A PVI Turned Maze That Went Good

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Posted by Nancy Camel on January 12, 2004 at 16:51:10:

Carl "suggested" that my message in response to "A PVI That Went Bad" be moved up the board instead of buried further on down. So, here on a more positive note, is my story:

I was diagnosed with AFib about six years ago. My local Cardiologist treated me simply with a beta blocker until this past year when my AFib went crazy. Then he prescribed Tambocor(flecanide)and Coumadin and warned that I would have to have a Pacemaker someday. My AFib was getting more frequent and lasted longer. The drugs had me almost catatonic!

I didn't want a pacemaker and was searching for other solutions when I found this board. I was considering an ablation because a woman in my home town had one that was very successful at the Cleveland Clinic. I made contact with Dr. Scwheikhert at the CC. Then proceeded to educate my cardiologist with information from this website about the need to go out of state for the procedure.

However, before scheduling surgery I asked to have a heart catherization. I had to ask! I went into AFib on the table and the catherization revealed that I had a severe regurgitating mitral valve! Go figure.

So I educated my cardiologist some more. He previously considered the Maze as "experimental." He was teachable and now he thinks it was all his idea. Blue Cross approved the surgery out of state. Dr. S made an appointment for me with surgeon Dr. Gillinov at CC. I had the Radio Frequency-modified Maze and Mitral Valve repair on May 23, 2003, and am now AFib-free and drug free. Blue Cross paid all but $3,000.

None of this would have happened without this board. Thank you, thank you, thank you everybody!

Tomorrow I am going out to the swamp with my big ole 500mm lens and heavy tripod to photograph birds. I missed out on that most of last year because I didn't have the stamina or energy. This morning I did 45 minutes of cardio at the Y. Life is good.



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