Guest guest Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 , what keeps you from having an ablation? I was just wondering, because my EP is ready to schedule mine as soon as I say ³go.² I¹m a little uncomfortable with the risks he explained to me but living like this is a drag, too. -- Kathleen Stept (Dofetilide 250mcg bid, Diltiazem 120 mg, Coumadin 5mg, baby aspirin), , Mississippi > > Must of been tough on your wife. I know mine was very discouraged > and we've decided to just hang around the house for our 2 more weeks > vacation. The ablation thing is looking better and better. > P <MI> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 <<This new cardio said that even if I consider the ablation>> If you get an ablation and it works, I understand that you are good to go, as if you never had afib. - OU alum in MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 Thanks, Rich. I¹m 99.9 percent of the way to ³go!² Kathleen > Kathleen, > Bada Bing! You want your life back. Bring on that PVA! You'll do fine. > Rich O > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 In a message dated 8/27/2004 5:35:26 PM Pacific Daylight Time, celtic8586@... writes: > In a message dated 8/27/04 5:10:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > biruteguedes@... writes: > > > This new cardio said that even if I consider the > > ablation, I'll still have to be on the coumadin for > > the rest of my life. What do you all think? > > > Ruth, I think your cardiologist must be talking about a sinus node ablation which requires installation of a pacemaker afterward since the heart's natural pacemaker has been destroyed or burned out by the ablation. As my cardiologist explained it to me, one actually remains in afib after that type of ablation; and, therefore, Coumadin is required for the rest of your life. He said that an EKG would show afib after a sinus node ablation, so the only advantage is that one would presumably not feel any symptoms from the afib because of the pacemaker. This sinus node ablation is quite different from the newer PVA, or pulmonary vein ablation, in which foci of the aberrant electrical pulses that cause afib are located and burned out, leaving the heart intact. The PVA does not leave the patient requiring Coumadin, as far as I know, because eventually people who have had a PVA usually stay in sinus all the time if the ablation is successful. It seems that most people have some afib and have to take Coumadin for a while after the PVA, but finally are free of both afib and Coumadin. I think some people in the group are wondering why your doctor said that you would have to take Coumadin for the rest of your life, but many are probably forgetting about the old sinus node ablation because I don't think that is done that much anymore. I think you need to see and E.P. and get a second opinion before having a sinus node ablation because it cannot be reversed. Once you have it, you are dependent on a pacemaker and Coumadin for the rest of your life. You should at least be evaluated for a PVA before making the decision. in sinus in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2004 Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 > , what keeps you from having an ablation? I was just wondering, because > my EP is ready to schedule mine as soon as I say ³go.² I¹m a little > uncomfortable with the risks he explained to me but living like this is a > drag, too. > -- > Kathleen Stept xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Kathleen, there's no doubt in my mind, I want an ablation......unless they come up with some magic pill that will eliminate it and that's highly unlikely. Like you, my EP is just waiting for my go ahead. My last run of NSR lasted 7 months and 15 days on Amiodarone <persistent afib>. Hopefully I'll have another run just as long or longer without any bad side effects from the drug. Time will tell. I believe, just as my cardiologist does, that because of the rapid advances in the EP field that it would be to my benefit to wait as long as possible. For example, just two weeks ago my EP told me that they were buying a multi million dollar " Magnetic Navigation " system but that it would be some time before it was operational because of the extensive rebuilding of a portion of the hospital that will house it....something to do with the strong magnetic field it produces. Then there's other questions, the Italian procedure or the French procedure? Which one is more successful? No one knows for sure because there's been no direct comparison. So you see there a lot of unanswered questions in the EP field right now. I'm on the verge of the " go ahead " and it won't take much to put me over the edge but it sure would be nice to hold off, if possible, to give myself the best chance at success. Here's some links to Mag Nav: http://www.theheart.org/viewEntityDispatcherAction.do? primaryKey=525099 