Re: Re: Those Awful Trips to the ER!

[Guest guest]

Both of your experiences mirror what many AF patients have gone through. My

first episode occurred while I was working out in a gym (I havent done that

due to AF for 8 years now); I drove myself to the ER room of my local

hospital; I told them my heart was very abnormal and irregular; Rather than

do anything, the receptionist began to ask me all the usual questions, like

who was my insurance carrier, where I worked, etc;

After a 5 minute wait to give that information to her, I was told to sit in

the waiting room; I was so nervous I just paced the floor; I stood around

listening to the ladies joke about the weather, who was marrying whom, local

gossip etc; Finally, I shouted out in a loud voice " Someone take care of me

this instance; There is no one else in this ER room except staff, I want

some attention now or I will go to another hospital and file one hell of a

malpractice lawsuit against you people " ;

Immediately several doctors rushed in (from their coffee break I later

discovered) and attempted to help me; About 5 minutes later I spontaenouosly

converted.

I think its an absolute travesty the way most AF patients are treated in

ER rooms; None of the people on this earth would react any differently than

we do; Why is it that many who enter the health care field find it beneath

them to show EMPAHTY and COMPASSION for their patients?

I know I generalize here, but our lives would be a lot easier if we knew

that there was a medical community which took our condition a lot more

seriously than they presently do; Things are changing I agree, but we still

havent arrived yet.

Re: New Member

>

>

> > Hi all, I have been lurking for a few days and have learned more in a wk

> > than I have from my family doc or cardiologist in the four years I have

> been

> > been afibbing. My episodes occur at night when I am almost asleep. I

> have

> > always converted spontaneously after 8-12 hours. The episodes are

> > increasing in frequency, now occurring aprox. 1 a month. I can't

imagine

> > not knowing you're in a-fib -- to me it feels like a big ol walleye pike

> > flopping around in my chest. The first time it happened I thought I was

> > history. Went to the ER, was treated in the ambulence with adenosin

(sp?)

> > wow, talk about the surge of darkness. Once in the ER, I received IV

> > diltiazem, and eventually converted after ten hours on the umteenth trip

> to

> > the bathroom. Subsequent ultrasound showed no heart abnormalities,

except

> > for mitral valve prolapse, which I've had for at least 15 years, not a

big

> > deal. Referral to a cardiologist resulted in rx Cardizem 240mg & advice

> to

> > " stop abusing the ER " but rather to stay at home and see it through,

> taking

> > propanolol 1 every 2 hours (max of 3) -- if not converted in 12 hours to

> > call. So far so good. I am in great physical shape, active 53 yr old,

> > business owner, travel often to Latin America but am afraid to be in

some

> > remote area, have an episode and not convert. Am trying to discover

what

> > triggers the afib, have quit drinking entirely (hard to give up that

> evening

> > glass of wine) and eat very light meals at night, as I have gone into

afib

> > after dining extravagantly. I feel the afib is related to digestion,

but

> > had never even heard of vagal afib until this list. Won't go on

anymore,

> > but thanks to you all for the information and comradeship. Sandy

Raichel

> >

> >

> >

> > Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> > Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> > To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-unsubscribeegroups

> > Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to

AFIBsupport-digestegroups

> > Individual emails: Send a blank message to

AFIBsupport-normalegroups

> > Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-nomailegroups

> >

>

>

>

> Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-unsubscribeegroups

> Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-digestegroups

> Individual emails: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-normalegroups

> Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-nomailegroups

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just a quick note to say my ER trips have been much more pleasant than some I've

read (I think I made around 7 or 8 trips until they found a med that kept my

heart rate down.). Whether arriving by ambulance or under my own steam as soon

as they took my pulse I was pushed to the front of the queue. One time there was

a 3 hour waiting time and I was seen in about 5 minutes. The docs have always

said if I feel 'unwell' then don't hesitate to come down. They've never been

able to tell me what 'unwell' is though! My rule of thumb is if I can't manage

to walk to the toilet and back to bed then I'm unwell! Fortunately, I've

avoided the ER for almost 2 years now.

P.S.

