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.
Gang,
Well, 2 January marked the 3 year anniversary of the day I had my cardiofocus laser balloon ablation. Thanks so much to my wonderful EP and hero Dr. Hugh Calkins for enrolling me in that John's Hopkins study! I got my annual phone call from his amazing nurse, Michelle, one day last week. I asked about the results of the study, but they have yet to be published, and the catheter has yet to be approved by the FDA. But she did say that of the 12 patients she is responsible for, 11 of us are afib free 3 years out (Dr. C had indicated he felt this method would have a 90% success rate, but of course I didn't ask the all important follow up "What EXACTLY does that mean?" So I will assume he means 90% at 3 years, and 100% thereafter....too optimistic?)
Unless I am mistaken, this is technology that has been used for well over a decade in Bordeaux, which is why I was surprised (and unhappy) to see that Monty was having some issues 6 months out. Monty, did they use the laser balloon on you, or have they moved on to something else in Bordeaux???
Sadly, I still have extraneous beats, which tend to make me "crazy," not as badly as the first year, but I still have a little "uh oh!" thing that goes on, which isn't good...so I said to myself "Fat boy, now that you are retired, time to lose that extra weight!" I was 234 at retirement, which the docs say is about 30 pounds over for me. I am 76 inches, but have NO muscle to speak of, so the docs suggested a weight of 206 for me (both the Army docs and REAL docs agreed). So, since retirement, each morning, 90 minutes on the stationary bike, followed by 30 minutes on the elliptical or rowing machine, 20-30 minutes of weights, and a half hour of raking leaves (on non rainy days) in the yard. After a month? These amazing results - 238 pounds. Now, if I were still 35-45, this much exercise would have caused a weight loss of 20-30 pounds (I would lose 10 by exercising 60 minutes on the bike for ONE week). Now, my belly greets me each morning with a "Give it your best shot, but I will STILL be here tomorrow!" I am NOT giving up, but geez! As soon as spring arrives, my wife promises that we will walk each and EVERY day, so maybe that will help. I attribute the extraneous beats to the 30 extra pounds, but of course I am not an expert on this, so no clue if it has any relationship at all.
In any case, some good news on the afib front! Hoping this technology gets approved to help others, as it has helped me. I do notice on the other site (stopafib.org) that there is a lot of chatter about the maze once again. Perhaps that is regaining popularity?
Chubby Bill
Well, 2 January marked the 3 year anniversary of the day I had my cardiofocus laser balloon ablation. Thanks so much to my wonderful EP and hero Dr. Hugh Calkins for enrolling me in that John's Hopkins study! I got my annual phone call from his amazing nurse, Michelle, one day last week. I asked about the results of the study, but they have yet to be published, and the catheter has yet to be approved by the FDA. But she did say that of the 12 patients she is responsible for, 11 of us are afib free 3 years out (Dr. C had indicated he felt this method would have a 90% success rate, but of course I didn't ask the all important follow up "What EXACTLY does that mean?" So I will assume he means 90% at 3 years, and 100% thereafter....too optimistic?)
Unless I am mistaken, this is technology that has been used for well over a decade in Bordeaux, which is why I was surprised (and unhappy) to see that Monty was having some issues 6 months out. Monty, did they use the laser balloon on you, or have they moved on to something else in Bordeaux???
Sadly, I still have extraneous beats, which tend to make me "crazy," not as badly as the first year, but I still have a little "uh oh!" thing that goes on, which isn't good...so I said to myself "Fat boy, now that you are retired, time to lose that extra weight!" I was 234 at retirement, which the docs say is about 30 pounds over for me. I am 76 inches, but have NO muscle to speak of, so the docs suggested a weight of 206 for me (both the Army docs and REAL docs agreed). So, since retirement, each morning, 90 minutes on the stationary bike, followed by 30 minutes on the elliptical or rowing machine, 20-30 minutes of weights, and a half hour of raking leaves (on non rainy days) in the yard. After a month? These amazing results - 238 pounds. Now, if I were still 35-45, this much exercise would have caused a weight loss of 20-30 pounds (I would lose 10 by exercising 60 minutes on the bike for ONE week). Now, my belly greets me each morning with a "Give it your best shot, but I will STILL be here tomorrow!" I am NOT giving up, but geez! As soon as spring arrives, my wife promises that we will walk each and EVERY day, so maybe that will help. I attribute the extraneous beats to the 30 extra pounds, but of course I am not an expert on this, so no clue if it has any relationship at all.
In any case, some good news on the afib front! Hoping this technology gets approved to help others, as it has helped me. I do notice on the other site (stopafib.org) that there is a lot of chatter about the maze once again. Perhaps that is regaining popularity?
Chubby Bill
Since we are about the same weight and height, let me make this observation. I've been doing the gym thing 3x per week all my life. Exercise is good for you, you will look and feel better. And, maybe live longer. But, exercise DOES NOT cause you to lose much weight. Sorry to inform you, that to way to lose weight is by controlling the quantity and quality of what goes in your mouth.. And, I made some great pizza the other day -g-.
I am afraid that you must be correct...but why does it work when we were younger? I am sure I am still eating too much. Will have to try and work on that aspect of it. And sadly (well, maybe not so sadly), we will be in DC for 2 days for the wife's birthday, which means only one thing - LOTS OF GOOD FOOD! I will keep plugging away.
Bill
Great news on 3 years a-fib-free! WooHoo! How many years are they going to keep checking up?
I just hit my 1 1/3 year mark after my second ablation I havent seen my EP for a year now, I think hes given up on me. Oh well, cest la vie; win a few, lose a few. Ive had lots of extraneous beats, maybe I could sell them cheap on EBay.
As far as losing weight, thats always good for the ol joints. When I was younger all I had to do was THINK extra weight be gone! and it was. Now I think while Im waiting Ill have some ice cream and chocolate (umm, do those Lindor balls have MY name on them!?) At least I still have a dog who wants to go out for a walk EVERY DAY!
Carpe diem,
atp
Preach! I always tell people that I used to just have to say the words "I need to lose weight" and I was down 5 pounds! I don't know how long they will keep calling...how long a period do these studies go? I imagine they will call every year at least until the afib comes back. I only saw Dr. Calkins on the first year anniversary. I thought I would have an appointment every year, but the 2nd year the nurse said "Oh no, just me from now on...he is busy." I did see him once out in front of my hotel in DC last year, which was funny. Oh well, as I told Paul, all I can do is stick with the exercise and hope that one day POOF! the old metabolism will return.
Bill