Hi everyone,

New guy here :). I'm glad I found this forum. It seems to be a wealth of info and experience.

My story in short form: When I was 26 (19 years ago) I had my first a-fib episode. It was basically brought on by bad lifestyle choices at the time. Smoking, partying, drinking, all that. It all came to a head one morning after a very late night with the band I used to be in. It scared me good and there was so little info then. I didn't even have the internet back then. So, through some education and lifestyle changes, I kept it away for 16 years. Then it hit again. I've been on metaprolol ever since, just 12.5 per day.

Well, just last week, I awoke at 4:30 am to some weird flutter. I'd get a couple normal beats and then it would do it again. I got up, drank some water, laid back down, and it did it again, so I went to the ER. Of course, by then, nothing. I sat there monitored for 2 hours. They let me go home. Ever since, I've been a little uneasy again. I'm sure we all know the feeling.

Well now I want to get a bit more proactive and find a cardiologist/EP that offers the FIRM ablation. So really, my big question is; Is there a list of doctors who perform this procedure? I am in the US, in central Illinois but I would certainly travel to find a very good and reputable Dr who is known for a good rate of success with this procedure. Can anyone point me in a direction to look?

Thanks for the help!

Eric