Guest guest Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 Hello everyone, My husband (37 yrs old with lone afib) had his appointment with Dr Mansour at Ma General yesterday. He had been so apprehensive, wondering what he was going to say this time...Since May, we have tried flecanide with toperol and sotalol (up to 240 mg/day). Neither of which stop the afib, but the sotalol keeps him asymptomatic. For Dr Mansour, amiodarone was not even an option for him...too many problems with it, and we thought he was too young (which is fine because we had decided to stay away from that one). Dr Mansour's recommendation was the same as the two cards and other Ep we saw at Brigham...to have the procedure done. Not without risks, as we all know...he explained that stroke and narrowing of the pulm. vein are the two biggest. Out of about 500 they have done, they have had 3 strokes...about 1 percent...this scared me, but interestingly, did not scare my husband. So, the appt is set for April 5. He goes for an mri April 2...He stops the coumadin a few days before, and 2 days prior I have to do the shots in the belly (fragmin) since the coumadin will be wearing off. I am scared for him now...he made the choice. Is tired of the meds and how they make him feel...and feels comfortable with his decision...I guess I am looking for some reassurance from people who have been through it...can anyone ease my mind? BTW, Rich O, my mother in law heard the ad for Afib on the radio yesterday. Thanks so much, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 Hi There are scores of us PVA grads who haunt this board, and I'm sure you will hear from many of us ! The procedure seems a lot more scary than it actually is. The best thing you two can do for piece of mind is to educate yourselves. Here are a few suggestions: www.a-fib.com , www.affacts.com, www.clevelandclinic.com (you will have to navigate to the AF section in the last one) For the vast majority of us the procedure was a " piece of cake " . That's not to downplay the risks, but in reality it's a very safe procedure. Some people experience discomfort during the procedure (I had a little - mine was done under " conscious sedation " , so you are awake, but barely) Many, including me, report the most difficult part is afterwards when you are required to be immobile for several hours. It gives you a pretty stiff back, but that passes quickly after your up & around. In my case, I had the procedure on Friday, stayed overnight in the hospital, released, came home Sunday. I was back at work on Monday. That was little more than a year ago & I've been AF free since. This gets repeated many times on this board, but I think the most telling indicator in favor of the procedure is from those of us who have gone through it - not all, but almost all, wouldn't hesitate to have it done again. In fact, many do, as a " touchup " procedure is needed in some cases. It sounds like you've picked a good hospital since they have done several hundred. That's very important - practice makes perfect ! Thor Ablation appt made... Hello everyone, My husband (37 yrs old with lone afib) had his appointment with Dr Mansour at Ma General yesterday. He had been so apprehensive, wondering what he was going to say this time...Since May, we have tried flecanide with toperol and sotalol (up to 240 mg/day). Neither of which stop the afib, but the sotalol keeps him asymptomatic. For Dr Mansour, amiodarone was not even an option for him...too many problems with it, and we thought he was too young (which is fine because we had decided to stay away from that one). Dr Mansour's recommendation was the same as the two cards and other Ep we saw at Brigham...to have the procedure done. Not without risks, as we all know...he explained that stroke and narrowing of the pulm. vein are the two biggest. Out of about 500 they have done, they have had 3 strokes...about 1 percent...this scared me, but interestingly, did not scare my husband. So, the appt is set for April 5. He goes for an mri April 2...He stops the coumadin a few days before, and 2 days prior I have to do the shots in the belly (fragmin) since the coumadin will be wearing off. I am scared for him now...he made the choice. Is tired of the meds and how they make him feel...and feels comfortable with his decision...I guess I am looking for some reassurance from people who have been through it...can anyone ease my mind? BTW, Rich O, my mother in law heard the ad for Afib on the radio yesterday. Thanks so much, Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 Thor, Thank you for your reassuring words...I appreciate it. I don't know if it's easier to be on this side, or the side of my husband who will be having it done. I am also pregnant, due with baby #3 in June/July, so there is just so much to think about