Guest guest Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 I've been in nsr now for 22 months on Flecainide. I figure the longer I can hold out the better the surgical techniques will get. There are also some new meds on the horizon that show promise. Good luck and continued nsr! - > > Just got home from 3-day hospital stay to switch from Tikosyn (which > really never worked very well for me) to Tambocor. Everything went well > and I have been a-fib free for 5 consecutive days (and nights) and > starting to allow myself to feel somewhat hopeful. > > The resident on the floor told me about a patient she was following who > was recovering from the mini-maze (that didn't work) who is now starting > Tikosyn. She was surprised his docs didn't try him on any meds first. > > Sandy, NC > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 Great news, Sandy. Hope the flec continues to work for you. > > Just got home from 3-day hospital stay to switch from Tikosyn (which > really never worked very well for me) to Tambocor. Everything went well > and I have been a-fib free for 5 consecutive days (and nights) and > starting to allow myself to feel somewhat hopeful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 Thanks for your good wishes, . btw, did you -- or anyone else on Tambocor -- experience any side effects the first few weeks? I have the light thing going on, though it doesn't really bother me that much. What does bother me is upset stomach -- cramps and diarrhea, argh! Maybe I have a touch of the flu? Sandy rcasel wrote: > I've been in nsr now for 22 months on Flecainide. I figure the longer > I can hold out the better the surgical techniques will get. There are > also some new meds on the horizon that show promise. > > Good luck and continued nsr! > > - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 I got cramps and diarrhea, too, and the doctor told me to simply take an antacid with the Tambocor and it did help. Re: Re: Tikosyn to Tambocor Thanks for your good wishes, . btw, did you -- or anyone else on Tambocor -- experience any side effects the first few weeks? I have the light thing going on, though it doesn't really bother me that much. What does bother me is upset stomach -- cramps and diarrhea, argh! Maybe I have a touch of the flu? Sandy rcasel wrote: > I've been in nsr now for 22 months on Flecainide. I figure the longer > I can hold out the better the surgical techniques will get. There are > also some new meds on the horizon that show promise. > > Good luck and continued nsr! > > - 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 December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 I got cramps and diarrhea, too, and the doctor told me to simply take an antacid with the Tambocor and it did help. Re: Re: Tikosyn to Tambocor Thanks for your good wishes, . btw, did you -- or anyone else on Tambocor -- experience any side effects the first few weeks? I have the light thing going on, though it doesn't really bother me that much. What does bother me is upset stomach -- cramps and diarrhea, argh! Maybe I have a touch of the flu? Sandy rcasel wrote: > I've been in nsr now for 22 months on Flecainide. I figure the longer > I can hold out the better the surgical techniques will get. There are > also some new meds on the horizon that show promise. > > Good luck and continued nsr! > > - 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 December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 I got cramps and diarrhea, too, and the doctor told me to simply take an antacid with the Tambocor and it did help. Re: Re: Tikosyn to Tambocor Thanks for your good wishes, . btw, did you -- or anyone else on Tambocor -- experience any side effects the first few weeks? I have the light thing going on, though it doesn't really bother me that much. What does bother me is upset stomach -- cramps and diarrhea, argh! Maybe I have a touch of the flu? Sandy rcasel wrote: > I've been in nsr now for 22 months on Flecainide. I figure the longer > I can hold out the better the surgical techniques will get. There are > also some new meds on the horizon that show promise. > > Good luck and continued nsr! > > - 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 December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 Sandy, I've never suffered gastrointestinal issues with Flecainide, just mild visual disturbances i.e. blurring if I move my head too fast. - > > > I've been in nsr now for 22 months on Flecainide. I figure the longer > > I can hold out the better the surgical techniques will get. There are > > also some new meds on the horizon that show promise. > > > > Good luck and continued nsr! > > > > - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 Sandy, I've never suffered gastrointestinal issues with Flecainide, just mild visual disturbances i.e. blurring if I move my head too fast. - > > > I've been in nsr now for 22 months on Flecainide. I figure the longer > > I can hold out the better the surgical techniques will get. There are > > also some new meds on the horizon that show promise. > > > > Good luck and continued