Re: Terrified of being put on antiarrhythmics and electrocardioversion

[Guest guest]

, I can understand your anxiety about anti-arrythmics but as one who

has been on one (Procanbid) for 5 years with absolutely no problem I have

concluded that at least for me anti-arrythmics are the way to go. I know

you've seen the comments on Amiodarone and several others, but this list is

a good resource for you to allay your fears because these reported problems

do not affect the great majority of us. I have never been

electrocardioverted so I can't speak to that--from what I've read here it

can vary from a little discomfort to a fair amount. I'm sure someone who

has had this experience will share it with you.

Good luck!

Brena

Terrified of being put on antiarrhythmics and

electrocardioversion

>

>

>

> Hi,

> My name is and I have belonged to this group for a while,

> but have only posted a couple of times. I will try to make this as

> short and succinct as possible.

> I have been in chronic A-fib for about a year or two.(Part of that

> time I was in A-flutter, so it's hard to say exactly how long I've

> been in A-fib). My heart rate has been very well controlled with

> Digoxin and Corgard (a Beta Blocker), however, now my cardiologist

> wants to put me in the hospital to try various anti-arrythmics and

> cardioversion, both of which I haven't ever tried.

> One of the major reasons the Dr. wants me to do this is because I

> need sinus surgery, and the surgery would be safer the longer I

> could be off Coumadin because of less risk of post-op. bleeding. If

> one of the anti-arrythmics and the electrocardioversion works, I

> could be off the Coumadin at least long enough to do the surgery in

> a safer way.

> The problem is I am totally petrified and having a nervous

> breakdown about this because I'm convinced I'll go into a fatal

> arrythmia, cardiac arrest, or have a heart attack from either the

> drugs and/or the electrocardioversion. I know it is possible,

> however remotely, for a fatal arrythmia to occur from Dofetilide,

> Flecainide, etc. My question is: Am I being totally silly and

> paranoid, how frequently do these things actually occur, am I

> blowing all this up totally out of proportion, etc., etc.?

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> 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.

>

[Guest guest]

I can't speak on the drugs but I can on the Cardioversion.

I've had five , four have converted me back to NSR the last one did

not. I have and appointment with my EP to discuss options .

As far as the CV's they put me under for about 8 or 10 mins and I

never felt a thing. There is some discomfort after . After each one I

have what could be a mild sunburn and some itching.

The last one they hit me six times and I was really red for about a

day but they gave me some ointment and it was fine.

If it works its a great feeling when you wake up you feel so good,

So I hope it works out for you.

Good luck

Pete Upststate NY

> As of now, I'm scheduled to go into the hospital in about 2 and 1/2

> to 3 weeks (if I don't die from anxiety before then)!

> Thank you.

>

> Sincerely,

>

[Guest guest]

> As of now, I'm scheduled to go into the hospital in about 2 and

1/2

> to 3 weeks (if I don't die from anxiety before then)!

> Thank you.

>

> Sincerely,

>

,

Maybe you should talk to your doctor about the anxiety. Why suffer

for three weeks? A low-dose anti-anxiety med might really help.

While your fears are real, you *will* be in a hospital setting

should anything unusual occur. These meds have been administered for

some time and are fairly well understood. Your chances of getting

hit by a car are probably greater, but that doesn't stop you from

going out.

I understand what you're saying - I've been there too. I don't

usually handle these situations very calmly either, but I've been in

nsr since February thanks to Flecainide and it feels real good.

[Guest guest]

Hi , I have not had much expereince with different anti-rythmics

but like I have been cardioverted several times (5). It is

very scary but the technology is getting better to the point where

the last few times, I have barely been burnt.

The first time it was done with the paddles in the OR Recovery Room

but that was 10 years ago. Last time they whelled up the unti and

put the patches on me and did it right in the ER. They didn't even

put me fully out. I can remember " kicked " in the chest but was

pretty drugged up.

It does feel good to come back to your senses and be in NSR.

The thought still terrifies me but they do take good care of you

during the process.

Tkae care.

