I am curious how old the members are who have had strokes which
resulted in a PFO closure.

Thanks!
Debbie

I am 34.  My neighbor went to the same doctor and she
is 38.

Mark

--- debjohnhagan <debjohnhagan@...> wrote:

> I am curious how old the members are who have had
> strokes which
> resulted in a PFO closure.
>
> Thanks!
> Debbie
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>




________________________________________________________________________________\
____
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I am curious how old the members are who have had strokes which
resulted in a PFO closure.

Thanks!
Debbie

Amy,

I have only had a couple of migraines with aura in my
life. After my workouts, I also get some weird visual
effects, but I am hypoglycemic and have always
attributed it to that. I normally notice more of a
"tunnel vision" like effect, but I have also had that
type of visual disturbance for a few of the migraines
I have had. I normally only notice it when I haven't
eaten well prior to running. I run at lunch time, and
if I miss breakfast, those are the days it is
noticeable.

I also forgot to say thanks to everyone who posts to
this board. I learned alot about PFO's and it helped
put my mind at ease knowing there are other people
going through the same thing.

Thanks,

Mark
--- Amy Brogna <amybrogna6@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi Mark,
> I am also glad to hear things are going so well.
> I have a question for you -
> you mentioned that you exercise a lot - I do too
> and sometimes after a hard workout I get an aura (
> like see squiggley lines and feel kind of funny).
> Does this happen to y ou at all after exercise?
> Thanks,
> AMy
>
> Violet Flame 11 <violetflame11@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi Mark,
> I'm glad to hear that you went to another doctor
> for a 2nd opinion.
> Good for you, it's great that you're feeling
> better now.
> Vi
>
> Mark <zellm_98@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I am a 34 year old man and have always exercised and
> been in very
> good shape. Last October, I had a small stroke while
> visiting my
> parents. I had a strange tingling sensation down my
> left arm and leg
> that lasted for about an hour. I never suspected
> that this could be
> anything serious. I thought perhaps it was just a
> strange migraine.
> I drove 7 hours home the next day and saw my primary
> care doctor, who
> thought it was a stroke and referred me to a
> cardiologist for a
> stress echo. I also had an MRI that showed a spot
> that was suspected
> to be from a stroke. The echo showed bubbles passing
> through a PFO,
> but the cardiologist and neurologist said they would
> do nothing for
> the PFO until I had another stroke. A neighbor had
> the same thing
> happen to her, and she was referred to the Michigan
> Congenital Heart
> Center at the University of Michigan. I went there
> in early
> December, and there was never a question of whether
> or not they would
> do this. They asked if I was ready for it, and it
> was scheduled for
> December 20. I was gone from home for a total of 8
> hours on the day
> of the surgery. On the 24th of Decmeber, I developed
> an arrhythmia
> for about 8 hours and spent the day at the hospital,
> but went home
> that evening. Outside of a bit of soreness in my
> chest, I can't
> really tell that anything happened. The hardest part
> to deal with
> was the psychological component of knowing I could
> have another
> stroke at anytime. Once I found someone who said
> they would close
> the hole, I felt much better. My brother-in-law is
> also an
> interventional cardiologist, so I had someone to
> talk me through the
> decision making process. It is a decision you have
> to make. There
> are risks associated with it, but for me it was the
> right decision.
> I feel like I have my life back.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The happiest people don't necessarily have the
> best of everything; they just make the best of
> everything they have.
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a
> more powerful email and get things done faster.

__________________________________________________________
Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection.
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Amy,

I have only had a couple of migraines with aura in my
life. After my workouts, I also get some weird visual
effects, but I am hypoglycemic and have always
attributed it to that. I normally notice more of a
"tunnel vision" like effect, but I have also had that
type of visual disturbance for a few of the migraines
I have had. I normally only notice it when I haven't
eaten well prior to running. I run at lunch time, and
if I miss breakfast, those are the days it is
noticeable.

I also forgot to say thanks to everyone who posts to
this board. I learned alot about PFO's and it helped
put my mind at ease knowing there are other people
going through the same thing.

