last ditch rhythm control

[banglamom]

After 3 ablations, 7 different cardiac meds, a pacemaker... and still almost daily rhythm problems... are there yet any reasonable options?  Anybody know of the magic pill or the ultimate surgical fix?  Or the naturopathic approach?  I have tried mostly everything and now would be willing to try even the unreasonable.

[banglamom]

Thanks folks.  I always thought of the fish oils for the athlerosclerosis.  If they might be helpful for the rhythms, I'm in.  I'll get them on my next trip to the pharmacy.

As to the surgeries, I was always ready to find a new md when someone even mentioned that... until recently.  The reason why my md says I would be good for the transplant is simply because there are NO other comorbities.  That is really just my PCP.  Thankfully, I am not a candidate as my EF is too high for that.  I get sick, but I am not emminently dying.  All the health problems are rhythms, all the valves, and the overall function leading to CHF.  

I am trying to gather info about the maze procedure and will talk to my ep doc and cardiology about that as an option.  A lot of my daily struggles are from the horrid amounts of terrible medicines I take.  It's just obscene how much I take.  I work on a cardiac floor and it is a rare thing that anyone takes more meds than me.  2 years ago, I was not going to let the docs do ANYTHING to me.  It is just such a daily struggle now that I am ready now to go ahead and have an intrusive surgery if it might actually help.  There is some benefit I guess in having things go this far.  I do still wish it would just take me in my sleep and I could be done with it.  I have trouble seeing all the things that I am involved in doing TO people as a better alternative than dying.  I don't necessarily see that as depression, just weighing out options.

I'm just trying my best to figure it out and determine a best course of action.  i spent 8 hrs today in a class about mechanical hearts (VADs).  That does NOT look like it.  Better to be the nurse than the pt to be sure.

[Jerry_NJ]

I'm not sure if this was already discussed in your case, so I raise as a possible redundant input: Have you tried fish oil (Omega 3, I think)?  I am considering trying it for my AFib based on good reports read on this community.

You mention heart transplant, does that mean heart surgery to address valve repair/replacement has been ruled-out?  I underwent mitral valve repair in my late 60s and it went well...didn't fix the AFib but the mitral valve repair check out well and I've recovered from the very intrusive surgery without any known problems/side-effect.

[lagoya]

i understand now why u are so weary you have been through a difficult and challenging time and one which seems to continue .it is so stressful and worrying i have svt which can come on most days all though it may only last a few minutes but wrecks havoc on the nerves so to speak ,my average hr would be in the high 90's most of the time and when i get the svt it shoots up to the 150's not as high or as sustained as yours ,,i am not sure what else to say at this time but there are answers for everything in life ,i am not sure about a magic pill to solve hr probs ,most meds have nasty side effects and the hr meds are the most toxic to the body,,maybe u could look into relaxation techs ,i have tried these to good effect ,u know certain yoga postures will calm the hr down naturally etc,and when the nerves start shouting there are various breathing exercises that can control over breathing during those moments .i sorry this is not a great answer or solution ,i hope someone else comes in and knows more ,,i will say fish oils are worth trying ,they wont solve the hr probs but are a good help with inflammation esp autoimmiune flares if that's what stemed the infection or keep it recurring.

hugs and prayers

[banglamom]

My heart runs about 180-190 all the time if I'm really not doing anything.  It would go well up into the 200s with much activity.  I would range from being sustained for hours to much longer.  When it was first caused by an infection, it went 180+ for 6 months.  To slow it down was to drop my pressure too much.  I just had to be on bedrest.  Life has really never been the same since then.  It started with the infection, then the rhythm problems, then the valves and then EF dropping from 70% to 40%.  Baad rhythms, all the valves leak and the muscles are weakening.  I have had a doc or tow say I would be a great transplant candidate but that is about the last thing I want.  The steady nerves can be hard to come by with the rhythm problems and bp issues always a problem.  I am looking if there has been a great answer for anyone else.  I am so weary of it all.

[ireneo]

What rhythm problems do you have going on now? I've had 3 ablations and still have some arrhythmias (PSVT, PAC's, PVC's and some NSVT I've been told). Mine are greatly improved from what they were so I just go with the flow now. I'm tired of being poked and prodded. If yours are benign it may be a matter of learning to live with the rascals. As I get older I find myself making adjustments almost yearly as my body slows down. My crunchy knee, my loss of flexibility, my need for glasses. I don't like any of it but I adjust and go on.

[lagoya]

i so wish i had an answer for this i have had one ablation and denied a second at this time but maybe down the line but still suffer from rhythm probs ,i have also had to come off bb cause of side effects again .i think just a good healthy diet no caffeine good exercise a steady blend of fish oils ,cq 10 and good steady nerves seems to help some ,is that a magic pill ,probably not but for me at the moment it beats the rhythm pills .
what did u have the ablations for if u dont mind me asking.