Atrial Fib

[fjp]

I have been diagnosed with Atrial Fib approx. 3 yearsago.  I am male,age55,6'6",245lbs.(Cinti.Ohio area.)   I had been in/ out of A Fib only several times since diagnosis. I have no symptoms. I went to cardiologist in early Dec.(2001) for a routine check.  At that time an ekg disclosed that I was currently in A Fib.(I felt great and had no symptoms whatsoever.)  Since being diagnosed I had been on 50mg. Toprol xl, .25mg Lanoxin, and 1 baby aspirin daily (occaisional coumodin).
After visit was put on additional medication of adult aspirin + 150mg Tambacor.
I voiced my frustration to cardiologist.  He recommemded cardiac-electrophyscialogist.  Saw EP month later - still in AFib. (In past Afib  never lasted more than 24hrs.) EP felt Tambacor was not helping. He suggested elimination of all alcohol (consumed 2-3glasses red wine daily),while maintaining Rx as above, stress test with re-visit in 2 months.Noted that rigorous exercise 4 X weekly did not reveal symptoms to me, which he found interesting. (Stress test had not been complete in past due to occurance of Afib before orig. test began.)

Also, AF seems to occur with flu/cold or heavier alcohol consumption.

I hate to be on meds. When I was college athlete I experienced occaisional light-headedness,palps during basketball practices/games.  I often wonder if I could have had Afib since I was young (cardiologist thinks this is possibility.)  

What is: Opinion on all above?    
         Alternatives?
         Are we proceeding correctly?
         Should I visit Clev Clinic?

Thank you for  time & consideration.

[slye]

I also have suffered from a-fib for decades.  The electrophysiologist ended up playing medicine roulette to get it under control. I was also on Toprol XL, adult aspirin and then put on Tambocor. We would try a certain dosage combinatioin for a few weeks and if things weren't better, we changed the dosage again - more Toprol/less Tambocor. We finally hit the right combination - less Toprol & more Tambocor & I'm happy to say things are under control now.  Guess that's why they say doctors are "practicing" medine.  I know it's frustrating while you're trying get the right combination of drugs/dosage but I think taking meds is better than taking a chance with ablation based on the comments on this forum. Also, I have noticed that drinking alchohol DOES seem to aggrevate my arrythmia too.  Good luck...

[debra21784]

Dear FJP,
Having been the unlucky recipent of Afib as well at age 46 I wish I could go back to the first time I was diagnoised and insist my medical care be handeled differently.I too was placed on Tambacor by an EP cardiologist,ToporolXL and baby Asprin.Unfortunately, they did not think it was serious because of my age and took me off the medslater on .Two years later I suffered a massive stroke at age 48.It has taken me two years of intense therapy to recover moderate function.Afib is a major risk factor for stroke.Being on the meds and having a good cardiology team is a small price to pay for prevention.Stay on the meds,don't sweat it and be grateful they are treating you aggressively.You'll live longer

[Joybell]

A related discussion, AFIB was started.

[retnug]

In my 40's and early 50's, I had a rest pulse between 45 and 55. I am now 65 and about 8 years ago I suddenly developed afib - intermittent at first and now more or less all the time. I was told that this might be due to the fact that I had scarlet fever when I was five years old. I am on lanoxin, aspirin and coumadin - I feel great and would not know about the afib unless somebody told me. They tried electric cardioversion, tambocor, procainbid - all to no avail and with very unpleasant side effects (e.g. no sleep, hallucinations, etc). Because of the relatively high percentage of folks that have liver or eye problems due to amiondarone, I did not volonteer for this medication. Ablation and pacemaker have also been suggested, but what if you are in the 20 % where ablation does not work? You have to live with a pace maker and forget about MRI scans etc which may be important to detect other problems that come up as we get older.
After a long and heart to heart (pardon the pun) discussion with my electrophysiologist he told me that there was no real evidence that the various medications would prolong my life. He also told me that there was an ongoing study under way to determine if chemical treatment would prolong life for folks with afib. Any comments from the audience??

[zeke56]

I'm a 45 year old male with thyroid problems. I was in A fib for several months before we got the meds adjusted but it's been ok for 2 months now.My comments are about my mother(64) who also has been in A fib  since Jan 2002. She has a history of heart problems.(heart attack at 35)Currently she is hospitalized.She underwent the cardioversion 2 days ago. It didn't work,4 shocks.Amidarone was started. I've pulled up info on this med and was not happy with all the side effects listed, especially with her history.Just curious how many dont convert w cardioversion and if it is normally tried again? Anyone been on this before??