I've just come out of 22 hours of AF and hope to do the database upgrades either

tomorrow or Friday once I've caught up with my work.

cheers

--

D

[Guest guest]

I'm extending my apologies.......Here I am, with the help of the medical

profession and a new drug, in NSR, and I find myself bashing those people

who I should be thanking from the bottom of my *ailing* heart. My only

excuse is that I was so sick and so frustrated for so long - I guess I just

found it comforting to be thoughtless - this was, and is not fair, and

certainly not an excuse! Way back when, on the Topica Board, I said I

would count my blessings......I am here again to say, * I am counting my

blessings* and I am so sorry.

As far as meds are concerned, I was told just recently that if Aspirin had

to be approved today by the FDA, it would never be on the market. I am

positive that *much* research was put into Dofetilide - as so with all the

drugs out there. *I'm counting my blessings* that Dofetilide is here, and

thankful to all those people who were instrumental in giving my life back!

I would only hope that everyone would do the same as I have done. Had I

given my negative posts a second thought, I would have been more considerate

of all our members, especially our new members who have recently been

diagnosed with AFIb. As one of our members put it, this is a *nasty*

ailment - its scary, but it is NOT life threatening. *Count your

blessings*..........

And remember, there's a cure in the not too distant future.

Ellen

Re: New Member

> > >

> > >

> > > > Hi all, I have been lurking for a few days and have learned

> more in a wk

> > > > than I have from my family doc or cardiologist in the four

> years I have

> > > been

> > > > been afibbing. My episodes occur at night when I am almost

> asleep. I

> > > have

> > > > always converted spontaneously after 8-12 hours. The episodes

> are

> > > > increasing in frequency, now occurring aprox. 1 a month. I

> can't

> > imagine

> > > > not knowing you're in a-fib -- to me it feels like a big ol

> walleye pike

> > > > flopping around in my chest. The first time it happened I

> thought I was

> > > > history. Went to the ER, was treated in the ambulence with

> adenosin

> > (sp?)

> > > > wow, talk about the surge of darkness. Once in the ER, I

> received IV

> > > > diltiazem, and eventually converted after ten hours on the

> umteenth trip

> > > to

> > > > the bathroom. Subsequent ultrasound showed no heart

> abnormalities,

> > except

> > > > for mitral valve prolapse, which I've had for at least 15

> years, not a

> > big

> > > > deal. Referral to a cardiologist resulted in rx Cardizem 240mg

> & advice

> > > to

> > > > " stop abusing the ER " but rather to stay at home and see it

> through,

> > > taking

> > > > propanolol 1 every 2 hours (max of 3) -- if not converted in 12

> hours to

> > > > call. So far so good. I am in great physical shape, active 53

> yr old,

> > > > business owner, travel often to Latin America but am afraid to

> be in

> > some

> > > > remote area, have an episode and not convert. Am trying to

> discover

> > what

> > > > triggers the afib, have quit drinking entirely (hard to give up

> that

> > > evening

> > > > glass of wine) and eat very light meals at night, as I have

> gone into

> > afib

> > > > after dining extravagantly. I feel the afib is related to

> digestion,

> > but

> > > > had never even heard of vagal afib until this list. Won't go on

> > anymore,

> > > > but thanks to you all for the information and comradeship.

> Sandy

> > Raichel

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> > > > Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> > > > To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-

> unsubscribeegroups

> > > > Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to

> > AFIBsupport-digestegroups

> > > > Individual emails: Send a blank message to

> > AFIBsupport-normalegroups

> > > > Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-

> nomailegroups

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> > > Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> > > To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-

> unsubscribeegroups

> > > Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-

> digestegroups

> > > Individual emails: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-

> normalegroups

> > > Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-

> nomailegroups

> > >

> > >

>

>

>

> Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-unsubscribeegroups

> Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-digestegroups

> Individual emails: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-normalegroups

> Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-nomailegroups

>

[Guest guest]

I couldnt disagree with you more!!

While I admire your positive attitude, I think you are being a little too

sanguine regarding AF; People do die as a result of AF; It is the third

leading cause of strokes in the U.S.

Certainly one cannot lead a completely normal life with AF since it does

restrict physical mobility if you are in an attack; I certainly wouldnt

recommend exercising while in a full blown AF episode with a rapid

ventricular response.

