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.
Having my first cyro-ablation next week. EP Dr. said my odds for success are 84%. If I end up having to have a second ablation, then my odds would be 97%.
Was glad to be able to find an EP with experience---he has done at least 100 ablations per year since 2000. Also, 2 people I trust (one is an RN ) gave him a very high recommendation.
Usually, I don't feel my A Fib or else it's very mild but in September had 2 bad, scary episodes. They were just like my first dramatic episode in January 2011 where I ended up having to stay in the ICU overnight.
I didn't go to the ER in Sept----just stayed home and suffered through them.
The first lasted about 2 hours. I felt dizzy, upset stomach but didn't vomit.
The second episode was worse. I was sitting in church when the strange dizzyness quickly came on. My husband had to help me walk to the car. By the time I got home the dizzyness changed----it was like the ceiling was going around in circles, then came that awful, constant vomiting. After awhile wish you could just die and be done with it!
That episode lasted 4 hours and every time I checked my heart rate it was in the 60's (normal for me) Isn't that strange?
After it was all over felt extremely weak. But after sleeping 5 hours felt good and have felt fine since. A Fib is weird!
At this point I won't drive any farther than 2 miles (by myself) and if I go alone on a walk always carry a cell phone and tell my husband where I plan to go. My life has changed.
Think you can see why I'm going ahead with the cryo- ablation.
Was glad to be able to find an EP with experience---he has done at least 100 ablations per year since 2000. Also, 2 people I trust (one is an RN ) gave him a very high recommendation.
Usually, I don't feel my A Fib or else it's very mild but in September had 2 bad, scary episodes. They were just like my first dramatic episode in January 2011 where I ended up having to stay in the ICU overnight.
I didn't go to the ER in Sept----just stayed home and suffered through them.
The first lasted about 2 hours. I felt dizzy, upset stomach but didn't vomit.
The second episode was worse. I was sitting in church when the strange dizzyness quickly came on. My husband had to help me walk to the car. By the time I got home the dizzyness changed----it was like the ceiling was going around in circles, then came that awful, constant vomiting. After awhile wish you could just die and be done with it!
That episode lasted 4 hours and every time I checked my heart rate it was in the 60's (normal for me) Isn't that strange?
After it was all over felt extremely weak. But after sleeping 5 hours felt good and have felt fine since. A Fib is weird!
At this point I won't drive any farther than 2 miles (by myself) and if I go alone on a walk always carry a cell phone and tell my husband where I plan to go. My life has changed.
Think you can see why I'm going ahead with the cryo- ablation.
Dee
After describing this Jan. episode my EP asked if I passed out? No, I didn't. Then he asked if I had any trouble breathing? Told him I started having some trouble breathing by the time I reached the ER and they gave me oxygen for a couple of hours.
My EP Dr. said it showed that I have a low tolerance to A Fib symptoms.
In Sept. near the end of the 4 hours I seemed to be at the beginning of having some breathing problems, but then the spinning dizzyness changed to regular dizzyness, vomiting stopped, and within 15 minutes was back to normal (except for being so weak).
Maybe should explain that our house is just a 6 minute drive to the hospital and my son (licensed EMT)was with me for most of the time.
The meds I've taken since Jan. are warfarin, digoxin ().125mg.) and cardizem (120 mg) .
The EP Dr. said that while digoxin and cardizem are controlling my heart rate, they don't stop my A Fib. My choice at this point was have a cath ablation or try to find an A Fib med that I can tolerate long term. I do have to take one of the A Fib meds for several weeks after the ablation.Its part of the recovery time.
I've never had a acular migraine----rarely get a headache.
I have paroxsymal afib.
When I've had flu never felt this spinning type of dizzyness.
It's horrible.
Vertigo is a feeling of spinning or whirling when you are not moving. It can also be an exaggerated feeling of motion without moving your body. It is the most common form of dizziness, but is different from light-headedness (the feeling of nearly passing out).
Causes
Vertigo is often caused by problems in the nerves and structures of the inner ear, called the vestibular system. This system senses the position of your head and body in space as they move.
Vertigo can be due to the following conditions:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Tiny particles naturally present in the canals of the inner ear, dislodge, and move abnormally when the head is tilted, pushing ear fluid against hair-like sensors in the ear. BPPV may result from:
Head injury
Infections
Disorders of the inner ear
Age-related breakdown of the vestibular system
Labyrinthitis (vestibular neuritis)inflammation of the inner ear, often follows an upper respiratory infection (this is a less specific diagnosis)
Thanks for the information.
Both Drs. said it wasn't a panic attack.
Had 2 A Fib episodes while wearing the holter 24 hr. test in June--- never felt them.
A few other times I've felt a slight racing feeling, checked my heart rate and it would be in the 90 to 100 range.
So the rotating dizzyness is (ocasionally) part of my A Fib or a separate problem that was a trigger for my first A Fib attack?
Guess I'll find out as time goes by.
Thanks for all your comments.
Dee
This AF is such a progressive thing - and everyone it is different. The medicines that work for one, don't work for another. Also, if you are a candidate for an ablation, the sooner you have it, the better the outcome.
I think the research is to have a cardiologist and EP, that you can talk to, that talk with each other, that are up to date on what you need and that you can have faith in that they will do the best for you.