Guest guest Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 Reporting in. I tried to post yesterday but my email was doing funny things. Went for first check up yesterday. Had a bout of afib that lasted about an hour just before. In NSR at time of checkup. I've been in and out of afib since. So the miracle cure has not quite set in permanently. Of course that was reiterated to me at the checkup. Funny though, when I'm in afib, it doesn't seem as symptomatic, and it seems to resolve easily on its own. And the afib does not seem to be as directly related to my activiy (or caffeine consumption, of which I've had some). I.e., my afib seems to be a bit more dissociated from the rest of my body's input signals (triggers). I'm telling myself these are good signs. Patience is a hard thing sometimes, which may relate to my hyper-adrenergic state that may be related to my afib in the first place. Always trying to rationalize my situation and understand exactly what's going on. The most frustrating part of this whole thing is that everyone else in the medical industry isn't as interested in my condition as I am. Hipocrates said (paraphasing here, and not in Greek) that the best way to understand a disease is to have it. I wish we could all find a cardiologist/EP that actually had what we've got. Anybody know one? Lester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 Hi Lester Sorry to hear about your set back, this may be just temporary and it is still early days, you have make excellent progress so far and there is no reason why you should not continue to do so. All of us who are considering the next step of ablation are following your venture with great interest. Here's hoping you have some more great news to report very soon. Good luck and all the best ine Re: day 5 post ablation Reporting in. I tried to post yesterday but my email was doing funny things. Went for first check up yesterday. Had a bout of afib that lasted about an hour just before. In NSR at time of checkup. I've been in and out of afib since. So the miracle cure has not quite set in permanently. Of course that was reiterated to me at the checkup. Funny though, when I'm in afib, it doesn't seem as symptomatic, and it seems to resolve easily on its own. And the afib does not seem to be as directly related to my activiy (or caffeine consumption, of which I've had some). I.e., my afib seems to be a bit more dissociated from the rest of my body's input signals (triggers). I'm telling myself these are good signs. Patience is a hard thing sometimes, which may relate to my hyper-adrenergic state that may be related to my afib in the first place. Always trying to rationalize my situation and understand exactly what's going on. The most frustrating part of this whole thing is that everyone else in the medical industry isn't as interested in my condition as I am. Hipocrates said (paraphasing here, and not in Greek) that the best way to understand a disease is to have it. I wish we could all find a cardiologist/EP that actually had what we've got. Anybody know one? Lester 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 May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 > > Lester, Tha same thing has happend to me over the last 5 months. My ablation was in November 2006. I have had 14 afib events and all are less intense than before the ablation. I also convert on my own now. You may want to continue to leave your triggers alone. Your heart needs all the help it can get while it is healing. Hope this helps. Earl > Reporting in. I tried to post yesterday but my email was doing funny things. Went for first check up yesterday. Had a bout of afib that lasted about an hour just before. In NSR at time of checkup. I've been in and out of afib since. So the miracle cure has not quite set in permanently. Of course that was reiterated to me at the checkup. Funny though, when I'm in afib, it doesn't seem as symptomatic, and it seems to resolve easily on its own. And the afib does not seem to be as directly related to my activiy (or caffeine consumption, of which I've had some). I.e., my afib seems to be a bit more dissociated from the rest of my body's input signals (triggers). I'm telling myself these are good signs. Patience is a hard thing sometimes, which may relate to my hyper-adrenergic state that may be related to my afib in the first place. Always trying to rationalize my situation and understand exactly what's going on. The most frustrating part of this whole thing is that everyone else in the medical industry isn't as interested in my condition as I am. Hipocrates said (paraphasing here, and not in Greek) that the best way to understand a disease is to have it. I wish we could all find a cardiologist/EP that actually had what we've got. Anybody know one? > Lester > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 Hi Lester, Don't be discouraged...this is part of the healing process as you know. The myocardium doesn't like to be irritated and burning the tissues certainly is irritating! I feel the same way you do. For the past 2.5 years that I've had a-fib, I've tried everything to figure out the etiology, to no avail. I've driven the three cardiologists that I work with crazy with my continual