By taking such a benign view of AF, by buying into the LIE which the medical

profession tells AF patients that they should look at this as a trivial

condition, you in fact are telling AF patients that are problems are

primarily psychological or psychosomatic. I find your attitude difficult to

understand if you truly are an AF patient; An analogy could be made with a

rape victim, who upon entering the ER room is told she (or he) deserved it;

There ARE victims in this world, and AF patients are the victims of a

callous disregard shown by most health care providers;

I truly want to know WHEN it was that cardiologists made the ASSUMPTION

that supraventricular tachycardias were not important pathologies; What

idiot among their profession published what paper and when, that made such a

callous and erroneous assumption; The fact that most AF patients dont die

quickly certainly is NOT evidence that AF is a benign condition.

AF patients will only make progress if we demand it; Certainly, by taking

a passive, pro-physician attitude like yours, we will be mired in marginal

treatment modalities for years to come;

Re: New Member

> > >

> > >

> > > > Hi all, I have been lurking for a few days and have learned

> more in a wk

> > > > than I have from my family doc or cardiologist in the four

> years I have

> > > been

> > > > been afibbing. My episodes occur at night when I am almost

> asleep. I

> > > have

> > > > always converted spontaneously after 8-12 hours. The episodes

> are

> > > > increasing in frequency, now occurring aprox. 1 a month. I

> can't

> > imagine

> > > > not knowing you're in a-fib -- to me it feels like a big ol

> walleye pike

> > > > flopping around in my chest. The first time it happened I

> thought I was

> > > > history. Went to the ER, was treated in the ambulence with

> adenosin

> > (sp?)

> > > > wow, talk about the surge of darkness. Once in the ER, I

> received IV

> > > > diltiazem, and eventually converted after ten hours on the

> umteenth trip

> > > to

> > > > the bathroom. Subsequent ultrasound showed no heart

> abnormalities,

> > except

> > > > for mitral valve prolapse, which I've had for at least 15

> years, not a

> > big

> > > > deal. Referral to a cardiologist resulted in rx Cardizem 240mg

> & advice

> > > to

> > > > " stop abusing the ER " but rather to stay at home and see it

> through,

> > > taking

> > > > propanolol 1 every 2 hours (max of 3) -- if not converted in 12

> hours to

> > > > call. So far so good. I am in great physical shape, active 53

> yr old,

> > > > business owner, travel often to Latin America but am afraid to

> be in

> > some

> > > > remote area, have an episode and not convert. Am trying to

> discover

> > what

> > > > triggers the afib, have quit drinking entirely (hard to give up

> that

> > > evening

> > > > glass of wine) and eat very light meals at night, as I have

> gone into

> > afib

> > > > after dining extravagantly. I feel the afib is related to

> digestion,

> > but

> > > > had never even heard of vagal afib until this list. Won't go on

> > anymore,

> > > > but thanks to you all for the information and comradeship.

> Sandy

> > Raichel

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> > > > Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> > > > To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-

> unsubscribeegroups

> > > > Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to

> > AFIBsupport-digestegroups

> > > > Individual emails: Send a blank message to

> > AFIBsupport-normalegroups

> > > > Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-

> nomailegroups

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> > > Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> > > To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-

> unsubscribeegroups

> > > Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-

> digestegroups

> > > Individual emails: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-

> normalegroups

> > > Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-

> nomailegroups

> > >

> > >

>

>

>

> Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-unsubscribeegroups

> Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-digestegroups

> Individual emails: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-normalegroups

> Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-nomailegroups

>

>

[Guest guest]

Again, I must disagree with you; Many electrophysiologists, and I could name

them and have you contact them personally if you so desire, dispute the fact

that using a " balloon ablation " procedure, preceded by an EP study is a

harmless procedure;

Are you aware of the fact that by using a super heated saline solution to

ablate the foci in these pulmonary veins has caused a significant number of

strokes in these patients? Even Dr. Chen at the Thoracic Cardiovascular

Institute in Lansing Michigan, who performs such procedures, told me they do

carry significant risks and will only perform them on those, who after a 48

holter monitor, demonstrate repeated episodes of ectopic beats that rise to

a threshold level of urgency.

Again, I wish I could share your sanguine attitudes about AF and its

treatment; I think you have bought into the " party line " so to speak put out

by many physicians who want to reassure their AF patients without fully

disclosing what they know.

Re: Those Awful Trips to the ER!

