OT Just Got Out of the Hospital

Well I'm back from the hospital and will have to have a 5th heart procedure done to correct an atrial flutter...not as serious as before but still requires a delicate surgery...thought I was over these but apparently not...not sure when I'll have it but they put in for it today with the VA....maybe as soon as a week from now..I can't tell at all that it's irregular but apparently it is...different from Afib which is scary shit...heart pounding like fireworks in your chest all day and night...this is more mild so hope it fixes the ticker once and for all

 

I had two AFibs corrected, one by two ablation operations and the other by medication. Can't they do that with you?

 

Dang you guys. Getting old sucks!

Yet, I can't help but hope I do it for as long as possible...

 

Getting old ain't for wimps.

 

I had 3 cardioversions and one cario ablation...this will be a second cardio ablation...only quicker than the last because they only enter one chamber of the heart and don't have to map it to zap the neurons that are misfiring....sucks but it is what it is...they changed one of my meds as well...I've been at this for several years Lanny...I just want it over with

 

Damn dude, sorry to hear that. Though based on my own experiences, I’m kinda surprised they’re going to try and “fix” the flutter. I didn’t know that was even a “thing” (unless you’re talking another ablation). Have they tried anti arrhythmia meds? I went through pretty much the same AFib crap as you and Lanny, and while the various procedures and meds worked for awhile, the AFib always came roaring back at least as bad (I’ve always known when I was in AFib because mine had an ego all it’s own. My doctor’s referred to it as “red alert” AFib). And the flutter became more noticeable. Since they ablated the Sinus Node into submission, I am 100% pacemaker driven and feel better than I have in a long time. Still some occasionally noticeable angry electrical gremlins in the upper chamber but they’re getting fewer and farther in between. Has your cardiologist put that forth as an option? I asked my electrophysiologist about it early on and he said that that was court of last resort, that we had to jump through all the other options first. Personally I wish we had started their first. But keep it in mind if it is an option. Like I said, I’m feeling much better and have shed at least 3 very nasty medications. Something to think about. But hang in there….and don’t be afraid to ask every question that pops into your mind. The only downside to a pacemaker is if someone sets off an EMP device. Then we won’t even have time to bend over and kiss our asses goodbye. Be your own best advocate. It’s YOUR heart, not theirs…….hey, do you think we can blame it on the Blue Ridge….and file a class action suit (green font)? But between AFib, flutter and PVC’s my heart used to dance better than Fred Astaire….and it finally seems to be at peace…….

 

I went in thinking I could shed some meds...the Sotalol I've been taking for years is the one I want to dump...it makes you easily fatigued, sensitive to sunlight and heat...dulls the labido...I've thought about a pacemaker but my doc says to try switching from the beta blocker Sotalol to another med without the side affects....I'm really sick of dealing with it but I'll get the ablation they recommend and see if it helps...I have been pretty free of the pounding AFib I had for years....this flutter I don't even notice during the day but I think the blood thinners they have me on are causing me to bruise way to easily....I told them I have buried PTSD as my only allergy "stress" is my answer....I can definitely put that on the Blue Ridge Nam tour...it's all in my medical records now. I've had a good year otherwise...way better than I was a few years ago..can get around much better and handle heavier chores like splitting wood or lawn mowing, etc..it's another ablation....I could opt for meds to correct it over time but the heart doc said this ablation is much easier than the last one as they know right where the problem is and don't need to map it and only need to enter one chamber of the heart instead of the whole shebang

 

I was on sotalol for 7-8 years and it worked well for awhile for the first 6 years or so (though the 3 day “loading” period in the hospital were 3 of the most boring days of my life. But my nurses were extremely cute). Eventually I went on amiodarone and it worked great…..for about a year. And yes, my libido has had an interest spike since I went off all that shit. But it sounds like your doc is taking a cautious approach….and that’s a good thing. But yeah, as they seem to get control of the actual AFib, the flutter seemed to increase….and led to some extremely uncomfortable episodes. Glad they’ve “moved to the next county over”….or that’s the way it feels anyway. I was hoping to get off the blood thinner (Eliquis) but unfortunately that is a lifetime thing…..along with the unconscionable cost (even with decent insurance). But it beats having to deal with Coumadin (rat poison) and run the risk of bleeding to death……so get used to staying on them…..and sporting mottled skin when you get clumsy. Ain’t this bullshit a blast????

 

I was on amiodadrone the first time I had a procedure and they said that shit has toxic side affects so they used that only for a couple months and switched soon after...

 

Hmmm….I tolerated that one really well….and didn’t have to spend 3 days in the hospital “loading” like I did with sotalol. They had me scared shitless with all the monitoring they did on me while doing it because if they went too far one way or the other it could try to kill me. Glad I’m done with all that shit…….that’s what we get for being born in families that pass it along. All the abuse I’ve heaped on my body over a lifetime, only to be kneecapped by an inherited congenital issue…….

 

I didn't get the hospital 3 day load of Sotalol...I take it in pill form from the VA....I switch over next week when my new meds show up

 

I only had one cardioversion which did nothing.

 

I've been using it for years. The only negative side effect is that it has increased my tremor so much that I can no longer write.

 

I swear to God every time I go to the VA hospital they load me up with so many electrodes that I feel like there are wires everywhere. Had a bunch more this last visit.

 

Just saw this....you got this River! hope its the last one you need too!