I have a couple of questions regarding pfo's and possible symptoms of them or strokes. I am a 30 year old female and have had odd symptoms for two years. They include pain in arms and legs, burning pains, twitching/jumping muscles, numbness and weakness in different areas, vibration feelings, etc. My symptoms come and go. I have been tested for many things and have had alot of testing including a spinal tap, mri's, evoked potentials, etc. The only thing that has showed up is four periventricular white matter lesions. MS has been something that can not be ruled out as many of my symptoms are like those of MS. I recently changed neurologists and he sent me for an echocardiogram w/ bubble study of my heart. He said some people can have a hole in their heart that may cause them to have small strokes. It turns out that I do have this hole and he is now sending me for a TEE test in order to clarify this and see the size of the hole as well as to see if it has some kind of floppiness to it that may put me at increased risk for stroke.

My question is can a PFO cause odd symptoms like this that come and go? Out of all of the tests that I've had the only thing that has showed up is the lesions on my brain and the hole in my heart. I am just wondering if this could be the cause of my symptoms instead of MS? Twice over the last 10 years or so I've had episodes of trouble speaking and loss of vision which I thought did sound like stroke, however all of these other odd symptoms I am not sure about. Any information regarding PFO's and their symptoms and/or if they could cause lesions from small strokes would be greatly appreciated.
leigha

Every child is born with a hole in their heart and it should seal by the age of 2 - unlike you and I. I had a pfo hole in my heart, it caused a severe stroke. i was 29 when it happened, healthy - i don't smoke, i don't drink, i don't take birth control, not overweight, no high blood pressure...there weren't any contributing factors for the stroke except for the pfo hole. it was detected thru an ultrasound. they discovered the size of the hole with a scope down the throat test. i also had the bubbly test before and after heart surgery. i can only say that the symptoms i may have had, looking back... chronic extreme fatigue, migraines, i believe i had a mini stroke several years before, but i did not go to the dr at the time, i just dismissed it as i was "tired", however, i had numbness and tingling in the right side and slurred speech. dr.'s have said that a stroke with the pfo hole could occur under strain, ie: bowel movement, & straining in other ways - wich was always amazing to me seeing how I birthed 4 children, was active in sports in school, etc.. i did have cath-heart surgery three months after stroke, and knowing the hole is "patched" makes me feel better, but i do still struggle with the 'mental after effects' of the stroke even will full physical recovery. It had been 5 years since the stroke, and because of the scar tissue on the brain (lesions) was aggitated (extreme lack of sleep) I had a complex partial seizure. You should look up seizures and look for those symptoms matching any of your feelings - maybe you'll find a connection somewhere. I have learned it is very important to go to sleep and wake in a routine, eat & take medicine on time! I wish you the best & if you have any more questions or want to vent look for me! I'm a researcher & the more you know the better you'll feel!