Don't mess around. Determine your LA size immediately. If it is 45+ and appears to be enlarging you want to get with the best EP you can find and you want to do it quickly. Everything that I am reading indicates that the larger your LA size the lower the chances for a successful ablation although it is reaching the point where EP's are indeed willing to do ablations on those of us witby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks to everyone for input. As a matter of interest, I came home from a meeting this morning that lasted into the late afternoon and for which I awoke very early... and promptly fell deep asleep in front of the television in a matter of seconds. When I awoke, I had the usual 'tremblings' and balloon head, etc. Like electricity coursing through my upper body. Thought of as a side-by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for the information regarding Joy. I am certainly going to get her supplementing Potassium, etc. as soon as possible. We HAVE noted that Potassium - say a beer cup full of low sodium V8 which is about 1.5g - will get absorbed and settle things down after a while. Interesting? SAME THING FOR ME!! I have skipped beats now and then (about 1 in 8) and a dose of Potassium will resolve the pby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
My wife, Joy, has just returned from a week in Southlake, going through all the tests on her heart, etc., as a result of having some palpatations at the base of her throat and some "palpatations" which read as PVC's on the ECG. When she is experiencing the "palpatations" she is throwing 2-3 PVC's per minute; this can go on for a half of an hour and then disappearby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Does anyone have current 'rumours' about TIKOSYN, especially in Canada? Was at the hospital the other day and they mentioned that those that are on TIKOSYN may remain on it; they are not authorized to BEGIN new patients on Tikosyn at present, but they expect that will change. They also mentioned that MY PERSONAL SIDE EFFECTS.... balloon head, dizziness, trembling, etc., (for me in tby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hans. Thank you for all that you have contributed to our lives and well-being. Wishing you a happy retirement and hoping that you will not be a total stranger to this forum. Warmest regards, always.by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
I started using those Magnesium suppositories but had to stop. I couldn't stand the taste.by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
If you qualify I would definitely agree to participate, personally. You will, if nothing else, get some closer monitoring of your heart health. I agreed to participate in one of the recent studies but unfortunately had not exhibited any aFib after uptake of TIKOSYN so the ruled me out.by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Whatever you do, it is time for a call and a visit to see your cardiologist/EP ASAP. The best you can be doing is guessing at what these symptoms represent. Could be anything; probably nothing. Do you want to take a chance? Modern portable ECG monitors are tiny and are worn on your belt with pads on your chest, etc. They can mark your chest with a china marker and you can shower in the morniby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sure hope they send me 30,000 feet when I get around to an ablation.by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
JMR: You are in the right place. We DO understand as we are all wearing the same T shirt. For what it is worth, my friends think that if I go out and take a walk it will make me all well again, despite lung damage, aFib (controlled by TIKOSYN - don't know which was worse the medication or the affliction), etc. "Take a walk after dinner each night and you will be as right as rain inby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Curious as to whether or not there is a residency requirement for Medicare? I am an American living in Ontario where medical is free and even drugs are free for those with low income. Now they are apparently talking about even adding basic dental to the OHIP plan (Ontario Health Insurance). The TIKOSYN I take is no charge except the $11.99 dispensing fee once every three months. We want to moby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sorry, duplicate with next message. Ignore this one.by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Murray, > > That was quite an ordeal with that nasty Flu > strain! > > Was the sleep apnea, hypertension and other > problems all after the flu or it must have been > that some of those were preexisting prior to the > flu it would seem, though I can imagine have a > serious viralby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
