Re: Constant irregular heart rate

[Guest guest]

HI!

I read your posting with interest. Everyone on this message board has

a different story, but I see one similar thread binding us all

together. We all have to be our own advocates, and do the research,

and sometimes, like in my case, get a second and third opinion from

different dr's. I went for 15 yrs with SVT with only very occasional

attacks once or twice a year. Then, all of a sudden, I started having

fibs every few days. Unknown reason? I saw several different Dr's and

specialists about it, and mostly they said, " As you get older they

will increase. " Well, I was not accepting that, and I persisted in

prayer and my church friends did also, and after being annointed with

oil during a church service, I have been fib free for 67 days now! I

am going on a trip to Europe next week, and am confident that I am in

God's hands. After all, He is the best Physician of all!

That is my story, just wanted to share it with the board. By the way,

I now take Toprol XL and digitek. But was taking it also while I was

having the fib attacks, so can't give the meds the credit.

Mandy of CA

[Guest guest]

HI!

I read your posting with interest. Everyone on this message board has

a different story, but I see one similar thread binding us all

together. We all have to be our own advocates, and do the research,

and sometimes, like in my case, get a second and third opinion from

different dr's. I went for 15 yrs with SVT with only very occasional

attacks once or twice a year. Then, all of a sudden, I started having

fibs every few days. Unknown reason? I saw several different Dr's and

specialists about it, and mostly they said, " As you get older they

will increase. " Well, I was not accepting that, and I persisted in

prayer and my church friends did also, and after being annointed with

oil during a church service, I have been fib free for 67 days now! I

am going on a trip to Europe next week, and am confident that I am in

God's hands. After all, He is the best Physician of all!

That is my story, just wanted to share it with the board. By the way,

I now take Toprol XL and digitek. But was taking it also while I was

having the fib attacks, so can't give the meds the credit.

Mandy of CA

[Guest guest]

> I've been avidly reading peoples questions, comments and

experiences

> and finding it very interesting and informative. I was diagnosed

> with AF, August 2003. ...> I have never been cardioconverted, as I

seem to slip in and out of

> AF, but have had to go into hospital once due a very bad reaction

to

> Flecanide.

>

> I decided not to have a cathetar ablation recently, and discussed

> with my EP the pro's and con's and we both decided that I would be

> better waiting to have PVA, but at the moment in UK not too many

> hospitals are doing these and I was hoping to wait until they were

a

> little more tried and tested here, or possible go to Bordeaux.

Lesley, if I were you, I would seriously consider going to France.

With this degree of impact on your life, why wait? And they are the

best folks in the world to do this.

Another possibility is trying dofetilide (tikosyn), which has worked

for many people.

Since my doc is talking about putting me on felcanide, I am wondering

what reaction you had to it?

[Guest guest]

> I've been avidly reading peoples questions, comments and

experiences

> and finding it very interesting and informative. I was diagnosed

> with AF, August 2003. ...> I have never been cardioconverted, as I

seem to slip in and out of

> AF, but have had to go into hospital once due a very bad reaction

to

> Flecanide.

>

> I decided not to have a cathetar ablation recently, and discussed

> with my EP the pro's and con's and we both decided that I would be

> better waiting to have PVA, but at the moment in UK not too many

> hospitals are doing these and I was hoping to wait until they were

a

> little more tried and tested here, or possible go to Bordeaux.

Lesley, if I were you, I would seriously consider going to France.

With this degree of impact on your life, why wait? And they are the

best folks in the world to do this.

Another possibility is trying dofetilide (tikosyn), which has worked

for many people.

