Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Hi, Everyone! I've been lurking on this site for almost a year. Although I was diagnosed with paroxysmal afib only last December, I now realize that I've had afib for about five or six years, maybe longer. This site has provided me with a lot of support, and I appreciate your posts!
Here's an update on my afib and my husband's afib. He was diagnosed a couple of months ago.
I am a 59 year old female. My episodes of paroxysmal afib occur every 48 hours almost like clockwork. They last 18 hours. I have tried flecainide and sotolol with poor to bad results. So, for the last few months, I have just been living with the afib with no treatment, and it has been hell! Finally, yesterday, my Kaiser doctor put me on amiodarone as a temporary treatment until I can get an ablation early next year.
My husband, 70, saw Dr. Sanjiv Narayan a few days ago and will probably have the FIRM procedure in January. I am working on changing my insurance to a PPO so that I can get the same procedure, as Kaiser does not yet do it. The number of people who have had the FIRM procedure is still small, but, so far, the success rate is very high, maybe 80%.
Has anyone here had this procedure? If so, please let us know your experience.
Annie
Here's an update on my afib and my husband's afib. He was diagnosed a couple of months ago.
I am a 59 year old female. My episodes of paroxysmal afib occur every 48 hours almost like clockwork. They last 18 hours. I have tried flecainide and sotolol with poor to bad results. So, for the last few months, I have just been living with the afib with no treatment, and it has been hell! Finally, yesterday, my Kaiser doctor put me on amiodarone as a temporary treatment until I can get an ablation early next year.
My husband, 70, saw Dr. Sanjiv Narayan a few days ago and will probably have the FIRM procedure in January. I am working on changing my insurance to a PPO so that I can get the same procedure, as Kaiser does not yet do it. The number of people who have had the FIRM procedure is still small, but, so far, the success rate is very high, maybe 80%.
Has anyone here had this procedure? If so, please let us know your experience.
Annie
FIRM ablation looks promising. Have you read about the trials that were conducted on stopafib.org?
BTW, did you meet your husband on an afib dating site? Only kidding. What a perfect set up... you both understand what each other are going through.
petey
Ha. We can always count on your good sense of humor. My husband and I do understand what each other is going through to a certain extent. However, mine is paroxysmal and I know immediately (and even just prior) when I have gone into AFib and it severely limits my activities. My husband's AFib is constant and he is only aware that he has it when he overexerts... two more examples of just how varied the symptoms of AFib can be!
Thank you for all the info you have posted on this site!
Annie
Thank you for the good wishes!!
Annie
Please accept my condolences for having to live with such an aggressive afib. I wish you and your husband all the very best . I had a pvi ablation in June 2012 and at first was having a few afib attacks one that took me to ER but since September I have not had any and it is great., I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will continue this way forever !!!!
Moy...
I wish I lived where you do so I could go to Dr. Narayan too! That sounds so much easier than 4-6 hours!
Good luck to him and YOU! I also have verrry long episodes!
Kelly
Good luck to both of you and I am very intereste in Dr Narayan and his FIRM ablation as I have persistent afib.
It reminds me of the saying "measure twice, cut once". It would seem that identifying the right places and hiting them should improve the chances for success and fewer ablations.
We will be very interested in how it turns out. It would be great press if he cured both of you... he should do it for nothing!
petey
Annie
I'm real interesting in FIRM. I've been told Dr Narayan has very exciting news coming our way. I tried to get on 2 FIRM trials here in New York but they are only taking limited patients while still working out some system protocols and waiting direction from Dr Narayan and Topera systems. Please let us know
My husband will have the FIRM ablation early next year, and soon after I will have the same procedure. I will keep everyone informed!!!
I've decided to hold out myself for FIRM.
I already met with Dr Reddy and Dr Steinberg both basically told me they are taking select and limited patients and it's still investigational?
Question are you getting FIRM only without PVI?
I have Kaiser also and had the standard catheter ablation (PVI) last March in Santa Clara. My experience with Kaiser was very very good. I too used the Amiodarone while waiting for my ablation (and for 3 months following). The Ami was very effective for me. I hope Kaiser offers the FIRM ablation when I need a second ablation. Best wishes to both of you!
Rick