A Fib

I just got out of the hospital. I was in critical care. I knew something had been going on for weeks but I am not used to feeling as if I am a hert patient so I dismissed it. The top part of my heart was in "A-Fib" while the bottom was pacing at 100%. They said they think my heart is doing what it did so many years ago that caused me to have this pacemaker. My heart puts out way too much electricity for my body. But the thing is they took out the top part of my heart so I find it hard to believe it can do that again. They started me on a beta-blocker to slow the flow of adrenaline to my heart. I dont have high blood pressure, but they said it would help. Will this slow me down?Just thought I would share my holiday events with you.

4 Comments

A-Fib

by Many Blessings - 2012-12-28 10:12:53

Hi,

I had a CRT-P w/AV Node ablation for several things, one being uncontrolled high rate A-fib that did not improve with any meds or any other procedure(s). I'm assuming this is what you may have had as well. I too, am 100% paced.

My procedure was done in April. My rate is currently set at a range from 80-150. The procedure did not stop the A-fib, but did "improve" it to where it is now considered "controlled" A-fib because of the lower rate.

Since my procedure, I feel a lot better strictly because of the slower rate, and improved function between the chambers (AV Node ablation, 3 leads, etc.) Again, the A-fib is still an issue. Was this the same with your procedure? Did you feel better until just recently?

Is your A-fib worse than it was when you first got your PM? Or, is there a new or different issue going on? I know I was told that as time goes by, my heart will continue to worse with continuous damage, and I will eventually have some new decisions to make (heart transplant, shutting off the CRT-P, etc.) Were you told the same thing? Or, did your doctors feel this would "fix" whatever problems you were having.

If you could give us a little more info on your background, why they did the procedure, what type of PM you have, etc. I know you'll get a lot of your questions anwered.

I hope this at least helps some. I don't tolerate beta blockers well, so hopefully someone else out there can answer that question for you.

I'm so sorry...

by Many Blessings - 2012-12-29 06:12:10

Boy, your problems are way worse than just having A-fib. I hope there is someone else out here that can relate to your other issues and give you some advice. I haven't ever heard of this before so I can't relate at all. I'm sure you are scared. Maybe someone else reading this right now will know of this problem and be able to guide you to the right treatment or advice.

Hopefully, they can come up with something to help you out. I wish you luck. I'll keep you in my prayers and hope that someone else out here can give you some advice and encouragement.

A-Fib

by vphillips - 2012-12-29 12:12:46

I was 20 years old when this started for me. I had suffered from severe seizures. It took a long time for them to find out why i was having them. It was my heart. I was producing enough electricity to jump start a mac truck. This would explain a lot of strange things that I could do that no one else could. But it was killing me. So they went in and ablated the Nodes on the top of my heart, well they came back. again and again. After the fourth ablation, they tried a different laser, which didnt really work out so well. The wire went through the center and out the bottom of my heart. This left blood trapped in the air chamber under my heart ( that is why my heart now thinks it has congestive heart failure) when this happened, they brought in a team of doctors from Texas and completely took out the top of my heart ( all nodes removed) this left me totally dependent upon the pacemaker. I have a 4 wire pm that does everything for me. Except fix my heart! They think the top of my heart is trying to do again what it did so many years ago. I have another appointment next week. I am not sure how this is going to turn out but im a little worried to say the least. The good news is that my heart doctor was wrong ( imagine that) my battery is not dying. On the contrary, it has 5.5 years left. But come to think of it, i dont think that is such a good thing. they could have fixed the pacemaker a lot easier than they could fix my heart..
I have a SENSA DR model. Medtronic said the pacemaker is fine, my heart is causing the problem.. I cant take these pills. They made me feel like my heart was going to stop lastnight. It wasnt even beating hardly, it was one beat then a bunch of flip flopping then a beat ... so on and so forth. I am calling the doc today and telling them that I cannot take this med.

I'm so sorry

by vphillips - 2013-01-09 01:01:37

Thank you! I have an appointment tomorrow with the team of doctors. Maybe this will generate some sort of positive feedback. I also went to the health store and purchased liquid vitamin and mineral for my heart. There is also another liquid that puts the oxygen back in your blood. Because we all know when our hearts aren't beating right then the supply of oxygen to our system isn't either. Maybe these will help. I do feel somewhat better now, I have been taking these things for one week now and I have a little more energy that I did. I think any improvement in how I feel is a blessing.

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