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

[Hospiceangel]

Yay!!!
Okay, so follow what the doc says and DON'T overdo! Now is not the time to play a hero. Enjoy the time you have off and keep your chin up...well not to far....he he he he.
Keep posting and let us know how you do.
Shar:)

[tonycog]

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.

If I understood the nurse correctly, 1 was for a camera of some sort, 1 was for drugs and the other 2 were for the tools used. I don't know for sure - I was sleeping. I know for sure there are 4 holes in me - I watched (sort of) as 2 nurses removed them. Then I had to lay immobile for an additional 6 hours after they were removed to be sure those veins didn't pop open and bleed. All together, I had been lying down for 13 straight hours until I was finally allowed to get up and walk around at 11PM last night. My knees did NOT want to bend very quickly at that point.

Tony

[elena88]

Oh my, glad its over and you are doing okay, but you be careful...

and when they mean dont lift anything over ten pounds, they mean it!

I know someone who didnt realize lifting their OWN LEG (getting in a car) counted, and it weighed more then ten pounds!

so take care, hope this all works out for you!

elena

[ozij]

Thank you for the update, Tony. Glatd to read the good news. Enjoy your vacation -- and your energized return to activities you love.

O.

[zebrajeb]

Tony,

I've not been on here for sometime so just saw your post about Atrial Fibrillation. I was diagnosed with it end of July (after a visit to emergency room and being put in hospital). I've been on CPAP for 6 years. Looking back I've probably had A-fib for some time but it only became more frequent in the last 4 months. I still have it almost daily even after being on various meds for two months. The meds have reduced the time I'm in a-fib but it keeps coming back every day although I have gone a couple of days without a-fib. When it comes, lasts from minutes to 10 hours! See my doctor in a couple of weeks. I really don't want the ablation procedure but that may be down the road. So I'm very interested in how it works for you.

One question for now - did you use CPAP in the hospital and are you still using CPAP now?

Thanks

John

[tonycog]

Tony,

I've not been on here for sometime so just saw your post about Atrial Fibrillation. I was diagnosed with it end of July (after a visit to emergency room and being put in hospital). I've been on CPAP for 6 years. Looking back I've probably had A-fib for some time but it only became more frequent in the last 4 months. I still have it almost daily even after being on various meds for two months. The meds have reduced the time I'm in a-fib but it keeps coming back every day although I have gone a couple of days without a-fib. When it comes, lasts from minutes to 10 hours! See my doctor in a couple of weeks. I really don't want the ablation procedure but that may be down the road. So I'm very interested in how it works for you.

One question for now - did you use CPAP in the hospital and are you still using CPAP now?

Hi John
Yes, I used my own Bi-PAP while in the hospital. I needed to ask my doctor to write an order allowing me to use my own, otherwise the hospital would have made me use theirs and charged my insurance company.

What meds are you taking to control your AFib? Have you educated yourself about magnesium, potassium & taurine? There is some evidence that these supplements can help with AFib. They didn't completely prevent my episodes, but they seem to have helped. Check out http://www.afibbers.net/forum/list.php?f=8 and do some reading there. There is a lot of helpful info at that forum.

Feel free to ask questions if you want. Best wishes,
Tony

[Slinky]

I was just Dx'd w/A Fib late August. The cardiologist first suggested Coumadin, of course, but also Rythmol. I wasn't real keen on the Rythmol. I've only had 8 episodes in 7 months that I'm aware of and only one lasted more than 2 hours. And not all that much more than 2 hours at that. So we are trying Coumadin and cardezam. So far so good near as I can tell. At least no undesirable side effects altho we're still bouncing the coumadin dosage around a bit.

What meds have you been trying, John??

[zebrajeb]

I was just Dx'd w/A Fib late August. The cardiologist first suggested Coumadin, of course, but also Rythmol. I wasn't real keen on the Rythmol. I've only had 8 episodes in 7 months that I'm aware of and only one lasted more than 2 hours. And not all that much more than 2 hours at that. So we are trying Coumadin and cardezam. So far so good near as I can tell. At least no undesirable side effects altho we're still bouncing the coumadin dosage around a bit.

What meds have you been trying, John??

After getting out of the hospital was started on Metropolol, Digoxin (spelling maybe off). Right now for the a-fib I'm on Multaq (which is very new) and Metropolol. I'm also taking Coumadin (Warfarin) to help prevent stroke from blood clots. (I understand that when you are in a-fib the heart may create blood clots.) Doctor says I need another few weeks to see what the meds will do for the a-fib. After 3 weeks on Multaq I go as long as 3 days without any a-fib. When I'm in a-fib it can last from a few minutes to 12 hours! If I had only 8 episodes in 7 months I'd be delighted!