persistance in asking them to figure this out! Then, one day last month, one of them went into a-fib (rapid v-response, rate of 180) and ended up in the ER. Needless to say, his interest was peaked! Of course he has the connections that we don't. He's already had a cardiac MRI and is going to have a biopsy to determine the ratio between collagen and myocytes. Anyway, Hipocrates was very correct! ....christine lrobert@... wrote: Reporting in. I tried to post yesterday but my email was doing funny things. Went for first check up yesterday. Had a bout of afib that lasted about an hour just before. In NSR at time of checkup. I've been in and out of afib since. So the miracle cure has not quite set in permanently. Of course that was reiterated to me at the checkup. Funny though, when I'm in afib, it doesn't seem as symptomatic, and it seems to resolve easily on its own. And the afib does not seem to be as directly related to my activiy (or caffeine consumption, of which I've had some). I.e., my afib seems to be a bit more dissociated from the rest of my body's input signals (triggers). I'm telling myself these are good signs. Patience is a hard thing sometimes, which may relate to my hyper-adrenergic state that may be related to my afib in the first place. Always trying to rationalize my situation and understand exactly what's going on. The most frustrating part of this whole thing is that everyone else in the medical industry isn't as interested in my condition as I am. Hipocrates said (paraphasing here, and not in Greek) that the best way to understand a disease is to have it. I wish we could all find a cardiologist/EP that actually had what we've got. Anybody know one? Lester 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 May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 , We might be getting a little esoteric here, but I have been persisitently curious about the interface between heart physiology and our endocrine systems. And what's with the cycles that we go through of afib activity and quiescence? There's got to be other cyclical systems in our bodies that are affecting our hearts. I know women's hormonal cycles are blamed for just about everything, but what about us XY's. OK, one other thing that I seem to be noticing in my " convalescence, " I seem to be running a low grade sinus tachycardia (100-120) when in the past I would be in afib. I feel fine, and think I'm in perfect NSR until I take my pulse and realize that it's up. I guess that could certainly fit into the " irritated myocardium " explanation, huh? Lester Re: day 5 post ablation > >Hi Lester, >�� >� Don't be discouraged...this is part of the healing process as you know. The myocardium doesn't like to be irritated and burning the tissues certainly is irritating! >�� >� I feel the same way you do. For the past 2.5 years that I've had a-fib, I've tried everything to figure out the etiology, to no avail.� I've driven the three cardiologists that I work with crazy with my continual persistance in asking them to figure this out!� Then, one day last month, one of them went into a-fib (rapid v-response, rate of 180) and ended up in the ER. Needless to say, his interest was peaked!� Of course he has the connections that we don't. He's already had a cardiac MRI and is going to have a biopsy to determine the ratio between collagen and myocytes. >�� >� Anyway, Hipocrates was very correct! >�� >� ....christine > >lrobert@... wrote: >� >Reporting in. I tried to post yesterday but my email was doing funny things. Went for first check up yesterday. Had a bout of afib that lasted about an hour just before. In NSR at time of checkup. I've been in and out of afib since. So the miracle cure has not quite set in permanently. Of course that was reiterated to me at the checkup. Funny though, when I'm in afib, it doesn't seem as symptomatic, and it seems to resolve easily on its own. And the afib does not seem to be as directly related to my activiy (or caffeine consumption, of which I've had some). I.e., my afib seems to be a bit more dissociated from the rest of my body's input signals (triggers). I'm telling myself these are good signs. Patience is a hard thing sometimes, which may relate to my hyper-adrenergic state that may be related to my afib in the first place. Always trying to rationalize my situation and understand exactly what's going on. The most frustrating part of this whole thing is that everyone > else in the medical industry isn't as interested in my condition as I am. Hipocrates said (paraphasing here, and not in Greek) that the best way to understand a disease is to have it. I wish we could all find a cardiologist/EP that actually had what we've got. Anybody know one? >Lester > > >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 May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 Lester, My a-fib has been cyclical. I have it about every 3.5 weeks, almost to the day. After I failed to make the connection between the fib and hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, alcohol, caffiene etc, and I failed norpace (prolonged QT barred me from other antiarrhythmics) I started noting the date on my calendar....hence I noticed the cyclical nature of the beast. Well, being 