Re: ablation

[Guest guest]

Stuart,

I am interested in your comments but would appreciate some

clarification. Am I right in saying that the ablation was not

successful? Was that because they failed to accurately locate the

focal points or what? Are you in permanent a/fib or did they trigger

a/fib before the ablation procedure? Was there any beneficial result

such as reduced number of episodes of A/fib.

Thanks for your comments.

Greg

In AFIBsupportegroups, STUART <stuart.gallacher2@u...> wrote:

> I had an ablation in London last month found two focal points.One

near av node and one near sinus node,good point ectopics start AF bad

point location.I got told wait for new catheters coming out better

chance out in a few months.The procedure was 5 hours but painless if

anyone considering it nothing to be scared of. Stuart

[Guest guest]

Greg,

Here is my opinion on RF catheter ablation. I had three of them. None

worked, and maybe the last one made things worse.

I recently had the surgical maze procedure done by Dr. . My AF is cured

but my AV and Sinus Nodes are not working yet so they put in a pacemaker.

Dr. doesn't know why my nodes are not working - he says it may be that

my heart has not recovered from surgery yet or possibly that they were

damaged by one of my RF catheter ablations. He does not know.

My opinion, avoid RF catheter ablation if you are considering the surgical

maze route. Besides, RF catheter ablation cure rates continue to be below

50%, not worth it until cure rates go way up.

Bob Reiley

Re: ablation

Stuart,

I am interested in your comments but would appreciate some

clarification. Am I right in saying that the ablation was not

successful? Was that because they failed to accurately locate the

focal points or what? Are you in permanent a/fib or did they trigger

a/fib before the ablation procedure? Was there any beneficial result

such as reduced number of episodes of A/fib.

Thanks for your comments.

Greg

In AFIBsupportegroups, STUART <stuart.gallacher2@u...> wrote:

> I had an ablation in London last month found two focal points.One

near av node and one near sinus node,good point ectopics start AF bad

point location.I got told wait for new catheters coming out better

chance out in a few months.The procedure was 5 hours but painless if

anyone considering it nothing to be scared of. Stuart

Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

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

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[Guest guest]

I interpreted his comments to mean that the laser ablation to his right

atrium, so far at least, has been a success;

Re: ablation

> Stuart,

>

> I am interested in your comments but would appreciate some

> clarification. Am I right in saying that the ablation was not

> successful? Was that because they failed to accurately locate the

> focal points or what? Are you in permanent a/fib or did they trigger

> a/fib before the ablation procedure? Was there any beneficial result

> such as reduced number of episodes of A/fib.

>

> Thanks for your comments.

>

> Greg

>

> In AFIBsupportegroups, STUART <stuart.gallacher2@u...> wrote:

> > I had an ablation in London last month found two focal points.One

> near av node and one near sinus node,good point ectopics start AF bad

> point location.I got told wait for new catheters coming out better

> chance out in a few months.The procedure was 5 hours but painless if

> anyone considering it nothing to be scared of. Stuart

>

>

>

> 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]

Stuart, hang in there. Prayers are with you. Sandy

ablation

>

> Greg it was unsuccessful,they give you a internal cardioversion then try

to make it irregular where it starts up they ablate better chance if

ectopics.They found ectopics making my heart faster but they would come and

go!They say it can take a couple of attempts and with new catheters coming

out easier access to focal points.I am going to give it another go , i am in

constant AF since coming of amiodarone for the ablation.

>

>

> 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 followed your operation on your web site with great interest and I

am glad to hear that your a/fib has been cured. My a/fib is truly

paroxysmal so I am not considering the maze surgery. My

cardiologists have recently been saying that ablations in the

pulmonary vein area have been more successful (60 to 80%)

in " younger " healthy patients and are recommending that I try it. I

appreciate your comments because I am still weighing the pros & cons.

I hope that you are off the pacemaker soon.

