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Subject: Re: arrhythmia
Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic Area: Arrhythmia
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD-APS on March 26, 1999 at 18:00:57:
In Reply to: arrhythmia posted by karman on March 24, 1999 at 10:33:03:
Dear Forum,I keep promising to give you one final question - I hope you don't
mind another? After 5 years of atrial arrhythmia and 3 ablations to correct the problem, I
developed a new arrhythmia last year. I also have a dizziness prob
that has lasted 2 yrs - MRI & Otologist tests were negative. I am
on my 4th round of medications for my atrial arrhythmia as nothing seems
to work. I am very symptomatic and the main problem is the near
blackouts & blacking out I have during the time of arrhythmia - it literally
brings me to my knees. My Cardiologist is aware of this and I had a
negative Tilt Table Test. They won't do another EPS as the arrhythmia
is paroxysmal. This new arrhythmia is mentally and physically draining
me but I can't seem to get this message across to my Cardiologist who seems
to think that pumping me full of medication that doesn't work is the right
thing to do. I know a Pacemaker is not the 'magic bullet' and that it comes with its
own set of problems as you said, but I am 29 yrs old and I don't want to
be subjected to medications for the rest of my life, especially when they don't do
anything for me. I really need the symptoms of this arrhythmia controlled. Is there anything else I can do about this or do I have to resign myself
to the fact that I may have to put up with this for the rest of my life? Is a Pacemaker the best option for me? I look forward to your response. Regards,
Karman
Dear Karman,
I can not say if a pacemaker is even indicated in your case, let alone if it is your best or only option, given that I do not know your rhythm. HOWEVER, the following adivice is what you surely will benefit from, i.e. GET A SECOND OPINION BY AN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIST (NOT ANOTHER GENERAL CARDIOLOGIST), AT AN INSTITUTION THAT SEES MANY SUCH PATIENTS LIKE YOU, I.E. THE UNUSUAL CASES.
Such an institution would be an academic center/ university based hospital that is well known for its research in electrophysiology, such as the Cleveland Clinic, the Mayo Clinic, Mass. General, Vanderbilt University, etc.I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only. Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck! If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please
call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at
www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your
cardiac problem.
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