My doc didn't mix words when we discussed alcohol as it relates to afib. He flatly told me three years ago, no alcohol. I don't miss it and have come to realize there are more health and other benefits related to being a non-drinker.by Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Interesting article in the The Wall Street Journal (Sept. 22 - 23, 2012).by Chuck Connors - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
About 1 year ago my EP stated that I'm a candidate for an ablation. The physician assistant who works closely with this EP advised me on several different occasions to hold off on having an ablation. He explained that the technology is getting better all the time and the increasing number of procedures performed adds to the experience level of the Doctors. Not long ago I had my 3rd cardioby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Is anyone familiar with the FIRE & ICE study being sponsored by Medtronics? Apparently, it's a study to compare the results of cryo vs. RF over a 2 year period. Thank you for any information you may have. -Chuck-by Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
OK. Thank you, Hans. -Chuck-by Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you for your note, Jackie. I don't spend much time in the sun and use a sunblock every day of the year, on the recommendation of my dermatologist. He is the one who originally told me to take a Vitamin D supplement. It was interesting that I received a call this morning from another nurse at my Doctor's office (Internist). Apparently, they didn't check their notes tby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Researcher, I appreciate your comment: "We have to add FDA reviews to the timeline." A physician assistant I spoke with at my EP's office stated the reason people being put on Tikosyn are required to have a 2 - 3 day hospital stay is due to poor timing on when Tikosyn became available in the marketplace and the sediment at the FDA at the time toward such medication. I thought iby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had a blood draw yesterday and they also tested for Vitamin D. The nurse called me back and let me know I was at 43. I asked her what the normal range is and her reply was 20 to 80. She admitted that she's not an expert on the numbers and deferred to the good Doctor for further questions. I'm currently taking 2,000 IU of D3 and am curious what it would take to get to a 50 to 70 leby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm extremely glad that I found this site. There is loads of good information from highly experienced people. There is one thing I've noticed that I'm finding interesting and perplexing at the same time. I'm curious why people reference or quote studies or papers that were written long ago, e.g. 1932, 1938, 1980, 2008, etc.... One person commented that afib technology chanby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you for the helpful reminder, Murray. I now recall reading documents on the proper preparation for an ECV. I will study that in detail. It would be helpful to learn about the state-of-the-art equipment used for ECV and ablations. One would naturally assume that the best medical facilities have the best technology. That's not necessarily true at all. I can speak to a recent sleeby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Steve, Thank you for the information. It's nice to know BlueCross BlueShield is covering it. I always falsely assumed that Bordeaux wasn't an option for me, as it didn't occur to me that BCBS would pay for an out-of-country procedure. After you have had a successful ablation and all of the invoices settled up with BCBS, it would be interesting to know what levers you had toby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you Murray and Erling, for the information you've provided. Murray, yes, my EP doc has told me that I'm a candidate for an ablation. It's not something I'm going jump into without having all of the facts. Erling, I will study the information you've sent. Thanks again. -Chuck-by Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Steve, I also have Blue Cross Blue Shield (Minnesota). I may want to have Bordeaux as an option. Would you be willing to PM me with the billing code used by BCBS? It would be nice for me to file that away and have that as a road to go down if I want. Thanks. -Chuck-by Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Steve, Can I assume you live in the United States since you have Blue Cross Blue Shield? If you live in the U.S., I'm curious why you chose to go to Bordeaux for an ablation. I understand from this website that Bordeaux has a reputation for having very good ablation Doctors. However, the U.S. also has very good Doctors performing ablations. It has been my impression that people go tby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you for the replies, angela and Murray. angela, I appreciate your comment about "the skill experience and expertise of the EP is the main factor to be considered." If those words can be quantified, that would take the mystery out of which Doctor to go with. There really is some subjectivity that goes into the decision making process, but having hard stats as a foundationby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm not overly excited to schedule an ablation at this time. I know every person is different, but does anyone have an opinion on the most effective medication to help try to quiet afib? I'll be meeting with the Doc soon and would hope to be half-way knowledgeable going into the appointment. I have had 2 cardioversions and am not excited about having a 3rd one, just to have that oneby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Any current information or hard data available on cryo vs. RF? Thanks. -Chuck-by Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
On that note, I'm going to throw a rib eye steak on the grill and have a loaded baked potato too!by Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Can someone please explain to me what "The List" is? Thank you. Chuckby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Janet / Carol, Thank you for posting your stories. I hope that you will both will follow-up with the respective doctors and let us know, so that we can all learn from those experiences. When I eventually go in for an ablation, I want minimal risk and a high success outcome. The experience you ladies endured is definitely in the "Unbelievable" category. Personally, I know my respoby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Janet, thank you for sharing your experience. I think it's fair to say you won't be going back to that Doctor for a 4th ablation. I wish there was better reporting on ablations, whether successful or not. Unfortunately, for ablations gone wrong, the only ones who hear or know about it is the patient, their attorney, the hospital administrator, the doctor, and their attorneys. Theyby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
O.K., thanks Hans. What do you mean by "final" ablation? Chuckby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Maria, If I understand correctly, you basically have been going against what your doctor has prescribed and now you are soliciting advise on this site from lay people who have no medical training. I would suggest that if you don't like what your doctor is advising and prescribing, find another doctor. Chuckby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Does anyone have any data on the average and median age for people having an ablation?by Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yes, The Rifleman, one of my favorite shows. It's nice to know that a study will be released soon showing the success rates, etc...I like to see stats.by Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
My cousin has had 2 cardioversions and was on metoprolol each time. He's now back in afib. The doctor stated that he's a candidate for an ablation, yet another course of action is another cardioversion and to change the medication to sotalol. Another medical professional suggested waiting on having an ablation, as he explained that the technology and methods are constantly improvingby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
In speaking with a medical professional, she was explaining that cryoablation is relatively new and has about the same results as the radio frequency (burning) ablation, but with less complications. Does anyone care to comment on this? I'd be curious to know of all the ablations performed during 2011, what percent were cryo and what percent were radio frequency. Does anyone know if thesby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've read in this forum that wheat is bad for you. Is this true, and if so, is there any evidence to back up such a claim?by Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've seen the word "aggressive" in this forum as it relates to describing this Doctor or that Doctor performing an ablation. Also, I seen the word used when describing the Doctors who have had the highest success rates as being "aggressive." Would someone please define the word aggressive in this context? Also, I've read in this forum that the Doctors who are moreby Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you everyone. This is very helpful!by Chuck Connors - AFIBBERS FORUM