> Trudy,

>

> Research has shown that many types of a/fib originate in the

> pulmonary veins. Through the use of radio frequency administered to

> the appropriate locations by way of a catheter the trouble spots are

> ablated or removed. The challenge is locating the trouble spots. You

> would first be tested by an electrophysiologist to see if this

> procedure is appropriate for you. Success rates in " younger "

> patients have been around 60% and I understand that there is not much

> downside risk.

>

> Adrenalin may be the culprit. The effect of adrenalin can be

> modified by medication. That is something you should discuss with

> your cardiologist. If your a/fib is occasional and only for a short

> period of time and your only symptom is the fluttering in your chest

> I would not be overly concerned. It is likely that your cardiologist

> will eventually find the right medication for you.

>

> Best wishes to you,

> Greg

>

>

> > Greg, what is a pulmonary vein ablation? Does it work for

> > all kinds of afib?

> >

> > Just had my second afib situation last night. I feel like a real

> > whimp when others in here are in much worse shape, but I had hoped

> > the initial stuff of a few weeks ago was not going to repeat once I

> > got a handle on stress.

> >

> > So, a stressful situation hit out of the blue, actually two

> stressful

> > situations, and when the second one came along, there went the

> heart,

> > not wildly irregularly like initially, but very strong beats with

> > missing beats. That was actually easier to deal with

> psychologically

> > than the wild irregularity. Perhaps the betablocker was

> controlling

> > it to some extent. I took some Ativan (a tranq) and it put me to

> > sleep, and when I woke up a few hours later I was in normal sinus

> > rhythm.

> >

> > I sure would like to know physically what causes this - does

> > something get over-sensitive to adrenaline?

>

>

>

> Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-unsubscribeegroups

> Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-digestegroups

> Individual emails: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-normalegroups

> Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-nomailegroups

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would be interested in finding out your age; Being relative young (43) I

have found that I am completely ignored in ER rooms,except by the ambulance

crew; Perhaps I just live in an area populated by callous ER physicians.

I have noticed that older AF patients, and older patients in general, are

treated with more respect and concern than those under 60 years of age; Not

that I am complaining about this per se, but the attitude among many

physicians regarding AF is that they are not interested in preventing AF

attacks, but only in performing procedures on elderly patients whose

medicare and supplemental insurance will reward them financially for doing

so.

The medical care delivery system is designed to respond to older patients

with a greater urgency; The concept of PREVENTIVE medical care, I believe,

is basically absent in the U.S..

Re: Re: Those Awful Trips to the ER!

> Just a quick note to say my ER trips have been much more pleasant than

some I've

> read (I think I made around 7 or 8 trips until they found a med that kept

my

> heart rate down.). Whether arriving by ambulance or under my own steam as

soon

> as they took my pulse I was pushed to the front of the queue. One time

there was

> a 3 hour waiting time and I was seen in about 5 minutes. The docs have

always

> said if I feel 'unwell' then don't hesitate to come down. They've never

been

> able to tell me what 'unwell' is though! My rule of thumb is if I can't

manage

> to walk to the toilet and back to bed then I'm unwell! Fortunately, I've

> avoided the ER for almost 2 years now.

>

>

>

> P.S.

> I've just come out of 22 hours of AF and hope to do the database upgrades

either

> tomorrow or Friday once I've caught up with my work.

>

>

> cheers

>

> --

> D

>

>

>

>

>

> Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-unsubscribeegroups

> Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-digestegroups

> Individual emails: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-normalegroups

> Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-nomailegroups

>

>

[Guest guest]

Unless Greg is a physician, I would suggest consulting several cardiologists

in your area; I also advise looking over the database which has been

compiled in this forum which describes the various types of AF, medications,

procedures etc;

While many of us here are knowledgeable AF patients, myself included, I

would not advise that you take anything that any one of us says here as

revealed truth; I include myself in that statement;

Make your decisions based upon your own search for the truth, along with

getting several qualified cardiologists to give you their impressions.

As for my own personal opinion, going into the pulmonary vien and ablating

the " foci " which supposedly causes AF does carry significant risks with it,

including stroke.

