Aa
Arythmia
I have had afib for the past 1-1/2 years. I have gone through Adriodone and multaq. My cardiologist said I need to talk to someone about cardiac ablation. I am in continuous afib and in good health other than afib. My stress test turned out good with no blockage and no heart enlargement at all.I get dizzy once in a while and feel weak sometimes. I am 56 years old. What are the chances that an ablation would be successful? I feel I can't play racquetball, run, cycle or play tennis anymore because the strenuousness of the activity isn't helping my heart since it is beating in odd ways now and not efficiently.
Thanks you.
Pete Nicholls
Thanks you.
Pete Nicholls
Best Answer
Hey Pete i read your post also...we are the same age and i have the same diagnosis among other things but.....i am a huge advocate of ablations and had mine done over 3 years ago now and have never been happier. The majority of everything was handled thru the procedure. The main thing is that you need to ask the doc if you are in the 70% or above range for success and if they say yes i would go for it personally. I would also probably abstain from strenuous activity until this thing gets settled because i am one who does not tempt fate in life and you don't want anything to set off a "bad" episode. I would definately look into the options myself. You may end up completely med free in the end...
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your doctor, one that does ablation surgery would be the one best able to estimate the chances of a success... that specialist is usually called an electro-physiologist, abbreviated EP.
Has an electrocardioversion been tried? I have had some success with that for a temporary cure for my AFib. That procedure is much less intrusive than is an ablation and I believe is usually tried before one goes for an ablation.
None of the procedures are 100% effective. I have gotten about one and a half years of relief following electrocardioversions. I have never had an ablation, and my cardiologist and consulting EP do not support the idea of me getting one. I am in permanent AFib but the symptoms are troublesome only if I try to engage in high output physical activities. At age 71 it may be time for me to just walk for exercise.
Has an electrocardioversion been tried? I have had some success with that for a temporary cure for my AFib. That procedure is much less intrusive than is an ablation and I believe is usually tried before one goes for an ablation.
None of the procedures are 100% effective. I have gotten about one and a half years of relief following electrocardioversions. I have never had an ablation, and my cardiologist and consulting EP do not support the idea of me getting one. I am in permanent AFib but the symptoms are troublesome only if I try to engage in high output physical activities. At age 71 it may be time for me to just walk for exercise.
Hey Cindy, I am in contact with Cleveland Clinic now. My cardiologist said they are the best in the country at doing ablations. Sinc I'm only about 6 hours away I figured I'd go there.
It is hard to deal with a little, being a divorced guy and not having a spouse to bounce things off of is tough. My kids are supportive of course but it's not like being able to talk to someone in the middle of the night when fears are exaggerated.
I am off all meds except for cumadin. I do have to take it do to the chance of stroke.
Glad to hear you are off all the meds. I am looking forward to the possibility of being able to play racquetball, tennis, and cylce again. It ***** having just walking as my big workout.
It is hard to deal with a little, being a divorced guy and not having a spouse to bounce things off of is tough. My kids are supportive of course but it's not like being able to talk to someone in the middle of the night when fears are exaggerated.
I am off all meds except for cumadin. I do have to take it do to the chance of stroke.
Glad to hear you are off all the meds. I am looking forward to the possibility of being able to play racquetball, tennis, and cylce again. It ***** having just walking as my big workout.
Hi, Pete
I started with my AFib adventure a few years younger than you are now and currently I am in my early 60s. My assumption is that you have not seen an EP yet, correct? I, personally would try the cardioversion first since you are continuous AFib. It is done under a mild sedation and can bring you back to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) It is a temporary "cure" and can give you some relief as you make a decision about an ablation. Having a NSR is such a calming feeling and everything is right with the world. I had to have more than one ablation to ward off AFib. I am glad I had every procedure. Not one regret. AFib can really wear you out.
After the ablations, I was able to return back to regular activities: going to the gym, sailing, etc. Good luck to you as you go to the Cleveland Clinic.
ksig
I started with my AFib adventure a few years younger than you are now and currently I am in my early 60s. My assumption is that you have not seen an EP yet, correct? I, personally would try the cardioversion first since you are continuous AFib. It is done under a mild sedation and can bring you back to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) It is a temporary "cure" and can give you some relief as you make a decision about an ablation. Having a NSR is such a calming feeling and everything is right with the world. I had to have more than one ablation to ward off AFib. I am glad I had every procedure. Not one regret. AFib can really wear you out.
