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And even more importantly - ensure that your 'star' EP is also using a five star facility. And MOST importantly, that it is he/she that will be hands on and not grabbing a coffee and a donut and permitting an understudy do the actual procedure (as we have frequently heard happens these days).by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
As far as the CABANA study is concerned I would think it is by invitation of your EP/Cardio. It was Dr. Verma who extended the invitation to join the study to me. You will need a referal to get in to see Dr. Verma (that's the way things work in Ontario it seems - everything is by referal from another MD). I was referred by my ex-cardiologist after he messed me around royally for over a yeby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
The CABANA study is a large, long-term research project comparing the efficacy of treatment via antiarrhytmia meds versus the efficacy of treatment via Catheter Ablation. Is anyone involved in this study that might shed more light? One thing that it will afford me is much closer tracking of my aFib and as I am able to withdraw at any time without any issue I can't see where I could goby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Cynthia and everyone..... I have had a few mornings where the nausea has not appeared and several where it is very, very mild. I am almost thinking that it is indeed the stress that we are presently under (not much to do about it I'm afraid). In any event, as long as TIKOSYN keeps working I am going to do everything in my power to stick with it and in NSR and let my left atrium coby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Interestingly, this morning, presto...... NO NAUSEA. Am wondering now if the nausea has been perhaps stress related or linked to another factor that I am missing. Dad has been in hospital and now in nursing home for recovery; he is 92 and took a bad fall breaking his arm in three places and his cheekbone badly as well. We spend time with him daily to make sure he is in good spirits and eatingby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
How does one tell if their aFib is vagal? Is Emergen-C the 'vitamin' drink sold in health food stores or a special forum concoction? Re: Potassium Gluconate... I find that when I have palpations, a beer cup of Low Sodium V8 giving me about 1.5g of Potassium generally stops them in 20 minutes or so. Ditto with Potassium Gluconate powder (2-3 tsp=1.7g. Potassium) dissolved in Polaby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
All good information and very much appreciated. Started December 2011 and no side effect up until a few weeks ago (assuming that this nausea is TIKOSYN related). The nausea generally manifests itself in the morning and is gone by late morning allowing me to get on with my life, but up until then I have a fuzzy head and mild / medium nausea. The TIKOSYN does appear to be working to keep me in Nby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am in my seventh month of TIKOSYN and it is working just as it should be. I have had zero side effects but for the last two or three weeks have awoken very early with mild nausea; HOWEVER, the nausea this morning was to the extent that it is debillitating and I have a thick and fuzzy head. The pulse oximeter shows my pulse at 75 ish and regular. Quite regular. No other signs of aFib. Mby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
As far as I am concerned, genetically modified seeds are meant to bolster the profits of the manufacturers of same by preventing crops from regenerating naturally. The benefits are a side thought. I cannot help but believe that the real reason is to corner the market, ultimately leading to increased world famine. Not to mention the crap that we will be ingesting to effect this monopoly. Justby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just noted your "winter" comment and wanted to say that one of my triggers is sudden inhalation of frigid air in the winter. It can cause immediate palpatations or somewhat delayed palpatations as if my heart is thinking about it. For certain it is a trigger for me and has caused palpatations several times during the winter past.by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
This reminds me of "Dr. Dr. It hurts when I turn my head and sneeze". Response: "Stop turning your head and sneezing". Sic.by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am a persistent afibber and it took TIKOSYN to get me into NSR. Regardless of its value, I try to practice a very low carb high protein diet and supplement regularly, especially Magnesium and Potassium. A Cardymeter is on my shopping list. I keep recalling "We are all an experiment of one". A profound statement indeed. What works for one does not necessarily work for anotherby Murray L - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
I note that fatigue can also be a byproduct of any antiarrhythmic meds you may be on as a side effect. Ditto shortness of breath and chest 'pain'. At least that's what the info for TIKOSYN says. I do note that I am still suffering from fatigue although not nearly to the extent that I had when I was in aFib all the time. We are each an experiment of one as was said. It is indby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
I don't know if I would call it a "hollow" feeling, but I am experiencing mild nausea, anxiety, hollowness, etc., each morning to the extent that it is arousing me early. Have no idea what it is; none of my MD's seem in the least concerned in consideration of all of the other good things that are starting to happen and suggest I bear with it to see if it disappears or worsensby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yet another British MD/researcher is promoting the administration of statin drugs (Atorvastatin) for ALL of us over 50 citing results of a massive British study (of which he was the author). Interestingly, my GP keeps foising Lipitor on me and I have been storing it for the past year without taking a single pill.... he just keeps telling me how wonderful my LDL is! Sic. I wonder, in our coby Murray L - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