In addition, this procedure has to be preceded by an EP study, which also

carries risks with it; The idea of deliberately provoking an AF episode for

up to 6 hours, while clinically necessary, also carries with it the risk

that they in fact will not find an underlying conduction pathology and after

a " normal " result, your heart might actually go into further AF episodes

than before the EP study was performed; I know many patients who have

experienced just that, ie one EP study after another, with an " idiopathic "

or " benign " result, only to suffer further episodes because the heart was

traumatized during the EP procedure itself;

Finally, many electrophysiologists do not believe that either an EP study,

or the pulmonary vien ablation will either cure OR reduce ones AF episodes;

There is a diversity of opinion regarding this issue;

In our desire to affect a treatment, particularly early in our AF battle,

we must avoid procedures, which are still in the clinical trial stage, and

whose efficacy has not yet been established.

Re: Those Awful Trips to the ER!

> Greg, what is a pulmonary vein ablation? Does it work for

> all kinds of afib?

>

> Just had my second afib situation last night. I feel like a real

> whimp when others in here are in much worse shape, but I had hoped

> the initial stuff of a few weeks ago was not going to repeat once I

> got a handle on stress.

>

> So, a stressful situation hit out of the blue, actually two stressful

> situations, and when the second one came along, there went the heart,

> not wildly irregularly like initially, but very strong beats with

> missing beats. That was actually easier to deal with psychologically

> than the wild irregularity. Perhaps the betablocker was controlling

> it to some extent. I took some Ativan (a tranq) and it put me to

> sleep, and when I woke up a few hours later I was in normal sinus

> rhythm.

>

> I sure would like to know physically what causes this - does

> something get over-sensitive to adrenaline?

>

>

>

>

> Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-unsubscribeegroups

> Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-digestegroups

> Individual emails: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-normalegroups

> Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-nomailegroups

>

>

[Guest guest]

WOW, I guess I am the one getting bashed for being critical of doctors;

Ellen, you have no need to apologize for being critical of rude treatment at

the hands of doctors; Who ever said that AF patients, or ANY patient for

that matter, has to remain silent or passive in the face of indifference by

the medical profession.

Please do not let ones sense of religious or moral values reign in what is

undoubtedly righteous indignation. You can be a good Christian and still

complain;

The purpose of complaining should be to obtain some constructive result;

I think its time that AF patients realize, that many times we are our own

worst enemies; By accepting the " party line " put out by many doctors that

atrial fibrillation is a benign condition, we relegate ourselves to the back

of the line in terms of medical care.

If in fact, very few of you in this forum can relate to my (and others) ILL

TREATMENT at the hands of many doctors, then I celebrate the fact that you

have caring and competent physicians.

Please recognize that many others do not!!!

Most of all dont apologize for exercising your basic human right to expect

and demand caring and competent medical care;

Re: New Member

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > > Hi all, I have been lurking for a few days and have learned

> > more in a wk

> > > > > than I have from my family doc or cardiologist in the four

> > years I have

> > > > been

> > > > > been afibbing. My episodes occur at night when I am almost

> > asleep. I

> > > > have

> > > > > always converted spontaneously after 8-12 hours. The episodes

> > are

> > > > > increasing in frequency, now occurring aprox. 1 a month. I

> > can't

> > > imagine

> > > > > not knowing you're in a-fib -- to me it feels like a big ol

> > walleye pike

> > > > > flopping around in my chest. The first time it happened I

> > thought I was

> > > > > history. Went to the ER, was treated in the ambulence with

> > adenosin

> > > (sp?)

> > > > > wow, talk about the surge of darkness. Once in the ER, I

> > received IV

> > > > > diltiazem, and eventually converted after ten hours on the

> > umteenth trip

> > > > to

> > > > > the bathroom. Subsequent ultrasound showed no heart

> > abnormalities,

> > > except

> > > > > for mitral valve prolapse, which I've had for at least 15

> > years, not a

> > > big

> > > > > deal. Referral to a cardiologist resulted in rx Cardizem 240mg

> > & advice

> > > > to

> > > > > " stop abusing the ER " but rather to stay at home and see it

> > through,

> > > > taking

> > > > > propanolol 1 every 2 hours (max of 3) -- if not converted in 12

> > hours to

> > > > > call. So far so good. I am in great physical shape, active 53

> > yr old,

> > > > > business owner, travel often to Latin America but am afraid to

> > be in

> > > some

> > > > > remote area, have an episode and not convert. Am trying to

> > discover

> > > what

> > > > > triggers the afib, have quit drinking entirely (hard to give up

> > that

> > > > evening

> > > > > glass of wine) and eat very light meals at night, as I have

> > gone into

> > > afib

> > > > > after dining extravagantly. I feel the afib is related to

> > digestion,

> > > but

> > > > > had never even heard of vagal afib until this list. Won't go on

> > > anymore,

> > > > > but thanks to you all for the information and comradeship.

