Migraine Headaches Support Group

For me it's no so much how far to drive as it is the requirement to getting in the study. I live in the St. Louis area and St. Louis University was doing the study.

Oh, that would have been perfect! You should have told them you know you have too many migraines. That's why you want to participate.

Okay, this is a link that I'm taking with me to the doctor tomorrow: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20090216/ closing-a-heart-hole-may-help-migraines. It is the first thing that has given me hope in years. It actually made me cry. I pray that this is what is wrong with me and my doc will follow through with it. I want someone to fix me so bad...

Post edited by: suziqueues, at: 08/20/2009 02:59 PM

suzi, good luck! I hope they find and fix your problem. I know the pain of migrains and they aren't fun!

Kardie

Suziqueues,

This is quite interesting- kind of relates back to my migraine and other related issues? I do not have the PFO, but do have many leaky heart valves. Have you ever had an echocardiogram/ultrasound of your heart? I have this test every year, my heart valves do not open/close properly. It is probably a related issue...all of my valves leak- no holes. This is a quick test, about 20min.

Your physician should be able to order the heart ultrasould at your local hospital to determine if you have the PFO. I don't want to discourage you at all from that study, have you considered the Mayo clinic?

Good luck!~ I hope you are feeling better!

Suzi,

I had an echo a long time ago and I have mitral valve prolapse. This may be my problem. I'll have to bring it up again with my doctor. How did you you're doc appt go with showing the article?

Awesome! I am going to the #1 heart hospital in TX on Thursday morning for my ECG w/bubble. My doc is the most supportive man on the planet. He has been practicing as long as I have been alive, so he knows what he's doing AND he gets migraines occasionally, so he understands the pain. He says that there definitely have been conclusive studies that show a direct connection to migraines. He also said that anyone that is in as much pain as I am in should definitely have this checked out. He said the actual procedure to correct has been so refined that they no longer have to cut you open, rather they make a small hole somewhere and he said something about an umbrella... I don't know, I think I blacked out a bit there at the thought of actual heart surgery and couldn't really listen. My husband is happy to report that the surgery is considered "low risk" and, therefore, no big deal. I am just one of those people that believes whenever they put you under and start messing around with your heart, it is a big deal. Just me...

Suzi,

Glad to hear it. Hope they find what is causing your migraines. Maybe, there is some final relief down the road for you.

I'm with you Suzi! I'm very fearful of any surgery, "minor" or otherwise. I just don't like the idea of someone messing around inside me. If I have a near 100% chance of being cured, I might think about it. But I just don't think I have the guts to go under the knife for a maybe. But then again, I'm sort of a wimp.

Kat,

If it eases your mind any, this sort of procedure does not involve "cutting" you open. It can be done such as how a cardaic catheterization is done. It would still involve some sort of anesthesia, though.