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From: Carol Dobson on 16 Jul 2008 02:38
On 22 Jun 2008, you wrote in alt.support.heart-defects:

> Anyone have AFib, what treatment have you received, Have you ever
had
> a cardioversion or abolation, what kind of results ?
> Have been on Amiodarone & Coumadin, had one cardionversion, and AFib
> returned within days afterward.
> Interested in the experience and results of others. TIA
>
>
Yes, I have it. I've had Afib for nearly five years, now. Until last
month, I did the "Pill in the Pocket" method. They way this works is
simpley to take Rythmol in larger doses when the episodes happen.
They
usually subside within 2 hours. This was fine for occasional
episodes.

However, thye are more frequent now. I've probably had about 20
altogther; most within the last two years. I was hospitalized three
times. I finally decided to reguate on Rythmol. The side effects are
rather unpleasant, but it seems to be working well.

I can't take Coumadin. I nearly ended up face down in my shower from
that stuff. I use aspirin.I also take Cardizem -- more for high blood
pressure than A-fib.

I talked to them about ablation -- then chickened out. The New York
Times actually did an article on the "cost effectiveness" of the
procedure a few months ago. The gist of it was -- it might not be
worth
it in the long run. The work maybe 80% of the time and sometimes,
have
to be repeated.

There is also risks involved. I heard an awful story about a guy who
survived the procedure, only to die three days later. The cath
punctured a blood vessel and the found it post mortem.

I'm not trying to scare you, but it's probably worth trying a couple
more meds before doing an ablation. 'Hope this helps.

-C. Dobson
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