After the ablations, I was able to return back to regular activities: going to the gym, sailing, etc. Good luck to you as you go to the Cleveland Clinic.
ksig
Ksig
I have seen an EP, twice, two different ones. It turned out both times they were outside of my insurance so I couldn't stay with them. One of them was going to do an ablation but when I found out they weren't in my network I had to start all over. My current cardiologist, the second one I've had because of insurance issues, wanted to go through all the tests and meds the first one tried. Finally now after another 4 months he agrees with the first one I need to look at ablation. Oh and by the way I have been cardioconverted 4 times. They all lasted about 1 week. The only thing that has really put me back in rhythum is the amiodrone. But it has such bad bad side effects on so many other parts of your body I didn't want to stay on it much longer than the year I was taking it.
So now I'm heading to Cleveland clinic, I hope. They still have to evaluate me to see if I'm a canidate. They are covered under my insurance also. You are right this afib stuff changes your life and wears you down. Being single hasn't helped either. No one to talk to when I'm anxious and no one to bounce thoughts off of when I'm afraid.
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Pete
I have seen an EP, twice, two different ones. It turned out both times they were outside of my insurance so I couldn't stay with them. One of them was going to do an ablation but when I found out they weren't in my network I had to start all over. My current cardiologist, the second one I've had because of insurance issues, wanted to go through all the tests and meds the first one tried. Finally now after another 4 months he agrees with the first one I need to look at ablation. Oh and by the way I have been cardioconverted 4 times. They all lasted about 1 week. The only thing that has really put me back in rhythum is the amiodrone. But it has such bad bad side effects on so many other parts of your body I didn't want to stay on it much longer than the year I was taking it.
So now I'm heading to Cleveland clinic, I hope. They still have to evaluate me to see if I'm a canidate. They are covered under my insurance also. You are right this afib stuff changes your life and wears you down. Being single hasn't helped either. No one to talk to when I'm anxious and no one to bounce thoughts off of when I'm afraid.
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Pete
Pete,
So when are you going to Cleveland? The 6 hr trip will be worth it. Although my trip to the EP was a third of the time, it was well worth the traffic, etc.
I was prescribed amiodarone at one point of my AFib journey but refused to take it. With that, I had to find another cardiologist and then I was on my way to San Francisco to see an EP... I tried Tikosyn for a while which did the trick for many, many months. You have to load the med while in a hospital setting for 3-4 days as it affects the QT interval. Multaq is another new med out on the market that has worked on for some people. From what I have read, Multaq is as effective as amiodarone BUT without the nasty side effects.
This forum has been quite helpful to me when I have needed help dealing with AFib and all of the procedures and meds I have had to take. I have written in to ask for clarification/support a number of times rather than burdening my fabulous, highly supportive husband. Submit what's on your mind about dealing with AFib and someone will respond. We have all gone through this.
Let us know how your appointment goes at the CC. They are one of the best in the world.
ksig
So when are you going to Cleveland? The 6 hr trip will be worth it. Although my trip to the EP was a third of the time, it was well worth the traffic, etc.
I was prescribed amiodarone at one point of my AFib journey but refused to take it. With that, I had to find another cardiologist and then I was on my way to San Francisco to see an EP... I tried Tikosyn for a while which did the trick for many, many months. You have to load the med while in a hospital setting for 3-4 days as it affects the QT interval. Multaq is another new med out on the market that has worked on for some people. From what I have read, Multaq is as effective as amiodarone BUT without the nasty side effects.
This forum has been quite helpful to me when I have needed help dealing with AFib and all of the procedures and meds I have had to take. I have written in to ask for clarification/support a number of times rather than burdening my fabulous, highly supportive husband. Submit what's on your mind about dealing with AFib and someone will respond. We have all gone through this.
Let us know how your appointment goes at the CC. They are one of the best in the world.
ksig
Good luck with your afib journey!