Greg

In AFIBsupportegroups, " Reiley, " <rreiley@h...> wrote:

> Greg,

>

> Here is my opinion on RF catheter ablation. I had three of them.

None

> worked, and maybe the last one made things worse.

>

> I recently had the surgical maze procedure done by Dr. . My AF

is cured

> but my AV and Sinus Nodes are not working yet so they put in a

pacemaker.

> Dr. doesn't know why my nodes are not working - he says it may

be that

> my heart has not recovered from surgery yet or possibly that they

were

> damaged by one of my RF catheter ablations. He does not know.

>

> My opinion, avoid RF catheter ablation if you are considering the

surgical

> maze route. Besides, RF catheter ablation cure rates continue to be

below

> 50%, not worth it until cure rates go way up.

>

> Bob Reiley

>

> Re: ablation

>

>

> Stuart,

>

> I am interested in your comments but would appreciate some

> clarification. Am I right in saying that the ablation was not

> successful? Was that because they failed to accurately locate the

> focal points or what? Are you in permanent a/fib or did they

trigger

> a/fib before the ablation procedure? Was there any beneficial

result

> such as reduced number of episodes of A/fib.

>

> Thanks for your comments.

>

> Greg

>

> In AFIBsupportegroups, STUART <stuart.gallacher2@u...> wrote:

> > I had an ablation in London last month found two focal points.One

> near av node and one near sinus node,good point ectopics start AF

bad

> point location.I got told wait for new catheters coming out better

> chance out in a few months.The procedure was 5 hours but painless

if

> anyone considering it nothing to be scared of. Stuart

>

>

>

> 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'm so sorry you had to have ablation 2x. I have had AFib off and on for

years and then developed Aflutter in March. After trying medications (the

docs decided I was not a good candidate for conversion) I went for the

ablation. My Aflutter ceased immediately and the doc said he found the spot

that was " misfiring. " Unfortunately, my AFib was not cured and I still get

episodes nearly every day. The docs claim that ablation is not the answer to

my AFib. I am trying all kinds of self-help techniques (yoga, sleeping on my

right side, continuing with moderate exercise whenever I can, etc.) and I do

feel more comfortable with my Afib episodes. And they do seem to be less and

less frequent, and shorter in duration. My cardiologist said " just to be

patient and see what happens. " I'm willing to wait it out as I do not have

too many symptoms. Hope this helps. Sharon

[Guest guest]

Hi Ronnie: One of the features of our Board is *Links* - Once you get in

there, I believe its the 4th folder down.

/links/AFIBsupport

Sorry - I'm not up on Ablations, but I know there are many members here who

will come to your rescue. The only one I am familiar with is the AV Node -

but the thoughts of purposely being put into a permanent AFib does not

appeal to me. Although no meds (except Coumadin) and no symptoms sound

good - doesn't it? It's tempting.

Ellen

ablation

> So my a fib friends.....tell me everything you know about ablation!!

> I am considering it......-

> thanks,

>

> Ronnie

> emailing me personally is fine also.

>

>

>

>

> 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]

> So my a fib friends.....tell me everything you know about ablation!!

> I am considering it......-

Hi, Ronnie, besides that, you can go to the web site, get to

afibsupport, and do a search (be sure it displays " this archive " ) to

find all the messages that mention ablation.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/4/2000 1:26:28 PM Eastern Standard Time,

rreiley@... writes:

> Even if you assume that 75% of those

> people are not internet savvy, that still leaves us with 250,000 people that

> are potential members of groups like this. How many people are in this group

> and on other internet based message boards, etc., maybe a few hundred. This

> tells me that MOST people that suffer from AF are " cured " by medications, or

> ablations (AV node or otherwise), or maybe AF just doesn't bother them.

>

> But, for people like us, that mostly do suffer from particularly resistant

> AF, catheter ablations do not have a good track record. In fact, I

> personally have never talked to anyone on the internet that has been " cured "

> by catheter ablations.

