| Name | Joe S |
|---|
| Location | SE Michigan |
|---|
| Age | 72 |
|---|
| Diagnosed condition | Paroxismal Afib/flutter |
|---|
| Years with condition | 11 |
|---|
| Frequency of episodes | Now continuous flutter |
|---|
| Duration of episodes | Continuous |
|---|
| Event preceding first AF | Possibly job/marriage stress |
|---|
| General health | 80 lbs overweight, quit smoking 25 years ago. out-of-shape. |
|---|
| Current state | Continuous Aflutter, coronary heart disease, sleep apnea. |
|---|
| Triggers | Unknown triggers, maybe exertion. |
|---|
| Preventions | None known. |
|---|
| Current medications/side effects | Synthroid, .088mg daily
Plavix, 75mg daily
Diltiazem, 240mg daily
Atenelol/Tenormin, 50mg 2x/day
Coumadin, 4mg daily
buffered aspirin, 325mg daily
Nitrobid time release, 6.5mg 2x/day
Vytorin, 10/20 mg tab daily
Uraxatrol, 10mg daily
Protonix, 40mg daily
Senior formula multi-vitamin daily
Tylenol as needed for arthritus
|
|---|
| Past medications/side effects | Many through the years, mostly forgotten. My afib has progressed through various stages.
Rythmol didn't control it
Cordarone controlled it for a while, but eventually failed. As a side effect, it damaged my thyroid to the point where I must take Synthroid forever. I don't know if it affected my lungs or not, but I had to be tested frequently for damage.
|
|---|
| History of surgery | Benign Lipoma removed from transverse colon, 1986
One salivary gland removed, 1988 or so
Arthroscopy of both knees and one shoulder.
One shoulder replaced.
Stent in one coronary artery, 1999, reopened 2002 with Bracheytherapy to prevent reclosure.
I have had two procedures performed by the U.of M. Hospital group headed by Dr. Fred Morady. In 2001 I had a left pulmonary vein isolation to correct Afib, and at the same time another procedure in the right atrium to correct flutter. This was referred to as "The French Procedure."
Due to a recurrance of symptoms in 2003, I had another procedure ("The Italian Procedure"). This consisted of additional lines being placed in various places in the left atrium. I did well for about 22 months.
Sadly, I have now developed atrial flutter. My heart rate remains steady but fast, while the atrium flutters, reducing its efficiency. |
|---|
| Future plans | My regular cardiologist refers to his 30 years of experience in telling me that "Afib is inevitable, but that with continuation of medications, survival rate is unchanged". He also warns of the possibility of accidental uncorrectable narrowing of the pulmonary veins during another procedure. I feel tired all the time. His attitude is that since I am 72 years old and retired, I should sit back and smell the roses, enjoying what I have instead of fretting over what I can't do. Unfortunately, I can't persuade him to come over to my haose and take the garbage out to the street, or mow the lawn, or plow the driveway. Sitting, watching TV and snacking isn't good, either!
Dr. Morady, at University of Michigan hospital, feels that It is worth another try at ablation. He is well versed enough in the condition to have published papers on it, so I have confidence in him.
So-o-o-o, I am going back in on February 16th for another shot at it, hoping that "The third time will be the charm."
|
|---|
| Personal comments | This has been a long hard road, and I had a really hard time even getting it diagnosed, at first. I would feel like I was having a heart attack, and went into ER's three or four times telling them I just felt weird, sick and dizzy, fluttery in the chest and cold. Of course by the time I went through the "System", my heart would resume normal rythm and they would find nothing. My physician even prescribed Prozac at one time.
Finally, I ws lucky enough to have it caught on a EKG, and at least I knew what it was, and that I wasn't crazy!
Right now, I'm somewhat concerned about things, but have put my faith in God's plans. If it is to go well, it will. If not, I'll do what I must.
A side note: I'm not sure if the condition is congenital, but my mother used to complain about her heart "Wanting to jump out of her chest" at times, and my daughter is starting to display some symptoms, too. Mom lived to 86, though. |
|---|
| 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 | |
|
|---|
Statistics for the first 161 entries.
Please contact the site editor at james@dialsolutions.com
to comment or to suggest amendments or corrections.
First Form™ software © Dial Solutions Ltd 1999
|
