18 months ago I had two undeserved hits. The second hit they put my in the chamber for 6 hours to err on the side of caution. Since that was nowhere near as fun as I thought it would be I requested an appointment with are cardiologist to check for a PFO and 6 months later, walla - PFO. After debating for another 6 months if I wanted to close it or quit diving, I went for the closure. This took place last Tuesday. I opted to stay awake for the operation hoping to go home later.
Going into the procedure I had extreme anxiety which showed itself in the form of physical tremors. They gave me valium via IV and I was able to relax watch and watch along on the big screen. Procedure took about 30 minutes and was textbook. The opening was measured and the device was placed via the RH main artery in my groin. At the time of placement a camera like a boroscope roughly the same as a straw in diameter was placed down my throat. This was premised with bubblegum flavor numbing spray and was a not TOO terrible experience.
After the procedure I had to lay flat for two hours, and then sitting in the bed for two more hours. I had several cardiograms in this time. Everything was fine. After this I was able to get dressed and sit in a chair. Around this time the numbing at the incision site started to wear off. You wouldn't think that such a small incision would be so painful and I didn't register the pain mentally but my body did and my bloodpressure dropped to 78/60 and I passed out. When I woke up I was nauseous and couldn't keep food or water in so they decided to keep me overnight.
Around 9PM and several paracetamols later I had eaten and felt much better and was able to leave the following morning with no further problems.
QUESTION FOR OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD PFO CLOSURE:
My current complaint is that I feel listless. I have a hard time attributing this to the surgery, and suspect it is the medication but when I look on Dr. Google it's not really a side effect. I'm on dual anti-platelet therapy, Clopidogrel and aspirin. Has anyone else had this tiredness after PFO closure and how long did it last?
Meanwhile, can't wait to dive again.
Going into the procedure I had extreme anxiety which showed itself in the form of physical tremors. They gave me valium via IV and I was able to relax watch and watch along on the big screen. Procedure took about 30 minutes and was textbook. The opening was measured and the device was placed via the RH main artery in my groin. At the time of placement a camera like a boroscope roughly the same as a straw in diameter was placed down my throat. This was premised with bubblegum flavor numbing spray and was a not TOO terrible experience.
After the procedure I had to lay flat for two hours, and then sitting in the bed for two more hours. I had several cardiograms in this time. Everything was fine. After this I was able to get dressed and sit in a chair. Around this time the numbing at the incision site started to wear off. You wouldn't think that such a small incision would be so painful and I didn't register the pain mentally but my body did and my bloodpressure dropped to 78/60 and I passed out. When I woke up I was nauseous and couldn't keep food or water in so they decided to keep me overnight.
Around 9PM and several paracetamols later I had eaten and felt much better and was able to leave the following morning with no further problems.
QUESTION FOR OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD PFO CLOSURE:
My current complaint is that I feel listless. I have a hard time attributing this to the surgery, and suspect it is the medication but when I look on Dr. Google it's not really a side effect. I'm on dual anti-platelet therapy, Clopidogrel and aspirin. Has anyone else had this tiredness after PFO closure and how long did it last?
Meanwhile, can't wait to dive again.
