Newly Diagnosed May 06, 2021 07:52PM |
Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 51 |
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 07, 2021 12:26AM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,337 |
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 07, 2021 08:14AM |
Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 51 |
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Carey
Hi Bob, welcome to the forum. Sorry you found the need to seek us out.
Your story is similar to others here. But fortunately your PCP took the right initial steps so you're out of danger now from strokes. It sounds like you've done your homework and know the basics of dealing with AF, so you know the next steps need to involve an EP. I would recommend Dr. Mansour at Mass General. His credentials speak for themselves and I know patients of his who have nothing but praise for him.
You say the metoprolol isn't really controlling your rate at the gym. So what's your typical resting heart rate at home and what is it while working out at the gym? And when it's high, how long does that last?
The question of a rhythm med needs to wait for an EP to get involved, but it's a likely option, at least in the short term. Ablation is now considered first line treatment, but antiarrhythmic drugs still have their place. They tend to be fiddly drugs that come with a mixed bag of side effects. Some people find one that works great for them and spend years free of AF with no side effects, while others go from one to another with limited success and lots of side effects. You just won't know until you try.
And of course there are things you can do on your own that might help reduce your AF. The site is full of discussions of stuff like that, so look around.
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 07, 2021 08:53AM |
Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 4,222 |
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BobsBeat
My HR is erratic so it's hard to give a set number. I think the average on my ECG the other day was 123, but that was prior to Metoprolol. If I check it now 3 times in a row it will provide 3 differing numbers maybe between 70-110. At the gym it's the same except it starts at 145 and swings up 40 points and back down.
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 07, 2021 09:57AM |
Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 51 |
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 07, 2021 11:13AM |
Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 2,514 |
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GeorgeN
You could still convert on your own, but less likely. Then the question is how to keep in rhythm after the cardioversion. Taking a rhythm med is one possibility, Using a rhythm med on demand (PIP or "pill in pocket") to convert yourself is another. This is a discussion for the EP.
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 07, 2021 10:25PM |
Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 4,222 |
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BobsBeat
Are you saying it's fairly standard (to rule out blood clots) to keep someone on blood thinners for 3 weeks or perform the TEE prior to cardioversion (be it pills or procedure)? It will probably take some time to get lined up with an EP in town anyway. I just didn't know if this situation was urgent. I want to make sure I'm doing all I can in a timely fashion.
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Can you describe how you "converted" after being in Afib for 2 1/2 months many years ago?
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susan.d
If you try Flecainide pill in the pocket PIP approach, there are maximum dosing based on weight. If you weigh less than 154 pounds, the maximum you can take in a 24 hour period is 200mg. However if you weigh more than 154 pounds the maximum dose you can take in a 24 hour period is 300mg. It’s dangerous if you take more and could end up in the ICU....or risk death because the drug has a black box label.
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 07, 2021 10:53PM |
Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 2,514 |
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 08, 2021 12:45AM |
Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 1,085 |
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 08, 2021 09:07AM |
Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 51 |
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 08, 2021 10:35AM |
Admin Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,337 |
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BobsBeat
I need some type of home monitor to show ranges as my BP monitor does not.
I wonder if I called 911 or went to the ER a few days back if they would have reset my rhythm, although I would not have been on a thinner at that point.
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 08, 2021 10:56AM |
Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 51 |
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Carey
I doubt an ER would have cardioverted you. With no anticoagulants on board they would have had to do a TEE first, and you weren't in any immediate danger so they most likely would have just put you on a diltiazem drip and left you to lay there for hours until it converted on its own. You can accomplish the same thing in the comfort of your own home.
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 08, 2021 12:00PM |
Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 197 |
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 08, 2021 08:51PM |
Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 819 |
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 09, 2021 12:53AM |
Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 2,514 |
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Joe
After my initial long AF i did see an alternative as well and on recommendation i drank Hawthorn Berry tea with a few other commonly 'heart' tea herbs. I figured if it doesn't help it won't hurt. Blood glucose levels were also on my attention list and modified diet accordingly.
No one really knows, the impression i got from consulting with one highly regarded cardiologist and two EPs. It is still a whack-a-mole game?
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 09, 2021 03:31AM |
Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 1,085 |
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 09, 2021 04:28AM |
Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 819 |
Re: Newly Diagnosed May 09, 2021 03:04PM |
Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 46 |