>

i would not necessarily agree that these hordes of unheard people are " cured "

or not bothered by affib-There are alot of " ignorant " people out there who do

not understand what is happening to them and do not question anything-They

meekly follow what their Drs. tell them (or don't tell them) and they try to

learn to " live with it " . Also many of them have no knowledge of what a

newsgroup is or how to access the internet-I don't think they are content and

pleased with this but they are resigned to it-It would be great if we could

get more of them interested in these internet groups-I also agree with you

that ablations have for the most part not worked for those with affib-

jerry

[Guest guest]

Ronnie,

As best I can tell, ablations only rarely have any effect on AF. I had 3

ablations, none worked, the last one, maybe, made things worse. Proceed with

caution. Talk to your doctor and ask lots of questions.

If ablations worked for AF, everyone with AF would have it done and there

would be no need for this group.

PS. It is a very easy procedure and you will probably be released the same

day.

Good Luck, Bob R.

ablation

So my a fib friends.....tell me everything you know about ablation!!

I am considering it......-

thanks,

Ronnie

emailing me personally is fine also.

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

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[Guest guest]

Well said Lawrence! I would add that there has been recent success

in treating a/fib patients with pulmonary vein ablation procedures

because apparently many forms of a/fib originate in the pulmonary

veins. Certainly worth talking to your friendly cardiologist about

this.

Greg

> There seem to be different perceptions with regard to

ablation.

> That is, some in making reference to the possibility of ABLATION as

a

> possible cure, or avenue to lessening of symptoms, whatever, seem

to

> attach an effect of complete removal of function of the AV node. I

am

> aware that some forms of ablation seem to indicate just that -

> ablation of the AV node so as to disconnect ventricular response to

> the wild signals that AF sends out. The result is leaving the AF to

> carry on within the atrium, effectively cancelling it out of the

> equation, meaning the patient permanently operates on the pumping

> capacity that can be generated by the ventricles, which includes

> draining the atria as far as is possible simply by the SUCKING

effect

> that occurs when the ventricle relaxes, thereby drawing blood

through

> the valves in preparation for the contraction which will send it

on.

> In such a scenario there is of necessity a pacemaker fitted,

leaving

> the patient totally dependent upon a pacemaker, and,

coincidentally,

> dependent on proximity to emergency care should the mechanical

timer

> fail, batteries grow weak, etc.

>

> But certainly not ALL ablations have anything at all to do

with

> KILLING the AV node - instead the Linear Ablation technique

involves

> creating burn lines within the atrium, seeking to interrupt the

> electrical pathways that contribute to the AF.(Similar to the way

the

> Maze surgery works, but internally) When such an ablation procedure

> fails it is because the offending areas have not been found or

> properly interrupted. But do we not ALL know of SOME people who

have

> had successful RFCA procedures (presuming " successful " means that

the

> AF episodes have been eliminated, significantly reduced, or reduced

to

> the extent that meds which DID NOT WORK, now DO work)? I am

personally

> in communication with a gentleman who had such an ablation, and is

> now nearing his first AF-free year in 7 or 8 years. And during his

> procedure, the doctors were clearly uncertain that they had found

the

> offending areas - they just made an educated guess.

>

> It would be revelatory and comforting if anyone who has had

> successes with ablations, whether complete or partial, would pass

on

> their experiences through this forum. Does it occur to anyone here,

as

> it occurs to me, that our perceptions of AF, and our grasp of the

> statistics of AF, are colored by the fact that all contributors are

> ones WHO DO NOT INCLUDE THE NUMBERS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SIMPLY NEVER

> BOTHERED TO CONSULT THE WEB, TO SHARE EXPERIENCES, TO RESEARCH

THEIR

> AILMENTS, ETC, BUT HAVE SIMPLY RELIED UPON THEIR DOCTORS OR

CARDIOS,

> AND PERHAPS HAD QUITE ACCEPTABLE RESULTS WITH MEDS OR WHATEVER? In

> other words, our perceptions of AF stats might be skewed by the

fact

> that all those who contribute to forums such as this have had a

> history of more resistant and belligerent AF than what could be

> considered average?