right now. Thanks again! > Hi > > There are scores of us PVA grads who haunt this board, and I'm sure you will hear from many of us ! > > The procedure seems a lot more scary than it actually is. The best thing you two can do for piece of mind is to educate yourselves. Here are a few suggestions: www.a-fib.com , www.affacts.com, www.clevelandclinic.com (you will have to navigate to the AF section in the last one) For the vast majority of us the procedure was a " piece of cake " . That's not to downplay the risks, but in reality it's a very safe procedure. Some people experience discomfort during the procedure (I had a little - mine was done under " conscious sedation " , so you are awake, but barely) Many, including me, report the most difficult part is afterwards when you are required to be immobile for several hours. It gives you a pretty stiff back, but that passes quickly after your up & around. In my case, I had the procedure on Friday, stayed overnight in the hospital, released, came home Sunday. I was back at work on Monday. That was little more than a year ago & I've been AF free since. > > This gets repeated many times on this board, but I think the most telling indicator in favor of the procedure is from those of us who have gone through it - not all, but almost all, wouldn't hesitate to have it done again. In fact, many do, as a " touchup " procedure is needed in some cases. It sounds like you've picked a good hospital since they have done several hundred. That's very important - practice makes perfect ! > Thor > Ablation appt made... > > > > Hello everyone, > > My husband (37 yrs old with lone afib) had his appointment with Dr > Mansour at Ma General yesterday. He had been so apprehensive, > wondering what he was going to say this time...Since May, we have > tried flecanide with toperol and sotalol (up to 240 mg/day). Neither > of which stop the afib, but the sotalol keeps him asymptomatic. For > Dr Mansour, amiodarone was not even an option for him...too many > problems with it, and we thought he was too young (which is fine > because we had decided to stay away from that one). > > Dr Mansour's recommendation was the same as the two cards and other > Ep we saw at Brigham...to have the procedure done. Not without risks, > as we all know...he explained that stroke and narrowing of the pulm. > vein are the two biggest. Out of about 500 they have done, they have > had 3 strokes...about 1 percent...this scared me, but interestingly, > did not scare my husband. > > So, the appt is set for April 5. He goes for an mri April 2...He > stops the coumadin a few days before, and 2 days prior I have to do > the shots in the belly (fragmin) since the coumadin will be wearing > off. > > I am scared for him now...he made the choice. Is tired of the meds > and how they make him feel...and feels comfortable with his > decision...I guess I am looking for some reassurance from people who > have been through it...can anyone ease my mind? > > BTW, Rich O, my mother in law heard the ad for Afib on the radio > yesterday. > > Thanks so much, > > > > > > > > Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.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. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 Rich, Thanks for your response. I did not know that about Dr Mansour. He seems to know his stuff...but he was very firm on making sure we were well aware of the risks, and I think that scared me a bit. Thanks again, > In a message dated 3/10/05 12:37:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, > tkiverson@p... writes: > > > > > > > > Hi , > Your husband is lucky to have you there for him. Tell him I said so! > He will do fine. Dr. Manssour was a featured speaker at the AF Symposium and > is the most experienced EP in ablations in Boston per the AF Foundation. > Good choice, great hospital and looking forward to being AF free. When it's > all done, he owe's you a vacation to a destination of your choice and he'll be > glad to do it! > Rich O > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 , if I can offer you any insight, feel free to have your husband or yourself contact me directly if you wish. At his age, I sure think he made the right decision ! Thor Ablation appt made... > > > > Hello everyone, > > My husband (37 yrs old with lone afib) had his appointment with Dr > Mansour at Ma General yesterday. He had been so apprehensive, > wondering what he was going to say this time...Since May, we have > tried flecanide with toperol and sotalol (up to 240 mg/day). Neither > of which stop the afib, but the sotalol keeps him asymptomatic. For > Dr Mansour, amiodarone was not even an option for him...too many > problems with it, and we thought he was too young (which is fine > because we had decided to stay away from that one). > > Dr Mansour's