Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Afib

Got it. Gonna try to fix it. Got me on some meds for three weeks then try aversion. We will see. Didn't stay in rhythm for my son or brother. After that consider Ablation so they say. Anybody have any success dealing with it with medication only?

My hunting buddy was one the meds for a while with some small improvement. He ended up having surgery about five years ago. As I recall the surgery was not a major deal and he’s been fine since.
Best of luck in your situation.

Be aware, probably going to end up on anti-coagulation therapy. That means bleeding. Be extra careful with your blades.

Cardio jump starts and meds did nothing for me but the ablation was great. At 69 I had the ablation and it takes 60 days for scar tissue to form and block stray signals. In August I shot a nice dall sheep ram.

Buddy of mine, same issue. On meds now and seems to be working and wants to avoid surgery if he can but knows it may be coming. Hes been on meds for about 4 yrs now. His brother, same issue but had the ablation done and that also worked.

My girlfriend has been on the meds for 2 years now. Might wind up getting ablation.

I’ve had 5 cardio versions and 2 ablations for it. Am good for now. If they try and treat you with Amioderone , I wouldn’t do it…… terrible side effects. I thought I was going to go blind and went to Sotalol.

I've got it. My uncle had it about fifteen years ago, had the freezing technique. He's ninety now.
I had an ultrasound test say I needed a stent. Had to get the vaccine to be allowed in the hospital. No stent needed. A year later I have AFib. Got jolted three times to get it fixed. I'm on Xarelto and flecanide. It comes and goes. If I get mad I think it comes back. I walk, ride a bike and lift weights.
Going to change cardiologist. I asked mine about lowering the dose of rosuvastatin and he got pissy. 99 total cholesterol isn't high.
Good luck. Don't know if the vaccine is a factor, but AFib is way up since the China virus was unleashed.

I'm on Warfarin and have to maintain a 2.5 level

Eliquis is a cake walk compared to Warfarin like I'm forced to take.

I'm not worried about my blades

I had it was on Eliquis for a year, got the Jolt so far been good! 2 years now. Never got the jab! I Was feeling tired and run down, told my doc, did a EKG and said I'd had a major heard attack .heart was becoming deformed, back to normal now. Wish you good Luck!

Got it too, on meds, for now.......and no jab for me.

no afib, but I do have a wandering bundle blockage issue. Mostly on the right side, but from time to time, it's the left that has an issue.

Ya I think it been out of rhythm for a long time. Caught it when getting checked for a colonoscopy. Keep thinking I would feel better if my heart was working better.

I have it as well, never heard of ablation and my cardiologist said he wants to implant an ICD into my chest.

I am wondering why he never brought up the ablation procedure, I will schedule an appointment and ask.

At first, it came and went, now in my case it's permanent. I tried Amioderone and that chit made me really sick!

A-fib is the most common dysthymia there is. Millions of people have it and don’t even know it, if it’s rate controlled. If one’s not real old and /or sedentary and there’s not an underlying problem (like with a heart valve for example)…and it’s rate controlled…a lotta folks who are asymptomatic just take a baby aspirin every day and get on with livin’.

Yes, I had it occur a couple times in 2019. A-fib can be caused by a plethora of things — stress, disease, alcohol (big cause), exhaustion, etc. Mine was due to my thyroid retiring due to Hashimoto’s disease and my doc starting me on too high a dose of Synthroid. I have had patients go into a-fib spontaneously during anesthesia, again, due to the stress of the disease presumably.

Some patients can not tell when they are in a-fib while I felt like I had a beheaded chicken flopping around in my chest. Very disconcerting.

Once my Synthroid was straightened out, flecanide was prescribed by my cardio and it hasn’t recurred since. No perceived side effects. Cardio version (shock) can work also for some but the question of what was the underlying cause remains untreated. Ablation can also be gone to if meds or cardio version don’t work but it isn’t a risk-free procedure and some have it done more than once to correct the problem.