Ed (Sotoal 180mg, 80 Mg Aspirin, NSR for now)

[Guest guest]

I recently had a cardioversion. It did not work but the experience

of having it was quite easy and positive. I noted that there were

severl life saving measures available in the room in case there was

a problem. The only negative side effect was the pattern left by

the EC pad on my chest and back. This was a little sore but is

going away. The percent of risk seems small. As has been

said, " Most of the catasrohpies I have encountered in my brain have

never occured " .

Bob

> , I can understand your anxiety about anti-arrythmics but as

one who

> has been on one (Procanbid) for 5 years with absolutely no problem

I have

> concluded that at least for me anti-arrythmics are the way to go.

I know

> you've seen the comments on Amiodarone and several others, but

this list is

> a good resource for you to allay your fears because these reported

problems

> do not affect the great majority of us. I have never been

> electrocardioverted so I can't speak to that--from what I've read

here it

> can vary from a little discomfort to a fair amount. I'm sure

someone who

> has had this experience will share it with you.

> Good luck!

> Brena

> Terrified of being put on antiarrhythmics

and

> electrocardioversion

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> > Hi,

> > My name is and I have belonged to this group for a while,

> > but have only posted a couple of times. I will try to make this

as

> > short and succinct as possible.

> > I have been in chronic A-fib for about a year or two.(Part of

that

> > time I was in A-flutter, so it's hard to say exactly how long

I've

> > been in A-fib). My heart rate has been very well controlled with

> > Digoxin and Corgard (a Beta Blocker), however, now my

cardiologist

> > wants to put me in the hospital to try various anti-arrythmics

and

> > cardioversion, both of which I haven't ever tried.

> > One of the major reasons the Dr. wants me to do this is because

I

> > need sinus surgery, and the surgery would be safer the longer I

> > could be off Coumadin because of less risk of post-op. bleeding.

If

> > one of the anti-arrythmics and the electrocardioversion works, I

> > could be off the Coumadin at least long enough to do the surgery

in

> > a safer way.

> > The problem is I am totally petrified and having a nervous

> > breakdown about this because I'm convinced I'll go into a fatal

> > arrythmia, cardiac arrest, or have a heart attack from either the

> > drugs and/or the electrocardioversion. I know it is possible,

> > however remotely, for a fatal arrythmia to occur from Dofetilide,

> > Flecainide, etc. My question is: Am I being totally silly and

> > paranoid, how frequently do these things actually occur, am I

> > blowing all this up totally out of proportion, etc., etc.?

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > 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.

> >

[Guest guest]

hey bob

i think your condition and my fathers are very similar. he has been cardioverted

4 times now. the last one he did have some marks left behind, the scary thing

was that they put the patches in the wrong spot. so when my dad wasnt coming

back into NSR they were raising the amount of shock he was recieving. I'm not

too sure about how high it was but he did have marks for about 2 weeks. the last

time they had to cardiovert him, we made sure that they were in the right place.

just something to think about.... i dont mean to scare u...take care

-Sim

rpattersonrogers wrote:

I recently had a cardioversion. It did not work but the experience

of having it was quite easy and positive. I noted that there were

severl life saving measures available in the room in case there was

a problem. The only negative side effect was the pattern left by

the EC pad on my chest and back. This was a little sore but is

going away. The percent of risk seems small. As has been

said, " Most of the catasrohpies I have encountered in my brain have

never occured " .

Bob

> , I can understand your anxiety about anti-arrythmics but as

one who

> has been on one (Procanbid) for 5 years with absolutely no problem

I have

> concluded that at least for me anti-arrythmics are the way to go.

I know

> you've seen the comments on Amiodarone and several others, but

this list is

> a good resource for you to allay your fears because these reported

problems

> do not affect the great majority of us. I have never been

> electrocardioverted so I can't speak to that--from what I've read

here it

> can vary from a little discomfort to a fair amount. I'm sure

someone who

> has had this experience will share it with you.

> Good luck!