Another option to catheter ablation is surgical Thoracoscopic MAZE Procedure with much better success rates. Dr John Sirak at Ohio State Medical Center in Columbus, OH does a innovative "5 box" technique with bi-directional block testing to assure conduction block. His results are really good! He has a web site http://www.ohioafib.com/ that is very helpful from an educational point of view. He also lists his private cell # on his web site and speaks with patients directly. He has an objective approach to af treatment and will recommend the best options for you. Ive had a very close friend that had this procedure and is AFib free for 4 years now.
Best of luck!
Angel_001
Another option to catheter ablation is surgical Thoracoscopic MAZE Procedure with much better success rates. Dr John Sirak at Ohio State Medical Center in Columbus, OH does a innovative "5 box" technique with bi-directional block testing to assure conduction block. His results are really good! He has a web site http://www.ohioafib.com/ that is very helpful from an educational point of view. He also lists his private cell # on his web site and speaks with patients directly. He has an objective approach to af treatment and will recommend the best options for you. Ive had a very close friend that had this procedure and is AFib free for 4 years now.
Best of luck!
Angel_001
My cariologist just sent my records to CC. I am suposed to hear from them in a couple of weeks. My fear now is whether I'm even a canidate for ablation. Since I have persistant Afib, fro what I have read, I may not be,
I did try the Multaq just recently. I started taking it in early may and it has had virtually no effect. That is when he decided I needed to look at ablation. The only med I'm on now is cumidon, so I don't have a stroke, as you know.
You are lucky to have a spouse who supports you. I have been divorced for 8 years. I have a new girlfriend but , do I really have the right to burdon her with all this crap?? My answer is no. If my kids can't get away from school, daughter goes to SIU or work, son works 45 miles away from me, may have to make the trip alone----ugh!
Pete
I did try the Multaq just recently. I started taking it in early may and it has had virtually no effect. That is when he decided I needed to look at ablation. The only med I'm on now is cumidon, so I don't have a stroke, as you know.
You are lucky to have a spouse who supports you. I have been divorced for 8 years. I have a new girlfriend but , do I really have the right to burdon her with all this crap?? My answer is no. If my kids can't get away from school, daughter goes to SIU or work, son works 45 miles away from me, may have to make the trip alone----ugh!
Pete
Angel
Thanks for the direction. I have heard of the MAZE procedure and even after I read about it I don't understand it. Is it very invasive? Or is it done through the arteries like ablation?
From what I have read Cleveland Clinic is pretty good at also.
Thanks Angel, I appreciate the input.
Pete
Thanks for the direction. I have heard of the MAZE procedure and even after I read about it I don't understand it. Is it very invasive? Or is it done through the arteries like ablation?
From what I have read Cleveland Clinic is pretty good at also.
Thanks Angel, I appreciate the input.
Pete
Angel,
I read on your profile that you are a Clinical Heart Team specialist. Do you work with/for Dr Sirak? I went to the OSU website that you mentioned, and the procedure looks very impressive. Do you have any other first hand information? If this really works, it sounds very close to a cure for a fib, which would be absolutely wonderful. Is there much of a risk involved? How does it compare to the risk for an ablation for a fib?
I read on your profile that you are a Clinical Heart Team specialist. Do you work with/for Dr Sirak? I went to the OSU website that you mentioned, and the procedure looks very impressive. Do you have any other first hand information? If this really works, it sounds very close to a cure for a fib, which would be absolutely wonderful. Is there much of a risk involved? How does it compare to the risk for an ablation for a fib?
Hi Pete!
Its not a surprise that your meds were in effective. They have a 40% success rate according to the Farrmington Study - randomized trial. Catheter ablation also has a 40-60% succuss rate, with poor long term results (CABANA Trial). You mentioned you are in persistant AF - which is one of the 3 classes of AF a person can be in. Success rates for Catheter ablations for persistant AF are much more dim b/c your heart is already electrically remodling itself making NSR harder to sustain. Catheter ablation is a very good option for most people. However, those patients with persistent and long-standing persistent AF need more of an aggressive treatment. And don't be mistaken catheter access ablations is not a walkin the park. Its typically a 6 hour procedure with under anticoagulation, radiation and post risk factors like: phrenic nerve paralysis, atrial fistulas and perforation. And usually requires another catheter ablation later when the first ablation fails. Minimally invasive Surgical MAZE procedures (if done correctly) have very good success rates and is a single treatment therapy. 3-4 pencil size incisions are made on both sides of the chest just below the armpit, Ablations are all made Epicardially - so there is NO tramatic access inside the heart making the ablations. EP testing is always preformed to assure bidirectional conduction block (stop/contain the AF). Patients usually leave the hospital after a 2 to 3 night stay. CCF does not offer this surgical option at their main campus. They do offer it at one of their sister hospitals called Fairview Hospital. He is very good - although it I really bealive the website I mentioned earlier has the best results in the nation.
