The risk of a stroke is "not zero" for just about anyone right?by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Well thank you, this is very helpful from both of you.by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was wondering if those that are on Flecainide are also takiing somthing else to minimize risk of Flutter??? I've been on a low dose of Flecainide for 3 years now, it has kept me in NSR the whole time, no issues at all. I moved, so went to a new EP... this new guy wants me to add Diltiazem to the Flec, because of the risk of Flutter with the Flec. I REALLY don't want to add anotherby Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'll be very interested to see how it goes off the Flecainide for you... I've been on the Flec for 3 years since my ablation, which did not work and had to stay on the Flec...everything was great until a few weeks ago, and i started having some runs of svt and a few short bursts of afib. I've upped the dosage so hoping it will hold. Good luck I'm hoping you will be good off tby Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just wondering about anyone's experiences with Multaq and Flecainide... are they similar? Side effects? Has anyone been on one of the two drugs whose effects wore off and so switched to the other and it worked?by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I do want to say that Dr Natale will not live forever, unfortunetly for all of us LOL. So eventually we will have to face the fact that technology moves forward, and many of these procedures keep getting better and one day, Natale's amazing skill WILL be surpassed by these advances. We may even be on the cusp of this reality right now. This is good forby Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Carey...can I ask why you would never do a hybrid?by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Everyone, It's been 3 years since I've been on the forum, heart was good during this time after my second ablation at Emory. I had to stay on Flecainide the whole time to stay in NSR, and now I can tell my heart is going to "break through" back into afib. Already had a couple runs of some SVT, etc. Obviously not a good ablation. My first ablation was at Cleveland Clinby Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great story Mike...congrats on "taking the bull by the horns" and doing things on your own to help...I think most people just do what their doctors tell them to do and that's it. Can I ask, did you drink any alcohol before all this, and did you stop drinking to help the cause? Alcohol intake really affects my afib.by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
My EP at the Cleveland Clinic Dr Pinsky "prescribed" potassium to me years ago. By this I mean he wrote it down for me to supplement my diet...he said in the form of Low-Sodium V8...no more than 2 grams additional potassium per day. When I started doing this my ectopics decreased dramatically, along with fewer afib episodes. He said increasing Potassium naturally is far better than suby Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
It kind of sounds like many have no idea about the mini-maze, and therefore have negative ideas about it because it's new and Dr Natalie is so effective. This does not add up to saying mini-maze is not effective, and while it';s not perfect, statistics seem to point to it being more effective than an ablation. The hybrid procedure even more so...stats show it to be MUCH more effectiveby Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Everyone is different, but after living with afib for over 35 years now, one thing I've learned is....afib + alcohol = bad.by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Working out, for me, can cause an episode. Important to work out at a medium rate, do not overdue it. Hydration and electrolytes are crucial if you are working out and have afib.by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Nobody has said this on this thread, and some will debate it....but coffee and beers certainly aren't going to help your situation, and very possibly could trigger what is happening. Maybe it has nothing to do with it, but I suspect it does, at least on some level.by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great responses, thanks to everyone!by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Does anyone have any thoughts on high altitude causing afib? My wife and I are traveling and are at a bit over 6000 feet, and I've read a few things that higher altitude can be a strain on the heart and maybe even cause afib? I've gotten a few extra ectopics so far, but nothing more fyi...been here 4 days now.by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
My second ablation was last August, (1st was in 2006). Going in, I was getting long runs of pac's with some SVT and afib thrown in, lasting around 10 - 20 hours per "session". a week after the ablation I had some problems, a bunch of pac's, MAYBE some short runs of afib..so went on Flecainide. Have been PERFECT since then, (5 months). I'm down to low dose of Flec nowby Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Congrats to you...now it's time to enjoy life!by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
This study showed the herb Berberine is as effective in treating Afib as Amiodarone.by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
You should be happy that you feel pretty good and are handling being in afib fairly well. One silver lining for me is that I have taken excellent care of myself since being diagnosed over 25 years ago, (then in my late 30's). Staying healthy is obviously important and becomes even more important with afib as we get older. My grandmother had it for over 50 years, died at 95 from complicatiby Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
That's great Matt, happy for you. Most people have a hard time changing their behavior and only look for a pill to "cure" their problem. I too had success changing my eating and drinking habits, and the silver lining is that you are healthier in many ways!by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
I no longer drink...but I think it's pretty clear that alcohol is not good for afib, especially in excess. I believe there is a delay effect also....as while drinking I never had any problems, it was the day after that was a problem. Red wine is particularly disruptive, as the preservatives are irritants.by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
I cannot lay on my left side at all...induces afib almost guaranteed for me. It's been that way for most of the last 20 years. I only sleep on my right side, which is not a problem.by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Came across this drug Ranolazine as potentially quite effective for treatment of afib? Does anyone know anything about this?by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Oh...I understand....don't want to bother him then!by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Shannon...just checking to see if you recieved my private message?by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had 1 breakthrough at 3 weeks post procedure....SVT which led to some afib. Disappointing for sure but I guess there is still hope as I had a bit of SVT after my first procedure, (but NO afib). Had this 2nd procedure done at Emory in Atlanta....my first procedure (that lasted 14 years), was at Cleveland Clinic Florida with Dr Sergio Pinsky. I firmly believe he is excellent...in the ballpaby Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM
My HR is about 20 BPM higher now... 3 weeks after my last ablation. Was similar after my 1st ablation. I've read in several places that a higher HR post-ablation is a good sign actually that the ablation was effective....my 1st ablation was certainly effective as it lasted 14 years!by Sdweller - AFIBBERS FORUM