Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 In a message dated 5/9/2002 6:19:07 PM Pacific Daylight Time, andyswine@... writes: << the cardiologist tells me it's not life threatening and it's more of a nuisance. Let me say it feels life threatening. >> Andy, I've had afib for nineteen years and am still alive, so maybe I'm living proof that afib is not life threatening. I started out with 2-4 afib episodes per year, but recently they increased. As to whether you will have another episode, probably no one could predict that, even your doctor. The one certain thing about afib is that it is unpredictable. It took about 14 years for my episodes to become more frequent, so you may have the same experience. I'm very sorry for you because I know exactly how you feel. It certainly does feel life threatening, but I also have an older brother who has been in permanent afib for 20-30 years. He, too, has survived and serves as proof that your doctor is right: afib won't kill you. Try not to worry although I know that can be difficult. in sinus in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 Hi Andy - I had the same advice from my cardiologist and my general physician. I will admit that I nearly went crazy, taking my pulse constantly to see if I was in AFib, feeling panicky about whether it was going to happen and when was it going to stop. I learned so much from the people in this support group about AFib (knowledge is power!) and I learned to live with my AFib - identifying my triggers, etc. So my advice to you is to keep visiting this support group, follow up on some of the other sites that are recommended, and always be sure to follow your doctor's advice. Each one of us is different but we can learn a lot from each other. Sharon in El Paso Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 > Hi all! > Let me give you a little history, I have MVP and last December I went > into afib for the first time and let me say it scared the hell out of me. > 1. Now that I had my second episode, will I be experience more > frequent episodes. > 2. And if so how often. > 3. How do you deal with afib mentally. > Well first off, the only Doctor that did not say that is was something you could live with is an MD who has it himself. I have had the problem on and off for many years, and up untill a year and a half ago I would convert shortly after the beginning of the event. My experience was one where I would go into Afib with a rate of around 160, then some hours later, often many it would go into AF and just stay there with a pulse of 140. I ahve had multiple Cardioversions, and every drug up and untill they started me on Dofetilide a month and a half ago. This did the trick, and while like some I am not 100% in Sinus, but when I do have an attack I usually convert in a hour or so. I even showed up for a follow up with the cardiologist with a pulse of 220, and it was off to the Hospital for me. Some people tollerate it better than others, and I guess I am one of those. I like to picture it this way, and I am sure you know the feeling. It seems like you are dragging your butt around with little or no energy. Well do this for several weeks and the beauty of it is that your butt falls off and you no longer have that problem. My thought son the Ablation procedures, are very mixed as I am originaly form NE Ohio, and where I now live I am not ocnfident in the people doing these prodcedures. And I am not able to get hard stats on percentages of success. Well to end a long story I hope that you continue for many years converting, and not have it go chronic. Regards, Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2002 Report Share Posted May 9, 2002 Hi Andy, Apparently you CAN get used to these experiences, but I am sure you would rather join those of planning a way to get rid of them. One of the best first steps is to keep very good records of when these occur, what you have eaten or experienced just before etc., looking for a possible 'trigger. " Another early step would be to make sure you get tests that rule out culprits like a disorder of your thyroid. More later, Barbara >Hi all! >Let me give you a little history, I have MVP and last December I went >into afib for the first time and let me say it scared the hell out of >me. I went to the emergency room and spent the night in the ICU. I >converted on my own 14 hours later. I was then sent for a stress echo >a week later >and passed. I had my second episode last night (5 months later), and >converted on my own again about 14 hours >later. the cardiologist tells me it's not life threatening and >it's >more of a nuisance. Let me say it feels life >threatening. I have a couple of question you guys might be able to >answer. >1. Now that I had my second episode, will I be experience more >frequent episodes. >2. And if so how often. >3. How do you deal with afib mentally. > >I've been on 25mg of toprol a day, and an aspirin. The Doctor >told >me that there are all kinds of meds used to treat afib, and that many >of them are toxic, and I would be better off dealing with the afib >then the side effects of the drugs. > >Thanks for listening! > > > > >Web Page - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport >FAQ - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport/files/Administrative/faq.htm >For more information: http://www.dialsolutions.com/af >Unsubscribe: AFIBsupport-unsubscribe >List owner: AFIBsupport-owner >For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, >send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help > >Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should >be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 Hi Andy: I am so sorry you are going through this......in plain language, *it stinks*! I had over a dozen trips to the Emergency Room and several inpatient stays during my episodes. I thought life my life was over. However, after several unsuccessful cardioversions, many different meds, I was finally put on Dofetilide (no side effects) and have now been in NSR (Normal Sinus Rhythm) for over a year and a half............life is beautiful once again. There is no gauge to say when I will go into Afib again. Unfortunately, none of us has