Best of Luck, Pete!!
Cheers
Its not a surprise that your meds were in effective. They have a 40% success rate according to the Farrmington Study - randomized trial. Catheter ablation also has a 40-60% succuss rate, with poor long term results (CABANA Trial). You mentioned you are in persistant AF - which is one of the 3 classes of AF a person can be in. Success rates for Catheter ablations for persistant AF are much more dim b/c your heart is already electrically remodling itself making NSR harder to sustain. Catheter ablation is a very good option for most people. However, those patients with persistent and long-standing persistent AF need more of an aggressive treatment. And don't be mistaken catheter access ablations is not a walkin the park. Its typically a 6 hour procedure with under anticoagulation, radiation and post risk factors like: phrenic nerve paralysis, atrial fistulas and perforation. And usually requires another catheter ablation later when the first ablation fails. Minimally invasive Surgical MAZE procedures (if done correctly) have very good success rates and is a single treatment therapy. 3-4 pencil size incisions are made on both sides of the chest just below the armpit, Ablations are all made Epicardially - so there is NO tramatic access inside the heart making the ablations. EP testing is always preformed to assure bidirectional conduction block (stop/contain the AF). Patients usually leave the hospital after a 2 to 3 night stay. CCF does not offer this surgical option at their main campus. They do offer it at one of their sister hospitals called Fairview Hospital. He is very good - although it I really bealive the website I mentioned earlier has the best results in the nation.
Best of Luck, Pete!!
Cheers
Hi Annie!
No - I've worked in and around heart procedures for 14 years. I have serveral relatives that do the same - one is a retired vasclar surgeon. So it runs in my blood so to speak ;). But my friend had the procedure there and is really a BIG believer. She's only 4 years out though - hopefully she will continue with good long term results. I don't think there is such a thing as "CURE" for AF b/c there are so many active substrates. But at least this is an option - and most people don't know about it. EP's and Cardiologists don't tell their patients about it. I think they should at the very least give them the option. I do know that Dr Sirak is published in several CT journals. Another surgeon out of Dallas (plano heart hospital) has similar results and has a very well respected CT surgeon, Dr James Edgerton.
As with every procedure it is not wilout risk. However, patient with symptomatic AF are miserable and cannot enjoy the quality of those in NSR. It seems to give better acute and long term resut than 2-3 cath ablations. The surgical maze prodedure is also an ablation - although epicardial vs endocardial - with similar EP testing thresholds as catheter ablation. As I learned, it is important that if you get a surgical option for AF that your surgeon does a full-maze procedure. It yeilds a better result than "partial- maze". They also take off the left atrial appendage (LAA) which is a source of clot formation and can lead to strokes. They can not do that in the cath lab either. There is also another website: stopafib.org (I think) that is helpful if you are interested in a surgical option. Surgical option certinaly isn't for everyone - it is an option though.
Cheers
No - I've worked in and around heart procedures for 14 years. I have serveral relatives that do the same - one is a retired vasclar surgeon. So it runs in my blood so to speak ;). But my friend had the procedure there and is really a BIG believer. She's only 4 years out though - hopefully she will continue with good long term results. I don't think there is such a thing as "CURE" for AF b/c there are so many active substrates. But at least this is an option - and most people don't know about it. EP's and Cardiologists don't tell their patients about it. I think they should at the very least give them the option. I do know that Dr Sirak is published in several CT journals. Another surgeon out of Dallas (plano heart hospital) has similar results and has a very well respected CT surgeon, Dr James Edgerton.
