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Amiodarone is a drug of last resort. It's extremely effective, which is why cardiologists like it, but it's also extremely toxic with long-term use. It can cause life threatening damage to multiple organs, particularly the lungs. It also has a ridiculously long half-life. It takes months to clear from your body when you stop taking it, which can delay other drugs and procedures. Thaby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Unfortunately, afib is very common following bypass surgery. The good news is it often resolves on its own with time. Your heart just underwent some major trauma, so it's not even a little bit happy and it's showing it. We see the same thing to a lesser degree following afib ablations. Solavert is known as sotalol in the US. It seems to be the best choice for your situation. Sorry iby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I don't think anyone can give you realistic odds, but I think you've chosen the guy who will maximize them. The enlarged atrium isn't a good prognostic sign, but Natale successfully ablates people far worse off than you on a routine basis. His success rate with difficult cases is higher than most EPs' success rate with first-time, simple cases. I underwent an ablation witby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
There's something missing here. A pacemaker won't keep him out of afib, so are there other arrhythmias they're concerned about that the amio is controlling? What exactly are they saying the purpose of the pacemaker is? The pulmonary fibrosis is concerning. I would want to stop the amio ASAP if I were him, but first I'd want to make sure I understood the consequences. Canby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I think afib is a genetic disease. Although you can do things to hasten its arrival, I don't think there's much you can do to avoid it if you have the wrong genes. My mother and older sister both had persistent afib, so I think I was pretty much destined to get it too (in fact, I even got it at the exact same age my sister did). I've never been overweight, not diabetic, physicallyby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJoe Doesn't Dr John say that even when the LAA is isolated the patient must remain on anticoagulants? Pretty sure he does. If afib originates from the LAA then it could be of some benefit???? I would take his opinions on this subject with a large grain of salt. He has no training or experience in LAA isolation. Not sure what you mean about it being of some benefit. You mean the Lby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJoe I'm confused. Why would you have an intervention like Watchman when your afib is fixed??? Because fixing your afib required isolating the left atrial appendage (LAA). If your LAA is isolated, it may stop contracting and if blood doesn't flow through it adequately, it becomes a place where clots can form. In that case you either have to remain on anticoagulants for life, or unby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth A large dose of potassium chloride introduced into the bloodstream, like that used in executions, would irreversibly paralyze the heart. Which is why you shouldn't inject potassium unless you happen to be a physician familiar with IV dosing protocols.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteThe Anti-Fib Although not direct advice, this looks like advocating by example of taking large quantities of K+. Everyone is different, but since you eluded to it, I am curious as to your total intake? supplement + through diet? Did you keep track? I wasn't advocating anything, directly or indirectly. It was simply an offhand comment regarding what I had done in the past. If someoneby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJoe Newton's inverse square law applies. I have no idea if perhaps certain frequencies resonate with something in our make up or not. It is probably a good idea to apply the precautionary principle with some of the electronic equipment, i. e. don't hold a cell phone to your ear for extended periods. It certainly can be shown that there is a warming effect and perhaps worse? Devraby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth My last two blood tests: Potassium 4.5 Reference range 3.5-5.3 another one: 102 Reference range 90-111 Your statement "I don't recall recommending supplements to anyone"-- I was responding to a poster that asked "Can one screw up their rhythm with too much of any one electrolyte?" Then you stated "I spent the last two years taking more potasby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth Not everybody is deficient in Potassium as you apparently were. Before people take Potassium supplements they should know what their blood work indicates. My blood work shows that my Potassium levels are around 4.6 which is at the upper level of the lab scale. So for me, taking supplements is a no,no. I was not deficient and your levels are not at the upper level. You might wantby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJackie Carey in my response to you on Sept 20, I gave you two links for Pall's study publications.... which apparently you didn't bother to note or read. Yet, you are continuing with this non-productive argument. Pardon me for forgetting something you posted weeks ago. While I agree the argument is non-productive, I don't agree why. QuoteIf you understand the basic bioby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Earthing is pure junk science. But feel free to find some credible sources that say otherwise. Credible sources do not include some guy's book that a brief skimming shows to be full of falsehoods, wild exaggerations, and unsupported claims.