I plan on sticking to TIKOSYN which has me in NSR since December 2011 although with some side effects. I figure the longer I stick with TIKOSYN, the smaller my left atrium will become and the better the surgical treatment of aFib will become; we are on the cutting edge of all sorts of procedures for aFib and the US Congress, if I am not mistaken, has declared that money will be budgeted for aFibby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lew: This is, of course, absolutely spot on. The two problems one runs into are (a) getting a respected EP to say that they have done all they can and recommend Bordeaux; and (b) putting together all of the evidence that OHIP in Ontario wants in order to pay for out of province medical procedures. It is totally nuts here. We have a friend who took a fall and broke his neck (crushed his vertiby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
I would be eternally grateful if someone with knowledge of cardymeters would research online suppliers and report back; I too would like to purchase a cardymeter to go along with all of the other gizmos that I live with.by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Skipped heartbeats. I have aFib under control using Tikosyn, but have experienced skipped heartbeats for decades. My GP has always said "it's normal don't worry about it" but my personal belief is that it is an indicator that your heart has issues. These days, when my heart starts skipping beats (hard to differentiate from other arrhythmias BTW), I find that I have consumby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have been experimenting with the low-carb/high-protein diet for several months and can tell you that my blood glucose readings when I am observing the program is normal and steady; and I cut my Metformin down to virtually zip... perhaps one pill a day vs. the 2 plus 2 I was taking. I have loads more energy and I lose weight. It is not really a carb-free diet as you will be taking in carbs inby Murray L - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
I believe in the empirical data, whether received via anecdote or otherwise. And I cannot say that I am fully convinced from a personal standpoint that more intracellular magnesium makes a huge difference for the average aFibber, I can say, from direct observation, that IV Magnesium is often administered while started up TIKOSYN in hospital and that I have personally witnessed IV Magnesium conveby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Neil Armstrong was one of the finest gentlemen that I ever had the good fortune to cross paths with. But once. And he left a lasting impression. The world was a better place for having had the privilege of Mr. Armstrong's time and interest. Don't know where you have gone but I know you will send us a postcard when you get there. Sincere condolences to the family and friends.by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
One needs to get pre-approval from OHIP in Ontario and there must be a solid reason asides from the wait time. I called and was told that the wait time was in keeping with provincial standards and therefore that reimbursement would be made BUT that if I happened to require an ablation while travelling that the provincial health plan OHIP (in Ontario) would reimburse the amount that they would nby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Make not of one thing that is CERTAIN. And that is that you want the best physician in the best facility that you are able to find and AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. I was forced to wait for about a year after seeing my regular CARDIOLOGIST (!) and in that time my left atrium had expanded from 50mm to 60mm. A very bad thing; it pretty much took the catheter ablation option away from me and reducby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
TIKOSYN is not for everyone as they say; and TIKOSYN seems to have a finite period of effectiveness that varies with each of us. One thing that I have found to be irrefutably factual and that is simply that it is critical that you take in Magnesium and Potassium to the high end of the normal range at least... one needs to be cautious of overdosing but I can tell you that I generally take in suppby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
It would appear from the studies being done at present that rate and rhythm are two different topics totally when aFib is discussed. With my aFib my rate occasionally jumped above 110 but generally remained below about 80 bpm. The rhythm on the other hand was ALWAYS out of whack until I began TIKOSYN and had ECV. One shot and NSR since December.by Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
The intake is pretty simple. I take in a cup of low sodium V8 in the morning and a cup of low sodium V8 at dinner (16 oz. beer cup). That's it asides from the occasional banana, etc. That gives me 3.5 - 4 grams of Potassium and no tummy issues. OR... if I miss my LS V8, I will take Potassium Gluconate powder and dissolve in POLAR brand seltzer water, which is salt free. Two tspn. of Pby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
A recent study, I believe quoted in one of the recent issues of the aFib report (sign up guys and gals!) indicated that TIKOSYN, if tolerated, was the No. 1 choice in antiarrhythmic medications for effectiveness. For longivity of effectiveness, I noted that there was a finite length of service for that drug and it varied between patients. If TIKOSYN (dofetilide) stops working for me and I amby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Saw Dr. V yesterday but had a battery of heart and health tests beforehand. Turns out I am not a candidate for the aforementioned study, but have been invited to participate in the CABANA research study which compares antiarrhythmic drug treatment with ablation treatment. It is also a flip of the coin blind study but one can withdraw at any time and pursue a more suitable course. Well, my leby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM
Not sure if they will permit this in the hospital... the Potassium Gluconate powder that is. Drs. Verma and Khaykin are my EP's. Tikosyn still working at 6 months but having mild morning nausea and insomnia (a sort of buzzing electrified feeling) that starts about 5 or 6 a.m. and once up and about goes away after an hour or two. Nothing I can't handle for now but it puts a crimp in thby Murray L - AFIBBERS FORUM