Atrial Fibrillation strikes again

tattooyu wrote:Just wanted to make a note about PVCs for folks who have those but not A-Fib...

I just had a holter monitor because of some palpitations I have, which are mostly PACs (in the atrium, not the ventricle). NOTE: I do not have atrial fibrillation or flutter.

What I've been told by the cardiologist is: In an otherwise structurally normal (healthy) heart, having PVCs/PACs is a normal variant is not associated with an increased risk of something else serious. The ectopic beats they cause are extremely annoying, cause anxiety, etc., but are NOT dangerous. My triggers are bad digestive events (IBS) and stress.

I was diagnosed in the 90's with PVC's after wearing a heart monitor for a week and again in 2000 during a stress test. I think stress is my biggest trigger and alcohol. I stopped drinking (even casually) last November and have only had the occasional skip since then. Nothing that lasts fr more than a few seconds. PVC's seemed to come and go throughout my life.

This is really interesting!!! And of course, all of us would be better off without cheese -- it is one of the unhealthiest foods out there. As a long-time vegetarian, I always thought I could never give up cheese, but now, I have. Since becoming mostly vegan, my cholesterol has come waaaaay down, and it did not take long at all for it to happen.

Not preaching, just sayin'....

Jill

I just came home from the heart center in our regional hospital. I was admitted to be placed on "Tikosyn" as you must be watched closely for possible reactions that could be life threatening when you go on it. I had chronic A. Fib. with a strong heart having an electrical problem. Before going this time I had been shocked (cardioverted) 4 times previously - the fourth keeping me in normal sinus rhythm for only 2 days. Tikosyn is supposed to cardiovert you at the right dosage but mine did not and was shocked for a 5th time to help the new med over the hump as it was trying to covert me. 250 mcg proved to be the correct dosage for me and when my P waves were properly spaced on the EKG I was released from the hospital.

I can go into Afib if something upsets me terribly - something I know I cannot control. I am a regular but casual walker and if I exceed my normal pace for too long I can bring on Afib. Caffeine is also a trigger for me and I understand can be for the majority of the Afib population. You Afib vets might enjoy reading about Tikosyn on WEBMD dot COM. In lay terms it is similar to a defibrillator in a bottle - when your heart goes into Afib it will calm it down. A friend is on Tikosyn and any form of alcohol invites Afib visits but will smooth out in a short time. I don't use alcohol so that won't be a problem for me. Great care must be utilized by you, your doctors and your pharmacist to ensure you are not prescribed a medication that will cause negative reactions between the two. I have taken Amiodarone and Tambacor in the past with no help from either. I have high hopes Tikosyn does the trick for me. I am wearing a monitor for the next month and if the two months following prove fruitful I'm coming off Warfarin.

If Tikosyn doesn't work for me there is surgery available if I so choose called Maze. Lot of risk associated with it but the results are generally good. My Cardio told me had I been in my 20's he would have guided me in that direction to save a lifetime of drug use. I'm pushing 71 and he wants me to try the medicine first and I agreed. I'm on my second week of Tikosyn and so far - so good!

Tikosyn is pronounced down south as Tee' - co - sin.

I haven't made up my mind whether or not OSA causes Afib but am a dedicated hose head. I do know that my AHI's are twice what they are in normal sinus rhythm (puzzling).

I have (hopefully, had) persistent Afib. After 3 cardioversions and a variety of meds, my electrophysiologist did a catheter ablation on April 5, 2012. So far, so good. No more Afib.

I was awake during the entire procedure and was able to watch on a large TV screen.

Tony I have Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC's), and two of my MDs say not to pay attention to it.

Assuming you were in Afib during the procedure, Guest?

I've had PVC's for nearly 20 years. They really freaked me out when I first started having them, but now I can pretty much ignore them except when I'm overstressed or overtired.

My husband (who also has OSA) is having yet another cardioversion next week. He's terrrified of ablation, so maybe he should ask his doctor about the tikosyn.

Tikosyn is a great drug... In my case magnesium works better.

Tikosyn was, by far, the most effective drug in my battle with AFib. They tried Metoprolol, Fleccainide and Sotolo, all without success. While on Tikosyn, I had only one episode of AFib, which lasted for about 36 hours, and self-coverted. I ended up having an ablation on September 1, 2010. I have not had a single blip (as far as I know) since then. The key for a successful ablation seems to be finding a competent and highly-experienced doctor. (The sub-specialty within cardiology is called Electrophysiology and the docs are called EP's.)

Ablation is a great procedure... In my case magnesium works better.

Metoprolol is a beta-blocker, Flecanide is a sodium channel blocker. They are more efficient for slowing down the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.

Sotalol is classified as an antirrhythmic as is Tikosyn. I'm on Rhythmol which is another antirrhythmic.

Yeah, I know what all those drugs do. But they were what my cardiologist prescribed, so I took them. (And pleaded with him for something more effective for more than one year.) And none of them worked. For me, Soltolol was the least effective in combatting AFib, and it made me feel rotten to boot. The Tikosyn was very effective for me, but it required the most effort to take it. You must take it at the same times every day. Drastic changes from the prescribe schedule and dosing can cause serious and potentially fatal problems. Also, it is quite expensive; for me it was about $250 per month. However, for the 6 months that I took it, it worked very well. But I was VERY happy to quit taking it 3 months post-ablation.

Now I take healthy doses of magnesium, potassium and taurine every day. My EP does not think I need to, but I have decided to supplement with these cardio-friendly supplements. They certainly do not hurt and I am convinced that they do at least some good.

Tony

PS. This is a 2-year-old thread of mine and I only check in here every couple of weeks, so imagine my surprise to find it at the top of the board this morning.

Yeah, I think it was the Rythmol that was to be taken 4 x a day. I just told my cardiologist to try again, no way was I taking a 4 x a day med. Two x a day is my max. I won't even consider any med needing more than 2 x a day dosing. Since it was the first time I'd met this cardiologist that kind of rocked him back on his heels at first and I'm lucky he didn't "fire" me on the spot! *wicked grin* Fortunately Rythmol comes in an extended release 2 x a day capsule so we managed to see eye to eye about my taking it. And its working out well plus this cardiologist is turning out to be a real jewel!!! Too bad he is wasted as a specialist. He would make a GREAT family doctor!

I never even noticed the date of the original post in this thread!!!

Slinky wrote: I never even noticed the date of the original post in this thread!!!

Maybe cuz you been around too long you old goat

You changed your avatar. Got rid of the stairs huh?

DreamStalker!!! You ole goat!

Yeah, I really liked the stairs but someone PM'd me and said the moving bright color bothered him/her so .....

Remember the guy who used to post w/the neat bright colored avatar of a Basset Hound driving a convertable??? I wonder if that is why we're missing him or at least his avatar??? I loved that avatar.