Posted by Jack Drum on November 10, 2001 at 12:27:23:
In Reply to: Thanks posted by Joel Smolen on November 10, 2001 at 11:50:00:
Your history sounds very similar to mine. I have had AF I think from my teen years but never really bothered me and I never bothered it, until about 35 when I had to go on medication. At the age of 63 I was having AF about every 2 weeks, but it was very debilitating to me and my EP recommended the Maze procedure. I decided I could live as I was so I planned my activities around a 2 week cycle which was my AF cycle most of the time, unless I brought it on early with physical exertion or exhaustion from heat or activities. In 98 the AF episodes became more often and effected me to a greater degree. It would be exhausting to get up from my recliner and make a trip to the bathroom. I gave in and had the Maze on April 10, 1998. I have been AF and medication free every since the surgery. My story is better than some, but the vast majority of mazers do come out in very good to excellent condition, as they tell it. I did put off having the Maze for 5 years after it was suggested to me, but now I look at it as 5 years of less of a life than I could of had. When the maze was first suggested to me it was much newer and less known about the effects of it. The surgeon that did mine had only done 8 maze procedures in 93, and had done several more by 98.
I would be very cautious of Amiodarone as a medication. I never used it myself, but I, and probably you have read many bad stories about its side effects.
I hope this helps some, and if you have any more questions you can post or mail me.