http://www.stereotaxis.com/ P <MI> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 , This is all new to me. I'm on Coumiden & Lopressor Doc. says he wants to wait and see if I have more episodes. I actually think I went into AF and back NSR last night I'm reall y not sure. Really depressed about the whole thing Pete > > Have had three cardiov's since last Sept. > > On coumiden and not feeling great but my last was in early July. > > Doc says wait and see if episodes get more frequent. > > I'm scared and always waiting for the other shoe to drop. > xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > > I know how you're feeling. I've had 7 zaps since June of 2003. The > latest was just two weeks ago while on vacation in Vegas (spent 2 of > our 4 days in the ER and just had a marvelous time) I don't get > scared anymore just disgusted and very angry. > > Does your doctor have you on some type of anti arrhythmic drug? It > would seem you'd be a candidate. Are you seeing an > Electrophysiologist? You should be. > > P <Michigan> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 , This is all new to me. I'm on Coumiden & Lopressor Doc. says he wants to wait and see if I have more episodes. I actually think I went into AF and back NSR last night I'm reall y not sure. Really depressed about the whole thing Pete > > Have had three cardiov's since last Sept. > > On coumiden and not feeling great but my last was in early July. > > Doc says wait and see if episodes get more frequent. > > I'm scared and always waiting for the other shoe to drop. > xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > > I know how you're feeling. I've had 7 zaps since June of 2003. The > latest was just two weeks ago while on vacation in Vegas (spent 2 of > our 4 days in the ER and just had a marvelous time) I don't get > scared anymore just disgusted and very angry. > > Does your doctor have you on some type of anti arrhythmic drug? It > would seem you'd be a candidate. Are you seeing an > Electrophysiologist? You should be. > > P <Michigan> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 > , > This is all new to me. > I'm on Coumiden & Lopressor > Doc. says he wants to wait and see if I have more episodes. > I actually think I went into AF and back NSR last night > I'm reall y not sure. > > Really depressed about the whole thing Pete, You can tell from your pulse if you're in afib. Be sure to take it for at least a minute so that you don't get misled by a short interval of sinus. If it is nice and regular, you're probably in sinus. If it's a jumbled mess, that's probably afib. If it's regular but every so often there is what seems like a skipped beat, you're probably having frequent ectopics, those are likely sinus although annoying and if they happen frequently enough can be as debilitating(sp?) as afib. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 > , > This is all new to me. > I'm on Coumiden & Lopressor > Doc. says he wants to wait and see if I have more episodes. > I actually think I went into AF and back NSR last night > I'm reall y not sure. > > Really depressed about the whole thing Pete, You can tell from your pulse if you're in afib. Be sure to take it for at least a minute so that you don't get misled by a short interval of sinus. If it is nice and regular, you're probably in sinus. If it's a jumbled mess, that's probably afib. If it's regular but every so often there is what seems like a skipped beat, you're probably having frequent ectopics, those are likely sinus although annoying and if they happen frequently enough can be as debilitating(sp?) as afib. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 > , > This is all new to me. > I'm on Coumiden & Lopressor > Doc. says he wants to wait and see if I have more episodes. > I actually think I went into AF and back NSR last night > I'm reall y not sure. > > Really depressed about the whole thing Pete, You can tell from your pulse if you're in afib. Be sure to take it for at least a minute so that you don't get misled by a short interval of sinus. If it is nice and regular, you're probably in sinus. If it's a jumbled mess, that's probably afib. If it's regular but every so often there is what seems like a skipped beat, you're probably having frequent ectopics, those are likely sinus although annoying and if they happen frequently enough can be as debilitating(sp?) as afib. