Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

It's good to vent! Good Luck with the check up. When you had the Maze done, were you in perm a-fib at the time or did you go in perm a-fib after the Maze?

Kevin

This is your first checkup since the Maze? Three years later?

Yes, they did a few things after my Failed Maze like ,two cardioversions which only lasted for a short time and then I used to go in and out of A/fib with many blackouts lasting about 5 seconds.
I would ring my Cardion over a period of about 18 months and he said that I would be better to be in Permanent A/Fib ? He tried me on things liks Sotolol / Digoxin which I hated as they made me worse so in the finish I just started taking Atenolol 50 mg twice daily .
My pulse does not ever get too high even after excersise(And I do a lot of that?)it max's out at about 110 but soon comes down to aboout 80bpm, but I have not got the strenght like I used to have when I was in NSR.
My GP Who is a close friend has assured me that nobody dies of A/Fib providing you are taking your Warfarin so I just carry on .
Just checked my BP...140/80...pulse 78 so I suppose thats ok?
I really think that A/Fib has got EP's /Cardio's/ Surgeons and GP's Stumped !


Regards.......Kevin

Have you tried Metoprolol along with the Atenolol? I only can tolerate 25mg because it causes insomnia but it has helped my AF a lot. I take that and Diltiazem. I have heard that MAZE is useless and after 5 cardioversions I found that so are they. I'm in cronic AF and always will be. I changed to a new cardio. who has assured me that if you can keep your beat to between 80 and 90/minute you'll be o.k. with the AF. Warfarin is a must for the rest of my life. I just take one day at a time and have stopped counting my heart beats or taking my pulse. It only reminds me that I have AF. I swim 6 days a week and walk a mile every day. I rest a lot and the worst thing (for me anyhow) is stress. Stress is a killer with AF. You're right. They don't know how to stop AF. But they can keep it under control and manage it. I guess we could have a lot worse. Carol Miller

Hey Kevin how did your check up go? Hope all went well.

Hi Jbtwin,
Went for my check up last Thursday, ECG / Echo Cardiograph, Pysical etc., and my Cardio told me that I am in great shape with just a slight size of my atrium , caused by the A/fib and my Valve is fine and my Perm A/fib is under control physicaly and "Mentally"? he also said that I was handling the control of my INR very well , having my own Coaguchek Machine is a big help.
He said that my heart is in great shape and he does not want to see me for at least a another two years so I am very happy.
But I must say that when I am doing some heavy physical work I do get quite stuffed and my pulse gets up to about 110 but it soon slows down but I can say that I don't like it when I feel like this .
I guess with all of us it is the "Unknown" things in our lives that make us live in fear sometimes but I must say that my Cardio was very very careful and caring and reassuring.
So at least some positive vibes to report .

Cheers ...Kevin