>

> For what it's worth. Lawrence

[Guest guest]

Lawrence,

I completely agree that we cannot take what is said on this board without " a

grain of salt " . I seem to remember reading that there are 1,000,000 people

in the US alone that suffer from AF. Even if you assume that 75% of those

people are not internet savvy, that still leaves us with 250,000 people that

are potential members of groups like this. How many people are in this group

and on other internet based message boards, etc., maybe a few hundred. This

tells me that MOST people that suffer from AF are " cured " by medications, or

ablations (AV node or otherwise), or maybe AF just doesn't bother them.

But, for people like us, that mostly do suffer from particularly resistant

AF, catheter ablations do not have a good track record. In fact, I

personally have never talked to anyone on the internet that has been " cured "

by catheter ablations.

Bob R.

Ablation

There seem to be different perceptions with regard to ablation.

That is, some in making reference to the possibility of ABLATION as a

possible cure, or avenue to lessening of symptoms, whatever, seem to

attach an effect of complete removal of function of the AV node. I am

aware that some forms of ablation seem to indicate just that -

ablation of the AV node so as to disconnect ventricular response to

the wild signals that AF sends out. The result is leaving the AF to

carry on within the atrium, effectively cancelling it out of the

equation, meaning the patient permanently operates on the pumping

capacity that can be generated by the ventricles, which includes

draining the atria as far as is possible simply by the SUCKING effect

that occurs when the ventricle relaxes, thereby drawing blood through

the valves in preparation for the contraction which will send it on.

In such a scenario there is of necessity a pacemaker fitted, leaving

the patient totally dependent upon a pacemaker, and, coincidentally,

dependent on proximity to emergency care should the mechanical timer

fail, batteries grow weak, etc.

But certainly not ALL ablations have anything at all to do with

KILLING the AV node - instead the Linear Ablation technique involves

creating burn lines within the atrium, seeking to interrupt the

electrical pathways that contribute to the AF.(Similar to the way the

Maze surgery works, but internally) When such an ablation procedure

fails it is because the offending areas have not been found or

properly interrupted. But do we not ALL know of SOME people who have

had successful RFCA procedures (presuming " successful " means that the

AF episodes have been eliminated, significantly reduced, or reduced to

the extent that meds which DID NOT WORK, now DO work)? I am personally

in communication with a gentleman who had such an ablation, and is

now nearing his first AF-free year in 7 or 8 years. And during his

procedure, the doctors were clearly uncertain that they had found the

offending areas - they just made an educated guess.

It would be revelatory and comforting if anyone who has had

successes with ablations, whether complete or partial, would pass on

their experiences through this forum. Does it occur to anyone here, as

it occurs to me, that our perceptions of AF, and our grasp of the

statistics of AF, are colored by the fact that all contributors are

ones WHO DO NOT INCLUDE THE NUMBERS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SIMPLY NEVER

BOTHERED TO CONSULT THE WEB, TO SHARE EXPERIENCES, TO RESEARCH THEIR

AILMENTS, ETC, BUT HAVE SIMPLY RELIED UPON THEIR DOCTORS OR CARDIOS,

AND PERHAPS HAD QUITE ACCEPTABLE RESULTS WITH MEDS OR WHATEVER? In

other words, our perceptions of AF stats might be skewed by the fact

that all those who contribute to forums such as this have had a

history of more resistant and belligerent AF than what could be

considered average?

