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Hello All,

I discovered this group while searching the internet for information on focal

ablation (PVA) and I'm glad I did!

My journey as an afib patient began in March 1996 when I was awakened by the

" quivering' heart. To the ER I went and was admitted and diagnosed with afib,

something I knew nothing about. After a battery of tests to rule out thyroid

problems, faulty heart valves, etc., I was placed on procanamide and advised to

see my GP, who I'd just seen the week before for my annual physical. He then

referred me to a cardiologist, who immediately removed me from the high dose of

procanamide I'd been given. He conducted further tests to see if there were any

heart structural problems and also put me on a Holter. He concluded I should go

on amiodarone. This did a good job of regulating my rhythm, BUT, the longer I

was on it, the more photo sensitive I became. It got to the point that being in

the sun for a mere 10 minutes made my skin feel like I was inches away from a

roaring bonfire! I went back to him saying this stuff is poison and I wanted

something else. I've been on flecanide since. Even after being off the

amiodarone for over 3 years, my ophthalmologist can still see trace crystals of

it in my eyes. Bad stuff that amiodarone!

Although I began with afib, three years ago it went to atrial flutter and my

cardio said that's a good thing because there is a procedure to correct that.

He referred me to an EP at s Hopkins in Baltimore and I had a catheter

ablation performed which corrected the problem and put me back to NSR. In

January of this year, I started having brief episodes of afib, which became more

frequent and longer in duration. I was again referred to my EP, who told me

about PVA. With little hesitation, I elected to pursue PVA. I was given an

excellent information packet about the procedure, which spelled out the risks

and potential gains. It was at that point I started having second thoughts and

started my internet search for more information. Thankfully, I found this group

and have been pouring over the personal accounts of others who have preceded me

along this path. My PVA is scheduled for next month and I approach it with much

more calm and expectations of a positive outcome than I did prior to finding

this group.

I noted with considerable interest some have reported laying on their left side

seemed to trigger an afib episode. I too had that experience and my cardio

didn't saying anything one way or the other about it. I know in my case,

caffeine and alcohol are triggers as is stress and fatigue. I have never smoked

and for nearly 20 years, I was a long distance runner so when afib appeared in

my life, I was really thrown for a loop. I've never been debilitated by my afib

episodes, more annoyed and frightened if anything. I'm looking forward to post

PVA and hoping for a long time in NSR. I'll provide an update.

Best to all,

Bob