Thanks,

Mark
--- Amy Brogna <amybrogna6@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi Mark,
> I am also glad to hear things are going so well.
> I have a question for you -
> you mentioned that you exercise a lot - I do too
> and sometimes after a hard workout I get an aura (
> like see squiggley lines and feel kind of funny).
> Does this happen to y ou at all after exercise?
> Thanks,
> AMy
>
> Violet Flame 11 <violetflame11@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi Mark,
> I'm glad to hear that you went to another doctor
> for a 2nd opinion.
> Good for you, it's great that you're feeling
> better now.
> Vi
>
> Mark <zellm_98@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I am a 34 year old man and have always exercised and
> been in very
> good shape. Last October, I had a small stroke while
> visiting my
> parents. I had a strange tingling sensation down my
> left arm and leg
> that lasted for about an hour. I never suspected
> that this could be
> anything serious. I thought perhaps it was just a
> strange migraine.
> I drove 7 hours home the next day and saw my primary
> care doctor, who
> thought it was a stroke and referred me to a
> cardiologist for a
> stress echo. I also had an MRI that showed a spot
> that was suspected
> to be from a stroke. The echo showed bubbles passing
> through a PFO,
> but the cardiologist and neurologist said they would
> do nothing for
> the PFO until I had another stroke. A neighbor had
> the same thing
> happen to her, and she was referred to the Michigan
> Congenital Heart
> Center at the University of Michigan. I went there
> in early
> December, and there was never a question of whether
> or not they would
> do this. They asked if I was ready for it, and it
> was scheduled for
> December 20. I was gone from home for a total of 8
> hours on the day
> of the surgery. On the 24th of Decmeber, I developed
> an arrhythmia
> for about 8 hours and spent the day at the hospital,
> but went home
> that evening. Outside of a bit of soreness in my
> chest, I can't
> really tell that anything happened. The hardest part
> to deal with
> was the psychological component of knowing I could
> have another
> stroke at anytime. Once I found someone who said
> they would close
> the hole, I felt much better. My brother-in-law is
> also an
> interventional cardiologist, so I had someone to
> talk me through the
> decision making process. It is a decision you have
> to make. There
> are risks associated with it, but for me it was the
> right decision.
> I feel like I have my life back.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The happiest people don't necessarily have the
> best of everything; they just make the best of
> everything they have.
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a
> more powerful email and get things done faster.

__________________________________________________________
Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection.
Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.
http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html

Amy,

I have only had a couple of migraines with aura in my
life.  After my workouts, I also get some weird visual
effects, but I am hypoglycemic and have always
attributed it to that.  I normally notice more of a
"tunnel vision" like effect, but I have also had that
type of visual disturbance for a few of the migraines
I have had.  I normally only notice it when I haven't
eaten well prior to running.  I run at lunch time, and
if I miss breakfast, those are the days it is
noticeable.

I also forgot to say thanks to everyone who posts to
this board.  I learned alot about PFO's and it helped
put my mind at ease knowing there are other people
going through the same thing.

Thanks,

Mark
--- Amy Brogna <amybrogna6@...> wrote:

