Posted by John Behle on December 19, 2003 at 21:16:16:
In Reply to: Re: PVA's posted by Jim W. on December 19, 2003 at 20:09:37:
What causes AFib? If it is the errant electrical pathways, then what causes that? There is the question. But the question isn't the answer. I lived in the question for years - only to find out that the answer is irrelevant. What is relevant is to have a new chance at life. To chase my two year old I was lucky to have ever seen around the house. To be with my family and friends and living and loving life instead of deceased from a stroke. Or worse - to be wishing I was.
I would love to have the years, dollars and energy back that I put into finding the cause. The frustration and desperation of no answers and lots of wonderful theories that don't work nearly was too much to handle.
The frustration now for myself and many here is understanding why anyone would put up with a debilitating disease because they are obsessed with finding the cause instead of committed to following through with a cure.
An analogy comes to mind of having "Brittle bones". Focusing on being extremely cautions and careful not to break bones instead of exercising a proven cure to end broken bones forever. To pad our walls and lives to avoid “triggering” the problem or to take a simple step to erase the problem.
I was obsessed with what could cause AFib. I still don't have concrete answers as to what causes or precludes someone to have the errant pathways. I have ideas, I have curiosity - but not obsession.
AND I DON'T CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It doesn't happen any more. I am cured, my heart beats strong and regular and I can spend days on end attempting every "Trigger" there is. Some days I violate just about every rule - and I CAN'T MAKE MY HEART BEAT IRREGULAR. Not that I'm trying, but if I were, I know it would be irregular right now. BUT IT’S NOT.
For someone with extremely mild or occasional AFib, they can and probably should focus on eliminating every possible trigger and following every proper rule of diet, stress management, etc. Yet, doing nearly everything I ever heard of - didn’t stop the Afib. Now, at times doing nearly everything that could be done to cause it - won’t cause it.
Many here were rescued from the bleak prospects of a life sucking degenerative disease. So, excuse the zeal some have. At times, I feel like Jonathon Livingston Seagull. I've seen the other side. I've tasted life without AFib. I know there's more - and hope.
It's hard to experience an absolute and instantaneous cure of such a crippling disease and not to feel a little zealous. It's also an evolution in thinking. It's hard to understand those that aren't flocking to a proven cure. It’s hard to understand why I had any fears or reservations. But I was at the end of my rope. I would have rather died attempting a cure than to have continued degenerating to nothingness. Maybe some people need to be at that point before they will overcome their fears or even their pre-conceived notions and beliefs. Like “If I just do everything right, relax, don’t do cold drinks, don’t exercise “too” strenuously, take Magnesium, avoid caffeine, never get angry, avoid stressful people and situations, and use my guided imagery and positive mental attitude - then it will all be OK”.
EXCEPT IT ISN’T.
So, sometimes those that have found a cure are a little zealous about it. THANK GOD JACK DRUM WAS. THANK GOD JIM POPE WAS. THANK GOD MY SURGEON DR. MILLAR WAS.