As with every procedure it is not wilout risk. However, patient with symptomatic AF are miserable and cannot enjoy the quality of those in NSR. It seems to give better acute and long term resut than 2-3 cath ablations. The surgical maze prodedure is also an ablation - although epicardial vs endocardial - with similar EP testing thresholds as catheter ablation. As I learned, it is important that if you get a surgical option for AF that your surgeon does a full-maze procedure. It yeilds a better result than "partial- maze". They also take off the left atrial appendage (LAA) which is a source of clot formation and can lead to strokes. They can not do that in the cath lab either. There is also another website: stopafib.org (I think) that is helpful if you are interested in a surgical option. Surgical option certinaly isn't for everyone - it is an option though.
Cheers
Angel
Well I took your advise and look at the website your suggested. After reading and rereading what the 5 box Thoracoscopic Maze procedure was I sent an e-mail to Dr John Sirak for a consult. Amazingly he actually called me and talked to me about the pros and cons of cathater ablation vs the 5 box system. I also thought of another question after we had spoke and e-mailed it to him, expecting to maybe get an answer next week, he answered me within a half hour.My only concern now is it seems he has only done about 85 of this orocedure, although from what I could understand from him, bad cell phone connection, he has done over 300 maze procedures. His nurse is goin g to call me next week to start the process of seeing if they are in my insurance network. That's another sore issue I have after discovering I had afib 1-1/2 years ago. You have to be very focused on who's in your network and watch to make sure they pay what they say they are going to pay----what a pain! Anyway I digress, now I'm a little more leary of the ablation because of it's lower true success rates and the added risks of actually going inside the heart to attempt a fix of the afib.
I truly do appreciate your input in all of this, it has helped me a lot.
I guess you have earned your title---Angel.
Pete
Well I took your advise and look at the website your suggested. After reading and rereading what the 5 box Thoracoscopic Maze procedure was I sent an e-mail to Dr John Sirak for a consult. Amazingly he actually called me and talked to me about the pros and cons of cathater ablation vs the 5 box system. I also thought of another question after we had spoke and e-mailed it to him, expecting to maybe get an answer next week, he answered me within a half hour.My only concern now is it seems he has only done about 85 of this orocedure, although from what I could understand from him, bad cell phone connection, he has done over 300 maze procedures. His nurse is goin g to call me next week to start the process of seeing if they are in my insurance network. That's another sore issue I have after discovering I had afib 1-1/2 years ago. You have to be very focused on who's in your network and watch to make sure they pay what they say they are going to pay----what a pain! Anyway I digress, now I'm a little more leary of the ablation because of it's lower true success rates and the added risks of actually going inside the heart to attempt a fix of the afib.
I truly do appreciate your input in all of this, it has helped me a lot.
I guess you have earned your title---Angel.
Pete
Hi Pete!
Great! Surgical ablation just gives you another option to cure your AF. Not many people know about it. But it seems to get good results. From what I understand Dr Sirak is very accessable to his patients. Which is unusual for any non-GP doc. And he has really pioneered this procedure to perfection - which adds to the validity of his good results. I believe he does the most surgical ablations in the contry. Patients come from all over.
I understand your insurance concerns. However, insurance comapanies are seeing that the surgical option is less costly than 2-3 cath ablations. Which means less hospitalization and less cumlative costs to insurance companies. Keep appealing to the company - which establishes need and leads to coverage. I believe there must be someone in his office that can help you with that.
Gods speed and best of luck! Please keep us updated! I would love to hear about your results.
Cheers :)
Great! Surgical ablation just gives you another option to cure your AF. Not many people know about it. But it seems to get good results. From what I understand Dr Sirak is very accessable to his patients. Which is unusual for any non-GP doc. And he has really pioneered this procedure to perfection - which adds to the validity of his good results. I believe he does the most surgical ablations in the contry. Patients come from all over.
I understand your insurance concerns. However, insurance comapanies are seeing that the surgical option is less costly than 2-3 cath ablations. Which means less hospitalization and less cumlative costs to insurance companies. Keep appealing to the company - which establishes need and leads to coverage. I believe there must be someone in his office that can help you with that.
Gods speed and best of luck! Please keep us updated! I would love to hear about your results.