Since my doc is talking about putting me on felcanide, I am wondering

what reaction you had to it?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/8/2004 8:07:12 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

lesley@... writes:

<< I am not sure what else to

do at the moment. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

>>

Lesley,

It occurs to me that you might try asking your doctor if you could try a

higher dose of the Atenolol, like 50 m.g. twice daily. That's the course I took

when my afib worsened about six years ago. Then my dose was raised to 50 m.g.

three times daily, and Verapamil 80 m.g. three times daily was added to the

Atenolol. I have been doing very well on that combination for the past six

years. Even when I have afib rarely now, my rate stays fairly stable and low

even

though the rhythm is irregular. Of course, I realize that not everyone could

tolerate such a dose, but it wouldn't hurt ask if you could try a somewhat

higher dose along with a calcium channel blocker like Verapamil, I would think.

It's worked for me really well so that along with quitting dairy products, I

rarely have afib now whereas before I was in afib 50 percent of the time, just

three years ago. Good luck,

in sinus in Seattle

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/8/2004 8:07:12 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

lesley@... writes:

<< I am not sure what else to

do at the moment. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

>>

Lesley,

It occurs to me that you might try asking your doctor if you could try a

higher dose of the Atenolol, like 50 m.g. twice daily. That's the course I took

when my afib worsened about six years ago. Then my dose was raised to 50 m.g.

three times daily, and Verapamil 80 m.g. three times daily was added to the

Atenolol. I have been doing very well on that combination for the past six

years. Even when I have afib rarely now, my rate stays fairly stable and low

even

though the rhythm is irregular. Of course, I realize that not everyone could

tolerate such a dose, but it wouldn't hurt ask if you could try a somewhat

higher dose along with a calcium channel blocker like Verapamil, I would think.

It's worked for me really well so that along with quitting dairy products, I

rarely have afib now whereas before I was in afib 50 percent of the time, just

three years ago. Good luck,

in sinus in Seattle

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/8/2004 12:14:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

john_s2385@... writes:

<< Second: May I strongly suggest that you give warfarin much more

consideration. The MAJOR complication from AF is stroke and my

personal opinion is that the amount of aspirin you take doesn't

protect you sufficiently. Because you seem to go in and out of AF

many times a day you need that protection more than most of us >>

Lesley,

I agree with the above opinion. Have you talked to your doctor about

Coumadin? At least you could discuss whether or not the aspirin is enough

protection

since you are having afib more frequently than many of us who, like me, are

taking Coumadin.

in sinus in Seattle

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/8/2004 12:14:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

john_s2385@... writes:

<< Second: May I strongly suggest that you give warfarin much more

consideration. The MAJOR complication from AF is stroke and my

personal opinion is that the amount of aspirin you take doesn't

protect you sufficiently. Because you seem to go in and out of AF

many times a day you need that protection more than most of us >>

Lesley,

I agree with the above opinion. Have you talked to your doctor about

Coumadin? At least you could discuss whether or not the aspirin is enough

protection

since you are having afib more frequently than many of us who, like me, are

taking Coumadin.

in sinus in Seattle

[Guest guest]

Lesley: Glad to have you join the interchange within this group. I

just have a comment and a question. First, your hospitalization for

a " bad reaction to flecanide " leads me to ask about the

circumstances. Since I take 200mg a day I want to be aware of what

to look out for.

Second: May I strongly suggest that you give warfarin much more

consideration. The MAJOR complication from AF is stroke and my

personal opinion is that the amount of aspirin you take doesn't

protect you sufficiently. Because you seem to go in and out of AF

many times a day you need that protection more than most of us who

only get it a few times a week. My understanding is that right after

you self-convert is the most likely time to develop a clot and expel

it into the circulatory system.

S.

> I've been avidly reading peoples questions, comments and

experiences

> and finding it very interesting and informative. I was diagnosed

> with AF, August 2003. I am 44 years old, female, with a previous

> history of SVT. At the moment I'm on Atenolol 25mg x 2 and asprin

> 75mg x 2 daily and appear to have Lone AF. My experience of AF

> seems to be quite different from many other people. I have a

> constant very, irregular heart beat, with it fluctuating hourly

from

> 50 to over 150 bpm and go in and out of AF on a daily basis. Most

> people seem to experience longer episodes of AF and then NSR. Does

> any body else out there experience this?

