Take care of yourself and get what rest you can so you will have as much strength as possible for your recovery. You are in good hands -- let them care for you. Hugs now and for the healing.

(((Violet))) I'm so sorry to read this! Hopefully they'll come to a resolution soon. Will keep you in my thoughts and say a prayer for recovery as well as sleep. Keep us posted.

Sounds like you are in good hands with your doctors being on top of this. Wishing you the best and hope for a speedy recovery for you.

Sending you best wishes for a speeding recovery

Violet, I am so sorry this has been a prolonged episode instead of one speedily remedied! My mom has also been in and out of the hospital in the past few months with atrial fibrillation, dr trying to adjust her drugs and not quite hitting the mark. For the life of me I do not understand why they fool about with cardioversions when they KNOW an ablation will almost certainly fix the problem. This is a pet peeve of mine...why don't they let the patient choose whether or not to have multiple conversions or go straight to the procedure that will fix the problem?? Sorry, I am NOT a doctor----we have a history of intransigent heart problems in my family and I haven't yet met a cardiologist I truly like. I know that insurance won't pay for certain procedures until less expensive ones have been tried, but seems to me the cost of multiple conversions and medications and their side effects---as well as the wear and tear on the patient---would make earlier, more permanent procedures the better solution even cost wise.

I sympathize and empathize,,,,,I have a heart condition also (a different one) and the exhaustion one sometimes feels can be difficult to manage emotionally. You will get through this crisis and I hope they offer you ablation sooner rather than later!

How scary. Take care of yourself. Sending positive thoughts your way.

It sucks to feel lousy and tired. Hoping for the best for you, sending positive thoughts.

Sending [gentle] hugs and well wishes!

kwsl: that is just what I'm going through; your comments are helpful. and yes, it's the insurance company that always wants the cheaper procedure done first. Ack -- but we all know that health care in this country is FUBARd

Oh what a shame you are struggling. At least there are procedures out there that offer hope for improvement. Try to focus on that although I know it is hard to be optimistic when you are in the midst of it. Steamed crap makes very good fertilizer for gorgeous flowers! It just takes patience. Easy for me to say.

cardioversion is less invasive and requires much less anesthesia than an ablation, so cardioversion first has been the standard of care among many cardiologists esp for intermittent afib-- ablation can have much better long term success even tho it does sometimes need to be done more than once...

but, if you are feeling so debilitated from the afib, the cardiologist will probably be pretty quick to rec scheduling an ablation if the cardioversion doesn't last...

feel better soon!!

Hang in there. My SIL has been through the exact same process. She's fine now since the ablation. She swims and works out every day and, right now, is on the QE2. You're getting closer to the solution and will be fine too. Google your drugs and see if one of they may have side effect of coughing. I take lisinapril and it's one that makes you cough.

Sending you big bear hugs of love, support, & good wishes. Prayers too.

I'm so very sorry you're going through this! Sending you lots of positive healing energy!

Busybee, in our region they try the conversion procedure at least three times in a certain time period before they offer ablation.

When my DD was a very small child she had repeated middle ear infections but just missed the mark during a 12 month period to "qualify" for drainage tubes in her ears. This happened two years in a row! She sustained permanent hearing damage as a result. The situation with treatment for Afib isn't identical, but it is similar with respect to the often ridiculous reimbursement rules. I think most people would be very surprised--and horrified, in some instances---to know how much of the "standard of care" is determined by insurance companies.

yes, but unfortunately, that's on the doc too! there are some docs that are very 'by the book' if you will and others that aren't... of course, if your insurance co won't pay, they won't pay, but there are often ways to get around that... that's why 2nd and 3rd opinions are useful at times... treatment isn't 'gospel'! decisions aren't all entirely driven by insurance!

if afib is intermittent often the course of action is drugs first, cardioversion 2nd and again (and again!) if the response is favorable-- but not always! ablation is sometimes done without any cardioversion attempts! ... the # of ablations being done is rapidly increasing- esp among some docs ... it is always best to be an educated consumer and if your particular doc isn't as progressive or skilled in certain areas of treatment, it might be beneficial to find another/others that may be.

there can be a lot of variability among cardiologists (and other docs--ie-cesareans!!!) on preferred meds and course of treatments and I'm sure progressiveness can vary by region! it is always best to be an educated consumer and if your particular doc isn't as progressive or skilled in certain areas of treatment, it might be beneficial to find another/others that may be- ideallly 'your' doc can recognize his/her limitations and can provide you with other reputable names/hospitals and work with other professionals you seek out.

this discussion is all so helpful to me!