George N has hit the nail right on the head. Louise, studies and general EP knowledge/statements/papers have indicated that the larger your left atrium, the lower the success rate of catheter ablation. Dr. Verma showed me the details on the very first consultation with him and I was stunned. The rate of success was inversely proportional to the size of one's left atrium (i.e. enlargement)by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Peggy. No, you likely had very little, if any, enlargement. As close to a normal sized LA makes for higher success rate. In fact, the success rate is apparently inversely proportional to LA size and ejection fraction according to my EP, Drs. Atul Verma and Yaariv Khaykin at Southlake in Newmarket Ontario. They were last survey rated two of the best in the world and located in Canada forby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Once again, it is I, seeking fellow aFibbers who would care to share their LEFT ATRIUM SIZE history. I was about 49mm when diagnosed. 60mm when I finally saw an EP!!. And now shrinking and hopefully will be under 50mm. when I next see my EP and a candidate for ablation in his books. He is willing to do it at 54-55mm. (my last measurement by echo) but states that the larger it has grown the lowby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Here's how I take it with the blessing of my EP. First understand that my Potassium level is directly related to my heart 'calmness' and when the Potassium drops below 3.5 - 4.5 I skip beats and have chest pressure. I take three teaspoons of Potassium Gluconate (NOW) and dump them into a glass FULL of simple carbonated water. No salt. No nothing. Just bubbles. It dissolves theby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Very interesting. After my stay in hospital on total life support, intubated, 2009, due to Influenza A/H1N1 (( I survived by the skin of my teeth friends - they did not expect me to recover from the acute bacterial pneumonia).... anyway, after the stay and the damage to my lungs and trachea, etc., I came out with heart issues, diabetes, hypertension, OSA and, of course, AFIB! I had never been siby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
I think you have messed this up. It should be "God bless us ALL, each and everyone", no?by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
My EP's are two of the best in the world according to a recent statistical study. I am fortunate to have them. When I see them on a visit I always take or have on me a current list of medications that I am taking INCLUDING SUPPLEMENTS. They always tell me that my supplementation is just fine and the blood work backs up things like Potassium at optimal levels, B12, etc. They are happy, Iby Murray L - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Just stay away from the suppositories. They taste awful!by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dr. Atul Verma Dr. Yaariv Khaykin Southlake Regional Health Centre Newmarket Ontarioby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Saw a Pradaxa commercial on television yesterday. They mentioned AFIB and showed a guy with all smiles. The balance of the 60 second commercial was spent warning the public/viewers of all the downsides of Pradaxa. Maybe it's jus tme but I'd rather have something that has an antidote in case, heaven forbid, I have an accident and am bleeding and need to address the INR. I know thby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Barb: My most sincere and profound condolences on your lost. Time will dampen the pain. It has been 25 years since I lost my grandparents and I still think of them every day. The pain has gone, but the regrets at not having them there for life cycle events never goes away. One learns to cope with it. And you will do the same sometime. It is what he would have wanted. I am about to leave toby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gary: Am looking for those emails now. And yes, we are still the best of friends and they have discarded the waterbed after it spring a leak (I did not ask why). Murray Lby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Cold feet MIGHT indicate a variety of maladies; including insufficient blood circulation. It can also indicate arterial problems in the legs and so on. Or it can simply be that your feet sneak our from under the covers while you are asleep. The best way to determine if your blood is "thick" is via blood tests (and there are several the main one being INR) and I would ask my family phby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Vitamin D is a controversial supplement but I use it. As to Magnesium... I sat and watched a fellow convert from aFib to NSR after IV Magnesium while starting Tikosyn. First pill. Whammo. NSR. I had the same IV Magnesium, etc., and took TIKOSYN for three days but it took electrocardioversion to get my heart back to NSR (never felt the procedure at all) and have been on TIKOSYN and in NSR sinceby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Marty, pleased to see you are doing well - take it easy while recuperating from your ablation. As a matter of curiousity, do you know what size your left atrium was at ablation? And what your ejection fraction was? My ablation is on hold while my left atrium shrinks back towards a normal size being in NSR now on TIKOSYN. My ejection fraction is nominal, but they would rather operate on aby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
What of antidotes? These manufacturers are quick to market because billions of dollars are involved but are slow as heck in responding to inquiries regarding addressing emergencies where it is critical to stop bleeding, as after an automobile accident or an emergency surgery. I can assure you that my 93 year old father would not still be with us if he was using anything other than warfarin whenby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM