Looking for a Physician

Posted By Rodney on July 21, 1998 at 08:31:46:







First of all I am glad this site is available.  I am a 49 Yr. Old firefighter and I am still working though it is very difficult.  I am Suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,(this means the A-Fib. comes and goes every 5 or 6 days).  Since this started on Feb. 7, 1995 my stamina and strength have gone down and now it is to the point where almost every time I have to work hard at a fire I go into Atrial Fibrillation and it takes between 8 and 10 hours for it to convert to normal sinus rythum.  I have had every test and have tried every medication with no solution.  I have heard that the ablation proceedure (may) cure this problem.  If this is true I would be interested in further investigation.  My cardiologist does not perform this proceedure and does not know of any that do.  I would appreciate the answers to the following guestions.
1.   Does anyone know of a specialist in the Houston or Dallas Texas area?
2.   If I have this proceedure what are the possible complications?
3.   What is the recovery time before I can go back to work?