> Hi Mark,
>   I am also glad to hear things are going so well.
>   I have a question for you -
>   you mentioned that you exercise a lot - I do too
> and sometimes after a hard workout I get an aura (
> like see squiggley lines and feel kind of funny).
> Does this happen to y ou at all after exercise?
>   Thanks,
>   AMy
>
> Violet Flame 11 <violetflame11@...> wrote:
>             Hi Mark,
>   I'm glad to hear that you went to another doctor
> for a 2nd opinion.
>   Good for you, it's great that you're feeling
> better now.
>   Vi
>
> Mark <zellm_98@...> wrote:
>       Hi all,
>
> I am a 34 year old man and have always exercised and
> been in very
> good shape. Last October, I had a small stroke while
> visiting my
> parents. I had a strange tingling sensation down my
> left arm and leg
> that lasted for about an hour. I never suspected
> that this could be
> anything serious. I thought perhaps it was just a
> strange migraine.
> I drove 7 hours home the next day and saw my primary
> care doctor, who
> thought it was a stroke and referred me to a
> cardiologist for a
> stress echo. I also had an MRI that showed a spot
> that was suspected
> to be from a stroke. The echo showed bubbles passing
> through a PFO,
> but the cardiologist and neurologist said they would
> do nothing for
> the PFO until I had another stroke. A neighbor had
> the same thing
> happen to her, and she was referred to the Michigan
> Congenital Heart
> Center at the University of Michigan. I went there
> in early
> December, and there was never a question of whether
> or not they would
> do this. They asked if I was ready for it, and it
> was scheduled for
> December 20. I was gone from home for a total of 8
> hours on the day
> of the surgery. On the 24th of Decmeber, I developed
> an arrhythmia
> for about 8 hours and spent the day at the hospital,
> but went home
> that evening. Outside of a bit of soreness in my
> chest, I can't
> really tell that anything happened. The hardest part
> to deal with
> was the psychological component of knowing I could
> have another
> stroke at anytime. Once I found someone who said
> they would close
> the hole, I felt much better. My brother-in-law is
> also an
> interventional cardiologist, so I had someone to
> talk me through the
> decision making process. It is a decision you have
> to make. There
> are risks associated with it, but for me it was the
> right decision.
> I feel like I have my life back.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
>
>
>
>    The happiest people don't necessarily have the
> best of everything; they just make the best of
> everything they have.
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a
> more powerful email and get things done faster.




________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection.
Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.
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Hi Mark,

I'm glad to hear that you went to another doctor for a 2nd opinion. 

Good for you, it's great that you're feeling better now.

Vi

Mark <zellm_98@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi all,

I am a 34 year old man and have always exercised and been in very
good shape. Last October, I had a small stroke while visiting my
parents. I had a strange tingling sensation down my left arm and leg
that lasted for about an hour. I never suspected that this could be
anything serious. I thought perhaps it was just a strange migraine.
I drove 7 hours home the next day and saw my primary care doctor, who
thought it was a stroke and referred me to a cardiologist for a
stress echo. I also had an MRI that showed a spot that was suspected
to be from a stroke. The echo showed bubbles passing through a PFO,
but the cardiologist and neurologist said they would do nothing for
the PFO until I had another stroke. A neighbor had the same thing
happen to her, and she was referred to the Michigan Congenital Heart
Center at the University of Michigan. I went there in early
December, and there was never a question of whether or not they would
do this. They asked if I was ready for it, and it was scheduled for
December 20. I was gone from home for a total of 8 hours on the day
of the surgery. On the 24th of Decmeber, I developed an arrhythmia
for about 8 hours and spent the day at the hospital, but went home
that evening. Outside of a bit of soreness in my chest, I can't
really tell that anything happened. The hardest part to deal with
was the psychological component of knowing I could have another
stroke at anytime. Once I found someone who said they would close
the hole, I felt much better. My brother-in-law is also an
interventional cardiologist, so I had someone to talk me through the
decision making process. It is a decision you have to make. There
are risks associated with it, but for me it was the right decision.
I feel like I have my life back.

Mark

 The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

Hi all,

I am a 34 year old man and have always exercised and been in very
good shape. Last October, I had a small stroke while visiting my
parents. I had a strange tingling sensation down my left arm and leg
that lasted for about an hour. I never suspected that this could be
anything serious. I thought perhaps it was just a strange migraine.
I drove 7 hours home the next day and saw my primary care doctor, who
thought it was a stroke and referred me to a cardiologist for a
stress echo. I also had an MRI that showed a spot that was suspected
to be from a stroke. The echo showed bubbles passing through a PFO,
but the cardiologist and neurologist said they would do nothing for
the PFO until I had another stroke. A neighbor had the same thing
happen to her, and she was referred to the Michigan Congenital Heart
Center at the University of Michigan. I went there in early
December, and there was never a question of whether or not they would
do this. They asked if I was ready for it, and it was scheduled for
December 20. I was gone from home for a total of 8 hours on the day
of the surgery. On the 24th of Decmeber, I developed an arrhythmia
for about 8 hours and spent the day at the hospital, but went home
that evening. Outside of a bit of soreness in my chest, I can't
really tell that anything happened. The hardest part to deal with
was the psychological component of knowing I could have another
stroke at anytime. Once I found someone who said they would close
the hole, I felt much better. My brother-in-law is also an
interventional cardiologist, so I had someone to talk me through the
decision making process. It is a decision you have to make. There
are risks associated with it, but for me it was the right decision.
I feel like I have my life back.

