Posted by Roger Meyer on April 25, 2004 at 22:17:39:
In Reply to: Now I'm Terrified posted by Phil on March 30, 2004 at 00:40:32:
Don't be terrified, just be jarred into learning more about AF and the options that are available.
I had AF for over 25 years and had been told not to worry as it was a benign inconvenience and I would not die from it. I guess I had over 25 years of blissful ignorance until my cardiologist finally said to me when I was 66 that I simply HAD to start to take Coumadin to prevent possible TIA's.
He had suggested Coumadin in earlier years, but I always resisted and he reluctantly supported my resistance UNTIL the conference he had with me when I was 66. He was adamant.
It was at that time that he told me about the MAZE alternative. I researched it, made my decision, and finally had the MAZE performed at Ohio State Medical Center. That was nearly three years ago (August 2001).
I would be less than honest if I said it was a miracle cure for me. I have had a continuing journey, but it has been a journey that has resulted in my feeling very good and in my being able to do all the things I love to do including racquetball.
My journey has included having a pacemaker implanted nearly a year after my MAZE.
My journey has included being placed on various drugs post MAZE and finally being placed on Lanoxin at the same dosage I was on before the MAZE. After experiencing two TIA's post MAZE, I have also finally consented to Coumadin at 2mg and Aspirin at 325 mg.
But, HEY, the MAZE, the pacer, the drugs all have me feeling great. I am very satisfied with my quality of life, but I had NO IDEA what the journey would be like for me when I believed for so many years not to worry about AF as it was merely a "benign inconvenience" that I would not die from.
If you read this board carefully, you will likely find that there are MANY here (thanks to Jack Drum's board)who have followed their OWN journeys with AF and the MAZE.
Good luck to you. AF seems to be manageable through enlightened advances. As for me, I left AF after the MAZE. I did not get into NSR, but was left in junctional rhythm, which I continue in today.
Roger