Atrial Fib. and sleep apnea

Posted By Sidney McCammond on October 14, 1998 at 00:17:43:







I am a 48 year old man.  Last March after several years of progressivly worsening sleep apnea I ended up in the hospital with a rapid heart beat (189 BPM)  and lowered oxygen levals.  I was severly overweight, much of which was from edema in my legs and stomach area.  Since that time I have lost 70 pounds, had a sleep study and now use a Bipap machine when I sleep.  The sleep apnea is under control. I was diagnosed with atrial fib  and it still remains a problem.  I take a combination of cardizem and lanoxin to control heart rate.  A cardiac conversion was attempted but it did not work.  Before all this  I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse.
     My question is ,  Is there any other treatment for atrial fib?  Is there any other way to convert my heart rhythmn back to normal.  Keep in mind that my cardiologist has tried drugs and electro-convertion.  I shouls point out that aside from very mild symptoms the atrial fib does not bother me too much and with the sleep apnea under control I feel better than I have in several years.