Mark

Hi all,

I am a 34 year old man and have always exercised and been in very
good shape.  Last October, I had a small stroke while visiting my
parents.  I had a strange tingling sensation down my left arm and leg
that lasted for about an hour.  I never suspected that this could be
anything serious.  I thought perhaps it was just a strange migraine.
I drove 7 hours home the next day and saw my primary care doctor, who
thought it was a stroke and referred me to a cardiologist for a
stress echo.  I also had an MRI that showed a spot that was suspected
to be from a stroke.  The echo showed bubbles passing through a PFO,
but the cardiologist and neurologist said they would do nothing for
the PFO until I had another stroke.  A neighbor had the same thing
happen to her, and she was referred to the Michigan Congenital Heart
Center at the University of Michigan.  I went there in early
December, and there was never a question of whether or not they would
do this.  They asked if I was ready for it, and it was scheduled for
December 20.  I was gone from home for a total of 8 hours on the day
of the surgery.  On the 24th of Decmeber, I developed an arrhythmia
for about 8 hours and spent the day at the hospital, but went home
that evening.  Outside of a bit of soreness in my chest, I can't
really tell that anything happened.  The hardest part to deal with
was the psychological component of knowing I could have another
stroke at anytime.  Once I found someone who said they would close
the hole, I felt much better.  My brother-in-law is also an
interventional cardiologist, so I had someone to talk me through the
decision making process.  It is a decision you have to make.  There
are risks associated with it, but for me it was the right decision.
I feel like I have my life back.

Mark

Hi Vi,

 

I had my stroke on President's Day last year and in May had a CardioSeal put in.  I had chest pain for about two-three months and now that has gone away and had complex migranes for about a month.  Now I feel perfectly fine and normal. 

 

Thank you! 

Violet Flame 11 <violetflame11@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi Denise,
I'm so sorry to hear about your stroke.  I hope that you are recovering well.  I have had 2 strokes, and because of that my doctor immediately closed my PFO when it was discovered I had one.  Just make sure that you get allergy tested for the device they implant into you.  I am allergic to mine and now I have to have open heart surgery to get it out.  I had the amplatzer implanted into me and it has nickel on it, which is a very common allergin for many people.  It has been causing me all kinds of problems like chest pain, heart palps, rashes, migraines, etc.  A simple skin test will tell if you are allergic to nickel.  I hope that they will be closing your PFO soon, it will eliminate your risk of any more strokes.

Let me know how you are doing.

Love,

Vi

 The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

Life is all about holding on and letting go.

---

Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from real people who know.

Hi Denise,
I'm so sorry to hear about your stroke.  I hope that you are recovering well.  I have had 2 strokes, and because of that my doctor immediately closed my PFO when it was discovered I had one.  Just make sure that you get allergy tested for the device they implant into you.  I am allergic to mine and now I have to have open heart surgery to get it out.  I had the amplatzer implanted into me and it has nickel on it, which is a very common allergin for many people.  It has been causing me all kinds of problems like chest pain, heart palps, rashes, migraines, etc.  A simple skin test will tell if you are allergic to nickel.  I hope that they will be closing your PFO soon, it will eliminate your risk of any more strokes.

Let me know how you are doing.

Love,

Vi

 The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

Interesting!  My echo showed "bubbles" crossing over, so there is
evidence of a shunt (hole).  They have called it a "redundant atrial
septum".  I am having a TEE to learn more about it on Feb. 13.

Debbie

What kind of symptoms were you experiencing?

Thanks!
Debbie

What kind of symptoms were you experiencing?