>

> I have never been cardioconverted, as I seem to slip in and out of

> AF, but have had to go into hospital once due a very bad reaction

to

> Flecanide.

>

> I decided not to have a cathetar ablation recently, and discussed

> with my EP the pro's and con's and we both decided that I would be

> better waiting to have PVA, but at the moment in UK not too many

> hospitals are doing these and I was hoping to wait until they were

a

> little more tried and tested here, or possible go to Bordeaux.

>

> I am seeing my cardiologist in June,when I think they are wanting

to

> put me on warfrin, but at the moment am feeling very down about it

> all, I've already given up working full time as I just couldn't

> manage this and my two young children and I am not sure what else

to

> do at the moment. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Guest guest]

Lesley: Glad to have you join the interchange within this group. I

just have a comment and a question. First, your hospitalization for

a " bad reaction to flecanide " leads me to ask about the

circumstances. Since I take 200mg a day I want to be aware of what

to look out for.

Second: May I strongly suggest that you give warfarin much more

consideration. The MAJOR complication from AF is stroke and my

personal opinion is that the amount of aspirin you take doesn't

protect you sufficiently. Because you seem to go in and out of AF

many times a day you need that protection more than most of us who

only get it a few times a week. My understanding is that right after

you self-convert is the most likely time to develop a clot and expel

it into the circulatory system.

S.

> I've been avidly reading peoples questions, comments and

experiences

> and finding it very interesting and informative. I was diagnosed

> with AF, August 2003. I am 44 years old, female, with a previous

> history of SVT. At the moment I'm on Atenolol 25mg x 2 and asprin

> 75mg x 2 daily and appear to have Lone AF. My experience of AF

> seems to be quite different from many other people. I have a

> constant very, irregular heart beat, with it fluctuating hourly

from

> 50 to over 150 bpm and go in and out of AF on a daily basis. Most

> people seem to experience longer episodes of AF and then NSR. Does

> any body else out there experience this?

>

> I have never been cardioconverted, as I seem to slip in and out of

> AF, but have had to go into hospital once due a very bad reaction

to

> Flecanide.

>

> I decided not to have a cathetar ablation recently, and discussed

> with my EP the pro's and con's and we both decided that I would be

> better waiting to have PVA, but at the moment in UK not too many

> hospitals are doing these and I was hoping to wait until they were

a

> little more tried and tested here, or possible go to Bordeaux.

>

> I am seeing my cardiologist in June,when I think they are wanting

to

> put me on warfrin, but at the moment am feeling very down about it

> all, I've already given up working full time as I just couldn't

> manage this and my two young children and I am not sure what else

to

> do at the moment. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Guest guest]

Lesley - I'm sorry to hear about your chronic afib, but my suggestion would be

to talk to your doctor about considering different medications to give you

better control. I take dofetilide (a U.S. drug) at 750 mcg per day AND I take

100 mg Atenelol per day... the atenelol is to lower the blood pressure and slow

the heart, but as far as I know it's not an antiarrythmic, which may be what you

need? I only go into afib once ever few months, but had a 6 week spell earlier

this year, which is why my doctor thought I finally needed an antiarrythmic.

But there are so many other control drugs out there, and it sounds like you and

your doctor need to seriously investigate a few!

I also agree with everyone who has suggested that you speak with him/her about

going on coumadin as well.. if you're fibbing daily, you really need to do

something to reduce your risk of stroke.

best of luck

Stef

(40, Tikosyn 750 mcg, Atenelolo 100mg, Coumadin 7mcg, Synthroid .125 mcg)

lesley2402 wrote:

I've been avidly reading peoples questions, comments and experiences

and finding it very interesting and informative. I was diagnosed

with AF, August 2003. I am 44 years old, female, with a previous

history of SVT. At the moment I'm on Atenolol 25mg x 2 and asprin

75mg x 2 daily and appear to have Lone AF. My experience of AF

seems to be quite different from many other people. I have a

constant very, irregular heart beat, with it fluctuating hourly from

50 to over 150 bpm and go in and out of AF on a daily basis. Most

people seem to experience longer episodes of AF and then NSR. Does

any body else out there experience this?