[northernstar]

I had problems with Tambacor.  I am 28 yrs old and was diagnosed with afib about 1 1/2 years ago, although I know that I had it years before the diagnosis.  I had episodes of afib a few times a day and they would last for several hours generally making me very dizzy and I did pass out twice.  After trying beta blockers, calcium channel blockers my cardiologist suggested tambacor.  the lower dose did nothing for me so he increased the dose.  I felt like I was high while on tambacor, my vision was blured I was dizzy and could not walk straight, my eyes would not open all the way.  it is toxic stuff!  I am now on Norpace which helps at times (although really dries me out) and had one unsuccessful ablation.  I am scheduled with Dr. Natale at the cleveland clinic next month (took 4 months to get in) and I hope this will work.  I used to be very active and am healthy otherwise.  Any physical activity triggers an episode.  anybody else have success with Norpace? my cardiologists were surprised that it had some success with me.

[slye]

I've been on Tambocor for over 10 yrs & am still alive to tell about it.  It is true that Tambocor is toxic....but then ALL drugs are toxic to your body.  Tambocor is okay if presecribed for patients who have A-fib & did NOT have a previous heart attack.  The horror stories cam from people who got a-fib after heart attacks and then took Tambocor & died.  My EP is one of the doctors who participated in the study on Tambocor so I feel pretty confident about taking it since he knows all the dangers associated with the drug.  If you feel really uncomfortable about taking Tambocor maybe Sotalol would help you. I've gone off Tambocor multiple times and then got bad PVC's & ended back on Tambocor which got the PVCs back under control. Good Luck...

[DSteinitz]

My name is Don Steinitz. I have enjoyed reading all the earlier posts which does afford some comfort knowing other people are in the same boat. This is my story: I have a history of panic attacks. A also had complained of PVC's as a bi-product of being nervous. My internest put me on Toprol which was given to me to calm my nerves and reduce the PVC's. It worked for several years. After awhile I noticed I was getting bad anxiety and thought it could be from the Toprol. I later saw cardiologist and he put a holter monitor on me a confirmed the PVC's. He put me on TAMBOCOR. It workeed GREAT for 6 years until I read HORRROR stories about TAMBOCOR. I saw another cardiologist for a swecond opinion and he said get off it now (It's toxic) and rarely used unless for serious heart problems with no serios hear disease. He said don't worry about the benign PVC's. The problem is that TAMBOCOR helps me with PVC's and calms me down so I don't become prone to anxiety attacks.
  What should I do folks. Now my cardiologists won't talk to me for seeking a second opinion. Is there something out there that will prevent PVC's and calm a person down. I have asthma and I believe Beta Blockers are out. I am taking Klonopin & Celexa which is not the best choice. Bottom line...........IS TAMBOCOR REALLY DANGEROUS?????????
Don

[caretaker]

my husband is 53 years old...had bypass about 15 years ago and with his recent angiogram showed NO blockage...he has chf and a fibs...he is on zestril,lanoxin,coumadin and lasix...he is feeling pretty good but not able to exercise and do all the things he used to do...now they want to put him on amiodarone....all i hear about are the terrible effects.....how do you get rid of these a fibs without the terrible meds? has anyone just gone to the electric shock without the meds? any ideas or comments would help us...we are frustrated and scared

[eileneee]

hi, i hope you get your a-fib straightened out. i am also 55, female, live in cincinnati, ohio and have been in a-fib for 7 years.  tried everything, tambocour, cardioversions, trial drugs, etc.  if you would be interested in discussing, please email me at ***@****

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear fjp,
My opinion is that you are an ideal candidate for an atrial fibrillation ablation procedure.  You have persistent afib despite medications and have an otherwise normal heart.  We are currently able to cure >80% or individuals like yourself with this procedure.  

If your doctor thinks it would be a good idea to proceed with afib ablation he can make arrangements to have you see Dr. Andrea Natale the day before the ablation.  His office number is [phone].  Alternatively you can make an appointment with Dr. Natale directly by calling the number below and then schedule the ablation after he evaluates you.