Thanks!
Debbie

Hi.. I am new to this board and have been just diagnosed. I have been
having alot of symptoms for about 3 mths. I went to the cardiologist
who ordered tests and had an eeg that found the hole. I am scheduled
for consult with the surgeon in early Feb. How exactly is the procedure
done and will I be in pain.. Anyone who has been through this, if you
could please give info .. I would greatly appreciate it.. Thanks

Tracy

Hi!  Did they say which seal they were using?

I have had a closure.  Let me know and we can talk.

-Denise


--- In PFOSupport@yahoogroups.com, "schaftra" <schaftra@...> wrote:
>
> Hi.. I am new to this board and have been just diagnosed. I have
been
> having alot of symptoms for about 3 mths. I went to the cardiologist
> who ordered tests and had an eeg that found the hole. I am scheduled
> for consult with the surgeon in early Feb. How exactly is the
procedure
> done and will I be in pain.. Anyone who has been through this, if
you
> could please give info .. I would greatly appreciate it.. Thanks
>
> Tracy
>

Hi.. I am new to this board and have been just diagnosed. I have been
having alot of symptoms for about 3 mths. I went to the cardiologist
who ordered tests and had an eeg that found the hole. I am scheduled
for consult with the surgeon in early Feb. How exactly is the procedure
done and will I be in pain.. Anyone who has been through this, if you
could please give info .. I would greatly appreciate it.. Thanks

Tracy

Hi! I am new to the group. I am a chronic migraine sufferer. I just
had an echocardiogram done yesterday. I am waiting on the official
results, but the technician said that I do have a hole in my heart. I
was discouraged to see that insurance won't pay for the procedure to
repair it unless I have a stroke.

I was curious if anyone has tried oxygen therapy to treat their
migraines??? One of the articles I read regarding PFO claimed that
the head pain is a result of some unoxygenated blood reaching the brain.

Thanks for your help!
Debbie

Hi!  I am new to the group.  I am a chronic migraine sufferer.  I just
had an echocardiogram done yesterday.  I am waiting on the official
results, but the technician said that I do have a hole in my heart.  I
was discouraged to see that insurance won't pay for the procedure to
repair it unless I have a stroke.

I was curious if anyone has tried oxygen therapy to treat their
migraines???  One of the articles I read regarding PFO claimed that
the head pain is a result of some unoxygenated blood reaching the brain.

Thanks for your help!
Debbie

It's hard for me to say if the surgery actually helped my migraines, as I am allergic to the nickel in the device.  The nickel is making the auto-immune disease I have, Lupus, go haywire.  So now I am in a constant Lupus flare, and I am throwing seizures left and right, and it's hard to really know what's going on.  When I have a seizure, sometimes I have a migraine too.  If I weren't in a Lupus flare, and I wasn't having a ton of seizures, perhaps I woulnd't be having so many migraine auras, who is to say.  I am not a good example of anything, except to make sure that you are not allergic to any components of anything that they put into your body.

kimsstay <cornerstone@arvig.net> wrote:

Dear Vi,
thanks for all the info and for sharing your story with me. Of course I need to quit smoking, that is pretty much a given. I just have to screw up the courage and set the date...

My PVCs are caused by low potassium, or that is when i get them anyway. The low potassium is caused by my Primary Aldosternism. The cardiologist I saw said they were of no concern and they really don't bother me unless I start getting a ton of them, then i know I better jack up my potassium quick!! I have been on Verapamil for years, so if it is helping the PVCs goodness knows what they would be like if I didn't take it!! Verapamil also does absolutely nothing for my migraines, and I know a lot of folks use it for a migraine preventative very successfully -- just doesn't work for me.

Did any of you suffer from migraines before the surgery, and did you find that the closure helped, or not?

thanks again for all your help and info!
Kim

 The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

Dear Vi,
thanks for all the info and for sharing your story with me. Of course I need to quit smoking, that is pretty much a given. I just have to screw up the courage and set the date...

