[johnmaneely]

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Hi, I heard of a couple of DCI incidents in my area last year that were both due to a PFO. I believe that its is quite a large percentage that is affected with the problem, which can be repaired. I myself undertake some fairly deep diving and was thinking it may be a good idea to have a check done as a matter of course. I do have private health care and was wondering if anyone else has been referred by their GP to have the check done because they thought it a good idea? I have had a HSE medical with no problem, though I think the test for a PFO is something quite different to whats included in the medical.

 

[Hyperbaric]

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<font color='#0000FF'>John,

I'm not sure if your private health care would cover the cost of a PFO test as having one without symptoms is not a health problem (around 25% have one). It is for this reason that you cannot get a test "just in case" on the NHS - which I think everyone would agree is quite sensible considering the lack of resources. Diagnosis is not 100% accurate, either.

I think the cost of getting a test done is around £200, could be wrong though. That is for Trans-Thoracic Echocardiography (TTE) which is non-invasive - very similar to an ultrasound during pregnancy.

Also, if you find that you do have a significant PFO, the repair will cost even more. And although relatively safe, it is still heart surgery!

If you do get bent, then you can get the test on the NHS for free  

 

[peter k]

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HB,
     Does the NHS repair 'em for free as well or do you need to go private for that bit?


Peter

 

[Hyperbaric]

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<font color='#0000FF'>Peter,

Fairly certain that the NHS only covers the cost of the test... but I will ask the docs here. Keep your fingers crossed  

 

[johnmaneely]

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Thanks for the advice, Just hope I never get a bend to justify having the test.

 

[Helen F H]

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<font color='#000080'>I was told i would have to get bent to find out if i have a PFO, even though i have had two incidents of "possible" bends following dives (wasnt seen by a doc who had ever seen a diver)

Nice huh?

 

[Phill]

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Quote[/b] (peter k @ Feb. 04 2004,13:26)]HB,
     Does the NHS repair 'em for free as well or do you need to go private for that bit?


Peter

? You don't do you ?

 

[Doug Parker]

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Wahaaaaaay.  I've just got a letter from The cardiothoracic dept in Liverpool telling me that my PFO closure is 24th February.  I'm going to start gibbering now as this means i can get on with some proper diving and stop poncing about at less than 32m.  And it's not costing me a penny, i knew there was a reason for paying National insurance contributions.  Apparently the surgeon doing it is the expert that Wilmshurst trusts to do it properly.  I don't want any deep medical explanations off any of you lot giving me all the gory details of what's going to happen, i'll be unconcious so i couldn't give a shit.  And i still get to do Stoney on the 21st (tempting fate or what) with you lot.  

Adrian. I didn't ask for this bloke, i got sent to him rather than finding out who was the best person for the job during a conversation down the pub.

 

[722]

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Quote[/b] (DougParker @ Feb. 05 2004,07:19)]Adrian. I didn't ask for this bloke, i got sent to him rather than finding out who was the best person for the job during a conversation down the pub.

Hope all goes well Doug

 

[peter k]

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Quote[/b] (Adrian Kelland @ Feb. 05 2004,07:42)]

Quote[/b] (DougParker @ Feb. 05 2004,07:19)]Adrian. I didn't ask for this bloke, i got sent to him rather than finding out who was the best person for the job during a conversation down the pub.

Hope all goes well Doug

I'll second that !

Peter

 

[peter k]

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Quote[/b] (Phill @ Feb. 04 2004,23:13)]

Quote[/b] (peter k @ Feb. 04 2004,13:26)]HB,
     Does the NHS repair 'em for free as well or do you need to go private for that bit?


Peter

? You don't do you ?

I don't what Phill? Have one, get one repaired for free or go private?

Peter

 

[peter k]

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Once again that glorious institution that is our National Health Service makes an arse of it.
This morning;
Doc-Ok Peter, your BP is OK, but what I would reccommend is a thing called a PFO test.(Doc into what a PFO is and how it can affect divers. Peter politely nods his head)

Peter-I thought that's what I was here for today!

Doc-Oh, we haven't been told anything like that. It'll take another 2-3 weeks to organise that.

Peter-I've been waiting about 9mnths now for this test.

Doc-Oh, if we'd have known this is what was to be done we would have seen you 9mnths ago.

Peter-OK Doc, not your fault. Thanks anyway.

Hyperbaric/Phill-
                    He said as well as the Doppler test I've to go for one that they can visually see the bubbles (hopefully not) being shunted across. Any ideas as to how this one is done.

I hope it's not the trans-rectal route you mentioned HB

Peter

 

[BSH]

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<font color='#0000FF'>They inject you with saline and watch the bubbles, hopefully  they don't see them. Its Painless

Fiona

 

[Phill]

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Quote[/b] (FionaB @ Feb. 06 2004,13:00)]They inject you with saline and watch the bubbles, hopefully  they don't see them. Its Painless

Fiona

How can sticking a horse syringe in your arm be painless? Bet you believe the "it's only going to be a little scratch" line that I use.  

Peter, it's painless, it'll only feel like a little scratch.
2 syringes, 1 saline, 1 air, mix, inject, valsalva, watch screen. Did it a scatter of years ago (as a guinea pig) when the work was being done on PFO+DCI (or S as it was then) at Aberdeen. (and I don't have one - so thankyou the one in you three that have mine

)
Apart from diving a bit of a gee whizz phenomena - I mean, we all had one at one stage of life - the problems with being Peter Pan.

 

[Mark Powell]

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A friend of mine went through the whole bend, PFO diagnosis, PFO fix and thankfully back to diving experience

He wrote a couple of articles for our club newsletter at various stages of his treatment. Take a look at the link below for the articles.

PFO Experience

 

[BSH]

Imported post

Quote[/b] (Phill @ Feb. 06 2004,23:07)]

Quote[/b] (FionaB @ Feb. 06 2004,13:00)]They inject you with saline and watch the bubbles, hopefully  they don't see them. Its Painless

Fiona

How can sticking a horse syringe in your arm be painless? Bet you believe the "it's only going to be a little scratch" line that I use.  

Peter, it's painless, it'll only feel like a little scratch.

<font color='#0000FF'>Well I don't seem to remeber it being painfull.  Put it like this having the test is a lot less painfull than the thought of loosing all that money spent on diving kit.  

 

FB

 

[Phill]

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Ah, those of us that like needles, pain, whips, ridingcrops......(and the subject descends to the lowest normal demoninator)

 

 

 

[Doug Parker]

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Quote[/b] (Mark Powell @ Feb. 10 2004,16:37)]He wrote a couple of articles for our club newsletter at various stages of his treatment.

Cheers for that.

 That's made me feel a lot better, that's sarcasm by the way.
I laughed at the 'wishing it was all over bit' because i'm doing that already.
At least he didn't go into too much detail, i would've thrown up on the keyboard if he'd started on about blood and guts.


That hot fainty feeling has gone now.

 

[hammerhead]

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I had a bend last june and was treated very well in Hull chamber where I stayed for a week.....pfo test followed and was negative. As my bend was"undeserved"...I was shallow and had no fast assent they thought I had a pfo. I was cleared by the referee and went to the Galapagos islands...and got another hit..again shallow and no fast assent...back to Hull for a different test for pfo...again I was clear but will probably get another hit if I dive again on air. I am hoping to go to a specialist in London but in the meantime it's nitrox and no far away places..ie away from a chamber

 

[MATTBIN]

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I seem to recall Doug saying, amongst the effing and c ing at Stoney last weekend that he was in for his op this week. That being the case, all the best mate, hope its going/gone well and they've welded you up ok. I know it was only a little one  

 and you're more than welcome to borrow my orange sticker at Stoney next time.

Matt