recommendation was the same as the two cards and other > Ep we saw at Brigham...to have the procedure done. Not without risks, > as we all know...he explained that stroke and narrowing of the pulm. > vein are the two biggest. Out of about 500 they have done, they have > had 3 strokes...about 1 percent...this scared me, but interestingly, > did not scare my husband. > > So, the appt is set for April 5. He goes for an mri April 2...He > stops the coumadin a few days before, and 2 days prior I have to do > the shots in the belly (fragmin) since the coumadin will be wearing > off. > > I am scared for him now...he made the choice. Is tired of the meds > and how they make him feel...and feels comfortable with his > decision...I guess I am looking for some reassurance from people who > have been through it...can anyone ease my mind? > > BTW, Rich O, my mother in law heard the ad for Afib on the radio > yesterday. > > Thanks so much, > > > > > > > > Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.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. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 Dear I have not had an ablation but I will be thinking of your and your husband in early April. I am booked for a pacemaker on the 4th April and I understand how you are feeling in regards to anything being done to your heart. The complications are real but thankgoodness few. I understand how you husband feels as I would also like to get rid of my AFib and get of the medications I am taking. Hope everything goes well can you let us all know Best Wishes Lynda Moynahan myhooch2002 wrote: Hello everyone, My husband (37 yrs old with lone afib) had his appointment with Dr Mansour at Ma General yesterday. He had been so apprehensive, wondering what he was going to say this time...Since May, we have tried flecanide with toperol and sotalol (up to 240 mg/day). Neither of which stop the afib, but the sotalol keeps him asymptomatic. For Dr Mansour, amiodarone was not even an option for him...too many problems with it, and we thought he was too young (which is fine because we had decided to stay away from that one). Dr Mansour's recommendation was the same as the two cards and other Ep we saw at Brigham...to have the procedure done. Not without risks, as we all know...he explained that stroke and narrowing of the pulm. vein are the two biggest. Out of about 500 they have done, they have had 3 strokes...about 1 percent...this scared me, but interestingly, did not scare my husband. So, the appt is set for April 5. He goes for an mri April 2...He stops the coumadin a few days before, and 2 days prior I have to do the shots in the belly (fragmin) since the coumadin will be wearing off. I am scared for him now...he made the choice. Is tired of the meds and how they make him feel...and feels comfortable with his decision...I guess I am looking for some reassurance from people who have been through it...can anyone ease my mind? BTW, Rich O, my mother in law heard the ad for Afib on the radio yesterday. Thanks so much, Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 Lynda, Thank you, and I will do the same for you. > > Hello everyone, > > My husband (37 yrs old with lone afib) had his appointment with Dr > Mansour at Ma General yesterday. He had been so apprehensive, > wondering what he was going to say this time...Since May, we have > tried flecanide with toperol and sotalol (up to 240 mg/day). Neither > of which stop the afib, but the sotalol keeps him asymptomatic. For > Dr Mansour, amiodarone was not even an option for him...too many > problems with it, and we thought he was too young (which is fine > because we had decided to stay away from that one). > > Dr Mansour's recommendation was the same as the two cards and other > Ep we saw at Brigham...to have the procedure done. Not without risks, > as we all know...he explained that stroke and narrowing of the pulm. > vein are the two biggest. Out of about 500 they have done, they have > had 3 strokes...about 1 percent...this scared me, but interestingly, > did not scare my husband. > > So, the appt is set for April 5. He goes for an mri April 2...He > stops the coumadin a few days before, and 2 days prior I have to do > the shots in the belly (fragmin) since the coumadin will be wearing > off. > > I am scared for him now...he made the choice. Is tired of the meds > and how they make him feel...and feels comfortable with his > decision...I guess I am looking for some reassurance from people who > have been through it...can anyone ease my mind? > > BTW, Rich O, my mother in law heard the ad for Afib on the radio > yesterday. > > Thanks so much, > > > > > > > > Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.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. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.