My PVCs are caused by low potassium, or that is when i get them anyway. The low potassium is caused by my Primary Aldosternism. The cardiologist I saw said they were of no concern and they really don't bother me unless I start getting a ton of them, then i know I better jack up my potassium quick!! I have been on Verapamil for years, so if it is helping the PVCs goodness knows what they would be like if I didn't take it!! Verapamil also does absolutely nothing for my migraines, and I know a lot of folks use it for a migraine preventative very successfully -- just doesn't work for me.

Did any of you suffer from migraines before the surgery, and did you find that the closure helped, or not?

thanks again for all your help and info!
Kim

Denise,
thanks for the input, it really sounds like you have been thru a lot
for someone so young. I have no intention of participating in a trial,
there is no way I would be involved in a study where I might get the
'placebo'. See my reply to Dirk with regards to smoking. After losing
a parent because of smoking, I totally understand how you feel about it.

I am only interested in finding out where the PFO closure surgery is
in relationship to FDA approval. Also, wondering if there is any kind
of movement to make the surgery accessible to people BEFORE they get a
stroke?
Kim

>
>

Denise,
thanks for the input, it really sounds like you have been thru a lot
for someone so young. I have no intention of participating in a trial,
there is no way I would be involved in a study where I might get the
'placebo'. See my reply to Dirk with regards to smoking. After losing
a parent because of smoking, I totally understand how you feel about it.

I am only interested in finding out where the PFO closure surgery is
in relationship to FDA approval. Also, wondering if there is any kind
of movement to make the surgery accessible to people BEFORE they get a
stroke?
Kim


>
>

--- In PFOSupport@yahoogroups.com, "Dirk" <rkymtnautomation@...> wrote:
>
  Dirk, thanks for the reply and the tip on the website (quitnet.com).
I have been trying to get up the nerve to quit but haven't quite
gotten there yet. It is always encouraging to hear from people who
have successfully quit smoking! You know how hard it is and what a
huge part of your life smoking becomes. My brother said that quitting
was like losing his best friend!! But boy, the benefits are
tremendous, not doubt about it.

Thanks again,
kim

Believe me, if you are serious enough to put a piece of metal in your
heart to improve your health you better be serious enough to quit
smoking first. I know how hard it is to quit because I quit smoking
three months before my surgery and if you want to live bad enough it
really isn't as tuff as you think it is. I used www.quitnet.com as my
place for support and it definitely helped me through my first few
months and I recommend it to anyone quiting. Anyway, one day when you
feel sick enough, you will know what you need to do. I am not trying
to jump on you, you will make your own decision but I know what you
feel like because I've been there. Good luck. BTW you are right,
uninsured the average surgery runs between $20 - $30 K.

