QuoteJKAF I did it. It kept a log of everything I did and everything I ate. For over two years, I thought I found correlations. But then a few weeks would pass, and the correlations would prove to be false. The cost? Hundreds of hours of work and years of anxiety over what I might eat or do. I could have written the same thing!!! Tried and tried without success to determine what causedby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey Anti-Fib's suggestion of a cardio-selective BB like Bystolic (nebivolol) is worth trying, but my preferred solution was to get rid of rate control and rhythm control drugs altogether. They all suck. Assume you have not had an ablation.....is that an option. I absolutely detested the anti-arrhythmic mediation....had just about every side-affect plus it did not completely prevby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotehwkmn05 I have never thought about the golf swing impacting afib, and though any subluxation might effect it, golf never effected me that way. Golf can be stressful if its always competitive, but for me its good exercise and stress free. If that were the case, the maximum torque that Pro golfers produce would have them all lining up for ablations and that just aint the case. The heat I willby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
In my initial meeting with Natale prior to my ablation in 2011 told him I had tried to eliminate many, many potential causes of atrial fibrillation without success. When I asked what he thought was the cause.....said I was genetically predisposed for the problem. Steveby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have perfect memory.....just doesn't last very long!! My ablation was 2011 not 2010. So I was 64 at the time sby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Steve, how old were you when you first started afib? Difficult to answer as I am not sure when I first began to experience arrhythmia. Going to guess late 50's or early 60's. Initially the first I became aware was on the golf course.....would become light-headed and somewhat dizzy.....and was basically debilitating......the experiences were short and would always go away. Notby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
When I was first diagnosed with arriyhthmia I tried just as you have to find the cause......without success. What was rare occurrences became more frequent. (later learned this is the probable progression for arrhythmia). Eventually was placed on daily anti-arrhythmic medication.....which was expensive and I experienced "most all" the listed side-effects of the medication, and still hby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotewolfpack Ok, probably won't. If rate control works, you should be able to function unless a specific rule prohibits it. Will add my "two cents" worth When I first experienced arrhythmia it would completely debilitate me.....even occasionally pass out as my blood pressure would plummet. I was diagnosed after an episode on the golf course. Fortunately the episodes onlyby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
There are many nice hotels with a wide range of price just a few minutes north of St. Davids near the intersection of US290 and I35 .......Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton, Drury, Courtyard, La Quinta, etc.(have stayed at most over the years). Steve Spring, Tx.by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
I will add that I am 6+ years post-ablation with Natale at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. Davids. I learned of Natale through this website. I was extremely against any "heart surgery" but hated the anti-arrhythmic medications. So begrudgingly went to see Natale. From my research on ablations and Natale learned they had many cardiologists there.....so I asked him ifby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
When I was initially diagnosed with atrial fibrillation was told to take two 300 mg propafenone as a "pill in the pocket" at the onset of a problem. Would usually convert within a couple of hours. Steveby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
May have an issue. My heart rate increased last night from a normal range of mid-eighties to over 100 and up to 130,,,,.my diastolic pressure is abnormally higher as well (90-100), It usually is in the mid-80 range. I had an ablation in March 2011 with Natale and have been completely issue-free since. Know that an ablation is not necessary a "cure" so need some advice. Questiby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
After diagnosis for arrhythmia I attempted to identify the trigger(s) for my events.....caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, chocolate, excessive exercise, body position.......all without success. My local EP cardiologist said I would go crazy trying to learn the cause. During my first visit with Natal I asked him and he basically said it was genetics. Since my ablation in March 2011 have been eventby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