> Brena

> Terrified of being put on antiarrhythmics

and

> electrocardioversion

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> > Hi,

> > My name is and I have belonged to this group for a while,

> > but have only posted a couple of times. I will try to make this

as

> > short and succinct as possible.

> > I have been in chronic A-fib for about a year or two.(Part of

that

> > time I was in A-flutter, so it's hard to say exactly how long

I've

> > been in A-fib). My heart rate has been very well controlled with

> > Digoxin and Corgard (a Beta Blocker), however, now my

cardiologist

> > wants to put me in the hospital to try various anti-arrythmics

and

> > cardioversion, both of which I haven't ever tried.

> > One of the major reasons the Dr. wants me to do this is because

I

> > need sinus surgery, and the surgery would be safer the longer I

> > could be off Coumadin because of less risk of post-op. bleeding.

If

> > one of the anti-arrythmics and the electrocardioversion works, I

> > could be off the Coumadin at least long enough to do the surgery

in

> > a safer way.

> > The problem is I am totally petrified and having a nervous

> > breakdown about this because I'm convinced I'll go into a fatal

> > arrythmia, cardiac arrest, or have a heart attack from either the

> > drugs and/or the electrocardioversion. I know it is possible,

> > however remotely, for a fatal arrythmia to occur from Dofetilide,

> > Flecainide, etc. My question is: Am I being totally silly and

> > paranoid, how frequently do these things actually occur, am I

> > blowing all this up totally out of proportion, etc., etc.?

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > 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.

> >

[Guest guest]

- Don't worry so much. A little over a year ago, I had been in

chronic afib (24/7) for 6 months or more. In August 2003 had a

cardioversion that put me back into nsr on the first try. Within a

month, I was off the coumadin. I did later go into aflutter but that

was corrected with an ablation in May and I'm now in nsr for over 5

months. This afib thing is not as bad as we sometimes like to

think. Follow your doctor's orders. I'd suggest that you try the

cardioversion first and then the meds if necessary. Always best to

stay off medications if you can. Best of luck to you.

Ed in VA

now my cardiologist

> wants to put me in the hospital to try various anti-arrythmics and

> cardioversion, both of which I haven't ever tried.

> Sincerely,

>

[Guest guest]

> The problem is I am totally petrified and having a nervous

> breakdown about this because I'm convinced I'll go into a fatal

> arrythmia, cardiac arrest, or have a heart attack from either the

> drugs and/or the electrocardioversion. I know it is possible,

> however remotely, for a fatal arrythmia to occur from Dofetilide,

> Flecainide, etc. My question is: Am I being totally silly and

> paranoid, how frequently do these things actually occur, am I

> blowing all this up totally out of proportion, etc., etc.?

********

, I know exactly how you feel.

I was diagnosed in Oct 2001 with afib. After a stay in the

hospital, and being anticoagulated, my EP started cardioversions.

Before the first one I was absolutely petrified. Imagined having a

stroke, a heart attack,dying, just as you are. That's normal. Afraid

my EP would get hit by a bus or something, and someone else would

show up to take his place. But there he was on the appointed day and

time. When he saw how agitated I was and how high my heart rate was

(I was so nervous that morning, I forgot to take my cardizem), he

gave me some cardizem IV.

When you get to the heart center or wherever you are going for your

CV, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown. Nurses will

come in and place you on a heart monitor, and put a pulseox monitor

on one of your fingers on your right hand, and then ask you to sign a

consent form,if you haven't already. Which is difficult to do with

that thing on your finger. An anesthiologist will come in to talk to

you. Your doctor or some other appointed person will apply the

electrodes, which are big sticky pads, one goes on your front, one on

your back. The anesthiologist will then put you under for just a few

minutes while your EP delivers a shock to your heart to put it back

into rythym. And you wake up in rythym, and hopefully it lasts.

I had four CVs the month of December, 2001. After the first one,

they were all pretty much a piece of cake. I never experienced any

pain, at all. I did have " paddle burns " on my chest and back, after

having four in one month. I used aloe vera lotion on those and that

made it much more comfortable. Good luck to you. Let me know how you

do.