Posted by hans koster on November 11, 2001 at 09:10:11:
In Reply to: Thanks posted by Joel Smolen on November 10, 2001 at 11:50:00:
I had paroxysmal afib for many years.Ten year ago I started to take medicin,at first it was very well under control,but as time went by it came more and more difficult to keep the afib away.I ran marathons,than half marathons,than 10km,and in the end 5km(3 times a week) already triggered the afib,like going late to bed (no parties),stress,eating out(wine,garlic).Just before my maze I had afibs 2-3 times a week,especially in the night time and mostly for 2-8 hours,but it began to dominate my life that much that there had to change something.I had an active life and I wanted to continue that way of living.The surgeon told me I had to invest half a year of my life for a 90% chance of curation.I took the chance (or the risk,depends how you look at it)and I am afib free now.
So the afib won't grow better,only worse,most of all cases are ending in chronic afib and it depends too how much afib controls your life now and how much you want to change it.But it always will be a tough decision.It took me 2-3 years to get used to the idea of having such a big operation and to final decide:I'll do it.I wish you all the best and hope that this will contribute a little to your considerations.