Somewhat OT: I'm leaving to get my Atrial Fibrillation fixed

[tonycog]

Hi
This is only a little bit off-topic since it was an AFib episode that prompted my cardiologist to suggest a sleep study. That, of course, led me here.

Tomorrow I'm going to have a heart-cath procedure which is hoped will cure me of my recurring A-Fib episodes. If you are curious, this link explains what will be done, although I won't be at this particular facility:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/atr ... ation.aspx

I have a doctor that I really like and trust. He actually sits and listens and answers questions patiently, even if it takes 30 minutes, which it has. There is, according to my doctor, an 80-90% chance that he can completely eliminate the AFib episodes and that I won't need to take any more anti-arrhythmic medications. This is huge for me, since my episodes have been coming every few weeks, some lasting 9, 11 or as long as 13 days of continuous Atrial Fibrillation. I am highly-symptomatic during episodes. Even a walk from my couch to the kitchen leaves me tired and out-of-breath as though I had just come in from running a mile or two.

Normally during this procedure, the docs use some form of sedation. Since my apneas are Centrals (Cheyne-Stokes) they will be knocking me out with general anesthesia and intubating me. I'll be spending one night in the hospital to recover and then one night in a nearby hotel, just to be safe. I hope to be home on Friday afternoon. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks,
Tony

[ozij]

Good luck, Tony.
Please come back to tell us how it went!
O.

[DoriC]

Tony, Blessings to you! Please give us an update asap!

[KatieW]

Yes, please report back. We will be waiting.

[rested gal]

Tony, we'll all be thinking of you. Do let us know how it goes.

[Emilia]

My sincerest best wishes for a successful procedure and recovery! Please keep us posted!!

[OutaSync]

Tony, I really hope that this works for you. From what I read it will be several months before you will be able to tell. Please keep us informed. My mother has chronic AF, so I'm interested in the various treatments.

Bev

[Slinky]

I"m sending you good wishes for a successful catherization and recovery!!! I was just Dx'd w/A Fib - tho episodes I've been aware of were no where near so frequent nor long lasting as what you've been experiencing, thank heaven!!! I've been spending quite a bit of time at the Cleveland Clinic website trying to get up to snuff on A Fib before agreeing to any anti-arrhythmics altho I have started Coumadin. Obviously then your experience and history is going to be of MUCH interest to me!!! So - my prayers go with you and I shall be watching and waiting for your return. Good luck and God bless.

[tonycog]

Slinky
You might want to do some reading here:

http://www.afibbers.net/forum/list.php?f=8

It's not as active as cpaptalk, but it still gets good traffic. It's a pretty smart bunch. Post a question or two and you will probably learn some useful information. You will read a lot about "the big 3" supplements: magnesium, potassium and taurine. There's some "natural" proponents and several who have had the ablation that I'm getting tomorrow.

Thanks to all for the good wishes. I'm reporting to the hospital at 9AM tomorrow and will likely be done about 3 or 4PM. Then I have to stay in bed for at least 6 hours before I'm allowed to walk around. I'll keep you posted, likely on Thursday or Friday.

Thanks,
Tony

[stanta]

When I had AFib I thought i needed more exercise so I went to the GYM!

Finally progressed to congestive heart failure which I thought was bronchitis so I was treating it with the wrong cold medicines (you know the ones that are BAD for your heart) and salty chicken soup. Sometimes I wonder if I was committing suicide, my head wasn't in a good place at that time, my soul neither.

They used meds to clear up the AFib, diuretics to clear up the congestive heart failure. 6 days in the hospital getting my liver and kidneys to function again since they had shut down.

I do get occasional episodes and it is like I get very tired right NOW! I am able to go back into rhythm by coughing really really deep. Doc says it can't happen but it does

Good luck to you, I will be praying.

[djr1215]

Good luck.

[Muse-Inc]

Best wishes Tony! Hope you're resting well.

[tonycog]

Thanks everyone, for all of the good thoughts and words.

I was released this morning and am now resting in a hotel room 6 blocks from the hospital. My doc told me all went well. Often they will attempt to induce AFib during the procedure. When they tried to induce AFib toward the end of my procedure they were unable to do so. My heart apparently did not want to be in AFib. The doc said that this was obviously encouraging but the next 2 or 3 months will tell the tale.

I'm tired but feel pretty good. I'm having some chest discomfort as I was warned about. This comes from irritation and inflammation of my heart. It's expected to last for several days. The staff refers to it as "angry heart." It's a normal and expected part of this process. The catheter insertion points (2 in right groin, 1 in left groin and 1 on right side of neck) are a bit sore and I am restricted from lifting anything more than 10 pounds for the next 3 days to prevent these veins from popping back open and bleeding.

So now I get an enforced (very strictly by my wife) one week vacation. Then I can get back to a more normal schedule, including whatever exercise/activity I may be inclined to do, using common sense as a guide.

The University of Kansas Hospital (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) and their heart center is great! My doctor's name is Dr. Lakkireddy and I'm a big fan of his right now. He is very competent, confident without being arrogant, and seems very personable. I highly recommend him to anyone. Time will tell exactly how successful this turns out to be, but this is a good start.

Thanks again,
Tony

[Slinky]

Sheesh!!! HOW COME 4 "entry" points for the "cath" tube??? Yeah, I know those aren't the right terms. This was an electrophysiology procedure, right? Electric ablation? I'm just surprised they snake that "tube" in from 4 different entry spots.

Anyway, I'm delighted you've come thru so fine!!!! CONGRATULATIONS! I'm sure you are glad to have it all behind you. WE are glad you have it behiind you and are so well on the road to recovery.

[KatieW]

Glad to hear you're on the way to recovery from surgery and thanks for taking the time to check in.