Re: PVA's

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Posted by Carl Plaskett on December 18, 2003 at 14:03:07:

In Reply to: Re: PVA's posted by Jim W. on December 18, 2003 at 11:51:56:

Jim: I DO read the "other" site, I just rarely post there anymore, since many of the threads are still dealing with what I would characterize as "wishful thinking".

While the "other" site was started for LAF sufferers, there are certainly many posters who have other complications or no idea of what type of afib they are enduring. It has been refreshing to read more and more posts there re: "cures" which are, at this time, only surgical or catheter intervention. There is no other way of which I am aware that the errant electrical pathways can be eliminated. While the numerous "triggers" of afib can be eliminated and thereby help some of those who have not yet developed chronic or persistant afib, they only offer temporary or partial relief. For those who have become chronic LAF sufferers (probably MOST of the posters/procedure vets on this board were LAF sufferers), the pallative remedies discussed on that site are no longer an option.

Anyone who thinks surgical/catheter procedures are only "treating the symptoms and not the root cause"(errant electrical pathways, which MUST be eliminated for a "cure") has their head in the sand, and is probably hoping that someone is going to wave a magic wand and they will be rid of afib.

Speaking of a "magic wand", I hope to soon learn some more info re: the external maze ultrasound maze "tool" being developed by the company in CA for which Dr. Cox has been consulting, about which I posted (at both sites) back in the summer of 2002, after Dr. Cox advised me that the tests with dogs had gone very well and FDA approval for human tests was being sought. He anticipated that it would involve an overnight stay, with a very small incision, but the energy source would be focused from outside the patient's body. In a meeting with him a few weeks earlier, he had demonstrated the process with a couple of swizzle sticks from drinks we were having in a hotel lobby, hence the "magic wand" reference. It may not be too far in the future if the trials have been OKed and are being done or have been completed.

I would disagree that the Maze is contraindicated for treatment of CHRONIC/PERSISTANT LAF. It has been done many, many times by numerous surgeons for those of us who failed multiple drug/lifestyle/diet change regimens and had lost considerable enjoyment of life. I would agree that current ablation equipment/techniques available at a few locations are making the Maze less of an option, UNLESS of course the Maze is the best AVAILABLE option one is offered (i.e. Not ALL ablations are a good option).

If you learned about the CC at the "other" site, and you have been reading it for long, you may have learned of it from my posts there. I started praising them for my instant "cure" of LAF within 2 weeks of my procedure. You can find my posts beginning in early 2001, in the original LAF Forum archives.

I have no doubt that genetics plays the largest part in whether or not one develops afib, but it is unlikely that those who suffer from it now will benefit from genetic engineering to prevent it during their lifetimes. Many of us have just hastened afib's onset through our lifestyles, be it aerobic exercise, stress, caffeine, alcohol,MSG,dehydration,etc., etc. or combinations of some or all. Other more fortunate souls go through life running marathons, etc., and doing all sorts of things which trigger afib for others and they never seem to develop afib. It's a cruel world sometimes.

I am sure glad I found this site on the first day Jack started it (September 7, 2000), and immediately came into contact with some longterm LAF Maze vets who encouraged me to go for it a scant four months later.

I hope that you will give it time (perhaps more than 3 months, which is not a timetable written in stone), and won't need a "touch-up", which seems to be more prevalent among long term sufferers such as yourself.

It may be presumptuous of me to suggest what "point" Jack was trying to make, but I might GUESS it might be that while the other site owner is still suffering afib after over 12 years, many, many posters here are cured and have gotten on with our lives through elimination of afib...and the site Jack so unselfishly started as a computer novice has never tried to sell anybody anything, and he removes posts from the few spammers who have tried to do so. There is NO agenda (hidden or otherwise) on this board.

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