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.

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Just Like A Woman....changed my mind

tomorrowsdream
tomorrowsdream
Well, everything was set for me to go to NYC for another ablation, and I think I've decided to live with this, and not do anything else. Yes, the Dr. feels he can help me, and yes he's a pioneer in the field, but I'm cautious...I will be a long ways from home, and that doesn't feel comfortable for me. My Sister and her husband are having problems, and I certainly don't want to add to their stress, and I think I'm doing OK with this. I keep my pocket pill, which in my case is one Xanax and 50 mg. of metoprolol with me at all times, and I am fine within a few minutes. The onlly problem is that I really only can take it at home because it makes me very tired.

I applaud all of you that have gone through many conversions and ablations to try and cure this rotten disease, but I think in my case I'm going to settle for rate and rhythm control, which I have.

That's not to say in 2 mo. I won't feel differently...but for now I'm going to just do my best with it. I said once before enough was enough, and I should have listened to myself. Doctors have a way of talking me into things, and so do my relatives. I need to go with my heart I think, and it tells me that maybe enough is enough.

Best of luck to all of you,
Dee
PeDee
PeDee
Dee, I have to say I applaud your decision. I have been trying to decide if I want to have ablation or not and for the time being I am going to wait. It's hard when you have a lot of things going on in your life that need your attention. My mother is very ill and she needs my help (I am an only child). Your right, sometimes enough is enough.

I wish you the best,,
Paula
CLane
CLane
Tomorrows- When it is all said and done, you have to do what feels right for you. When we are active partipants in what course of treatment we pursue and decide what is right for us, it empowers us. I want to control AF. I dont want AF to control me. Even though it is difficult to do some of the things I used to do, each day, I still try and find ways to manage my day with AF. Since I know AF isnt going anywhere, I am trying to learn to just accept it and find ways to feel better with as little medical intervention as possible. I wish you well and take care.
missd12932
missd12932
Dee, I feel you are doing the right hting for yourself at the moment. I use the same PIP approach as you do and right now I can live with the afib very well. I'm not afraid anymore when I get a flutter or tachy or brachy. I do what I have to do and so far it's worked for me. I know the afib will never go away but its not the monster it was last year..

Good luck and God bless

R2D2
deleted_user
deleted_user
Isn't it nice to have the choice to do anything we like. Only you know what is best to you.

Be well through the holidays.

Joan
NYNM
NYNM
Tomorrows- I'm curious who your MD is in NYC. I went to a first one, a "pioneer" who I also felt pressured me, then I switched to someone at NYCornell Hospital who did not pressure me, and I used him, and had an ablation in my own time, and I am very satisfied. You can send me a private message if you don't want to name names here.
tomorrowsdream
tomorrowsdream
His name is Dr. Reddy. There is absolutely no pressure at all from him....he is the pioneer of the WATCHMAKER. That is a device they implant so that you will never get clots and you no longer have to take Warfarin or Comadin. He is running trials on it right now, as it isn't yet passed by the FDA. I volunteered to be honest. I just don't know if I want to go through another ablation. I had a really bad experience, and just got rid of the oxygen tanks. My lung is reinflated (it collaped during the ablation), and I spent all day Christmas shopping with friends and had a wonderful day...you know what...I didn't think of the A-Fib once today. I refuse to let it control me. I wasn't driving, so I took a Xanax along with me, and never needed it.
pacyetep
pacyetep
Dr Reddy is pretty well known with his Watchman Device.
missd12932
missd12932
I'm so glad you are feeling better. Nothing like a little shopping to get us ladies going.........

R2D2
Katikam
Katikam
Tomorrows, I think you made a wise decision. I've had three ablations before throwing in the towel and got an AV node ablation so I am now pacemaker dependent (in my case it was the best decision I ever made even though afib still makes me somewhat tired but nothing like before!)

Each ablations at first made me feel terrible with afib going violently for days and days, and then they made me feel better, but only for a few months.

In this field the longer you can wait is better because they are coming up with new things every day. So if you can hold out, it's quite possible that ablations will work better in the near future or they might come up with newer meds.... (just remember not to take a brand new medication unless it's been on the market for at least several years, unless it's a matter of life or death.... Have you noticed how side effects have a way of surfacing way after the studies have been done?)