However, cardiologists’ mantra at present is once you have had it you are tagged with a lifetime of the anti-a-fib drug plus an anticoagulant plus a drug like diltiazem or antihypertensive. Eliquis, the first-line coagulant is costly if you don't have the right insurance.

Even if a-fib doesn’t bother you, it should never be ignored. The risk of embolus formation and stroke is too high to take lightly.

The clot shot caused a fib. I know 5 people now developed afib after the Pfizer jab.

Good times

For afib or SVT? I have had problems with SVT (heart rate over 160). I had my heart stuck at 190 several times. It sucks for sure. I end up with paramedic in my house giving me adenosine.

I have a confirmed right bundle branch block. My EKG has come up a couple times with previous MI, age undetermined. It was a little weird and concerning so I asked my doc about it. He said it could be the lead placement. It didn't come up on my last couple EKGs.

I’m wondering if the mRNA Covid shots may explain the increase in A-Fib cases. I’m sure you won’t see that mentioned in the MSM if it is the case. Circumstantial?
Who knows. We may never know.

Am Heart Assn has a study showing increased A-Fib incidence with hospitalized Covid patients. Crickets on the shots.

My wife has developed A-Fib. She didn’t cardiovert, is on the Beta blocker, bisoprolol, which makes her tired. They tried Multaq (dronodarone) which is reportedly an improved version of amiodarone. It caused nausea and had to be d/c’ed.

So, she’s a candidate for ablation. Those electrophysiologists are so busy, getting an appt isn’t easy.

BTW, she had two Moderna shots back in the day, no boosters since.

Her ejection fraction on echocardiogram is 50 which is pretty good. But she has to sleep in a recliner, gets short of breath lying flat. And she has spasms of coughing. Of course she’s on Eliquis.

DF

So how many that have afib now took the untested clot shots??


Oh we better not discuss that. Lol

Maybe twelve years back bouts of my heart “skipping a beat” after I lay down at night got so bad they would prevent me from sleeping. After I started putting in miles on a bicycle it went away. Only occasional, short-lived episodes now.

I’ve had four Pfizer shots, no apparent effect either way so far.

I've been cardioverted 3 times at age 67 for atrial flutter. I went for the ablation 2 years ago. Been fine ever since.

Diagnosed with Afib before Covid, also have sleep apnea (double whammy!). When I went out of rhythm I felt 120 years old and the heart did not go back in rhythm itself. (persistent) Two cardioversions and (then) an ablation a couple years ago. Went out of rhythm just after the ablation (not uncommon) which required another cardioversion, been fine since. On a couple meds to control it, for another 30 years (hopefully!).
Recovering from the ablation was not a ton of fun either, quite a bit worse than I expected, fwiw.

Must be some hereditary. Dad, son and brother all have it.

I've had AFIB for 10+ years- - - - -no ablations yet. Two stents for artery blockages 20+ years ago. Been hospitalized twice for 2-3 days on some pretty strong IV meds to finally get back close to normal rhythm. Pradaxa is the most effective (and most expensive) anticoagulant. Over $1K for a 90 day supply. Fortunately VA supplies mine with zero copay. About 2 years ago my cardiologist prescribed Sotalol for rate control, which works better than anything else he's tried. My last visit to the "electrician" who monitors the rate signals was a good one- - - -"You're looking almost normal- - - -come see us in a year". Used to be six months between visits.

from JAMA, 8/28/20 (presumably before anyone was vaxed, cases from 2006 to 2018):

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2769913

from the body of the article:

"In this cohort study of 500 684 individuals, AF incidence rates increased 3% per year from 2006 to 2018"

"Many AF risk factors increased in the at-risk population over time, most notably high BMI (71 433 [36.0%] in 2007 to 130 218 [46.1%] in 2017), hypertension (79 977 [40.3%] in 2007 to 134 404 [47.6%] in 2017), diabetes (26 346 [13.3%] in 2007 to 47 089 [16.7%] in 2017), and ischemic stroke (2788 [1.4%] in 2007 to 10 527 [3.7%]). Documentation of short-term ECG increased over time from a low of 23 297 of 207 349 at-risk patients (11.2%) in 2008 to a high of 45 027 (16.0%) in 2017. Use of long-term ECG monitoring showed no clear pattern over time (1871 [0.9%] in 2007 to 4036 [1.4%] in 2017)."

so, the best medicine may be to address high BMI, prevent and/or effectively treat hypertension, and/or effectively prevent and/or treat diabetes.

