Migraine

Hello!
I know its been a horribly long time since I've written here.
As many of you know, The PFO closure with the normal canadian route didn't happen, and for months now I've become sicker and sicker.

So, through a very fateful conversation, I managed to get the name of a cardiologist in Switzerland. And so, ever since late february I have been planning for this procedure.

I finally went! I left on the 24th of May and came back yesterday.

Never in my life has anything gone so smoothly. A 20 minute procedure, with only local anaesthetic, so I saw everthing!

Within 2 hrs I was walking around, and the effect was instant! Once I got rid of the migraine that I already had before the surgery, I have had no pain, dizziness, fainting, heart palpitations.

Indeed, I have never felt better and have done more activity in the past few days as I have in my entire life.

Such a feeling, to actually be tired and know that it's totally normal and that it doesnt mean you'll be in pain soon!

I feel quite literally born again.

I wanted to let you all know that for me, there was light at the end of a looongggg tunnel.

love to you all
Bim

I'm so happy for you, Bim! That's awesome news! Time to break out the happy dances! Keep us updated, okay?

Bim,

This is all quite interesting.

I have many questions for you if you don't mind?

Just what was this procedure?

How on earth does anyone afford to travel to Switzerland, let alone pay for the surgery?

Thanks Jamie!

Arabella, no I don't mind questions:-)

The procedure is called percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure.
They do it in the states, but it's rather tough to get at the moment, most places want you to have a stroke from the heart defect b4 they will close it up. Canada is sort of in the experimental stage of it, and once again say you have to wait for a stroke before they'll close it.

The effect it has on migraines is due to the nature of the defect. a "flap" if you will that opens up upon straining, causing unclean and unoxygenated blood to bypass the proper chamber and go straight up into the brain. The migraine is the brain's "response" to all the extra blood.

The Swiss cardiologists are of the opinion that the defects should be closed before any major damage has been done. I have already had a few "mini strokes" so my brain will still be fuzzy at times, and i'll still have some lack of feeling in my left arm, but I won't get worse!

As for how I was able to afford it? My parents in law dug into their savings and once I was there, we did everything as frugally as humanly possible! The procedure was 6500 swiss francs (a little more than 6000 US), we managed to get seats in economy on the plane for just over a 1000 US. When we were there, we took one of the most basic hotels, ate simply, and had a friend show us the ways to make the most of the country without spending much.

It was a sacrifice for my inlaws, but they really adore me and my husband seemed to be getting a little depressed and scared that I'd get too sick.

The surgery itself was done with 1 small incision, and a catheter(tube) in which the Amplatzer occluder was placed, then "opened" in place in my heart. The 18 minutes that I was in the operating room was mostly sanitizing and prep. The time it took to thread the device up to the heart and then place it, was amazingly only 2 minutes and 23 seconds! I was able to see the whole thing. There was no pain at any time, just 45 seconds or so of a very strong heartbeat when they placed the device. Everything was explained step by step, and my husband was allowed to watch from behind the leaded glass.

I count my blessings every day that I got the chance to go!

Bim

Bim,
I am so happy for you. You have a wonderful set of in laws who were willing to help you. You and your husband show great courage to go off to a forgien county to do this. It is so wonderful to hear positive results.

A dear co worker of mine had a stroke and they found the defect and closed it. Fortunately the stroke was mild and she has not had a migraine since the closure.

Enjoy every day. You certainly deserve it after all the pain you have suffered through.

Cindy

Wow Bim! That is such great news! Congratulations to you and kudos to your wonderful inlaws too!

- Megs

Oh Bim! Thanks for checking in and sharing your good news with us! Congratulations!!!



jenny