61, it was difficult for me to blame it on hormones yet I still wondered enough to make a special appointment with my GYN (the internist and EPS didn't think there was a connection). I saw the GYN last week. She didn't think it was related either but did do an FSH and I'm scheduled for an ovarian US (I think she's just trying to humor me). Anyway, it's worth a try to field out all possibilities before subjecting myself to ablation. I agree with you.... there MUST be something that has yet to be uncovered that triggers this arrhythmia. I work out in the gym four days a week....aerobics then weights. I am not a whimp...I bench 140-180 depending on the day and squat more than that. I rarely go into fib on those days...there seems to be no connection between the fib and working out in the gym. HOwever, three times now, I've gone into fib (most recently last Sunday) after working in the yard. Yes, it was heavy work (planting a tree, moving two large wheelbarrows of wet clay into the woods, etc) but I wouldn't think there should be a difference between this and the gym..they both get my HR up and both involve lifting heavy loads! Anyway, I drink gatoraide, keep hydrated and I take KCL daily..... I have noticed (and this happened last Sunday) that in the evening, after the yard work, my HR drops quite low...high 40s-50s. Probably a result of the exercise. It's then I begin having ectopics. If I get up and jump rope (to increase HR) the ectopy quiets down, but only for a while...then when I'm bradycardic again, the ectopy returns. When I have alot of ectopy...it eventually converts to a-fib. I have been trying to figure out, what is happening chemically after strenuous exercise that can trigger this...I'm baffled and so are the cardiologists I work with. Unfortunately, the cardiologist, the EPS that I pay to think about this are not impressed, I guess it's easier to just pass me along to the guy with the ablation catheters so they don't have to THINK! If there is anyone out there that can figure this out, he or she will go down in history with the famous folks like Salk and Pasteur. As far as your tachyarrhythmias....I think your myocardium just needs to heal....sounds like you're doing well. By the way, how would I get an appointment with Dr Leon? I am pressed for time in that I am tentatively scheduled for the procedure at MUSC on 8/2 but I want to explore another opinion first....haven't heard from Natale yet and times getting close..... Take care, ....christine lrobert@... wrote: , We might be getting a little esoteric here, but I have been persisitently curious about the interface between heart physiology and our endocrine systems. And what's with the cycles that we go through of afib activity and quiescence? There's got to be other cyclical systems in our bodies that are affecting our hearts. I know women's hormonal cycles are blamed for just about everything, but what about us XY's. OK, one other thing that I seem to be noticing in my " convalescence, " I seem to be running a low grade sinus tachycardia (100-120) when in the past I would be in afib. I feel fine, and think I'm in perfect NSR until I take my pulse and realize that it's up. I guess that could certainly fit into the " irritated myocardium " explanation, huh? Lester Re: day 5 post ablation > >Hi Lester, >�� >� Don't be discouraged...this is part of the healing process as you know. The myocardium doesn't like to be irritated and burning the tissues certainly is irritating! >�� >� I feel the same way you do. For the past 2.5 years that I've had a-fib, I've tried everything to figure out the etiology, to no avail.� I've driven the three cardiologists that I work with crazy with my continual persistance in asking them to figure this out!� Then, one day last month, one of them went into a-fib (rapid v-response, rate of 180) and ended up in the ER. Needless to say, his interest was peaked!� Of course he has the connections that we don't. He's already had a cardiac MRI and is going to have a biopsy to determine the ratio between collagen and myocytes. >�� >� Anyway, Hipocrates was very correct! >�� >� ....christine > >lrobert@... wrote: >� >Reporting in. I tried to post yesterday but my email was doing funny things. Went for first check up yesterday. Had a bout of afib that lasted about an hour just before. In NSR at time of checkup. I've been in and out of afib since. So the miracle cure has not quite set in permanently. Of course that was reiterated to me at the checkup. Funny though, when I'm in afib, it doesn't seem as symptomatic, and it seems to resolve easily on its own. And the afib does not seem to be as directly related to my activiy (or caffeine consumption, of which I've had some). I.e., my afib seems to be a bit more dissociated from the rest of my body's input signals (triggers). I'm telling myself these are good signs. Patience is a hard thing sometimes, which may relate to my hyper-adrenergic state that may be related to my afib in the first place. Always trying to rationalize my situation and understand exactly what's going on. The most frustrating part of this whole thing is that everyone > else in the medical industry isn't as interested in my condition as I am. Hipocrates said (paraphasing