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 Trudy, Yes I do take my pulse but last night it seemed to bounce around for about 10 sec and then it was normal and I had that AF feeling in my chest. You may be right its neww to me especially some of the feelings I get at night which sometimes could be gas for all I know. Thanks glad I found the group at least I know I'm not alone.! > > , > > This is all new to me. > > I'm on Coumiden & Lopressor > > Doc. says he wants to wait and see if I have more episodes. > > I actually think I went into AF and back NSR last night > > I'm reall y not sure. > > > > Really depressed about the whole thing > > Pete, You can tell from your pulse if you're in afib. Be sure to > take it for at least a minute so that you don't get misled by a short > interval of sinus. > > If it is nice and regular, you're probably in sinus. If it's a > jumbled mess, that's probably afib. If it's regular but every so > often there is what seems like a skipped beat, you're probably having > frequent ectopics, those are likely sinus although annoying and if > they happen frequently enough can be as debilitating(sp?) as afib. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 Trudy, Yes I do take my pulse but last night it seemed to bounce around for about 10 sec and then it was normal and I had that AF feeling in my chest. You may be right its neww to me especially some of the feelings I get at night which sometimes could be gas for all I know. Thanks glad I found the group at least I know I'm not alone.! > > , > > This is all new to me. > > I'm on Coumiden & Lopressor > > Doc. says he wants to wait and see if I have more episodes. > > I actually think I went into AF and back NSR last night > > I'm reall y not sure. > > > > Really depressed about the whole thing > > Pete, You can tell from your pulse if you're in afib. Be sure to > take it for at least a minute so that you don't get misled by a short > interval of sinus. > > If it is nice and regular, you're probably in sinus. If it's a > jumbled mess, that's probably afib. If it's regular but every so > often there is what seems like a skipped beat, you're probably having > frequent ectopics, those are likely sinus although annoying and if > they happen frequently enough can be as debilitating(sp?) as afib. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 Trudy, Yes I do take my pulse but last night it seemed to bounce around for about 10 sec and then it was normal and I had that AF feeling in my chest. You may be right its neww to me especially some of the feelings I get at night which sometimes could be gas for all I know. Thanks glad I found the group at least I know I'm not alone.! > > , > > This is all new to me. > > I'm on Coumiden & Lopressor > > Doc. says he wants to wait and see if I have more episodes. > > I actually think I went into AF and back NSR last night > > I'm reall y not sure. > > > > Really depressed about the whole thing > > Pete, You can tell from your pulse if you're in afib. Be sure to > take it for at least a minute so that you don't get misled by a short > interval of sinus. > > If it is nice and regular, you're probably in sinus. If it's a > jumbled mess, that's probably afib. If it's regular but every so > often there is what seems like a skipped beat, you're probably having > frequent ectopics, those are likely sinus although annoying and if > they happen frequently enough can be as debilitating(sp?) as afib. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 I have been doing a lot of research on sleep apnea and afib. I'm and more and more convinced that there is a link in at least half of afib patients. I had a sleep study done two weeks ago. Got CPAP last week and am really happy with it and the sleep results. Haven't been in afib, but the sleep I'm getting is fabulous. Warmest Regards, Debbi, OU Alum in OKC PS: I've posted several links on this board regarding af/sleep apnea relationship. ********************************************************** , Bill suffered with sleep apnea for several years without treatment. He now thinks he has experienced bouts of afib in the past. Now Bill sleeps with a CPAP machine. We definitly think there is a link between sleep apnea and afib. Lynne Stanford > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 I have been doing a lot of research on sleep apnea and afib. I'm and more and more convinced that there is a link in at least half of afib patients. I had a sleep study done two weeks ago. Got CPAP last week and am really happy with it and the sleep results. Haven't been in afib, but the sleep I'm getting is fabulous. Warmest Regards, Debbi, OU Alum in OKC PS: I've posted several links on this board regarding af/sleep apnea relationship. ********************************************************** , Bill suffered with sleep apnea for several years without treatment. He now thinks he has experienced bouts of afib in the past. Now Bill sleeps with a CPAP machine. We definitly think there is a link between sleep apnea and afib. Lynne Stanford > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 I have been doing a lot of research on sleep apnea and afib. I'm and more and more convinced that there is a link in at least half of afib patients. I had a sleep study done two weeks ago. Got CPAP last week and am really happy with it and the sleep results. Haven't been in afib, but the sleep I'm getting is