Annie, I am trying to practice the Kirtan Kriya meditation, because it's short!

Violet, I'm so sorry you are feeling this way. I know from your previous posts, you are normally pretty active, so this must make you feel very helpless and useless, and you must be beyond bored. To add insomnia on top of it all must be very frustrating and adding to your stress. I only hope your procedures will be sooner rather than later so that you can get some relief. Do keep pressing for solutions as others have said, and look out for your own well-being. Hang in there, rest when you can, and know you have lots of support here wishing you well and a speedy recovery.

Sending hugs and positive thoughts to you. Be sure that someone is with you whenever talking with the doctors. Four ears are much better than two.

(((Violet))), I am so sorry to hear of your ongoing heart issues. You are in my prayers.

The very best to you during your testing and treatment.

Hey Violet!! Greetings from Fargo, ND!

My few afib episodes (since 8-2007), are history I believe/hope!!!??

After an increase in Diltiazem/Cardizem almost 2yrs ago, I'm free of that damn afib crap! My other BP-med is Lisinopril.

For many yrs now, I'm one of those people who need a CPAP machine. Catching your breath while half asleep is hard on the heart!

Ablation has come a long way in just a few years. Milder cases are now being done routinely. I wouldn't waste time with cardioversion either.

On a similar note, my 85y/o Mom just had a new heart-valve this summer!!! Needed a couple stents too. They went up thru the leg artery!!! Amazing stuff these days! She's doing fantastic, & looks great!!!

Keep us posted!

Faron

hey, thanks, Faron. Yes, that's pretty much what's happening to me. Glad to know there's a rear view mirror view!

They're talking about a sleep study for me, too. I swear I'm not going on that CPAP machine, but we'll see.

violet, it was a life changer for my husband! He literally will not leave home without it now - he has so much more energy.

You go in tomorrow, right? good luck!

I can't tell you anything about the heart issues, but I can tell you that if you need it, a CPAP is a game changer. My husband wouldn't be here without one. He travels with his and recently got a new one that he loves, in oart because it is so much smaller and easier to take with him.

My yongest son (sophomore in college) has one too. I'm hoping he might be able to use one of the dental devices at some point -- that might be something you could look into, but the machines are really okay and well worth it.

Best wishes for today!!

Sorry you are going through this! Praying for a complete healing. My dad had something called the lariat procedure for his afib a few years ago. I don't know if that is similar to an ablation or not.

fyi GW peeps; procedure done; not too bad; worked -- for now. resting.

Great news! Thanks for letting us know. Hope you have a quick recovery.

Yay, it's done and all went well! Hope you are now resting easy. Take good care of yourself!

Thanks for checking in...hope you are resting comfortably.

Glad to hear it. Take it easy and we'll see you soon.

Keep us posted!

So happy for you. A big "whew!" Test well and recuperate. With ease.

Glad that is over and hope you continue in sinus rhythm, Vi. Thinking of you..

Violet, hope you are resting comfortably. Take care.

I've been thinking about you all week. I'm so happy the procedure worked. I hope you're resting a bit easier.

So glad to hear that the procedure worked. Praying for continued healing for you!

Glad to hear it went well! Healing thoughts.

yay!

I'm so happy to hear all is well. Thinking of you! Hoping you are resting well.

Nothing worse for morale than a chronic health problem!! Hope and prayers here that you get sorted soon and feeling much better asap!

So happy to hear your procedure went well and that you are resting at home.

Glad to hear you converted. Did they ever determine if was afib or aflutter?

So glad for the good news. Thinking of you!

Sleep well!

Glad to hear it went well!

Am sure you know, being in AF greatly increases the risk of stroke.

@robo, one reason many heart problems often cause respiratory symptoms (like shortness of breath or coughing) is because if your heart (basically a pump) is not working well (doing its job pumping blood forward), blood will congest (back-up) in the lungs, causing respiratory symptoms.

romy: afib/aflutter is what they said, with a non-stemi heart attack. I don't know if the heart attack caused the afib or vice versa. Looking back, I could kick myself for not calling 911 when I had that "episode" in the middle of the night a few days before I went in the hospital.

They've referred me to a pulmonary specialist for the cough. I'm kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop.