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.
Arrived at the hospital at 10:00 for prep. I opted for the French Wax instead of Bill's Brazilian, so Bill I still want to borrow your thong -g-.
The transesophageal echo was at noon. Pretty much under for that. I had to swallow this thick gel to lubricate and desensitize my esophagus. The results were negative, no clots in my heart. The ablation team ran over on their first procedure of the day, so they didn't start on me until 2:45. This was a concern for me since I didn't have catheter (my choice) and was wondering if I could last. Anyhow, what I didn't expect was two groin punctures, one of each side. I latter heard this was standard practice, If they needed the second one it would be needed right away, so they put everything in place.
The EP zapped a few spots and then I went into AFIB, so she went to the other side and zapped the offending area. The AFIB stopped immediately, continues on with her task So I guess going into AFIB on the table is a good thing.
In the recovery area about 6:30, I was pretty much out of it, cold and shivering. They gave me heated blankets. They had my legs in some sort of harness so I couldn't move them and upset the punctures. I was flat on my back and not allowed to sit up even a little bit. My back was killing me. I got up to the room a little after 8:00 pm. I had to stay in the harness flat on my back till midnight. Peeing in the urinal while flat on my back was just not working. By 10:00 pm I'm counting the minutes until I could get out of the harness and go pee (and relieve my aching back). At midnight off came the harness. I tried peeing in the urinal while sitting on the edge of the bed, that didn't work so the nurse and I tried to make it to the bathroom. I got about 5 feet before I passed out. Luckily, that 140 lb nurse was able to guide 240 lb Paul to the ground gently. Then I was able to pee while sitting on the edge of the bed AHHHH. They gave me a IV to bring my fluid up, by that point my BP was really low. Once the IV was in I felt better almost immediately.
I was able to get two 1 hour sleep session that night. I had a little pain on the left side of my heart, but that's gone now. When they took off the dressing a sizable portion of leg skin came off with the bandage. ouch!
I AM IN NSR! No driving till Friday, no gym for 10 days. They didn't give me a heart monitor that talks via the cell phone. They provided a ROZINN Event Recorder that can record up to 20 events per day, either on its own, or by me pressing a button. It has two leads. I don't know how it defines an event. I have had it for 3 hours and it has recorded 6 events. Each night I have to call in and transmit the data to the service. It uses an old style acoustic modem type transmission (ancient technology). I have to wear the event recorder for 30 days.
I feel good, I little weak, but the heart seems stable. Now for a nice massage. And I'm hungry.
The transesophageal echo was at noon. Pretty much under for that. I had to swallow this thick gel to lubricate and desensitize my esophagus. The results were negative, no clots in my heart. The ablation team ran over on their first procedure of the day, so they didn't start on me until 2:45. This was a concern for me since I didn't have catheter (my choice) and was wondering if I could last. Anyhow, what I didn't expect was two groin punctures, one of each side. I latter heard this was standard practice, If they needed the second one it would be needed right away, so they put everything in place.
The EP zapped a few spots and then I went into AFIB, so she went to the other side and zapped the offending area. The AFIB stopped immediately, continues on with her task So I guess going into AFIB on the table is a good thing.
In the recovery area about 6:30, I was pretty much out of it, cold and shivering. They gave me heated blankets. They had my legs in some sort of harness so I couldn't move them and upset the punctures. I was flat on my back and not allowed to sit up even a little bit. My back was killing me. I got up to the room a little after 8:00 pm. I had to stay in the harness flat on my back till midnight. Peeing in the urinal while flat on my back was just not working. By 10:00 pm I'm counting the minutes until I could get out of the harness and go pee (and relieve my aching back). At midnight off came the harness. I tried peeing in the urinal while sitting on the edge of the bed, that didn't work so the nurse and I tried to make it to the bathroom. I got about 5 feet before I passed out. Luckily, that 140 lb nurse was able to guide 240 lb Paul to the ground gently. Then I was able to pee while sitting on the edge of the bed AHHHH. They gave me a IV to bring my fluid up, by that point my BP was really low. Once the IV was in I felt better almost immediately.
I was able to get two 1 hour sleep session that night. I had a little pain on the left side of my heart, but that's gone now. When they took off the dressing a sizable portion of leg skin came off with the bandage. ouch!
I AM IN NSR! No driving till Friday, no gym for 10 days. They didn't give me a heart monitor that talks via the cell phone. They provided a ROZINN Event Recorder that can record up to 20 events per day, either on its own, or by me pressing a button. It has two leads. I don't know how it defines an event. I have had it for 3 hours and it has recorded 6 events. Each night I have to call in and transmit the data to the service. It uses an old style acoustic modem type transmission (ancient technology). I have to wear the event recorder for 30 days.
I feel good, I little weak, but the heart seems stable. Now for a nice massage. And I'm hungry.
It is VERY important not to let the "bad" days affect your overall positive outlook. Now, this is the PERFECT example of "do as I say, not as I do!" I still have that issue...a couple of really good days, then I think "I have this thing beat!" Then, a quick 3 or 4 second burst of ectopic or rapid beats, and it is "Uh oh, this is going to kill me." So just do the positive thoughts, cuz the bad ones don't do anything to help the situation.
Heading to Bordeaux on Saturday...I wonder if I can just stop by and see Dr. Jais of the "Bordeaux Group?" Yeah, now THAT would be an interesting conversation...since I can say "How are you?" and "Where is the bathroom?" Probably not going to help with questions about ectopic beats!
Je parle un peu de francais Bill
@ Bill being able to order beer always comes in handy, too: Je voudrais deux bires, s'il vous plat.
That is, if you happen to like beer (which I dont!! But I could order two!!) ;-)
Bon voyage!
Sorry to hear about your dental problems. Glad to hear that your heart is doing so well.
Prior to my ablation I was experiencing some manageable shoulder, rotator cuff problems and doc recommended a procedure that required stopping my anticoagulants. My big concern was that it would get a lot worse during the blanking period forcing me to decide between pain relief vs potential stroke so I can appreciate your situation. After my ablation the pain has gotten worse - I wonder if I was in an awkward position in ep lab.
It's only been 8 days since my ablation and I am doing well. My hr is still in 70's (normal is 50's) and I have had minimal symptoms. I have been doing short walks on my treadmill.
The information on your recovery and how you are managing problems is very valuable to me. Thanks once again. Keep it up - you are an inspiration.
opsyn
Glad u are doing well:) Hope your trip is great:) Would u please order me a glass of good red wine, please! !!!!
I Have been sick with food poisoning since Friday night. Terrible cramps and non-stop diarrhea:( After a while so weak that my h.r. went to 90 (in a-fib it is around 150) but on Sotalol averages in 50's and lie 60's. I called Kaiser Permanente's (my ins.) advice nurse and she told me to drink lots of fluids and said it could put me in a-fib, so my husband took me to their after hour's clinic. I was dehydrated. Low grade temp and terrible headache. He ran an EKG and said it looked good. B..P was high. Well I. Feeling a little better now and have eaten a little, but have stomach discomfort and backache.
Take care on your trip and enjoy:) Good NSR.
Hugs,
Christine
Hope you are doing better and sorry about the dental issue. Hang in there, u have come a long way and an inspiration to us all.
Take care, hugs and God bless. Waiting for another update!
Hugs,
Christine
You hit it right on the head. Every time the Event Monitor goes off I start think, "This Damn Procedure Didn't Work". AND, I only feel my heart flipping about half the time when the monitor goes off ...then I start yelling at the monitor... "hey, I didn't do nothing, why are you beeping, piece off cr*p!"
Yes, I must learn patience.
Unfortunately, transcendental mediation is not my style.
Anyhow, the tooth has improved quite a bit. Next week is the biggie, I see the EP, the Dentist, and get rid of the Event Monitor.
Then I have to take care of the cat, in the middle of all this he broke his kneecap (ouch). I have no idea how. So he goes in for knee surgery on 5/13. Never a dull moment.
I think tomorrow I'll try walking a mile again.
Its now been 30 days since my cyro balloon pulmonary vein ablation.
In the 29 days I have been wearing my event monitor, I have had 561 events (enough to make you absolutely nuts). Today I got to see my EP who said Im doing very well, all but one of the events are PACs (premature atrial contractions) which will eventually go away as the heart heals. She provided me with a copy of the post procedure report (of course I havent a clue as to what it says). I turned in the event monitor (now my chest has to heal from those electrodes) and I dont need to see her for another three months (August)!
I talked to my regular dentist yesterday, he had reviewed my tooth problem with the two oral surgeons that I had visited two weeks ago. The tooth is currently under control, I finish the antibiotic tomorrow. Ill see him next week to see how the tooth is doing without the major antibiotic. Suspicion is that the tooth will still need to come out. The EP would still like me to wait 60 day post ablation before pulling the tooth. I will need a bridge, not an implant to replace the tooth. It is too close to the sinus to use an implant. I mentioned to the EP that I was considering moving to Eliquis instead of the Coumadin. She was very much in favor of the idea, however, feels that I should wait until after the tooth is pulled before switching to Eliquis.
I have been walking 3 miles each morning for the last week. That feels good. I plan on starting floor exercises tomorrow and will return to the gym on Monday. I will start on the weights very slowly. No use screwing things up. Ive lost ten pounds over the last few weeks, a tooth infection can do that for you (I could easily stand to lose another ten).
Thank you all for the support you have provided through this process. I hope I now can become a little less wacko. Ill report on this topic again in another month.
Continue to take care!