nsr! > > > > - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 Sandy, I've never suffered gastrointestinal issues with Flecainide, just mild visual disturbances i.e. blurring if I move my head too fast. - > > > I've been in nsr now for 22 months on Flecainide. I figure the longer > > I can hold out the better the surgical techniques will get. There are > > also some new meds on the horizon that show promise. > > > > Good luck and continued nsr! > > > > - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 > I've never suffered gastrointestinal issues with Flecainide, just > mild visual disturbances i.e. blurring if I move my head too fast. > - ---------- I had that too, the blurry vision. I couldn't take the Flecainide though because it gave me chest pains really bad, even though I don't have CAD. Thank you Lorrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 > I've never suffered gastrointestinal issues with Flecainide, just > mild visual disturbances i.e. blurring if I move my head too fast. > - ---------- I had that too, the blurry vision. I couldn't take the Flecainide though because it gave me chest pains really bad, even though I don't have CAD. Thank you Lorrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 Hi Sandy: I am on flecainide 150mg twice a day. My only side effects have been " visual disturbances " (dizziness if I turned my head too quickly) that bothered me for about two weeks each time they raised my dosage. It was a great tradeoff, as I have had only one breakthrough in the last two years. Currently working on 10 months in NSR. , Charlotte NC > > Thanks for your good wishes, . btw, did you -- or anyone else on > Tambocor -- experience any side effects the first few weeks? I have the > light thing going on, though it doesn't really bother me that much. > What does bother me is upset stomach -- cramps and diarrhea, argh! > Maybe I have a touch of the flu? Sandy > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 I been on Tambocor for 9 years and get the light flashing thing and some other visual disturbances. I do get digestive probs but always put it down to food sensitivity as if I watch what I eat, I don't get it. Don't think its associated with the Flecainide. > > > I've been in nsr now for 22 months on Flecainide. I figure the longer > > I can hold out the better the surgical techniques will get. There are > > also some new meds on the horizon that show promise. > > > > Good luck and continued nsr! > > > > - > > > > > > > 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 December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 I have recently been put on Tambocor (50mg twice per day) and the only problem is a bit of dizzines now and then, but not enough to stop me doing every day things. The Tambocor normally kicks in after about 2 hours of taking it, however if I take it with a full meal there appears to be up to a 4 hour delay, is this normal? Brad > > I been on Tambocor for 9 years and get the light flashing thing and > some other visual disturbances. I do get digestive probs but always > put it down to food sensitivity as if I watch what I eat, I don't > get it. Don't think its associated with the Flecainide. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 I have recently been put on Tambocor (50mg twice per day) and the only problem is a bit of dizzines now and then, but not enough to stop me doing every day things. The Tambocor normally kicks in after about 2 hours of taking it, however if I take it with a full meal there appears to be up to a 4 hour delay, is this normal? Brad > > I been on Tambocor for 9 years and get the light flashing thing and > some other visual disturbances. I do get digestive probs but always > put it down to food sensitivity as if I watch what I eat, I don't > get it. Don't think its associated with the Flecainide. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 I have recently been put on Tambocor (50mg twice per day) and the only problem is a bit of dizzines now and then, but not enough to stop me doing every day things. The Tambocor normally kicks in after about 2 hours of taking it, however if I take it with a full meal there appears to be up to a 4 hour delay, is this normal? Brad > > I been on Tambocor for 9 years and get the light flashing thing and > some other visual disturbances. I do get digestive probs but always > put it down to food sensitivity as if I watch what I eat, I don't > get it. Don't think its associated with the Flecainide. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 > > I have recently been put on Tambocor (50mg twice per day) and the only > problem is a bit of dizzines now and then, but not enough to stop me > doing every day things. > The Tambocor normally kicks in after about 2 hours of taking it, > however if I take it with a full meal there appears to be up to a 4 > hour delay, is this normal? > Brad > Brad. Your situation sounds familiar. You may well find that those side effects diminish or disapper after a while. 50 mg X 2 is not a large amount of Tambocor. If it keeps the afub at bay it sounds like a very small inconvenience to do so. Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 > > I have recently been put on Tambocor (50mg twice per day) and the only > problem is a bit of dizzines now and then, but not enough to stop me > doing every day things. > The Tambocor normally kicks in after about 2 hours of taking it, > however if I take it with a full meal there appears to be up to a 4 > hour delay, is this normal? > Brad > Brad. Your situation sounds familiar. You may well find that those side effects diminish or disapper after a while. 50 mg X 2 is not a large amount of Tambocor. If it keeps the afub at bay it sounds like a very small inconvenience to do so. Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 Medicate then operate is still the mantra of most medical people I think. I also suspect health insurance companies would not like doctors jumping the very costly surgery option without first trying meds. --- Quarter Acre Orchids wrote: > I've read in a few places that the " new thought " > coming down the pike is to have a procedure > immediately upon diagnosis of afib, instead of > farting around with medication for years and years. > I think we will see this trend increase as the > procedures become more and more refined. > I think the quote on medication being effective > is something around 50%. That's not very high, and > once the complications of procedures like a PVI are > less likely, I think we'll see lots and lots of > first timers going right for them. > > Stef > > > The resident on the floor told me about a patient > she was following who was recovering from the > mini-maze (that didn't work) who is now starting > Tikosyn. She was surprised his docs didn't try him > on any meds first. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 Medicate then operate is still the mantra of most medical people I think. I also suspect health insurance companies would not like doctors jumping the very costly surgery option without first trying meds. --- Quarter Acre Orchids wrote: > I've read in a few places that the " new thought " > coming down the pike is to have a procedure > immediately upon diagnosis of afib, instead of > farting around with medication for years and years. > I think we will see this trend increase as the > procedures become more and more refined. > I think the quote on medication being effective > is something around 50%. That's not very high, and > once the complications of procedures like a PVI are > less likely, I think we'll see lots and lots of > first timers going right for them. > > Stef > > > The resident on the floor told me about a patient > she was following who was recovering from the > mini-maze (that didn't work) who is now starting > Tikosyn. She was surprised his docs didn't try him > on any meds first. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 Medicate then operate is still the mantra of most medical people I think. I also suspect health insurance companies would not like doctors jumping the very costly surgery option without first trying meds. --- Quarter Acre Orchids wrote: > I've read in a few places that the " new thought " > coming down the pike is to have a procedure > immediately upon diagnosis of afib, instead of > farting around with medication for years and years. > I think we will see this trend increase as the > procedures become more and more refined. > I think the quote on medication being effective > is something around 50%. That's not very high, and > once the complications of procedures like a PVI are > less likely, I think we'll see lots and lots of > first timers going right for them. > > Stef > > > The resident on the floor told me about a patient > she was following who was recovering from the > mini-maze (that didn't work) who is now starting > Tikosyn. She was surprised his docs didn't try him > on any meds first. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 I don't know... someone quoted the surgery at being about 20k? I've had afib for about 5 years now. I've gone to the ER probably 8 times, I've been hospitalized 3 or 4 times during that time (for several days at a time), I've had 4 electroversions (at $3,000 a pop) and insurance has now paid for 4 years of various drugs... there are also a gazillion doctor visits, ECGs, echocardiagrams, CT scans, TEEs, stress tests, protime tests... etc.... I think I long long long ago surpassed the 20k mark with my insurance company. And NOW I'm in line for an ablation, which is going to be another 20k on top of all this. When you look at it this way, in reality it's probably much more cost effective for the insurance companies to nip it in the bud. Bill wrote: Medicate then operate is still the mantra of most medical people I think. I also suspect health insurance companies would not like doctors jumping the very costly surgery option without first trying meds. --- Quarter Acre Orchids wrote: > I've read in a few places that the " new thought " > coming down the pike is to have a procedure > immediately upon diagnosis of afib, instead of > farting around with medication for years and years. > I think we will see this trend increase as the > procedures become more and more refined. > I think the quote on medication being effective > is something around 50%. That's not very high, and > once the complications of procedures like a PVI are > less likely, I think we'll see lots and lots of > first timers going right for them. > > Stef > > > The resident on the floor told me about a patient > she was following who was recovering from the > mini-maze (that didn't work) who is now starting > Tikosyn. She was surprised his docs didn't try him > on any meds first. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 I don't know... someone quoted the surgery at being about 20k? I've had afib for about 5 years now. I've gone to the ER probably 8 times, I've been hospitalized 3 or 4 times during that time (for several days at a time), I've had 4 electroversions (at $3,000 a pop) and insurance has now paid for 4 years of various drugs... there are also a gazillion doctor visits, ECGs, echocardiagrams, CT scans, TEEs, stress tests, protime tests... etc.... I think I long long long ago surpassed the 20k mark with my insurance company. And NOW I'm in line for an ablation, which is going to be another 20k on top of all this. When you look at it this way, in reality it's probably much more cost effective for the insurance companies to nip it in the bud. Bill wrote: Medicate then operate is still the mantra of most medical people I think. I also suspect health insurance companies would not like doctors jumping the very costly surgery option without first trying meds. --- Quarter Acre Orchids wrote: > I've read in a few places that the " new thought " > coming down the pike is to have a procedure > immediately upon diagnosis of afib, instead of > farting around with medication for years and years. > I think we will see this trend increase as the > procedures become more and more refined. > I think the quote on medication being effective > is something around 50%. That's not very high, and > once the complications of procedures like a PVI are > less likely, I think we'll see lots and lots of > first timers going right for them. > > Stef > > > The resident on the floor told me about a patient > she was following who was recovering from the > mini-maze (that didn't work) who is now starting > Tikosyn. She was surprised his docs didn't try him > on any meds first. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 Yes, but you are not factoring in the complications -- my surgery and 5 days in ICU was $130,000 -- not counting the doctor's bill and follow up -- I have really good insurance and paid $250. So thankful to have good insurance for 16 more months and hope I can return to work before COBRA ends. Jean --- Quarter Acre Orchids wrote: > I don't know... someone quoted the surgery at being > about 20k? > > I've had afib for about 5 years now. I've gone to > the ER probably 8 times, I've been hospitalized 3 or > 4 times during that time (for several days at a > time), I've had 4 electroversions (at $3,000 a pop) > and insurance has now paid for 4 years of various > drugs... there are also a gazillion doctor visits, > ECGs, echocardiagrams, CT scans, TEEs, stress tests, > protime tests... etc.... I think I long long long > ago surpassed the 20k mark with my insurance > company. And NOW I'm in line for an ablation, which > is going to be another 20k on top of all this. > > When you look at it this way, in reality it's > probably much more cost effective for the insurance > companies to nip it in the bud. > > Bill wrote: > Medicate then operate is still the mantra of most > medical people I think. I also suspect health > insurance companies would not like doctors jumping > the > very costly surgery option without first trying > meds. > > > > > > --- Quarter Acre Orchids > wrote: > > > I've read in a few places that the " new > thought " > > coming down the pike is to have a procedure > > immediately upon diagnosis of afib, instead of > > farting around with medication for years and > years. > > I think we will see this trend increase as the > > procedures become more and more refined. > > I think the quote on medication being > effective > > is something around 50%. That's not very high, > and > > once the complications of procedures like a PVI > are > > less likely, I think we'll see lots and lots of > > first timers going right for them. > > > > Stef > > > > > > The resident on the floor told me about a patient > > she was following who was recovering from the > > mini-maze (that didn't work) who is now starting > > Tikosyn. She was surprised his docs didn't try > him > > on any meds first. > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2005 Report Share Posted December 20, 2005 I had a PVI on October 13. My insurance was billed the following for my PVI (without complications)and a 24 hour hospital stay. Hospital: $78,408.01 EP: $13,665.00 Anesthesia: $4,800.00 ---------------------------------- Total $96,873.01 I stil have 2 folow-up CT scans scheduled, one in mid January and another in mid April. Who knows what those will cost. > > > I don't know... someone quoted the surgery at being > > about 20k? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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