For what it's worth. Lawrence

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

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[Guest guest]

>i would not necessarily agree that these hordes of unheard people are " cured "

>or not bothered by affib-There are alot of " ignorant " people out there who do

>not understand what is happening to them and do not question anything-They

>meekly follow what their Drs. tell them (or don't tell them) and they try to

>learn to " live with it " . Also many of them have no knowledge of what a

>newsgroup is or how to access the internet-I don't think they are content and

>pleased with this but they are resigned to it-It would be great if we could

>get more of them interested in these internet groups-I also agree with you

>that ablations have for the most part not worked for those with affib-

>jerry

Even so, given the 2 million Americans (so probably half a million brits and a

few other large populations with English speaking 'internet aware' countries) I

would expect the numbers in a group like this one to be larger if a high

percentage of AFers were having trouble. It would be nice to know the true

figures and I sincerely hope we are not the thin end of a large wedge. No

disrespect to the 'silver surfers' but this may be a reason why internet numbers

are small - some older folks aren't into this technology. Maybe numbers will

increase as the computer savvy generation get older?

--

D

AFibbers Database http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

AFib Suport Group /group/AFIBsupport

[Guest guest]

My name is Sheila I am 25 years old and underwent the open heart Maze procedure

Aug. 2, 2000. In 95 I underwent EP study and was told that I needed to have the

ablation done.. Stupied me I trusted the DR. and agreed. Three doctors later 9

ablation, dual chamber pacemaker, and open heart I finally have my life back,

and do not have to worry about if I will wake up or not when I close my eyes.

I thank GOD for Fank. We got engaged before all this started and he as been

right beside me the entire time. If it was not for him I would have given up.

Let me know if I can be of any help or if can.

AFIBsupportegroups wrote:

> Hi Ronnie,

My boyfriend has had 3 radio frequency ablations that were performed by a

leading cardiologist here in Belgium. Although the ablations seemed to have

" cured " his flutter, he since then has develeped afib (or maybe the afib was

there before but they just didn't notice it because of the flutter?)

After all I've read on this very informative list, I would not recommend it to

anyone, given the succes rate.

Whishing you well,

Christel

So my a fib friends.....tell me everything you know about ablation!!

I am considering it......-

thanks,

Ronnie

[Guest guest]

I have 9 ablations........Well I am one of the rare one's. I feel that the

ablations made my condition worse. I felt better before my first ablation. To

me it made my condition worse. You need to do your own research before you say

yes or no....

tegroups wrote:

> Ronnie,

As best I can tell, ablations only rarely have any effect on AF. I had 3

ablations, none worked, the last one, maybe, made things worse. Proceed with

caution. Talk to your doctor and ask lots of questions.

If ablations worked for AF, everyone with AF would have it done and there

would be no need for this group.

PS. It is a very easy procedure and you will probably be released the same

day.

Good Luck, Bob R.

ablation

So my a fib friends.....tell me everything you know about ablation!!

I am considering it......-

thanks,

Ronnie

emailing me personally is fine also.

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

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Web Page /group/AFIBsupport

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

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[Guest guest]

Shiela, it sounds like you have really been through a lot. And now doing

very well after the Maze. It's really good to have you in the group. Sandy

Re: ablation

>

> My name is Sheila I am 25 years old and underwent the open heart Maze

procedure Aug. 2, 2000. In 95 I underwent EP study and was told that I

needed to have the ablation done.. Stupied me I trusted the DR. and agreed.

Three doctors later 9 ablation, dual chamber pacemaker, and open heart I

finally have my life back, and do not have to worry about if I will wake up

or not when I close my eyes.

>

> I thank GOD for Fank. We got engaged before all this started and he as

been right beside me the entire time. If it was not for him I would have

given up. Let me know if I can be of any help or if can.

> AFIBsupportegroups wrote:

> > Hi Ronnie,

>

> My boyfriend has had 3 radio frequency ablations that were performed by a

leading cardiologist here in Belgium. Although the ablations seemed to have

" cured " his flutter, he since then has develeped afib (or maybe the afib was

there before but they just didn't notice it because of the flutter?)

> After all I've read on this very informative list, I would not recommend

it to anyone, given the succes rate.

>

> Whishing you well,

> Christel

>

>

> So my a fib friends.....tell me everything you know about ablation!!

