Anyone had a PFO closure?
I finally got my doctor to order an echo w/ bubble test and today, I was diagnosed with a "medium sized" PFO. I'm pretty sure I'll go ahead with the closure procedure, but was wondering what to expect. Has anyone had this done? I've done some research, and my doctor has told me what he'll do; but I'm more interested in personal experiences and what to REALLY expect. Any responses (PMs or otherwise) are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bonnie
Just out of curiosity, were you having symptoms of some sort to cause you to request the tests?
is it covered by your insurance? just curious...
I don't think most insurance cover the surgery. The least expensive route is find a doctor that specializes in dive medicine, they give discounts. I overhead someone talking about having it done while I was at the NSS-CDS convention in Marianna and they were happy with it. As for me, I would pass on it if given the choice, well I probably would have it done if I was 20-30 years old.
To each, his or her own.
If cave diving were Star Wars, who would be Yoda?
The most obvious symptom was skin bends, but I can also elevate my heart rate very quickly without too much effort.
I doubt insurance will cover it, but it can't cost more than I have invested in dive gear, right? I'm going to investigate further before I have it done, but cost really isn't the issue. I'll find a way to pay for it. I'm 39 and not ready to quit diving or risk taking a nasty hit.
Bonnie
Bonnie,
I had closure 2/14, was out of the water for ~70 days and returned to active diving. (~100 hours on my meg since...)
Each insurance company will have different policies on coverage. My insurace, Aetna considers closure medically necessary for history of "cryptogenic stroke, transient ischemic attacks, or arterial emboli due to presumed paradoxical embolism through a PFO"
I had multiple type 2 hits, each with full recovery, due to the history it was covered.
By far the hardest part was even finding a doctor to perform the screening tests. Each Hyperbaric Doc DAN sent me to were more interested in running MRI's, Cat scans, Lung Function tests and X-Rays which all came back clean. I eventually got a Doc who dived alot... The procedure is not without risks, Saturation has written extensively on the subject, as someone without any major (beyond skin), I'm not sure if you'd fall into the recommend category.... Simon Mitchell had a pretty good chart at the CDS workshop in Marianna outlining the medical recommendations for screening, not sure if they also had one for closure.
The procedure itself was very straightforward, got at the hospital ~5am, prepped and paperwork for ~10am prcedure, back in my room ~11-12 kinda groggy. They asked me to stand ~1pm, not so good, in bed til 4pm where I was up and about. Overnight stay for observation and discharged the next am, had to take a cab to the motel (Doc was across the state.) where I stayed another night before driving back home. I was able to (and cleared to) workout that afternoon on an eliptical for ~20 minutes before the entry points started to feel a little raw. The next day I was back to an hour, I'm 34, and do cardio regularly.
No swimming or tub baths for a week to allow the entry points to heal up. Plavix and Aspirin for 3 months.
Feel free to PM w/ additional questions.
-Tim
PM Sent with info on how to contact Dr. Simon Mitchell.Originally Posted by JSNTP
a.k.a. Florida Cave Diver
PM sent.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...?artid=1336709
http://www.pfodoctor.org/pages/4/index.htm
A couple of good links to articles about PFO.
Sharon
Thanks to everyone - especially Tim - for the responses and PMs. I am doing lots of research and have contacted several diving physicians that were recommended for more information. It's nice to have such a great resource as CDF when you need it. Again, much appreciation to all!
Bonnie
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