Hi I’m Tracey, I’m 48. I had a IS stroke in April 2024. One minute I was feeding the cat next thing I couldn’t speak or use my right hand, yet knew I was having a stroke. Husband and daughter got me to the hospital within 40 mins and I was taken from The Grange to Bristol for a thrombectomy within 5 hours. Spent 1 night in Bristol and came home. Luckily the only side effect I have a few muddled words but that’s few and far between now. My fatigue has now gone and I’ve given up smoking and do a lot more exercise.
I had a bubble echo 2 weeks ago where they found a significant hole in my heart (PFO) so have been referred to the cardiologist so just waiting to see if they are going to close it.
Has anyone here had the closure and can offer advice?
Hello and welcome. Am I right to think in your reading of nearly 700 posts youve come across advice on how to use the magnifying glass?
There’s a lot about PFOs and their response You can search for
It is often to treat with medication. where that is not the case it’s a fairly simple 30min operation that’s normally carried out under a general anaesthetic as an outpatient!
They do it through a catheter inserted at the groin. At home recovery is normally suggested at a week with an echo bubble test at a month (I haven’t had one)
Sounds as though you’ve had all the right interventions and investigations a and I’ve recovered pretty well (?) - if so I’m very glad for you
I forgot about the magnifying glass? I’m so sorry, my memory as well as words and spellling is what is rubbish sometimes. Yes I’ve had a full recovery as such, apart from the above.
@Tracey1012 Hi & welcome to the community. Sorry you’ve had a stroke but pleased to hear you are doing well. Sounds like the quick intervention of your family & the medical professionals made all the difference.
I’ve not had a PFO closure but from geating other’s experiences it seems to be a fairly quick procedure followed by a week or so recovering at home afterwards.
Hopefully you don’t have to wait too long for the procedure.
Hi @Tracey1012 just popped in to welcome you to the forum. I’ve no experience of PFO’s but from what I’ve read treatment seems pretty straight forward. So glad you are recovering well from your stroke and look forward to see you around the forum