fabulous. Warmest Regards, Debbi, OU Alum in OKC PS: I've posted several links on this board regarding af/sleep apnea relationship. ********************************************************** , Bill suffered with sleep apnea for several years without treatment. He now thinks he has experienced bouts of afib in the past. Now Bill sleeps with a CPAP machine. We definitly think there is a link between sleep apnea and afib. Lynne Stanford > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Debbi, How do you tell if you have sleep apnea? Do you have to be tested in a lab? Thanks. -- Kathleen Stept (Dofetilide 250mcg bid, Diltiazem 120 mg, Coumadin 5mg, baby aspirin), , Mississippi > I have been doing a lot of research on sleep apnea and afib. I'm and > more and more convinced that there is a link in at least half of afib > patients. > > I had a sleep study done two weeks ago. Got CPAP last week and am > really happy with it and the sleep results. Haven't been in afib, > but the sleep I'm getting is fabulous. > > Warmest Regards, > > Debbi, OU Alum in OKC > > PS: I've posted several links on this board regarding af/sleep apnea > relationship. > > ********************************************************** > > > > > > , Bill suffered with sleep apnea for several years without > treatment. He now thinks he has experienced bouts of afib in the > past. Now Bill sleeps with a CPAP machine. We definitly think there > is a link between sleep apnea and afib. Lynne Stanford >> > > > > > > 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 August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Debbi, How do you tell if you have sleep apnea? Do you have to be tested in a lab? Thanks. -- Kathleen Stept (Dofetilide 250mcg bid, Diltiazem 120 mg, Coumadin 5mg, baby aspirin), , Mississippi > I have been doing a lot of research on sleep apnea and afib. I'm and > more and more convinced that there is a link in at least half of afib > patients. > > I had a sleep study done two weeks ago. Got CPAP last week and am > really happy with it and the sleep results. Haven't been in afib, > but the sleep I'm getting is fabulous. > > Warmest Regards, > > Debbi, OU Alum in OKC > > PS: I've posted several links on this board regarding af/sleep apnea > relationship. > > ********************************************************** > > > > > > , Bill suffered with sleep apnea for several years without > treatment. He now thinks he has experienced bouts of afib in the > past. Now Bill sleeps with a CPAP machine. We definitly think there > is a link between sleep apnea and afib. Lynne Stanford >> > > > > > > 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 August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Debbi, How do you tell if you have sleep apnea? Do you have to be tested in a lab? Thanks. -- Kathleen Stept (Dofetilide 250mcg bid, Diltiazem 120 mg, Coumadin 5mg, baby aspirin), , Mississippi > I have been doing a lot of research on sleep apnea and afib. I'm and > more and more convinced that there is a link in at least half of afib > patients. > > I had a sleep study done two weeks ago. Got CPAP last week and am > really happy with it and the sleep results. Haven't been in afib, > but the sleep I'm getting is fabulous. > > Warmest Regards, > > Debbi, OU Alum in OKC > > PS: I've posted several links on this board regarding af/sleep apnea > relationship. > > ********************************************************** > > > > > > , Bill suffered with sleep apnea for several years without > treatment. He now thinks he has experienced bouts of afib in the > past. Now Bill sleeps with a CPAP machine. We definitly think there > is a link between sleep apnea and afib. Lynne Stanford >> > > > > > > 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 September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 In a message dated 9/21/04 8:32:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time, syblejean@... writes: > My hope is that by joining this group, I will > get some insight from other people's experiences. > Hi , welcome to the group. We are not a medical site in that we do not offer professional diagnosis and treatment. But we offer our own personal insights and experiences. With symptoms, medications, ablations, Doctor's and hospitals, diet and so on. If I may ask you a few questions. 1. Are you seeing an Electrophysiologist (heart electrician/arrythmia specialist) as well as your cardiologist? 2. What major metropolitan area and medical center(s) are you near? 3. What drug therapy's are you on and have been on? Thanks Rich O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 In a message dated 9/21/04 8:32:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time, syblejean@... writes: > My hope is that by joining this group, I will > get some insight from other people's experiences. > Hi , welcome to the group. We are not a medical site in that we do not offer professional diagnosis and treatment. But we offer our own personal insights and experiences. With symptoms, medications, ablations, Doctor's and hospitals, diet and so on. If I may ask you a few questions. 