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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tomorrowsdream 10/26/2011

I had a follow-up with my cardiologist today. I thought about cancelling for now, because the lung still isn't feeling great, and I hate using oxygen, but I went. OMG, I'm still bruised from head to food (well almost) and he's talking pacemaker already...Whoa there....that's a lot to think about. He insists that I would have all my energy back, but in return I'm destroying my AV node forever and becoming completely dependent on a pacemaker, which is another long procedure. I'm so not ready to even talk about it, and I don't think I want it either. I have jumped through all their hoops, and tried everything, and I'm tired of trying. I would love to have the energy back and stop taking a lot of meds, but on the other hand I don't think I'm ready to even make this a topic of discussion.

I want to be done with it....but darn the thought of having my energy back compells me to think about it.

Someone wake me up and tell me to stop thinking stupid:)

tomorrowsdream 10/26/2011

That was supposed to read "head to foot", but I'm hungry....so food works too.:) I'd have to be crazy to put myself through anymore, but darn these guys can be pursuasive.

pacyetep 10/27/2011

If "energy"is the only reason for the pacemaker, I would think about it till you get a definite answer and know this is the route you want to take based on your age.

Random thoughts:

I was told or read:

1) pacemakers are for when your heart beats too slow.
2) Usually older people get them because conduction in the less as you age.
3) There are 2 types... 1 that runs all the time, and another that only kicks in when your heart slows too much.
4) It is not appropriate for everyone and used to be over-used... kind of an old way to fix the problem of afib.
5) If there is no risk without the pacemaker, I would think about it.
6) You made your last decision on faith and against your gut feeling... now you don't trust your judgement.
7) Keep talking to others.Have you seen Yahoo Support Groups AFIB or AFIB Cures? Answers are there. Also Stop AFIB website (Mellanie True Hills) and a-fb.com.
8) Heal up and get some rest to make your best decision.

pacyetep 10/27/2011

I meant a-fib.com

tomorrowsdream 10/27/2011

Petey, my decision to have the ablation was because I was told I would be just fine. That wasn't the case. No one mentioned a partially collapsed lung or pleural effusion till after they had happened to me. No one told me I was going to be on oxygen. Had they told me there was even a chance, I absolutely would not have done it, and I'm pretty sure I'm not messing with the pacemaker either. My goal is to get off the oxygen. He assued he I would...my PCP isn't so sure about that. She's seen incidents before where the person was oxygen dependent. I didn't sign up for this. They tell you some things that can go wrong...a puncture of the heart, etc., but they sure don't tell you about what happened to me.

marikay234 10/30/2011

You had a bad experience with this ablation. Don't let them rush you. Take the time you need to make this decision. I think it is very reasonable to take the time to heal from this procedure and see how much you recover before deciding. Take Care.

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