AFibbers Database: Diane

Name	Diane
Location	SE MI
Age	50
Diagnosed condition	AF and Flutter, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (congenital)
Years with condition	30?
Frequency of episodes	About every 6 months
Duration of episodes	Variable - from a couple hours up to 10 days
Event preceding first AF	Pre-wedding stress
General health	Good - x-smoker/non-drinker
Current state	Good - waiting to see if ablation done last wee works
Triggers	Physical or emotional stress, lack of sleep
Preventions	Reduce stress, get 8 hours of sleep, don't eat junk.
Current medications/side effects	Coumadin Tikosyn 225 mcg Lipitor 20 mg Magesium Taurate Calcium CoQ10 Lasix and Potassium as needed when in AFIB for water retention and subsequent shortness of breath. Toprol 25 mg. as needed to reduce heart rate while in AFIB.
Past medications/side effects	When I was about 20, my cardiologist prescribed Inderol for my palpitations which I only noticed when I was going to sleep. It lowered my BP too much, so I stopped taking it after a few months. Probably had AFIB then, but they didn't know what it was. Rhythmol 225 SR worked well for about 8 months. Only major side effect was severe constipation. Sotolol didn't work, and was started while hospitalized for a sustained episode of AF in anticipation of a cardioversion that also didn't work.
History of surgery	Have had several cardioversions in the past - the last 5 were unsuccessful. Had a left atrial radiofrequency ablation 9/06 with Dr. Fred Morady at U of M. He was able to initiate AFIB during the procedure and while they were working, it converted to flutter, and then to sinus. They saw this as a positive thing, and his prognosis was positive. I'm recovering OK except for a small hematoma in my groin.
Future plans	Holding my breath to see if the ablation works. Planning to lose 10-15 lbs, eat a lot healthier, stay on supplements, and reduce stress whenever possible. Am hoping to avoid pacemaker, although one cardiologist thought I should have one and a defibrilator because of my family history. Dr. Morady has said it is rare for those who have had my type of ablation to need one. My normal BP and pulse are fairly low, but when I'm not in AFIB, I have all the energy I need for "normal" living. Can't play tennis or do aerobics any longer, but my golf game has improved. :-)
Personal comments	This has been a real challenge, and the worst part is never knowing when AFIB will start and not go away. This database has been very helpful and I've learned lots of useful things from other entries.
Check list	acebutolol amiodarone (cordarone,pacerone) anisindione (miradon) atenolol (tenormin) aspirin azimilide bepridil betaxolol bisoprolol (monocor,emconcor) bretylium bucindolol carvedilol cibenzoline dicumarol digitoxin digoxin (lanoxin) diltiazem (cardizem) diphenylhydantoin disopyramide (norpace) dofetilide (tikosyn) dronedarone encainide esmolol (brevibloc) ersentilide flecainide (tambocor) gallopamil ibutilide (corvert) lidocaine mibefradil metoprolol (lopressor,toprol xl) mexiletine moricizine nadolol phenytoin procainamide propafanone (rythmol) propranolol (inderal) quinapril (accupril) quinidine (quinaglute) sotalol (betapace) tedisamil timolol tocainide trandolapril (mavik) valsartan (diovan) verapamil (calan,isoptin) warfarin (coumadin) asthma diabetes GERD/acid reflux hypertension hypotension hyperthyroidism hypothyroidism adrenergic vagal familial idiopathic/lone paroxysmal permanent/chronic atrial flutter cardiomyopathy CHF PAC PVC SVT syncope bradycardia tachycardia heart block myocardial infarction rheumatic heart diease sick sinus syndrome stroke WPW electrical cardioversion defibrillator pacemaker ablation bypass maze Male Female

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