> I am considering it......-

> thanks,

> Ronnie

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sheila, I glad to hear that you are now doing good after the Maze.

I would like to get you to post your history on MAZE ALUMNI, web page.

the address is

http://members2.boardhost.com/mazealumni/

Jack

> > Hi Ronnie,

>

> My boyfriend has had 3 radio frequency ablations that were

performed by a leading cardiologist here in Belgium. Although the

ablations seemed to have " cured " his flutter, he since then has

develeped afib (or maybe the afib was there before but they just

didn't notice it because of the flutter?)

> After all I've read on this very informative list, I would not

recommend it to anyone, given the succes rate.

>

> Whishing you well,

> Christel

>

>

> So my a fib friends.....tell me everything you know about ablation!!

> I am considering it......-

> thanks,

> Ronnie

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

There have been advances made for atrial fibrillation ablation this year. I

don't believe they are there yet but I do believe things are looking better

for us afibbers. IF we can hold out long enough maybe there will be an

ablation that will really work for us. Don't give up, we have to beat this

thing.

[Guest guest]

Hi Mark:

Welcome to our Group. I also have a Pacemaker (installed July 2000).

I have a history of permanent AFIB, but have been on

Dofetilide/Tikosyn now for approximately 6 months and have been in

NSR. I have no side effects from this med - and praise the Lord...no

more tired feeling.

As far as Ablation is concerned, you might want to check our Bookmark

feature. Once there, you will see the folder entitled

*Nonpharmaceutical Treatement, Ablation, Maze, etc* - Click it and

you are there: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport/links.

Also, there have been many discussions on the Board about Ablation

and another suggestion would be to type in the word *ablation* in the

white box marked *archives*in the upper right hand corner of the Home

Page. This will pull up any previously posted message contained that

particular word.

And......we have a database that will give you an idea as to the

members who have had some type of ablation. There is the possibility

that you may find information pertaining to your other inquiries also

in our Database. Once you are in there, I would suggest you fill in

your own personal data. Your contribution to this database could be

extremely beneficial to all of us.

Again, a warm welcome and post often........we look forward to your

input.

Ellen

(PS) What is the name of the Pacemaker Group?

*****************

> I am new to this group, and found it through a Pacemaker club

(snip) I am looking for advice on Ablations (snip).

[Guest guest]

> Hi again Mark:

The Database that I was referring to in my previous post is as

follows:

http://www.dialsolutions.com/af/

I encourage you, and all our new members, to check it out.....its

great!

Ellen

[Guest guest]

Hi Mark - I had AFib for many years and then I developed AFlutter.

They did the ablation for the AFlutter (successful - thank God) but it did

not end my AFib. I have been told by my doctors in El Paso that ablation is

not very successful on AFib only. I have had the same reaction to medication

( I currently take toprol) and I know how frustrating it can be to be so slow

that you feel like you can't get anything done. The toprol also makes me feel

depressed so on my next visit to my M.D. in April I'm going to ask it I can

discontinue the Torpol. If you decide to go ahead with the ablation I can

tell you that it's not a " walk in the park " but it isn't the worst thing I've

ever undergone either. I'm just so grateful that it worked on the AFlutter.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

One Mans Opinion:

On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the worst most painful.

Ablation - 2

Maze - 5

Being in the delivery room while my wife had two difficult childbirths - 9

My opinion only, ablation is a " walk in the park " I've had three. Ablation

discomfort lasts a couple of hours.

Maze is not that bad. After a week or so you forget about how miserable you

were. One week!

I don't think that anyone should allow a short time of pain to keep you from

doing a procedure that may give you long term gain. Not doing ablation or

Maze for other reasons is fine - but don't let the pain aspect factor

greatly into your decision.

Bob Reiley

Re: Ablation

Hi Mark - I had AFib for many years and then I developed AFlutter.

