Jean, I had an ablation by Dr. Wharton in February 2013. I don't believe he used robotics. He as well as everyone at MUSC were fantastic. I have been in NSR since and off all meds since June. You can call and ask for his nurse who will answer all your questions. Best of luck. Chuckby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom, Sorry to hear of your setback. Sounds like you have more than enough stress right now. That was always a trigger for me. FWIW, I also pay my own health insurance. My premium just went up to 1340/month with a $2500 deductible for my wife and I, $5000 total. I have an open mind regarding Obamacare at the present time. Can't believe all the media hype. I know of one fellow afibberby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Liz, Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers, but although your episodes are less frequent, you still have A Fib. If that is acceptable to you, great. For me I chose not to wait. Attack the A Fib sooner than later and hopefully be done with it. At least I am off all medication except BP med and an aspirin. I can deal with that. As you stated previously, we all have to decide what is in outby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon, Very good info as usual. Thank you. Kaewn, FWIW, Dr. Pinski was on my short list. Would have been a 6 hour drive but doable. I chose the ablation route to get off harmful medications (they all have unwanted side affects) and to attack my A Fib before it could become worse and therefore harder to treat. A Fib seems to always get worse never better. Chuckby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
> This may be a stupid question--when one is in afib > is the heart beat always irregular? feels > different than just a rapid rate, right? Usually my heart rate was rapid and irregular although I did have episodes that were irregular and only 80 BPM. I also experienced 130 BPM regular. Don't know what caused the difference. Fortunately, that is over now. I think you are onby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Karen, I have had A Fib at night and it woke me up. When A Fib started for me it was always at night. Woke up with racing irregular heartbeat and the "big pee". I would also get A Fib working out in the heat but usually went about what I was doing. I noticed you mentioned anxiety. That was a problem for me too. Anxiety=stress, stress=A Fib for me. A Fib was always brought on byby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Marty, My Afib was mostly at night too. One thing changed that. I was put on Multaq. The Multaq shortened the events to seconds or minutes from the several hour long episodes before Multaq. The draw back was, they were more frequent. I went from 1 or 2 episodes per week lasting about 1 to 4 hours almost always at night. Plays havoc with trying to get some decent sleep. With Multaq I woulby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The pain isn't bad, it will be MUCH MUCH less then > your imagining or what it might be, Mostly a mild > to moderate dull soreness in the center of the > chest that can feel a bit more acute when > breathing in deeply the first few days and to a > milder degree the first week or two. It veryby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Barb, I posted the following a few days after my ablation. I hope this answers some of your questions. It has been over 6 months. I am off all meds and best of all NSR. Best of luck! Chuck February 18, 2013 06:48PM I would like to share my story for those who are contemplating an ablation and may be fearful of that procedure. First and foremost, as has been said many times on thisby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom, Can't believe it has been a year. Good to hear you are doing well. Looking forward to your two year post. Chuckby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
My energy level is as good as ever. I walk a hilly 3+ miles every day.. AFib didn't usually drain my energy. I was able to walk while in AFib and in fact didn't notice it as much with an elevated heart rate. From my perspective, I would recommend an ablation unless there were health reasons preventing it. I am willing to go back for a touch up if needed, without hesitation. Best tby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Best of luck to you, Shannon.by Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Barb. McHale, what was your AFib load like before the ablation? Did you self convert? My AFib always self converted. Hopefully, your heart will settle down after the healing process. You are in good hands. Chuckby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks y'all for the good wishes. I have learned much from the members on this forum. Without this resource who knows where I would be today. My cardiologist wanted me on digoxin and I refused because of what I learned here. Chuckby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dennis, Good luck to you on your continued success. I have heard that the feeling you describe is the AFib trying to start up but the scar tissue prevents it from spreading. Possibly as you heal and the scar tissue forms you won't even feel that. Chuckby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
This was the 30 day monitor. It came with a cell phone that relayed the info automatically. ACT Heart monitor Hope this helps Chuckby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
On February 13 of this year I had an ablation at Medical University of South Carolina performed by Dr Wharton. I learned of this doctor and facility right here on this site. I also gathered enough information to change my lifestyle to make my body more capable in dealing with A Fib. I learned what medications to stay away from (like digoxin which my cardiologist wanted to put me on) and that lby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hey Tom, Sorry to hear about your bumps. On the positive side, at least they are short and self converting. I'd say that alone was worth the ablation. Are you on any blood thinner? I am just past 5 months and on my last week of a 30 day monitor. Will find out by the end of the month if all is quiet. Had one blip back in May that lasted maybe 3 seconds so I couldn't determine if Aby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Christy, Pretty much the same here except I am on Xarelto. No Lovenox injections or TEE before for me either. I haven't had any problems with Xarelto. I am always getting cuts and scrapes working around the house and have had no problems with bleeding. I had a tooth extracted and went off xarelto for a couple days just in case. If all goes well with the monitor I should be off xareltoby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Christy, Thanks for your reply. I live just outside Augusta in SC. There is an EP named Adam Berman in Augusta, I don't know if he is connected with your group. I considered him before I decided on Dr Wharton at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. I read a lot of good things about Dr. Wharton here on this site. My ablation was done on 13 Feb 2013. I am on a 30 day moniby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Christy, Would you like to share who your EP is? Thanks. Chuckby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Christy, Great news! Congratulations, Best wishes on your continued NSR. Chuckby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
I took all my supplements and vitamins right up to and including the day before. I resumed them the day after I got home; 2 days after the ablation.by Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
GF, Haven't been on in a while and came across your post(s). Sorry to hear of your setback. My ablation was 13Feb2013, and on 21May I had a few seconds of erratic beats. Too short for me to tell if AFib or not. I have also had a couple instances where resting HR was in the 90s. All quiet before that. Those were upsetting to me so I know how you must have felt. Hope you are doing wellby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great news, Jill. You will be in good hands, nothing to fear. Good luck to you. Chuckby Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hound, You are probably correct about the recovery period. Since getting A Fib, I pay much attention to my heart rate. Until the other day, not even a hiccup.by Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jackie, I have been and continue to take magnesium, potassium (including my V-8) and fish oil. I have not taken Taurine, so maybe I should consider it. I am just getting back into walking, doing about 1 1/2 miles. Was doing 3-4 miles pre-ablation. My HR was a little higher during my walk than in the past but not real high. Thanks for your reply.by Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
by Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM
My rapid HR was kind of pounding, that is how I noticed it. Back at 59 this AM. Fingers crossed.by Chukker - AFIBBERS FORUM