I have never been cardioconverted, as I seem to slip in and out of

AF, but have had to go into hospital once due a very bad reaction to

Flecanide.

I decided not to have a cathetar ablation recently, and discussed

with my EP the pro's and con's and we both decided that I would be

better waiting to have PVA, but at the moment in UK not too many

hospitals are doing these and I was hoping to wait until they were a

little more tried and tested here, or possible go to Bordeaux.

I am seeing my cardiologist in June,when I think they are wanting to

put me on warfrin, but at the moment am feeling very down about it

all, I've already given up working full time as I just couldn't

manage this and my two young children and I am not sure what else to

do at the moment. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Backup web page - http://afibsupport.proboards23.com

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.

[Guest guest]

Lesley - I'm sorry to hear about your chronic afib, but my suggestion would be

to talk to your doctor about considering different medications to give you

better control. I take dofetilide (a U.S. drug) at 750 mcg per day AND I take

100 mg Atenelol per day... the atenelol is to lower the blood pressure and slow

the heart, but as far as I know it's not an antiarrythmic, which may be what you

need? I only go into afib once ever few months, but had a 6 week spell earlier

this year, which is why my doctor thought I finally needed an antiarrythmic.

But there are so many other control drugs out there, and it sounds like you and

your doctor need to seriously investigate a few!

I also agree with everyone who has suggested that you speak with him/her about

going on coumadin as well.. if you're fibbing daily, you really need to do

something to reduce your risk of stroke.

best of luck

Stef

(40, Tikosyn 750 mcg, Atenelolo 100mg, Coumadin 7mcg, Synthroid .125 mcg)

lesley2402 wrote:

I've been avidly reading peoples questions, comments and experiences

and finding it very interesting and informative. I was diagnosed

with AF, August 2003. I am 44 years old, female, with a previous

history of SVT. At the moment I'm on Atenolol 25mg x 2 and asprin

75mg x 2 daily and appear to have Lone AF. My experience of AF

seems to be quite different from many other people. I have a

constant very, irregular heart beat, with it fluctuating hourly from

50 to over 150 bpm and go in and out of AF on a daily basis. Most

people seem to experience longer episodes of AF and then NSR. Does

any body else out there experience this?

I have never been cardioconverted, as I seem to slip in and out of

AF, but have had to go into hospital once due a very bad reaction to

Flecanide.

I decided not to have a cathetar ablation recently, and discussed

with my EP the pro's and con's and we both decided that I would be

better waiting to have PVA, but at the moment in UK not too many

hospitals are doing these and I was hoping to wait until they were a

little more tried and tested here, or possible go to Bordeaux.

I am seeing my cardiologist in June,when I think they are wanting to

put me on warfrin, but at the moment am feeling very down about it

all, I've already given up working full time as I just couldn't

manage this and my two young children and I am not sure what else to

do at the moment. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Backup web page - http://afibsupport.proboards23.com

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.

[Guest guest]

Lesley - I'm sorry to hear about your chronic afib, but my suggestion would be

to talk to your doctor about considering different medications to give you

better control. I take dofetilide (a U.S. drug) at 750 mcg per day AND I take

100 mg Atenelol per day... the atenelol is to lower the blood pressure and slow

the heart, but as far as I know it's not an antiarrythmic, which may be what you

need? I only go into afib once ever few months, but had a 6 week spell earlier

this year, which is why my doctor thought I finally needed an antiarrythmic.

But there are so many other control drugs out there, and it sounds like you and

your doctor need to seriously investigate a few!

