Re: NEW TO LIST

[Guest guest]

Hi, I'm so glad to see there's another Parrothead in here! (I'm

obviously assuming that because of your email address).

But sorry your afib problem brought you here.

We have a lot in common, besides being parrotheads I started seeing

the cardiologists and EP's at Stanford. I've had cardiomyopathy and

afib for about 2 years and I live in SFO part time now (my home is in

Hawaii)so I decided to get 2nd opinions at Stanford. It's been very

helpful so far.

I had a stress echocardiogram this morning over there to rule out

ischemia (which they did), and on my next trip back here in January

they're going to start me on Norpace as they say this is particularly

effective against vagally mediated afib. Though my problem 2 years

ago was congestive heart failure and DCM, with my ejection fraction

now at 45-50% the cardiologist thinks that if they can control my

afib they can improve the cardiomyopathy.

Anyway, if you want to compare notes about Stanford let me know or

email me at jpowell@.... My cardio at Stanford is Dr. Sung Chun

Rgds,

Jim

> Hello. I have suffered with a-fib for the past 6 years. I have

tried

> all the medicines, have had one ablation. I was given Tikosyn 2

mos.

> ago and it lenghtened my QT to 525 and had to be discountinued. I

> have an appointment with a new EP at Stanford Hospital (CA) to

> discuss options, which my cardiologist feels maybe an AV node

> ablation w/pacemaker. I am curious if anyone has had this and how

it

> has worked/not worked for them. I haven't made any decisions and

> probably won't until I am comfortable with it. As most of you, I

> suffer terribly with this, have had to quit my job and can

sympthaize

> with some of your posts that I have read. I was happy to have been

> pointed to the list by Jack Drum and hope to have some good

feedback.

> Thanks and best wishes to all of you, Dona

[Guest guest]

Hi Dona,

I just had an A/V Node Ablation and dual chamber pacemaker on

December 11. I have had significant A-Fib episodes for 7 years but

have probably had A-Fib for over 20 years. I had taken all the

medicines including being on Amiodarone for 5 years. I was just

taken off Amiodarone because of the beginnings of serious side

effects with my lungs. My ultimate goal was to have the Maze

procedure because I wanted a cure, of course. I was told that

because I had several other electrical problems, including A-Fib,

that even with the Maze I would need a pacemaker. I was extremely

dissapointed. I did not want to have an irreversible procedure done

and be 100% dependent on a pacemaker. Unfortunately, my episodes

were severe and I could not tolerate them without being in the

hospital. So, I had the A/V Node Ablation and pacemaker. I guess I

haven't had the pacemaker long enough to be of a great help to you,

but I will say that although I still have palpitations, I can live

with them and I am much more at ease because the episodes can only go

so far. I'm still trying to get through this whole thing, but I will

and my feeling of well being and quality of life will change for the

better! Good Luck, Sally

- In AFIBsupportegroups, SFParrthd@a... wrote:

> Hello. I have suffered with a-fib for the past 6 years. I have

tried

> all the medicines, have had one ablation. I was given Tikosyn 2

mos.

> ago and it lenghtened my QT to 525 and had to be discountinued. I

> have an appointment with a new EP at Stanford Hospital (CA) to

> discuss options, which my cardiologist feels maybe an AV node

> ablation w/pacemaker. I am curious if anyone has had this and how

it

> has worked/not worked for them. I haven't made any decisions and

> probably won't until I am comfortable with it. As most of you, I

> suffer terribly with this, have had to quit my job and can

sympthaize

> with some of your posts that I have read. I was happy to have been

> pointed to the list by Jack Drum and hope to have some good

feedback.

> Thanks and best wishes to all of you, Dona