Posted by Ed Wehan on May 01, 2001 at 18:08:08:
Tomorrow is seven weeks post maze and also my 57th birthday. So, as a present, I just spoke to my cardiologist who read an EKG that I had faxed up to him and very excitedly proclaimed that the Flutter was gone and I was in NSR.
I had visited my cardiologist last Monday and I was still in Flutter at that time. Our plan after speaking to Cleveland was to try a cardioversion and if that didn't work, an ablation. Long about Friday, my heart rate seemed to drop 10 beats per minute on my pulse rate monitor when I was exercising. Additionally, I was maintaining a much more even rhythm throughout the day. I had to go to my primary care physician yesterday and while there I asked him to do an EKG. Upon doing this, he indicated that he couldn't find any flutter. Last night I faxed the EKG to the cardiologist who confirmed all of this. Wow!!!
For those who may be interested, this occurred between my sixth and seventh week post maze. When I spoke to Cleveland, they indicated that by six weeks the heart has pretty much healed so I had given up hope. I guess the extra week helps.
Now, the Carl Plaskett theory here may be that my cardiologist said that I could have a glass of wine in the evening which I started doing last Monday and I probably converted on Friday. Was there a relationship? Ask Carl.
I have cut back my amiodarone to the lowest level possible. I am still nervous that the condition could still change particularly when I completely drop this drug. You wouldn't think so but I'll feel better in another month. However for now, I'll take what I got and be very thankful for it.