here, and not in Greek) that the best way to understand a disease is to have it. I wish we could all find a cardiologist/EP that actually had what we've got. Anybody know one? >Lester > > >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 May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 , Your description of occurences sounds like the typical vagally inspired afib. Mine I'm sure is mixed, with a much more sensitve adrenergic component. My cycles were much shorter. I'd have 2-3 quiet days, followed by 1-2 afib days. As for Dr. Leon, not sure if you need a referral or what. I guess that depends on your insurance, if that's an essential for you. His office number is 404 686-2504, or at least that will get you close. If you need my name as a reference, it's Lester on. Let me know what you find out. As for my heart rate, I called the hospital and got one of the fellows to call back (it only took about 2 minutes!). I knew I would drive myself crazy lying in bed obsessing about my heart rate if I hadn't. Anyway, he said pretty much what you said about the irritated myocardium, and suggested that I come in Monday morning, if it persists, to get an EKG. He said that the rate is more likely an ablation-induced afib or flutter, and that I might need to be on an antiarrhythmic until the irritation settles down. Lester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 Lester, Thanks for the number - I'll give them a call. I talked with BC/BS the other day (about being covered if I went to Cleveland). They said I'm covered anywhere in SC and if I go to any other state I would need to call the BC/BS folks in that state to find out if the particular hospital is covered by the PPO plan. I called about Cleveland and I'm covered there. I will call about Emory on Monday. I'm sure you're okay....get check Monday as they said if you are still have sx's as you don't want to have a chronically high HR during the recovery period. Please keep us informed as to your progress..... ....thanks again, lrobert@... wrote: , Your description of occurences sounds like the typical vagally inspired afib. Mine I'm sure is mixed, with a much more sensitve adrenergic component. My cycles were much shorter. I'd have 2-3 quiet days, followed by 1-2 afib days. As for Dr. Leon, not sure if you need a referral or what. I guess that depends on your insurance, if that's an essential for you. His office number is 404 686-2504, or at least that will get you close. If you need my name as a reference, it's Lester on. Let me know what you find out. As for my heart rate, I called the hospital and got one of the fellows to call back (it only took about 2 minutes!). I knew I would drive myself crazy lying in bed obsessing about my heart rate if I hadn't. Anyway, he said pretty much what you said about the irritated myocardium, and suggested that I come in Monday morning, if it persists, to get an EKG. He said that the rate is more likely an ablation-induced afib or flutter, and that I might need to be on an antiarrhythmic until the irritation settles down. Lester 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 May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 , Forgive me if I am somewhat naive, but why would one of the cardiologists you work with get better care than you? Also, what would be revealed by the results of the biopsy you described? Thanks, Then, one day last month, one of them went into a-fib (rapid v- response, rate of 180) and ended up in the ER. Needless to say, his interest was peaked! Of course he has the connections that we don't. He's already had a cardiac MRI and is going to have a biopsy to determine the ratio between collagen and myocytes. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 The cardiologist I mentioned trained at Texas Heart...he is very well connected, has lots of friends in the field that do each other favors that the rest of us are not privey to. I am happy for him but it's frustrating for the rest of us to have to wait for appointments and beg for studies that may be helpful. The results of his study may shed some light on the etiology of his fib and therefore possibly indicate whether it is likely to reoccur and if so, what he may need to do about it. He is only 36yrs old and in perfect health. It occurred while he was running and he had taken cold medication (pseudoephedrine) and is an avid coffee drinker. It may have just been an isolated incident due to the combination of irritants mentioned. I guess the MRI is going to be more academic than anything but I'll guarrentee you if he needs something done, he'll go to the front of the line! ...christine susanr20z03 srichards@...> wrote: , Forgive me if I am somewhat naive, but why would one of the cardiologists you work with get better care than you? Also, what would be revealed by the results of the biopsy you described? Thanks, Then, one day last month, one of them went into a-fib (rapid v- response, rate of 180) and ended up in the ER. Needless to say, his interest was peaked! Of course he has the connections that we don't. He's already had a cardiac MRI and is going to have a biopsy to determine the ratio between collagen and myocytes. > 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.