EP studies ??'s, also medication ??'s Thanks

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Posted by Steveh on January 29, 2003 at 19:09:37:

Hi, I have posted before but it has been a few months, i just turned 39 and have been having intermittent problems with afib for the past 5 years, but much worse the last 6 months. I have tried betapace, but it brought my heart rate into the 30's, so for right now I am only on a small dose of lanoxin. All right, I have seen 2 EP's. One in St Louis and he gave me an event heart monitor and said he could tell from the beginning of afib episodes whether it was aflutter or afib, thus, whether or not ablation would help w/o doing EP studies. He suggested that since it is intermittent, I can either try to live with it for a couple of years and then there will be many more advances with ablation and what can be done.
Now, went to another doc in Arkansas for a second opinion. I have been in the hopsital there for afib and had the conversion there in November. He did an ekg, and quickly told me he wanted to do EP studies and see if it was from one source or many, and whether ablation was a possibility or not. Both docs recommended fleconide *spelling?*
Why does one EP say he can tell enough from the event monitor and another need the extensive studies? Makes me wonder why i got a second opinion when I am just confused now. Also, do the drugs cause decreased heart function later in life? I have been on beta blockers for years but have just discontinued them. Please give me any info you can with this, i really have a lot of questions and of course, NO INSURANCE.

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