Cheers :)
Angel
I did further checking on the insurance. Ohio University nor Dr Sirak are not within my insurance network. I looked on line this weekend but will still let his nusre check also. This whole insurance thing is very frustrating. My daughter broke her hand recently. I looked and made sure she went to a doctor that specialized in hand repair AND was in network before taking her to him. He fixed her up pretty good but had to put her to sleep to do it. I received a bill from her anestegiologist for $ 300.00, because they were not in network. I suppose I'm going to have to take a list into surgey with me and interview everyone in the room before I go under. Cast out the ones that are not in network and wait til we can find ones that are in! The company I work for used to have Blue Cross 1-1/2 years ago but switched to United Health care because of costs. I never had any trouble with Blue Cross, United is a different story, every bill, everytime.
But I have already decided I'm going to fight to get Dr Sirak in network somehow. If not I suppose I'm stuck with catheter ablation.
Thanks again for all your input Angel. I will definatley keep everyone updated.
Pete
I did further checking on the insurance. Ohio University nor Dr Sirak are not within my insurance network. I looked on line this weekend but will still let his nusre check also. This whole insurance thing is very frustrating. My daughter broke her hand recently. I looked and made sure she went to a doctor that specialized in hand repair AND was in network before taking her to him. He fixed her up pretty good but had to put her to sleep to do it. I received a bill from her anestegiologist for $ 300.00, because they were not in network. I suppose I'm going to have to take a list into surgey with me and interview everyone in the room before I go under. Cast out the ones that are not in network and wait til we can find ones that are in! The company I work for used to have Blue Cross 1-1/2 years ago but switched to United Health care because of costs. I never had any trouble with Blue Cross, United is a different story, every bill, everytime.
But I have already decided I'm going to fight to get Dr Sirak in network somehow. If not I suppose I'm stuck with catheter ablation.
Thanks again for all your input Angel. I will definatley keep everyone updated.
Pete
Hi Pete!
I feel you on the insurance frustration!!! I just had a baby and it cost me twice as much as it did over 2 years ago with my first. Both were uneventful deliveries - but a hike in rates. I've had Blue Cross for 4 years now and the last 2 years cost and coverage are unsatisfactory...so much for health care reform...
Let his office work for you. A lot of the times they can put in individual requests with your provider and win coverage. Either way you are doing a fantastic job educating yourself and using all the options available to you inorder to resolve your AF!!!
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! Keep me posted.
Cheers
Angel
I feel you on the insurance frustration!!! I just had a baby and it cost me twice as much as it did over 2 years ago with my first. Both were uneventful deliveries - but a hike in rates. I've had Blue Cross for 4 years now and the last 2 years cost and coverage are unsatisfactory...so much for health care reform...
Let his office work for you. A lot of the times they can put in individual requests with your provider and win coverage. Either way you are doing a fantastic job educating yourself and using all the options available to you inorder to resolve your AF!!!
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! Keep me posted.
Cheers
Angel
Hi Pete!
I feel you on the insurance frustration!!! I just had a baby and it cost me twice as much as it did over 2 years ago with my first. Both were uneventful deliveries - but a hike in rates. I've had Blue Cross for 4 years now and the last 2 years cost and coverage are unsatisfactory...so much for health care reform...
Let his office work for you. A lot of the times they can put in individual requests with your provider and win coverage. Either way you are doing a fantastic job educating yourself and using all the options available to you inorder to resolve your AF!!!
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! Keep me posted.
Cheers
Angel
I feel you on the insurance frustration!!! I just had a baby and it cost me twice as much as it did over 2 years ago with my first. Both were uneventful deliveries - but a hike in rates. I've had Blue Cross for 4 years now and the last 2 years cost and coverage are unsatisfactory...so much for health care reform...
Let his office work for you. A lot of the times they can put in individual requests with your provider and win coverage. Either way you are doing a fantastic job educating yourself and using all the options available to you inorder to resolve your AF!!!
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! Keep me posted.
Cheers
Angel
Hey Angel
Well I guess I have to completely follow through with this thing now. I am scheduled to have the 5 box procedure done on Sept 17th. The thing that's most shocking to me is it is an in network procedure with my insurance company. Dr Sirak looked at my stress test and echo results today. He said I'm a perfect canidate for the procedure. I'm a little nervous about it now. You spend so much time fighting to get it done then once you get it approved reality sets in. Oh well I can always blame you if it goes bad----just kidding, my research, my decision.