I also agree with everyone who has suggested that you speak with him/her about

going on coumadin as well.. if you're fibbing daily, you really need to do

something to reduce your risk of stroke.

best of luck

Stef

(40, Tikosyn 750 mcg, Atenelolo 100mg, Coumadin 7mcg, Synthroid .125 mcg)

lesley2402 wrote:

I've been avidly reading peoples questions, comments and experiences

and finding it very interesting and informative. I was diagnosed

with AF, August 2003. I am 44 years old, female, with a previous

history of SVT. At the moment I'm on Atenolol 25mg x 2 and asprin

75mg x 2 daily and appear to have Lone AF. My experience of AF

seems to be quite different from many other people. I have a

constant very, irregular heart beat, with it fluctuating hourly from

50 to over 150 bpm and go in and out of AF on a daily basis. Most

people seem to experience longer episodes of AF and then NSR. Does

any body else out there experience this?

I have never been cardioconverted, as I seem to slip in and out of

AF, but have had to go into hospital once due a very bad reaction to

Flecanide.

I decided not to have a cathetar ablation recently, and discussed

with my EP the pro's and con's and we both decided that I would be

better waiting to have PVA, but at the moment in UK not too many

hospitals are doing these and I was hoping to wait until they were a

little more tried and tested here, or possible go to Bordeaux.

I am seeing my cardiologist in June,when I think they are wanting to

put me on warfrin, but at the moment am feeling very down about it

all, I've already given up working full time as I just couldn't

manage this and my two young children and I am not sure what else to

do at the moment. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Backup web page - http://afibsupport.proboards23.com

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.

[Guest guest]

Get thee to Bordeaux as fast as you can possibly get there! That

said, I wholeheartedly agree with the advise to begin

Coumadin/Warfarin immediately. I am a 2 stroke survivor, still in

mild AF after ablation and my neurologist is extremely concerned

about another clot. The coumadin greatly reduces the risk of clot!

Second, I meant what I said about Bordeaux. The ablation was no

walk in the park - I won't try to sugar coat it - but the procedure

has enormous value in rerturning you to the life style you had - or

clsoe to it - before the AF became a daily disabling issue. Before

mine I couldn't walk 160' to the mailbox and back without laying

dowen for an hour. Now I can get through a normal day's activities

without crushing exhaustion.

My best wishes to you

[Guest guest]

Get thee to Bordeaux as fast as you can possibly get there! That

said, I wholeheartedly agree with the advise to begin

Coumadin/Warfarin immediately. I am a 2 stroke survivor, still in

mild AF after ablation and my neurologist is extremely concerned

about another clot. The coumadin greatly reduces the risk of clot!

Second, I meant what I said about Bordeaux. The ablation was no

walk in the park - I won't try to sugar coat it - but the procedure

has enormous value in rerturning you to the life style you had - or

clsoe to it - before the AF became a daily disabling issue. Before

mine I couldn't walk 160' to the mailbox and back without laying

dowen for an hour. Now I can get through a normal day's activities

without crushing exhaustion.

My best wishes to you

[Guest guest]

Get thee to Bordeaux as fast as you can possibly get there! That

said, I wholeheartedly agree with the advise to begin

Coumadin/Warfarin immediately. I am a 2 stroke survivor, still in

mild AF after ablation and my neurologist is extremely concerned

about another clot. The coumadin greatly reduces the risk of clot!

Second, I meant what I said about Bordeaux. The ablation was no

walk in the park - I won't try to sugar coat it - but the procedure

has enormous value in rerturning you to the life style you had - or

clsoe to it - before the AF became a daily disabling issue. Before

mine I couldn't walk 160' to the mailbox and back without laying

dowen for an hour. Now I can get through a normal day's activities

without crushing exhaustion.

My best wishes to you

[Guest guest]

Dear Lesley,

If I were you, I would reconsider having a PVA ablation done and, in

the meantime, consider going on warfarin if that is what your EP

advises.

