Atrial Fibrillation

[Cameron]

Hi Ted. Good to hear from you. Those breathing issues are so hard to diagnose. When I was going through my ordeal with shortness of breath recently, I did quite a bit of research on what might be causing it and it seemed like every condition I read about fit me. Of course the two main areas having to do with it are the heart and lungs. I don't know about these new medications like Singulair. Sometimes they cause more problems than what they're supposed to control and their side-effects are scary. Have you tried getting a second opinion? Losing weight and getting into better shape is always a good idea. I have a cross-country exerciser and I've started to do about 8 to 10 minutes on it hoping to work up to 15 or 20. I don't know if you're very big on alternative medicine but there may be herbal remedies that could help. Also you might consider acupuncture I believe in trying everything when it comes to health. By the way, I've avoided taking Coumadin since my doctor has decided that I won't need a cardioversion. But I do take an aspirin every day.

I hope you can solve the breathing problem. If I come across any info that sounds like it could be helpful I'll forward it to you.

All the best,
Cameron

[Cameron]

Hello Pat,
It sounds like you have a pretty severe condition and though I've had some of your symptoms, I was never diagnosed with any kind of heart disease. According to my doctor it was atrial fibrillation that caused all of my problems. So I don't know how to advise you. Though I am still in A-fib it is very slight compared to what it was and I think it was due to a change in medication from Toprol (125mg) to Diltiazem (50mg). Also I have started taking fish oil. I take four capsules per day that give me a total of 1200mg of EPA and 800mg of DHA. Those ingredients make up Omega 3 which is very good for an ailing heart. If you don't know about the benefits of fish oil I would suggest that you research it. I think it's done a lot for me. That's what I'm taking now plus a multi vitamin, C, B, etc. When I was going through my acute phase of A-fib I was researching what medications might work to restore the correct rhythm of my heart to avoid a cardioversion and some of those standard medications sounded horrible with very bad side effects so be careful. With a good doctor though you may be able to find a medication that has relatively few side effects and can control your problem. Best of luck.
Cameron

[myafib]

Pat,

I underwent an ablation procedure about two months ago. For the past several weeks I could do very little without being out-of-breath and my heart pounding. It was debilitating! I recently was changed from a beta blocker (can cause breathing problems) to a calcium blocker with digoxin. What a difference in just a couple of days! I'm still in constant afib, but at least I can do basic stuff again. So, keep after your cardiologist on the medication options and you might get relief.

Chuck

[psteach]

Thanks Chuck for your post. I am going to keep in close contact with my cardiologist. I return to work on July 28th and I really think that is when the doctor will have to decide to do something. Now, I can sit down and rest whenever I need to. I know that with students all day long, I'm going to be really testing how my afib will affect my job. Did you have the ablation procedure that takes 6 -8 hours? I had an ablation procedure in 1998 but it only took about two hours at the most. My doctor said this longer ablation is a new procedure. I have been reading about it on the internet and don't like everything I'm finding. I am hoping that the A fib won't be debilitating. I HAVE to go back to work in order to keep my insurance. Right now, it seems that I am having a fib about 20-25% of the time. I feel okay on the days that my heart is in rhythm, but on the days that it is in A fib, I feel terrible!

Before I had the pacemaker implanted, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, but now I don't feel that, I just have the symptoms of fatique, dizziness, shortness of breath, and I just feel lousy.

I hope you continue to feel better.

Pat

[myafib]

Pat,

The procedure I had averages 4-6 hours, mine was right around 5. I really hope you find enough relief where you can get back to work again.

Chuck

[AllenLeonard]

Hi fellow A-fibbers,
I like the idea of a peer support BB.
I have Afib 20% of the time, almost always at 7 a.m. just before I wake use the toilet, so it seems to be caused by a full bladder and colon and/or laying down all night. When I get back in bed it is all right. In regards to the positional aspect of my Afib, when I lay on my side, especially my left, it starts fibbing at any time. weird!
No one has mentioned this positional cause of afibbing so I would like to hear others talk about it. Fortunately, I don't get out of breath or dizzy yet, so I'm trying fish oil, magnesium and a healthy diet and exercise to try to reduce the occurances. So far, no luck with that treatment after two weeks.
best of luck, Allen in Key West



[quote="psteach"] Right now, it seems that I am having a fib about 20-25% of the time. I feel okay on the days that my heart is in rhythm, but on the days that it is in A fib, I feel terrible!

Before I had the pacemaker implanted, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, but now I don't feel that, I just have the symptoms of fatique, dizziness, shortness of breath, and I just feel lousy.

I hope you continue to feel better.

Pat[/quote]