--- In PFOSupport@yahoogroups.com, Denise <goldilocks35@...> wrote:
>
> Kim,
>
>   I have had a PFO closure using the CardioSeal device.  I was able
to get around the study because I want to have children and can't be
on bloodthinners.  You can get info at the Cleveland Clinic website.
I am 28, and at 6 weeks of age- had a VSD repair and at 27, had a
stroke!  At age 23, my father died---guess from what- SMOKING.  When
I had my stroke- all they kept asking me was if I SMOKE.  I realize I
do not know you, and from living with my dad- I understand that some
people enjoy everything about smoking and they won't quit regardless
of their health issues---BUT KIM---re read what you wrote to everyone
in this support group.  YOu can expect to get on a trial with smoking
either---I mean---you want to improve your pain by going through
surgery---but yet you will put a cancer stick in your mouth while
putting a device in your heart---I agree with Vi- you need to analyze
your priorities---it will be difficult to get ahead with the doctors
if you keep smoking and try
>  to get on a trial.  My insurance did cover the surgery but my
explination of benefits from the insurance company showed that the
device was over $6,000---and the hopsital was $20,000---just in for
one night.  That didn't include any of the surgeons.  Also---a lot of
doctors have not used CardioSeal so I requested to have the doctor
two states away come and supervise the surgery.  The thing is---PFO's
are new in the health world---it is still be discovered.
>
>   Please know I am not meaning to attack---but I think if you stop
smoking,  a lot of issues would calm down a bit.  I know in my state,
they have some great programs and my insurance even covers programs
to help you quit...
>
>   Good luck to you!
>
> Violet Flame 11 <violetflame11@...> wrote:
>             You have to have at least one stroke before they will
close the PFO, or be having TIA's.  I also have pvc's and the surgery
only made them worse.  Have you tried Verapamil?  It will help
prevent migraines and calm down the pvc's.  It is a blood pressure
med, but it also dialates the arteries and helps keep the heart from
skipping beats.
>   You shouldn't smoke it's a HUGE migraine and heart palp trigger.
My Mom had pvc's for years, and when she quit smoking they went
away.  You're kidding yourself if you keep smoking.    I'd stop
smoking first, and see if that helps before I put a piece of metal
into my heart.  Once it's there, it's there for life.  If you aren't
having problems with blood clots then don't do that to yourself.
>   Good luck,
>   Vi
>
> kimsstay <cornerstone@...> wrote:
>       Hello, I am a new member who just found this site. I was
diagnosed
> with a PFO this summer but the cardiologist and my internist pretty
> much blew it off as no big thing ('a lot of people walking around
with
> PFOs, no problem'). I have been suffering from migraines now for 4
> yrs, a little over 2 yrs ago they became daily. still on the search
> for a preventative that will work but do not take any abortives
other
> than muscle relaxers, so have become an expert on dealing with pain.
> There are many days when the pain is so bad it makes my blood
pressure
> sky rocket.
>
> I also have hypertension (diagnosed about 11 years ago), very
> resistant to treatment. Diagnosed with Primary Aldosternism last
march
> at the Mayo. Besides hypertension, this also causes potassium
> deficiency, which in my case leads to lots of PVCs, which again I
was
> told not to worry about (the PVCs). I am on supplements and a high
> potassium diet.
>
> So here is my point -- (sorry to ramble on) because of my
> hypertension, plus migraines, plus I smoke (I know, I know, I should
> quit....), I am a prime candidate for stroke. Yet they won't do the
> PFO closure unless you already have a stroke? Do you have to have
> TWO!!?? That just seems like closing the barn door after the horses
> have escaped...
>
> Does anyone know the latest on this? Is there a website to go to see
> what the FDA current stand is?
>
> Has anyone had the operation who had to pay for it out of pocket?
How
> much was it? I was quoted '$20 to $30,000' just off the cuff. After
> that I didn't pursue the idea cuz that is out of my ballpark. Those
of
> you who have had the surgery, did you have a stroke (or two) before?
> Did you insurance cover the surgery?
>
> thanks for any input,
> kim
>
>
>
>
>
>
>    The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of
everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
>
>
>
>
>
> Life is all about holding on and letting go.
>
> ---------------------------------
> Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a more powerful
email and get things done faster.
>

You have to have at least one stroke before they will close the PFO, or be having TIA's.  I also have pvc's and the surgery only made them worse.  Have you tried Verapamil?  It will help prevent migraines and calm down the pvc's.  It is a blood pressure med, but it also dialates the arteries and helps keep the heart from skipping beats. 

You shouldn't smoke it's a HUGE migraine and heart palp trigger.  My Mom had pvc's for years, and when she quit smoking they went away.  You're kidding yourself if you keep smoking.    I'd stop smoking first, and see if that helps before I put a piece of metal into my heart.  Once it's there, it's there for life.  If you aren't having problems with blood clots then don't do that to yourself.

Good luck,

Vi

kimsstay <cornerstone@arvig.net> wrote:

Hello, I am a new member who just found this site. I was diagnosed
with a PFO this summer but the cardiologist and my internist pretty
much blew it off as no big thing ('a lot of people walking around with
PFOs, no problem'). I have been suffering from migraines now for 4
yrs, a little over 2 yrs ago they became daily. still on the search
for a preventative that will work but do not take any abortives other
than muscle relaxers, so have become an expert on dealing with pain.
There are many days when the pain is so bad it makes my blood pressure
sky rocket.

I also have hypertension (diagnosed about 11 years ago), very
resistant to treatment. Diagnosed with Primary Aldosternism last march
at the Mayo. Besides hypertension, this also causes potassium
deficiency, which in my case leads to lots of PVCs, which again I was
told not to worry about (the PVCs). I am on supplements and a high
potassium diet.

So here is my point -- (sorry to ramble on) because of my
hypertension, plus migraines, plus I smoke (I know, I know, I should
quit....), I am a prime candidate for stroke. Yet they won't do the
PFO closure unless you already have a stroke? Do you have to have
TWO!!?? That just seems like closing the barn door after the horses
have escaped...

Does anyone know the latest on this? Is there a website to go to see
what the FDA current stand is?

Has anyone had the operation who had to pay for it out of pocket? How
much was it? I was quoted '$20 to $30,000' just off the cuff. After
that I didn't pursue the idea cuz that is out of my ballpark. Those of
you who have had the surgery, did you have a stroke (or two) before?
Did you insurance cover the surgery?

thanks for any input,
kim

 The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

Hello, I am a new member who just found this site. I was diagnosed
with a PFO this summer but the cardiologist and my internist pretty
much blew it off as no big thing ('a lot of people walking around with
PFOs, no problem'). I have been suffering from migraines now for 4
yrs, a little over 2 yrs ago they became daily. still on the search
for a preventative that will work but do not take any abortives other
than muscle relaxers, so have become an expert on dealing with pain.
There are many days when the pain is so bad it makes my blood pressure
sky rocket.

I also have hypertension (diagnosed about 11 years ago), very
resistant to treatment. Diagnosed with Primary Aldosternism last march
at the Mayo. Besides hypertension, this also causes potassium
deficiency, which in my case leads to lots of PVCs, which again I was
told not to worry about (the PVCs). I am on supplements and a high
potassium diet.

So here is my point -- (sorry to ramble on) because of my
hypertension, plus migraines, plus I smoke (I know, I know, I should
quit....), I am a prime candidate for stroke. Yet they won't do the
PFO closure unless you already have a stroke? Do you have to have
TWO!!?? That just seems like closing the barn door after the horses
have escaped...

Does anyone know the latest on this? Is there a website to go to see
what the FDA current stand is?

Has anyone had the operation who had to pay for it out of pocket? How
much was it? I was quoted '$20 to $30,000' just off the cuff. After
that I didn't pursue the idea cuz that is out of my ballpark. Those of
you who have had the surgery, did you have a stroke (or two) before?
Did you insurance cover the surgery?

thanks for any input,
kim

Hello, I am a new member who just found this site.  I was diagnosed
with a PFO this summer but the cardiologist and my internist pretty
much blew it off as no big thing ('a lot of people walking around with
PFOs, no problem'). I have been suffering from migraines now for 4
yrs, a little over 2 yrs ago they became daily. still on the search
for a preventative that will work but do not take any abortives other
than muscle relaxers, so have become an expert on dealing with pain.
There are many days when the pain is so bad it makes my blood pressure
sky rocket.

I also have hypertension (diagnosed about 11 years ago), very
resistant to treatment. Diagnosed with Primary Aldosternism last march
at the Mayo. Besides hypertension, this also causes potassium
deficiency, which in my case leads to lots of PVCs, which again I was
told not to worry about (the PVCs). I am on supplements and a high
potassium diet.

So here is my point -- (sorry to ramble on) because of my
hypertension, plus migraines, plus I smoke (I know, I know, I should
quit....), I am a prime candidate for stroke. Yet they won't do the
PFO closure unless you already have a stroke? Do you have to have
TWO!!?? That just seems like closing the barn door after the horses
have escaped...

Does anyone know the latest on this? Is there a website to go to see
what the FDA current stand is?

Has anyone had the operation who had to pay for it out of pocket? How
much was it? I was quoted '$20 to $30,000' just off the cuff. After
that I didn't pursue the idea cuz that is out of my ballpark. Those of
you who have had the surgery, did you have a stroke (or two) before?
Did you insurance cover the surgery?

thanks for any input,
kim