I am a 63 year old male living south of London and have had two

ablations to sort my atrial fib (having waited three years for it to

become a more practible procedure). There are competent EP's who do

ablations in the UK but they tend to be a little more modest and

conservative about their success rates than some of the world's

experts! If you live anywhere near London I would recommend Dr JS

Gill at the London Bridge. (He also does NHS work).

If you would like to talk on the telephone, write to me off line and

I would be happy to discuss the problem with you.

Bob

>

> I decided not to have a cathetar ablation recently, and discussed

> with my EP the pro's and con's and we both decided that I would be

> better waiting to have PVA, but at the moment in UK not too many

> hospitals are doing these and I was hoping to wait until they were

a

> little more tried and tested here, or possible go to Bordeaux.

>

> I am seeing my cardiologist in June,when I think they are wanting

to

> put me on warfrin,

[Guest guest]

Dear Lesley,

If I were you, I would reconsider having a PVA ablation done and, in

the meantime, consider going on warfarin if that is what your EP

advises.

I am a 63 year old male living south of London and have had two

ablations to sort my atrial fib (having waited three years for it to

become a more practible procedure). There are competent EP's who do

ablations in the UK but they tend to be a little more modest and

conservative about their success rates than some of the world's

experts! If you live anywhere near London I would recommend Dr JS

Gill at the London Bridge. (He also does NHS work).

If you would like to talk on the telephone, write to me off line and

I would be happy to discuss the problem with you.

Bob

>

> I decided not to have a cathetar ablation recently, and discussed

> with my EP the pro's and con's and we both decided that I would be

> better waiting to have PVA, but at the moment in UK not too many

> hospitals are doing these and I was hoping to wait until they were

a

> little more tried and tested here, or possible go to Bordeaux.

>

> I am seeing my cardiologist in June,when I think they are wanting

to

> put me on warfrin,

[Guest guest]

Dear Lesley,

If I were you, I would reconsider having a PVA ablation done and, in

the meantime, consider going on warfarin if that is what your EP

advises.

I am a 63 year old male living south of London and have had two

ablations to sort my atrial fib (having waited three years for it to

become a more practible procedure). There are competent EP's who do

ablations in the UK but they tend to be a little more modest and

conservative about their success rates than some of the world's

experts! If you live anywhere near London I would recommend Dr JS

Gill at the London Bridge. (He also does NHS work).

If you would like to talk on the telephone, write to me off line and

I would be happy to discuss the problem with you.

Bob

>

> I decided not to have a cathetar ablation recently, and discussed

> with my EP the pro's and con's and we both decided that I would be

> better waiting to have PVA, but at the moment in UK not too many

> hospitals are doing these and I was hoping to wait until they were

a

> little more tried and tested here, or possible go to Bordeaux.

>

> I am seeing my cardiologist in June,when I think they are wanting

to

> put me on warfrin,

[Guest guest]

Re: Constant irregular heart rate

Lesley and Bob,

Everyone needs to make their own decision. So, whatever you do it needs to

be right for you, regardless of what is right for others. Bob says he had

two ablations done. That was what he wanted, but I wonder if ablation is

right for everyone if Bob needed two, not one. Waiting until the procedure

is more perfected is tough to judge.

I'm a 63 year old male living near Chicago. I deal with chronic atrial

fibrilation by medication to control rate and Warfarin to reduce the risk of

stroke. It works for me, and I'm doing well at sports car racing. Someday

ablation might be a consideration, but not for now.

Harry

> > I decided not to have a cathetar ablation recently, and discussed

> > with my EP the pro's and con's and we both decided that I would be

> > better waiting to have PVA, but at the moment in UK not too many

> > hospitals are doing these and I was hoping to wait until they were

> a

> > little more tried and tested here, or possible go to Bordeaux.

> >

> > I am seeing my cardiologist in June,when I think they are wanting

> to

> > put me on warfrin,

>

>

>

>

>