1. Are you seeing an Electrophysiologist (heart electrician/arrythmia specialist) as well as your cardiologist? 2. What major metropolitan area and medical center(s) are you near? 3. What drug therapy's are you on and have been on? Thanks Rich O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 In a message dated 9/21/04 8:32:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time, syblejean@... writes: > My hope is that by joining this group, I will > get some insight from other people's experiences. > Hi , welcome to the group. We are not a medical site in that we do not offer professional diagnosis and treatment. But we offer our own personal insights and experiences. With symptoms, medications, ablations, Doctor's and hospitals, diet and so on. If I may ask you a few questions. 1. Are you seeing an Electrophysiologist (heart electrician/arrythmia specialist) as well as your cardiologist? 2. What major metropolitan area and medical center(s) are you near? 3. What drug therapy's are you on and have been on? Thanks Rich O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 > Hello, > My name is and my wife Syble and I just discovered your > group. I have been diagnosed with a-fib on three seperate occasions > and cardioverted electrically three times. In my case each episode > was predicated by a related cardiac event. Hello, and Syble Welcome to the group. I know you will find a lot of emotional support here. Please continue to let us know how things re going for you. I am just an ignorant layperson, so I don't know anything significant about your other heart conditions, but one thing that isn't clear to me about the afib is if they have you permanently on a blood thinner, such as Coumadin, to reduce the risk of stroke, which is the risk item in afib. A lot of people here are very " symptomatic " with afib, that is, they can't exert themselves, they get short of breath, anxious, etc. And so we try to minimize it with various medications or an afib ablation. I don't know how that would work in terms of your other heart conditions, as some heart conditions seem to cause afib. What has your doc said about his plan of action for dealing with your overall situation? What meds are you on, etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 > Hello, > My name is and my wife Syble and I just discovered your > group. I have been diagnosed with a-fib on three seperate occasions > and cardioverted electrically three times. In my case each episode > was predicated by a related cardiac event. Hello, and Syble Welcome to the group. I know you will find a lot of emotional support here. Please continue to let us know how things re going for you. I am just an ignorant layperson, so I don't know anything significant about your other heart conditions, but one thing that isn't clear to me about the afib is if they have you permanently on a blood thinner, such as Coumadin, to reduce the risk of stroke, which is the risk item in afib. A lot of people here are very " symptomatic " with afib, that is, they can't exert themselves, they get short of breath, anxious, etc. And so we try to minimize it with various medications or an afib ablation. I don't know how that would work in terms of your other heart conditions, as some heart conditions seem to cause afib. What has your doc said about his plan of action for dealing with your overall situation? What meds are you on, etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 > Hello, > My name is and my wife Syble and I just discovered your > group. I have been diagnosed with a-fib on three seperate occasions > and cardioverted electrically three times. In my case each episode > was predicated by a related cardiac event. Hello, and Syble Welcome to the group. I know you will find a lot of emotional support here. Please continue to let us know how things re going for you. I am just an ignorant layperson, so I don't know anything significant about your other heart conditions, but one thing that isn't clear to me about the afib is if they have you permanently on a blood thinner, such as Coumadin, to reduce the risk of stroke, which is the risk item in afib. A lot of people here are very " symptomatic " with afib, that is, they can't exert themselves, they get short of breath, anxious, etc. And so we try to minimize it with various medications or an afib ablation. I don't know how that would work in terms of your other heart conditions, as some heart conditions seem to cause afib. What has your doc said about his plan of action for dealing with your overall situation? What meds are you on, etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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