Posted by Pete Tabolt on March 04, 2003 at 09:17:50:
In Reply to: chronic a-fib posted by larry on March 02, 2003 at 23:21:29:
Larry,
I agree with Jack. Get that second opinion and do your
homework. Most cardiologists don't know much about
the Maze or PVI cures for afib and many have the
attitude of "just live with it". That was the
attitude of my first cardiologist 10 years ago. And
that remains his attitude to this day. Fortunately I
was able to find this list and my primary care doctor
sent me to another cardiologist who supported my
desire to investigate the maze. Last summer after 9
years in chronic lone afib I was cured by Maze surgery
by Dr. McCarthy at the Cleveland clinic.
Has your cardiologist done an echo cardiogram on you.
It is helpful to know if you have lone afib ( no known
cause) or whether you have heart damage or valve
irregularities that are causing the afib. In the case
of lone afib you have a 98 to 100% chance of a full
cure with the maze. If you have other problems the
chances are 80 to 95% chance of a full cure with the
maze.
Your concern about the meds and their side effects is
a very real issue. It sounds like your doctor has put
you on a cocktail of calcium channel blockers, beta
blockers and digoxin to control your heart rate in
afib. My experience is that over time you have to take
more and more of the meds to keep the rate down and
the side effects get worse.
I started out on 240 mg a day of verapamil and was
able to control my rate fairly well for 5 years. But I
suffered from bloating and still had "bad heart days"
when I would feel exhausted for no reason. After 5
years they had to increase me to 360 mg a day and then
480 mg a day to keep the heart rate down. By this
time the calcium channel blockers had wreaked such
havoc with my digestive system I was suffering from
acid reflux disease. The doctors put me on beta
blockers but that destroyed my sex life and gave me
bronchial spasms in cold weather.
Fortunately my second cardiologist supported me having
the maze and helped me make arrangements with the
Cleveland Clinic to have it performed.
I wish you the best of luck. Keep us informed.
Pete Tabolt