Posted by Pat McCarthy on April 26, 2001 at 14:18:50:
In Reply to: Post Maze Lifestyle posted by Ed Wehan on April 26, 2001 at 14:17:29:
My maze was on 8/8/00 at the CCF. I was stable for the first couple of days post-op..then began to have minor episodes of afib. It took 2 weeks to get me under control, but I feel that this was due to too much medication. I have learned over the past couple of years that my system doesn't respond well to heavy doses of norpace, rhythomol, etc...it tends to make the situation worse. Bottom line is that i was discharged on rhythomol (225mg x 3) and digoxin. This formula kept me stable, but my energy was low and my recovery slow. Finally, after a couple of weeks sthey took me off the digoxin and reduced the rhythmol (150mg x 3). That made a HUGE difference, and I haven't looked back since. My energy is right back where it used to be and I'm feeling very good. I am anxious to begin withdrawing from the meds, but my doctor thinks we should wait until 6 months post op since i am tolerating the rhythmol well. I still avoid caffeine and alchohol..just won't take that chance, it's not worth it. I feel that I am so much better than before the Maze. That was like walkking around under a black cloud..never knowing when/why it would strike. Now and then I get slightly irreg. or a little rapid--but nothing more serious than that. I found before my surgery that Magnesium Aspartate was very useful in helping me manage the condition. I still take it and think that it helps to keep me stable.
PS: I am also now a regular at Sunday Mass!!!!!!