They did the ablation for the AFlutter (successful - thank God) but it did

not end my AFib. I have been told by my doctors in El Paso that ablation is

not very successful on AFib only. I have had the same reaction to medication

( I currently take toprol) and I know how frustrating it can be to be so

slow

that you feel like you can't get anything done. The toprol also makes me

feel

depressed so on my next visit to my M.D. in April I'm going to ask it I can

discontinue the Torpol. If you decide to go ahead with the ablation I can

tell you that it's not a " walk in the park " but it isn't the worst thing

I've

ever undergone either. I'm just so grateful that it worked on the AFlutter.

Sharon

Web Page http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport

For more information: http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

Post message: AFIBsupport

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[Guest guest]

,

How are you doing after your maze surgery which many of us followed

with great interest? Are you off the pacemaker?

Greg

> One Mans Opinion:

>

> On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the worst most painful.

>

> Ablation - 2

> Maze - 5

> Being in the delivery room while my wife had two difficult

childbirths - 9

>

> My opinion only, ablation is a " walk in the park " I've had three.

Ablation

> discomfort lasts a couple of hours.

> Maze is not that bad. After a week or so you forget about how

miserable you

> were. One week!

> I don't think that anyone should allow a short time of pain to keep

you from

> doing a procedure that may give you long term gain. Not doing

ablation or

> Maze for other reasons is fine - but don't let the pain aspect

factor

> greatly into your decision.

>

> Bob Reiley

>

> Re: Ablation

>

>

> Hi Mark - I had AFib for many years and then I developed

AFlutter.

> They did the ablation for the AFlutter (successful - thank God) but

it did

> not end my AFib. I have been told by my doctors in El Paso that

ablation is

> not very successful on AFib only. I have had the same reaction to

medication

>

> ( I currently take toprol) and I know how frustrating it can be to

be so

> slow

> that you feel like you can't get anything done. The toprol also

makes me

> feel

> depressed so on my next visit to my M.D. in April I'm going to ask

it I can

> discontinue the Torpol. If you decide to go ahead with the

ablation I can

> tell you that it's not a " walk in the park " but it isn't the worst

thing

> I've

> ever undergone either. I'm just so grateful that it worked on the

AFlutter.

> Sharon

>

>

> Web Page http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport

> For more information: http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> Post message: AFIBsupport@y...

> Subscribe: AFIBsupport-subscribe@y...

> Unsubscribe: AFIBsupport-unsubscribe@y...

> List owner: AFIBsupport-owner@y...

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>How are you doing after your maze surgery which many of us followed

>with great interest? Are you off the pacemaker?

I am doing fine, No AF, No Medication.

But, I still get frequent PACs and I still have the pacemaker.

Overall, I am much better than I was Pre-Maze with frequent PAF. Although, I

wish things would have turned out better regarding the pacemaker.

Bob R.

Re: Ablation

>

>

> Hi Mark - I had AFib for many years and then I developed

AFlutter.

> They did the ablation for the AFlutter (successful - thank God) but

it did

> not end my AFib. I have been told by my doctors in El Paso that

ablation is

> not very successful on AFib only. I have had the same reaction to

medication

>

> ( I currently take toprol) and I know how frustrating it can be to

be so

> slow

> that you feel like you can't get anything done. The toprol also

makes me

> feel

> depressed so on my next visit to my M.D. in April I'm going to ask

it I can

> discontinue the Torpol. If you decide to go ahead with the

ablation I can

> tell you that it's not a " walk in the park " but it isn't the worst

thing

> I've

> ever undergone either. I'm just so grateful that it worked on the

AFlutter.

> Sharon

>

>

> Web Page http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport

> For more information: http://www.dialsolutions.com/af

> Post message: AFIBsupport@y...

> Subscribe: AFIBsupport-subscribe@y...

> Unsubscribe: AFIBsupport-unsubscribe@y...

> List owner: AFIBsupport-owner@y...

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI, Sharon,

What's a thalium stress test? If you do discontinue the toprol, be

sure to taper off it vs cold turkey.