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJackie Carey - You continue to kill the messenger.... in this case, Mercola. I had not seen Dr. Pall's research announcement published anywhere else as "news" about the liberation of excess calcium resulting from EMFs... and was impressed that Mercola realized it was the research important..... I will refrain from quoting Mercola. He's a messenger that needs kiby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I spent the last two years taking more potassium than you can imagine, and it all began with the article Jackie linked to above. I credit it with giving me two years of relief more effective and safer than anything medicine has to offer.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJoe Wondering if Dr Sinatra's 'earthing' would be of value? No. Kind of an interesting idea in a quirky sort of way, but there's no evidence whatsoever it works. But it's harmless to try, so feel free.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jackie, I used Quackwatch because it provides a lot of documentation, but point taken that I committed the same sin you did of citing facts from a dubious source. I'll agree not to use dubious sources if you will. But I promise you that anytime I see Mercola's name cited as a source of anything, I'm going to call it out. I think he's probably the worst scammer in the afib aby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth I have been on this site for many years and have noticed that most people need a second and sometimes third Ablation, even if they had Dr. Natale do them. Consider who comes to these forums. It's people new to afib and people who deal with it long-term. Folks who go to Dr. ____ and get a successful ablation get on with their lives and don't bother with afib forums. Andby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tachycardia isn't really a diagnosis; it simply means a heart rate over 100, so the ER didn't really give you much useful information. There are several possible causes, but the fact that adenosine terminated it means it's almost certainly SVT (supraventricular tachycardia). SVT can often be terminated with vagal maneuvers, so if it happens again you should try that. Some techniquby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
That would be a rare side effect for metoprolol. Have you asked your doctor about it? There could be something else going on, but if it is indeed the metoprolol there are several other beta blockers that could be substituted. Whether they would have the same side effect or not would be something you'd just have to find out by trying them. Definitely report this to your doctor.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJackie Carey - You're offering mis-information. Mercola is just the messenger. He didn't do the science but rather referenced the study on his website... thus the source link. I most certainly am not. I'm not referring to what you quoted here. I'm referring to Mercola himself. He's a known fraud and has been for many years. Here's a sample: Do youby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJoyWin I'm pretty sure I;m not going to fall for some quacks supposed truths, Not everyone is as savvy as you. People who are totally new to afib read this forum and have no idea who Mercola is. If links to his site are posted here, they're going to follow them without knowing the author is a known fraud. There's nothing on his site that can't be found on reputable sitby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Potassium is easy to add. A single 12-oz can of low sodium V8 (not regular) packs 1180 mg of potassium. Plenty of other easy ways.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Eliquis is an anticoagulant. It prevents his afib from causing blood clots that could cause a stroke, so it's absolutely essential, but it does nothing to control the afib. Can he stay on nothing but that? Yes, but if his afib is symptomatic he's not going to be very comfortable. Tell us more about him. How old is he? Is he active and in good health otherwise? Has he tried other meds toby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
The first question you should be asking is what your CHADS score is. Maybe you don't need to take anticoagulants at all, or maybe you need to get on them ASAP. You've got to know the answer to that question before you worry about the other stuff.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I haven't read these yet, and I will, but in the meantime thank you for posting actual science. :-)by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was asked the question below in another thread, but I felt that if I answered there it would be out of place and few would see it. I think this is a story anyone considering an ablation, and especially anyone considering another ablation, needs to hear. QuoteAnti-Fib Carey: I would be interested in the 6 Ablation story, if you haven't posted before on it. It has been a frequent topic heby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteThe Anti-Fib Carey: I would be interested in the 6 Ablation story, if you haven't posted before on it. It has been a frequent topic here, of trying to get Ablations done successfully, and avoid the scenario of multiple unsuccessful ones. I am thinking that major unresolved underlying issues contribute to this. Also specifically, if you have had any reduction in Atrial contractibilitby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth What do you think caused you to have AF? The same thing that causes most people to have AF: genetics. My mother had AF the last 20+ years of her life, and my older sister has been in longstanding persistent afib for about 25 years now. I take after both of them more than I do my father, who did not have afib. Another older sister who takes after him also does not have afib.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM