62 • South Australia
Return to work post PFO closure (PFO not done)
6 months
bush walking and return to work
PFO Closure
Pre admission clinic
PFO closure procedure - procedure stopped re not PFO
Hi Julie
I had a pfo closure in Feb 19 at stroke in June 18. Pfo was actually really easy and painless. Was really surprised. I was 41 when had stroke. I'm back at work part time in a limited capacity. Happy to chat now if you ever need.
You can and will do this
Hi Marj, Thank you so much for the info. They stopped the PFO closure procedure part way as they found that I don't have a PFO. I had open heart surgery when I was 14yrs old (many many years ago). There was some confusion as to what I had done, I think what they thought was the PFO was a patch done back then and the stitching bubbles a bit but not unless extreme exertion and not enough to be a stroke cause and require intervention. I am overjoyed not to have had this after all but of course was hoping it would be an answer so the search continues. I know there can be no answer sometimes :) Julie.
Hi Julie,had a stroke and PFO in 2014, Neve had ant trouble. In face I asked the sergon in recovery when I could excerise after it and he said tomorrow just not to hard to early. Every now and then they check it. I jog and ride a bike.
Hi Adam, great to hear you are doing so well, I hope to get back to Parkruns and bushwalking one day :) They stopped the PFO closure procedure part way as they found that I don't have a PFO. I had open heart surgery when I was 14yrs old (many many years ago). There was some confusion as to what I had done, I think what they thought was the PFO was a patch done back then and the stitching bubbles a bit but not unless extreme exertion and not enough to be a stroke cause and require intervention. I am overjoyed not to have had this after all but of course was hoping it would be an answer so the search continues. I know there can be no answer sometimes :) Julie.
Hi Julie,
Here are some comments from the Facebook stroke community:
Shelley Christie Hi Julie, I had a stroke May 2019 and 17 days later had a PFO closure. They found the hole while I was in hospital with the stroke and my GP referred me straight to a cardiologist who was amazing.
A young neurologist from the hospital did the what I call bubble test because he couldn’t understand why a 44 year old would have a stroke. Thank goodness he did. My cardiologist said at the time that there is a lot of bank n forth between cardio’s and neuro’s disagreeing about PFO closures and stroke. It’s very interesting.
I am still quiet fatigued but I’m reassured having the closure was the best decision for my future.
Best of luck and if you wish to chat further can always Private Message me.
Kristy Harrison I had a stroke February last year and the PFO closure done in May. As soon as I got the all clear from the cardiologist, I went back to the gym. First few Zumba classes took things slow and was nervous.......but there’s no stopping me now!!!
Good luck with your recovery Julie
Nikki Barker Hi Julie, I had a stroke in Feb 2019 at the age of 38. The first TOE (bubble study) did not show a PFO, but I got a second opinion from another neurologist and cardiologist, and a second TOE confirmed a PFO. I had the PFO closure in September 2019, and it was a very straight forward procedure with quick recovery. I have been bushwalking lots during lockdown! Good luck!
Tara-Lee Henry I had my PFO closure in October 2018. I stayed in hospital overnight.
Due to my stroke being a combination of PFO (not confirmed at the time) and pregnancy blood clotting - I had to wait 6wks after delivery for confirmation of PFO and we waited for baby to be a bit older in the hopes of managing better overnight without me.
Hard to explain my experience though... as my baby was 5 months old at the time after my surgery and she had a massive sleep regression after me being away at hospital for the night. So coming home to that I had to manage my recovery + massive sleep deprivation. May have prolonged feeling not so great....
I do recall feeling tender where they went in via the groin for a few days afterwards.
Karen Bayly Hi Julie, My experience of PFO closure surgery is that the recovery time from the surgery was only a couple of days. There was nothing in particular arising from this surgery related to goals to return to work or physical activity. All the best.
Kirsty Morgan Hi Julie. I had a stroke Oct 2017 and PFO closure Feb 2019. Stroke mostly confirmed as having been caused by PFO. I stayed overnight and was back to work after a few days. Back to exercise after about 4 days but did ease back in and I was pretty fit beforehand. I would say that over a year on I still have times when my heart will suddenly start racing, this usually only last a few minutes at the most and I understand is a possible side effect of having the PFO closure. But it hasn't really stoped me from keeping up with my fitness. Good luck and take it easy. 😁
Alison McKeown Yes, I had my PFO closure about 6 weeks after I had my stroke 3 years ago. A few days off work but within a week or 2 I was back to normal. No further issues since. It’s given me a huge peace of mind. I have a physical job so I’m on my feet all day and rushing around. Bushwalking should be easy once you recover from the actual operation 💕
Celia Hall I had a stroke in April 2019 followed by a PFO closure in July. I am a nurse and was back to work after a week. I had the occasional feeling of settling in - the odd pulse race or twinge which can be normal. Otherwise no problems since the surgery. My cardiologist encouraged light exercise for a few weeks and then back to normal with a bubble test at the six month checkup.
Toni Arfaras Hi Julie I had my PFO closure in 2017 and have done heaps of bush walks since then. I was out hiking about one month after the closure and have also done some hikes overseas.
ThierryNdiane Waroux Hi Julie, I had a stroke 11 years ago and had my pfo closure a few months later. All good no problems, I exercise when I can but still get tired, so I just do my best.
Kymberley Fedrick Hi Julie. Following with interest. My husband is nearly 8 months post stroke and is booked to have PFO closure next week.
Thank you everyone for the info and good wishes, great to hear everyone is doing so well. My PFO actually wasnt done in the end, the PFO closure procedure was stopped part way as they found that I don't have a PFO. I had open heart surgery when I was 14yrs old (many many years ago). There was some confusion as to what I had done, I think what they thought was the PFO was a patch done back then and the stitching bubbles a bit but not unless extreme exertion and not enough to be a stroke cause and require intervention. I am overjoyed not to have had this after all but of course was hoping it would be an answer so the search continues. I know there can be no answer sometimes :) Julie.
Fantastic goals that you've set yourself there Julie. I had a stroke just shy of 1 year ago (31 May 2019) at the age of 28 and had a PFO closure done in February 2020. I took it easy physically for the first month or so and still not pushing myself for the first 6 months (e.g., not lifting any super heavy weights or sprinting). I have struggled mentally more than anything before and after the procedure. I was super nervous leading upto the PFO closure and was very surprised at how quick, easy and painless it was and felt a bit silly about the anxiety I had been feeling. I was very chatty during the procedure. Be sure to rest for the first few weeks and take it easy for as long as you need. Here's to you to smashing your goals and leading a healthier life for yourself :)
Hi Vicky, thanks for your good wishes. Anxiety is such a big part of all things Stroke and medical stuff isnt it, I was suprised and pleased when I first joined Enable Me to read that I was not the only one and its normal.I have medical anxiety (PTSD) anyway and had a general aneasthetic but reading comments from others about how they had gone with PFO closure prior to my op really put me at as much ease as is possible. My PFO closure procedure was actually stopped part way as they found that I don't have a PFO after all. I had open heart surgery when I was 14yrs old (many many years ago). There was some confusion as to what I had done, I think what they thought was the PFO was a patch done back then and the stitching bubbles a bit but not unless extreme exertion and not enough to be a stroke cause and require intervention. I am overjoyed not to have had this after all but of course was hoping it would be an answer so the search continues. I know there can be no answer sometimes :) Thanks again, Julie.