Posted by Ken Willis on March 02, 2003 at 22:43:53:
In Reply to: A Fib posted by Pete T on March 02, 2003 at 21:55:57:
Pete,
I used to convert myself back to normal rhythm with exercise routinely. It would only work when I was taking an antiarrhythmic drug like sotalol. I used to get afibs an average of 4 times a month with sotalol, but after an ablation these events increased to 3 times a week, so I got a lot of practice converting myself to NSR. I would have to wait a few hours after the start of afib before my conversion would "hold", and the amount of exercise required would usually vary according to how long I'd been in afib (the longer I'd been in afib, the easier it was to convert).
I had a dual-site atrial pacemaker put in, I still got the same number/duration of afibs, and I still converted the same way.
After maze surgery I was removed from sotalol and stayed in NSR for 16 days, but afibs returned intermittently during the first 3 months. I couldn't convert with exercise until the Dr. put me back on an antiarrhymic (Rhythmol), and then it was just like old times in being able to convert to NSR. I haven't had any afibs since my 3-month anniversary (over 6 months ago) and am off drugs.
If I were you, I'd be thankful that you can exert some control over afibs by converting yourself to normal rhythm. I'd also advise not waiting until you're a 3-a-week guy to get a cure. It's miserable stuff and the unencumbered life of NSR is sooo worth the temporary trouble of surgery. Good luck to you.