that guarantee. Somewhere done the road, I probably will go for a PVA (Pulmonary Vein Ablation) like so many of our members - but I'm a first class wimp........so right now I'm content to just wait. I have had two Afib episodes that just popped up during my year and a half - and now that I know what's going on with my body, they weren't quite so frightening. Sooooooooooo, hang in there Andy......you have lots of company here..........we're with you all the way. I do have one suggestion - you might want to be checked by an EP (Electrophysiologist). Ellen 69 NC (NSR on Dofetilide) ********************* - Original Message ----- From: andyleuzzi (snip) 1. Now that I had my second episode, will I be experience more frequent episodes. And if so how often. How do you deal with afib mentally. (snip) ************* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 Hi Andy: I wanted to add one thing to my post to you. Many persons who have this have learned what triggers the onset of Afib. I have to say that when I would experience Afib over many years I would attribute the feeling to excess exertion, and not look at what caused it. Some years back on a very warm day and working hard I drank a large glass of very cold water and looking back now it must have triggered a severe attack. I think that you will find a lot of good information from this list as to things that you can do either diet wise or stress related to avoid the onset of afib. Hope all is well with you, and like my Internist tells me do not read too much into some things as they were written by lawyers to avoid law suits. This more than anything has been good advice. Hope for the best for you. Ed 61 OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 > My thought son the Ablation procedures, are very mixed as I am > originaly form NE Ohio, and where I now live I am not ocnfident in > the people doing these prodcedures. And I am not able to get hard > stats on percentages of success. Ed, I looked at our ablation database a short time ago and the two people with excellent results had been done by a Dr. Natale at the Clevelend clinic, which I assume is in Ohio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 For the benefit of some of our new members, just click below to check out our Ablation database. Twenty-Two (22) of our members have entered their Ablation information. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport/database Ellen 69 NC (NSR on Dofetilide) ******************* I looked at our ablation database a short time ago and the two > people with excellent results had been done by a Dr. Natale at the > Clevelend clinic, which I assume is in Ohio. ******************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 > > > My thought son the Ablation procedures, are very mixed as I am > > originaly from NE Ohio, and where I now live I am not confident in > > the people doing these prodcedures. And I am not able to get hard > > stats on percentages of success. > > Ed, I looked at our ablation database a short time ago and the two > people with excellent results had been done by a Dr. Natale at the > Clevelend Clinic, which I assume is in Ohio. I think that you mis read my post. I have total confidence in the Cleveland Clinic, and not so much in the First Aid Station where I currently live. And Yes the Cleveland Clinic is in Cleveland Ohio and not Cleveland Tennesee. It is my opinion that this p[rocedure needs to be done in an environment where there is a lot of experience. Simple as that! Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 Hi Andy First let me say that your Dr's are right. AF is not life threatening. Dr's do tend to say that AF gets worse over a long time. So just because you have had two episodes does not mean you will start getting frequent runs. The one thing most of us have learned here is that AF is the most unpredictable thing that could ever happen to you. I have had AF for 20 years. If what the Dr's say was true I would be chronic by now. In fact I have less AF now, and it is not so severe, than I had when first diagnosed. I have done this by learning what my triggers were and listening to my body. Different people have different triggers but by going through the posts you should get an idea of the type of things that set people off. eg caffeine, MSG, alcohol etc. There are many. The most important thing you can learn to do is to relax when in AF. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it will not kill you. It is frightening, it is uncomfortable, it can make you not function properly, but your meds will help. So will your state of mind. Good luck Fran Help!!!!!! > Hi all! > Let me give you a little history, I have MVP and last December I went > into afib for the first time and let me say it scared the hell out of > me. I went to the emergency room and spent the night in the ICU. I > converted on my own 14 hours later. I was then sent for a stress echo > a week later > and passed. I had my second episode last night (5 months later), and > converted on my own again about 14 hours > later. the cardiologist tells me it's not life threatening and > it's > more of a nuisance. Let me say it feels life > threatening. I have a couple of question you guys might be able to > answer. > 1. Now that I had my second episode, will I be experience more > frequent episodes. > 2. And if so how often. > 3. How do you deal with afib mentally. > > I've been on 25mg of toprol a day, and an aspirin. The Doctor > told > me that there are all kinds of meds used to treat afib, and that many > of them are toxic, and I would be better off dealing with the afib > then the side effects of the drugs. > > Thanks for listening! > > > > > Web Page - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport > FAQ - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport/files/Administrative/faq.htm > For more information: http://www.dialsolutions.com/af > Unsubscribe: AFIBsupport-unsubscribe > List owner: AFIBsupport-owner > For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, > send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help > > Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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