioplasty which showed everything was perfect. They did a zillion tests, and eerything looked great. Well, they didn't do a TEE. After my internist ordered the TEE and the PFO was identified, it really showed me how lucky I was to have found the PFO. I mean, geez - the cardiologists were IN my heart during the angio and didn't see it -- but I guess that's because they were looking for a heart attack cause. Well, their heart attack diagnosis was wrong. I did NOT have a heart attack, but rather I had a stroke from having a blood clot go THROUGH my PFO to my brain (first stop after the heart). That is what had been causing my TIA's and eventually the stroke. They also found (during pre-PFO closure blood work) that I had a blood mutation inherited from my mom - called Leiden Factor V (five). It predisposes me to blood clots. Swell!
I had the PFO closure (so easy! Painless, 30 minutes or less to do; I was awake and watching. I had 12 to 24 hours of laying flat afterwards, but that was it. I took Plavix for 6 months, and keep annual appointments with my cardiologist). After having gone through this, I would recommend a PFO closure to anyone -- the side effect of no more headaches and no more migraines - EVER - has been such a blessing.
Given that I don't know anything other than my own experience, I'd sure talk with your doctor about what's best for you. Trust your instincts - you know when you really connect with your doctor, and you know what your body feel like and how it's different. For me, my only regret is we didn't find -- and CLOSE -- the PFO years eariler. It would have been so wonderful, to have felt better so much earlier. I had about 10 years of difficulty breathing, easily getting tired, headaches for 40 years, migraines for 40 years (I'm 53 now, and had the closure last year.) For me, the only side effects are wonderful ones! Six months of taking Plavix and aspirin, and that was it.
Good luck to you; I hope you feel as good as I do very soon.
At this point, the doctors are not sure what the best option would be. They are contacting a major heart clinic for information and suggestions.
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