I just had a PFO closure using the Cario Seal. I had two migranes
this weekend, and I had auras with these migranes. I wouldn't say
that PFO closures are an accurate cure for migranes. It might be
better to go to a neurologist and try other methods. Have you tried
keep a food journal and a stress journal to see what might trigger
these migranes?? I have found it is very important to keep track of
your own health, and it also helps when you go to speak to a doctor.

It may be discouraging, but from a 27 year old who has had two heart
surgeries and a stroke, it may be a good idea to try as many
different alternatives before doing the procedure. I am young but my
bounce back has been hard...I currently have 34 bruises on me from
blood thinners, I get severe tightness in the chest, and I am still
getting a bit light headed. My surgery was on May 23rd....

I hope all of this makes sense.

-Denise

--- In PFOSupport@yahoogroups.com, Violet Flame 11
<violetflame11@...> wrote:
>
> One of the things that you can do now, to prevent stroke is take a
vaso-dialator as a preventive for the migraine auras. I take
Verapamil, 480 mg sustained release, and that really helps keep the
auras away. It is also recommended that you take aspirin, or some
type of blood thinner to fend off any clots.
> Ask your neuro about the Verapamil, it's been a standard migraine
preventive for a long time.
> Let us know how it goes.
> Love,
> Vi
>
> nickcolwell <nickcolwell@...> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> With the new buzz about PFO and migraine, I decided last year to
see
> if I have a PFO. I've had migraines with aura since I was 14. I am
> now 37. My aura consists of visual spots, numbness in face and
> arms, garbled speech, and vomiting and then a whopping headache. It
> usually knocks me out for a day. I normally get 2-3 a year, which
> isn't as bad as some people get, but I would do almost ANYTHING to
> stop them.
>
> I first had a chest ultrasound and that wasn't conclusive. I then
> had a TEE and they found a small PFO. I talked to 2 cardiologists
> who could seal the PFO. The first wanted to close it, but needed
> proof that there has been some ischemic activity(stroke-like), but
> my MRI showed none. That was good because my aura seems stroke-like
> to me, because my symptoms are usually on only one side. On the
> other hand, he couldn't close the PFO due to the lack of proof of
> ischemic activity (FDA regulations).
>
> The second cardiologist told me that there were risks involved in
> closing a PFO and since the research doesn't show 100% that if I
got
> the PFO closed, my migraines would stop. He advised against closing
> the PFO.
>
> So, now I'm back to square one. I know I have a PFO, but can't get
> it closed. I still have migraines. I guess I will have to wait
> until more studies come out regarding PFO and migraine. If there is
> a clear connection between the two, then I will get it closed.
>
> In the meantime, the hospital where I got my TEE done has purchased
> a Trans Cranial Doppler machine. Since they knew I had a PFO, they
> invited me to try it out so the doctors could see a positive test.
> It worked and was much less invasive than the TEE. I would highly
> recommend the TC Doppler over the TEE for comfort sake when trying
> to diagnose PFO.
>
> Good luck, juggletax. Let us know what happens.
>
> Nick
>
> --- In PFOSupport@yahoogroups.com, Violet Flame 11
> <violetflame11@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi there,
> > My PFO was diagnosed by a bubble echo and then an TEE bubble
> echo. I'm not sure if the doppler is the best diagnostic tool.
> Anyhow, my PFO got closed because I have a history of 2 strokes. I
> don't think that the FDA is in favor of closing them in people who
> haven't had strokes. Are you connected with a research study that
> is doing the closures?
> > Vi
> >
> > juggletax <juggletax@> wrote:
> > In an effort to determine whether a PFO is causing my
> migraines with
> > aura, I had a TCDoppler. The results were invalid due to improper
> > protocol. I'll be getting tested again next month.
> >
> > It's good to know others have my same concerns. It would be great
> if
> > this whole connection pans out in a fix.
> >
>