Wish me luck all.
Pete
Well I guess I have to completely follow through with this thing now. I am scheduled to have the 5 box procedure done on Sept 17th. The thing that's most shocking to me is it is an in network procedure with my insurance company. Dr Sirak looked at my stress test and echo results today. He said I'm a perfect canidate for the procedure. I'm a little nervous about it now. You spend so much time fighting to get it done then once you get it approved reality sets in. Oh well I can always blame you if it goes bad----just kidding, my research, my decision.
Wish me luck all.
Pete
Please keep posting and let us know how the five box procedure goes, Pete. Good luck to you! We'll be thinking of you on the 17th!
I wonder why doctors in the UK never even suggest surgical ablation? My husband has been in permanent AF for two years now and I have paroxsysmal AF but only anti coagulants (Warfarin) are prescribed for both of us. I note how costly it is for you in US and wonder if this is why or whether it is a medical reluctance due to risk. I read about the success rates whenever they are mentioned so that I can try to educate myself in the subject.
Annie
My son and I are going to head out on the 16t eeaarrllyy! I have to be there at 10:30 and it's a 6 hour drive. As I said I'm nervous about it, some because of going to a strange place and have them cut on me and some because I want to be done with this sooo badly. I can't let myself get to optimistic about the success----yet.
But I'll let you know how it goes and thanks for thinking of me.
Pete
My son and I are going to head out on the 16t eeaarrllyy! I have to be there at 10:30 and it's a 6 hour drive. As I said I'm nervous about it, some because of going to a strange place and have them cut on me and some because I want to be done with this sooo badly. I can't let myself get to optimistic about the success----yet.
But I'll let you know how it goes and thanks for thinking of me.
Pete
Huh, yeah that is strange they wouldn't at least discuss a possible cureable option with you and your husband. I chose the 5 box Thorancoscope maze because I'm in persistant afib and the success rates seem to be higher with that procedure. Your condition seems to be perfect for the cardiac ablation, or at least from what I have read. It definatley is a very expensive procedure either way you go and risky. But for me personally I think it's worth the expense and risk, if my insurance will cover most of it :). If I remember the UK is under a more socialized medicine, is it not? Maybe there lies the difference between ours system, at least as it stands today and your system, who knows really. Anyway, for me, and I am on warifin also, I want my life back, drugs put me in a state where I feel I am looking at life through plexiglass, I can see it, I just can't fully feel it anymore.
So anyway I hope you continue to educate yourself. The people on this site have been soooo helpful to me.
Pete
I hope you can figure this out
So anyway I hope you continue to educate yourself. The people on this site have been soooo helpful to me.
Pete
I hope you can figure this out
Hi Pete!
Wow! Congratulations on your courage and journey!
I found a afibbers forum on Yahoo that had several people commenting on their experiences for the surgical maze option. Specifically Dr. John Sirak's technique. I think you are in good hands b/c there is a lot of patients pleased (so far) about their results.
Also, Congratulations for being Proactive about our healthcare options and asking lots of questions to better equipt you on your journey!! You really should feel proud of yourself for all the hard work and research you've done on this. All I can say, is that my friend would do it all again in a heartbeat (NSR of course ;) ). She got her life back.
You are in my thoughts and prayers as you continue on your path!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please, keep us updated to your progress :)
Angel
Wow! Congratulations on your courage and journey!
I found a afibbers forum on Yahoo that had several people commenting on their experiences for the surgical maze option. Specifically Dr. John Sirak's technique. I think you are in good hands b/c there is a lot of patients pleased (so far) about their results.
Also, Congratulations for being Proactive about our healthcare options and asking lots of questions to better equipt you on your journey!! You really should feel proud of yourself for all the hard work and research you've done on this. All I can say, is that my friend would do it all again in a heartbeat (NSR of course ;) ). She got her life back.
You are in my thoughts and prayers as you continue on your path!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please, keep us updated to your progress :)
Angel
Hi Pete I have been reading your journey. I wish you good luck and hope you let us know how you are doing. I am interested because of the same thing. My Doc has me on meds and says cardiac ablation and electrocardioversion wouldn't work for me.I also hate the out of breath feeling. I hate the thought of this for the rest of my life. I am 57.
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