> > Sandy

> > > Raichel

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> > > > > Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> > > > > To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-

> > unsubscribeegroups

> > > > > Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to

> > > AFIBsupport-digestegroups

> > > > > Individual emails: Send a blank message to

> > > AFIBsupport-normalegroups

> > > > > Read on web only: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-

> > nomailegroups

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

> > > > Afibbers Database- http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> > > > To Unsubscribe send an email to: AFIBsupport-

> > unsubscribeegroups

> > > > Daily digest mode: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-

> > digestegroups

> > > > Individual emails: Send a blank message to AFIBsupport-

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[Guest guest]

>I would be interested in finding out your age; Being relative young (43) I

>have found that I am completely ignored in ER rooms,except by the ambulance

>crew; [sNIP]

I'm 31 (see http://www.dialsolutions.com/af for my details). I live in the uk

and am fortunate enough to have a local hospital that is the main heart centre

for my county. My cardiologist is honest enough to tell me they really don't

know enough about the problem and we a really trying to control the symptoms

until more research is done.

cheers,

--

Driscoll

[Guest guest]

That explains the difference!!

I have found that the medical care in the UK, and nations which have a

national health service, is generally more caring and compassionate, than

the " for profit " system of corporate medicine practiced in the U.S.

While there are advantages and disadvantages to both, in nations with a

national health service, medical care is viewed as a right, not as a

privilege as it is in the U.S.

That might explain the more positive experiences of those in such nations

versus the U.S.

Re: Re: Those Awful Trips to the ER!

>

>

> >I would be interested in finding out your age; Being relative young (43)

I

> >have found that I am completely ignored in ER rooms,except by the

ambulance

> >crew; [sNIP]

>

> I'm 31 (see http://www.dialsolutions.com/af for my details). I live in the

uk

> and am fortunate enough to have a local hospital that is the main heart

centre

> for my county. My cardiologist is honest enough to tell me they really

don't

> know enough about the problem and we a really trying to control the

symptoms

> until more research is done.

>

> cheers,

> --

> Driscoll

>

>

>

>

>

>

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>

[Guest guest]

I need to clarify my earlier comments; Of course, the elderly and those over

60 are deserving of more attention simply due to their age; I was and am not

complaining about that at all; What I am criticizing is the apparent lack of

concern for those who are not yet in permanent or chronic atrial

fibrillation, and the fatalistic attitude among many doctors (and more

strangely even some patients), that AF is an inevitably progressive disorder

and that we should just sit back and let nature take its course;

I know from my personal experience, that I would have been in permanent

or chronic AF years ago if I hadnt been prescribed Inderal (propranolol);

Even if there is not a cure or an effective preventative treatment for all,

I think the medical community has an obligation to try to find one; None of

us, either as patients, or physicians who treat AF patients, should take a

fatalistic attitude towards this thing; We should do all we can to fight it,

along with prayer of course.

Re: Those Awful Trips to the ER!

>

> > I would be interested in finding out your age; Being relative young

> (43) I

> > have found that I am completely ignored in ER rooms,except by the

> ambulance

> > crew; Perhaps I just live in an area populated by callous ER

> physicians.

> > I have noticed that older AF patients, and older patients in

> general, are

> > treated with more respect and concern than those under 60 years of

> age; Not

> > that I am complaining about this per se, but the attitude among many

> > physicians regarding AF is that they are not interested in

> preventing AF

> > attacks, but only in performing procedures on elderly patients whose

> > medicare and supplemental insurance will reward them financially

> for doing

> > so.

>

>

> , my doc has run by me various results of studies of afib and

> one I remember was like, for people over 60 in continuous afib, the

> risk of stroke is (I can't remember if it is 5% a year or 5% greater

> a year) than for similar people not in continuous afib. So there may

> be a legitimate reason for the staff homing in on older patients. I

> alsoknow my mother, who passed away recently in her eighties, was

> just quite fragile compared to a younger person, so I am sure that

> thinking is a factor in terms of who gets attention first.

>

>

>

>

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