On Mon, 03 May 2004 11:23:30 -0700, Don Payette <[email hidden]>
Quoted message said:My wife has been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation. She
just had an EchoCardioGram and the operator told her that
her heart looked healthy except for the definite AFib.
She has been on Coreg, but the side effects have been bad.
She has gained 30 pounds in 3 months and doesn't sleep
well. Weird dreams etc. Her cardiologist said he could
prescribe other drugs, but she probably would be similarly
disappointed. He is suggesting a catheter ablation, a
pacemaker and Coumadin (sp?).
I noticed one thread in this group that said a pacemaker is
no help for AFib.
Comments?
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Don Payette Unisys Corporation
When I was first diagnosed with AF I was told that there was
no chance of cardioversion which some people are fortunate
to be able to have for this arrythmia. Our Prime Minister
had this treatment quite recently. It is not done when the
heart is damaged (at least that is what I was told).
Catheter ablation via the artery in the groin is one method
they use at my local Heart Centre but I am not sure about
the success rate. You could look it up on the net. I had
radio frequency ablation during surgery to replace a valve
but, for me, it was not a complete success. To the best of
my knowledge the main purpose of a pace-maker is to prevent
the heart rate dropping too low. Mine prevents the rate
going below 60 or above 130. For my rhythm problems I am
prescribed Verapamil and also take Digoxin, diuretics and
Coumadin (Warfarin to us). I have just looked up Coreg and
its a BP treatment, not a treatment for arrythmia. A friend
of my could not handle this drug because of the weird dreams
effect. Finally, in the UK Coumadin is standard treatment
for AF to prevent strokes which can occur due to the pooling
of blood which happens with this condition. I hope your wife
gets a treatment that makes her feel better. Diana