My only suggestion would be to have the most recent activity be listed first....in other words if there is a recent comment to an older topic have it move to the top of the lists.. sby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had an ablation with Natale in March 2011 and have not experienced any issues (I'm aware of) since......continue to take magnesium and potassium but otherwise live my life normally. Reading the recent experiences of others has started to make me somewhat nervous. Have I been lucky so for..... but am I on "borrowed time". My question.....other than actual arrhythmia are thereby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Late to the party but all the best as well!!!! Steveby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good to hear it went well for Wayne.....was thinking about him as I remembered that his surgery date was in March as well. Had I not found this group that story could well have been about me. I had discussed an ablation with my local EP cardiologist.....would have been performed at St. Lukes Heart Institue. It is interesting that while they have a world-wide reputation for excellence in cby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yesterday (March 10) marked four years since my ablation with Natale in Austin. As I have said previously no issues and the only medication is a 325 mg aspirin daily, I continue to take both potassium and magnesium supplements. Was able to return to normal exercise and daily activites immediately after the procedure. I will confess that I was apprehensive about the exercise program as arrhby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
My ablation was March 10, 2011 Have been problem-free since If arrhythmia ever recurs......will be headed to Austin immediately! Other than the aspirin was not required to take any anti-arrhythmic medication. sby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Travis.....had a Natale ablation on a Thursday, came home Friday (Houston from Austin) and back to work on Monday.. Maybe I was unique but the there basically was no recovery period. My only side-affect was a sore throat for a day or so from the trach-tube. Was put on warferin for 90 days post procedure.......then a 325 mg aspirin per day. Natale told me I could resume my exercise progrby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Travis, Had a Natale ablation in March 2011 (Austin) that so far has been successful. Learned about Natale on this site and echo all the prior comments. However, want to share an anecedote......I am a testicular cancer survivor. When diagnosed was referred to a very highly regarded oncologist here in Houston. We waited for over 2 1/2 hours for the initial appointment.....was not happy anby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Cancer has impacted me and my family in many ways. It is difficult to know how you will react when you or a member of your family hears the words "you have cancer". Regardless, I am a firm believer that having the right mental attitude is key to winning the battle. Even with the small amount of interaction I have had with you.........confident that will be true with your family.by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Grady, Also in Houston, Short version....paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and have had a Natale ablation in Austin. My procendure was in March 2011 and have been problem free since. In the event that I begin to develope issues wanted to establish a relationship with an EP cardiologist in Houston (did not want to go back to my original ep cardiologist)......didn't want to make the triby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Anit-Afib Want to explain my situation. Not sure when I first experienced arrhythmia but from diagnosis to alblation was under three years. With the exception of the stroke, my situation is similar to McHale's. Had I not learned about Natale through this website not sure where I would be today. I progressed from "pill in the pocket" to daily medication during that timeby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
McHale.....I too was adamant that I did not want anyone burning my heart. However, I also did not want to be tetherred to the damn anti-arrhythmic medication!! It was not only expensive but it did not completely stop the episodes. Also, did not want to completely alter my lifestyle....exercise and eat farily healthly....but enjoy socail drinking when I want. Consequently, I reclutantly opteby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Duke It was probably a couple of days......the sore throat was from the "tracttube" not the actual ablation. I have had numerous orthopedic surgeries and always get a sore throat from the tube. sby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had a Natale ablation in Austin on a Thursday, came home on Friday and was back to work (non-physical) on Monday. Other than a sore throat from the "trachtube" I had no problems from the procedure. Per Natale I waited three weeks before I resumed my exercise prrogram. I will confess that I was apprehensive when I started to exercise again as I had started to experience arrhythmia wby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
When I was first diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was prescribed Rhythmol as a "pill in the pocket" with no issues or side affects. But as my arrhythmia progressed I began twice-daily medication with Rhythmol (tried both SR and regular)......believe it was 325 mg. My experience was absolutely horrrendous.....had just about every side-affect listed for the medication!!!!by JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gary, Your journey is quite simiilar to mine.......found this website while trying to learn as much as possible about arrhythmia after my diagnosis for paraoxysmal atrial fibrillation. I too learned about Natale here and ultimately had an ablation at St. David's in March 2011 ( I will never forget my night in the hospital as it was when the tsunami happened in Japan.....I could not sleepby JAYHAWK - AFIBBERS FORUM