Third opinion

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Posted by Patrick Haley on December 13, 2003 at 17:19:31:

As some of you know I had a partial PVA in St Louis on September 26th of this year. The procedure was terminated after finishing the left atrium, do to respiratory failure. A one day stay in Barnes Jewish hospital turned into a seven day nightmare including two days in the intensive care unit. I have been in full time AFIB since the procedure. After six weeks and several meds, they finally reduced my heart rate with the drugs, Toprol XL, Digoxin and Cardizam LA to under 90 bpm. As you all know the drugs are a bummer. I have had a chronic cough since the day of the procedure, and the pulimonary people have yet to figure it out. Tests have been scheduled for the first week in January for a possible gerd/lung related condition. All CT's and Xrays of the lungs look great. My local cardiologist believes I have developed CHF since the procedure, and it may have some contributing factor to the cough, again speculation. The CT of the pulmonary vein shows some narrowing but not enough to alarm the EP's in St Louis.
I have been to cc for a second opinion on both conditions. CC/Dr Natale have scheduled me for a second PVA but not until April 13th. I also have a moderate aorta valve problem. Dr McCarthy will do a maze, and repair the valve, and this can be scheduled in January, if I so desire.

My dilemma and challenge
No matter what decision I make concerning the AFIB I need to first get the cough issue resolve. I have nightmares about waking up again with this horrific cough and the procedure is again terminated.
I am scheduled for a third opinion with Dr Morady of UM for December 19th. Obviously, the cough issue has complicated the decision of what procedure and when.

I was a reasonable healthy 60 year old self-employed businessman before the PVA in September, I feel I have aged 10 years since the procedure. Sorry for being so wordy but this has been building up for sometime. I know many in the forum can relate to the sense of isolation concerning the many complicated decisions that one has to make.

I thank the forum for their past and hopefully future prayers and advise.

Happy Holiday's to all


Pat Haley

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