Re: Fw:Shelby's horror story

January 28, 2004

I can't imagine an ER not checking for vital signs in the arm that was cold

and numb. Your amiodarone dose is way too high, in my opinion. I agree that a

visit with an EP is in order. A pulmonary vein ablation may be the answer, I

would certainly check that out before I agreed to a pacemaker. I understand that

there is a good EP for ablations in Alabama. I don't know if his name is in a

data base of ours but several members have had ablations in Alabama and maybe

they will write in and tell you who they are. I would be hesitant to have a

Dr that recommended the pacemaker do the PVA because he doesn't sound like he

has much experience in that procedure otherwise he would have brought up the

PVA.

Guy

January 28, 2004

Thanks for all the responses from a very knowledgeable group of fibbers! I will

be seriously less naïve about treatment options thanks to you all ( you all is

the way we say the plural of you down here--up North I understand it is youse )

My resting bp is all over the map since resuming warfarin--from a comfy 120/65

to 185/100. Does anyone else have this sort of erratic behavior?? Are the

medications responsible?

Re: Fw:Shelby's horror story

I can't imagine an ER not checking for vital signs in the arm that was cold

and numb. Your amiodarone dose is way too high, in my opinion. I agree that a

visit with an EP is in order. A pulmonary vein ablation may be the answer, I

would certainly check that out before I agreed to a pacemaker. I understand

that

there is a good EP for ablations in Alabama. I don't know if his name is in a

data base of ours but several members have had ablations in Alabama and maybe

they will write in and tell you who they are. I would be hesitant to have a

Dr that recommended the pacemaker do the PVA because he doesn't sound like he

has much experience in that procedure otherwise he would have brought up the

PVA.

Guy

January 28, 2004

It's Dr. Kay at UA Birmingham. And everything I've heard about him sounds great.

Re ERs my experience is that it is not a great idea to go to one at midnight.

They are changing shifts and tired (at least that was my experience at

Crestwood). Huntsville Hospital's ER was a busy place on New Year's Eve but

they made time to treat me well. I wrote a semi-humorous account of my

experience--if the board likes, I'll forward it. Maybe I'll forward it

anyway--This is the very first board I have ever joined and feedback is

wonderful--where have I been all my life?

Re: Fw:Shelby's horror story

I can't imagine an ER not checking for vital signs in the arm that was cold

and numb. Your amiodarone dose is way too high, in my opinion. I agree that a

visit with an EP is in order. A pulmonary vein ablation may be the answer, I

would certainly check that out before I agreed to a pacemaker. I understand

that

there is a good EP for ablations in Alabama. I don't know if his name is in a

data base of ours but several members have had ablations in Alabama and maybe

they will write in and tell you who they are. I would be hesitant to have a

Dr that recommended the pacemaker do the PVA because he doesn't sound like he

has much experience in that procedure otherwise he would have brought up the

PVA.

Guy

January 29, 2004

Shelby wrote..

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

Thanks for all the responses from a very knowledgeable group of fibbers! I

will be seriously less na

----------

ïve about treatment options thanks to you all (

you all is the way we say the plural of you down here--up North I

understand it is youse )

My resting bp is all over the map since resuming warfarin--from a comfy

120/65 to 185/100. Does anyone else have this sort of erratic behavior??

Are the medications responsible?

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

I too have erratic periods of high BP. Normally it's a bit high at 140/75

but occasionally (thankfully not lately) has gone up to 210/120. In my book

that's a bit naughty. I went to 'out patients' during one episode and

although they confirmed my readings, I was just monitored until it came

back down. It generally only lasts about 2 hrs but tends to make my left

leg feel tight and me a bit restless. I have had blood tests that showed no

problems and have had a 24hr BP recorder fitted. This was fitted to find

out my high's and low's during a 24 hr period so that I could be put on a

BP lowering drug. Unfortunately my waking BP is down at 120/70 and any

attempt to lower the high BP will take this figure too low. So it's fingers

crossed that it doesn't happen too often but I would like to know why it

does it. I have experienced several oddball side effects of Flecainde but I

don't think I can blame this one on it. My side effects for Flecainide are.

some strange effects on my eyes and more annoying and sometimes worrying,

very slow heart rate. During an AFIB episode, as well as the normal

irregular pulse at about 130 bpm, I get periods of up to 2 mins with a bpm

of 50 or lower. None of the above is related to Warfarin as I do not take

it.

Hope this info is of use.

Regards,

Tim.

Flecainide 100mg*2, RDA Magnesium, 1000mg Salmon oil, lots of snow, 56,

KENT UK.

January 29, 2004

Tim-

My hat is off to you. After all you have been through yourself you still have a

high level of empathy for others and courageously press on.

More to the subject of this board, it is my opinion that as often as you are in

AF and as erratically high your bp goes that you are at relatively high risk for

clotting and you should be on anti-coagulant. Have your medics explored this?

My experience shows there is absolutely no warning of an impending stroke. And

it happens very quickly indeed. I look at the beauty of life around me with ever

more appreciation knowing that 80% of those who pass a clot from the atria have

it go to the brain with dire results. I will be on warfarin/coumadin for life as

a confirmed clotter. You should check it out.

I luckily(?) went into AF this morning before getting to the medics--the

converse of the usual experience we have of being in SNR when we see the

doctors. I had good luck--was told I don't need surgery as I am basically

asymtomatic when in AF. The damage to the heart as I understand it can be done

when we stay over 130 bpm for days on end. The greatest risk is from clots

formed in the atria from blood pooled during AF attacks.

Was taken off amiodorone (after 7 years)! Am now on verapamil, 120 mg.