John

[Slinky]

Of course, the Coumadin does nothing to reduce or eliminate the arrhythmias, but I'm curious to see how we will determine if the Cardazem is doing that job or not given the in-frequency of my "events". 8 events in 7 months so what? we figure if I have no symptomatic events for 2 months the Cardizem is doing the job? A Holter monitor doesn't have much of a chance at all of telling us anything - except the Cardizem isn't working IF I have an event whilst wearing the monitor. We would have a better chance w/a 30 day event monitor ..... ah well, we shall see what transpires.

At least the Multaq is looking somewhat promising for you it seems. I hope it becomes REALLY effective and elminates your events altogether! Good luck and God bless. I'll be watching for your posts.

[djr1215]

How do you recognize that you are having an a-fib episode? I had one last December, I knew about it because my heart rate zoomed up to 210 (bounced from 175-210). In the hospital they got the rate down to normal, but I was still in a-fib for about 22 more hours. Once the rate was down I didn't feel anything. We think that's the only episode I've had, which I understand is rare, but how do I know that I've not had other episodes where the rhythm was a-fib but the rate was normal? (Or can that only happen when they give you drugs to lower the rate?)
The only med I'm on is Metroprolol for hypertension.

[tony72]

does that mean he cant lift his cpap machine to hug it?

[tonycog]

In my case, my symptoms are very obvious. I get extremely short-of-breath and fatigued. A walk from my couch to the kitchen literally makes me feel as though I just ran a mile. When I start feeling this way, I check my pulse. I can tell for sure at that point by the irregularity of my heart beat. Some people are not as symptomatic.

If you are battling AFib, I suggest you find an experienced EP (Electrophysiologist). EPs specialize in the electrical function of the heart. Often the "regular" cardiologist focuses more on (or at least has more experience and knowledge about) the plumbing. An EP will have much more experience with AFib and anti-arrhythmic drugs and other treatment options than the typical cardiologist.

Best wishes,
Tony

[zebrajeb]

In my case, my symptoms are very obvious. I get extremely short-of-breath and fatigued. A walk from my couch to the kitchen literally makes me feel as though I just ran a mile. When I start feeling this way, I check my pulse. I can tell for sure at that point by the irregularity of my heart beat. Some people are not as symptomatic.

If you are battling AFib, I suggest you find an experienced EP (Electrophysiologist). EPs specialize in the electrical function of the heart. Often the "regular" cardiologist focuses more on (or at least has more experience and knowledge about) the plumbing. An EP will have much more experience with AFib and anti-arrhythmic drugs and other treatment options than the typical cardiologist.

I second Tony on symptoms along with a "fluttering" feeling in my chest. After going to doctor because I'd felt this way for about 5 days was I sent to emergency room and diagnosed. Looking back I realize that I'd probably had it "rarely" for a year or two although it had become more frequent in the past few months. I also purchase a BP/pulse monitor so that I can check when I think I'm in a-fib. It tells you if the pulse is "irregular." I can also pretty well tell it from feeling pulse as well. All of these help. Like Tony, I'm "wiped" after a few hours of a-fib even if I just sit!

FYI - I'm also seeing an experienced electrophysiologist doctor. I understand that if a-fib is treated earlier it may not get worse. Evidently the heart "learns" the improper or "bad" electro pulse paths around the heart the longer it is untreated or unchecked.

John

[tonycog]

Yes, this is why the docs don't want someone staying in AFib for any longer than necessary. The heart sort of "re-programs" itself if the irregular heart beat stays for long enough. It won't do this while you're in normal sinus rhythm. The problem is, as you know, once AFib strikes, it tends to strike again. One of my biggest frustrations is not knowing when the other shoe is going to drop.

Tony

[deerslayer]

Wow what an education. i don't get on here as much as i used to when i needed that life preserver on a daily basis. i really never knew all the symptoms & complications of A fib. My mom had this for years and never complained . she had a pace maker inserted a few years before she passed from complications (CHF) of a broken hip & pelvis after falling coming out of the post office to mail a birthday card...This is such a blessed forum where we can share and help one another to understand ! Never take one day for granted * think it's time for some more good Tennessee sippin goods... God bless everyone of U. tim