Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)

[Driller]

Anybody got this, had the echocardiogram with contrast medium?

Just found out I've got it, and pissed off too, this is fking bullst!

The contrast medium was fun: IV needle in arm and then drip and 2 syringes connected and held by nurse whilst radiologist blokey did his stuff. I say to nurse jokingly "no air bubbles please" and she goes "oh yeah, I have to inject air in with one syringe but they're only small bubbles so don't worry"

So whilst he's doing the echo, she's pumping up and down on these syringes...

Anyway apparently there is no indication to close it..unless I have a stroke which apparently is more likely with a PFO before the age of fifty

Anyone have any knowledge about this?

[troc]

I think a PFO (Unless it's huge) is only really an issue if you are a SCUBA diver as it seriously increases the risk of the bends. In fact as far as I can remember, knowing you have one means you can't fill out a self-assessment form and won't be allowed to dive.

However, if you wanted to dive, the operation to fix the hole isn't that serious these days and pretty routine.

Have a look here

http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/dive-medici...

It's diving-specific but there's lots of chat about PFOs in general.

[Driller]

Thanks for the info and the link. I don't know how big it is yet but don't intend doing any scuba.

The doc said it opened on coughing etc (valsalva) so now I'm thinking gym is going to be out

[MacGee]

As long ss it doesn't affect your drinking...oops drilling hand.

[Driller]

One may lead to the other...

[numtumfutunch]

what made you go and see a doc about it and what made your doc make you go and see a cleverer doc??

ie what symptoms were you having from it???

(mate has severe migraine which lead to their diagnosis)

[Driller]

Problem with breathing sometimes at night, leading to a sleep study which was all fine except for O2 levels down to 83% but no apnoea. This suggested PFO hence the test.

No migaines but I understand this can be a symptom.

I've now read that up to 25% of the population may have this undetected but there's still a lot of study to be done.