I found no new, similar data, but as the huge swell in the population known as the "baby booomers" ages out, prevalence is going to rise and unless they die fast enough, incidence is going to rise as well.

If the PHD (public health debacle) jab causes myocarditis, it seems highly certain it could cause Sino-atrial node dysfunction and a-fib also.

I bet the makers of Eliquis has data on the effects of the jab and Afib. Super secrete info.

With respect to myocarditis, which metrics have increased.

For sure great for their business.

DF

Meds workleys say over half the time? If not you get to ride the lightning. Stop your heart and restart it. If that doesn't work you get surgery.

Most of this natural stuff is hereditary, in the end, you are born with the thing that will kill you, type of deal. Been doing Genealogy for 22 years following my mother's 25 years, prior research. So 47 years combined. You discover many things in family history research, not all good, but fore warned is fore armed

My wife and I have family history of heart problems and cancer, so no worry about how, only when. Anyway last visit to the cardiologist, a very good one, with the wife he suggest that she have an ablation, as she has afib and tachycardia both at different times and her control meds only work at times, of course nothing is so easy, she also has Parkinson's so, the treatments, including being rendered unconscious, pain meds, etc., is a very short list of options. So she said no dice, too chancy, all considered.

A question about ablation, how old, complications prior, and how long for full recovery? I am a prior planner, and make almost no moves without weighing the potential outcomes. I weigh quickly and make decisions. I know the current situation well, I myself spent a week in afib after a prior stint procedure, but am not sure about the actual effects of the ablation procedure. Dr said were he in my wife's condition, he would have the ablation done, and he does not do the procedure himself, so his involvement is not a factor at all. The heart shut down and defib with jaw blocks did not work at all.

Pfizer and Moderna developed the mRNA vax

J&J developed the so called clot shot.

I too know of people who developed heart rhythm issues post mRNA vaccination
I got AFIB after my second bout with Covid and prior to my J&J (clot shot) vax. I'm on 2wice daily elequis...

I would not normally ascribe the onset of Afib to any one induced condition. Afib is too common and widespread, for that. But I have known kids in their 20s who were previously healthy to develop it and other heart arrhythmias after the mRNA vax

Back when I went to Paramedic school in the early 90s I was told that a lot of people over 60-70 had A Fib. Though it was a common dysthymia, we didn’t treat it or worry about it. Recently (2 years ago) I was riding with an EMT that was going through Paramedic school. I noticed every time I did an EKG or 12 lead, he would pop off with “Is that A Fib?” The first couple of times I told him no, just artifact. Finally I asked him why was he so interested in A Fib? Apparently they make a big deal about it. Then I concluded that big pharma is making bank on A Fib meds and now hear ads on TV and radio. What changed? Money ti be made. The number of people with A Fib increased? Probably not. Jmho.

I think 90 days of Xarelto is $1700-$1800. My part is $649. No visible gold flakes in the tablet.

A Watchman device and one baby aspirin a day got me off those anti-coag's.

I have it right now. I'm scheduled for an Ablation on April 2nd. The doctor that is doing my Ablation has done over 3000 of them. He did 271 in 2023. He supposed to be really good.

I had it in my early 30s, and had a bout of it that they corrected with drugs. I found that I could control it by staying away from too much caffeine and chocolate. I limit myself to only tea and pop before 1 or 2 pm, and eat very little chocolate. At one time I had to cut them out totally for a while. Now the only thing that happens if I partake in the evening, is I'll be up all night.

First ablation for A-Fib and 2nd for Atrial Flutter. My heart rate was never over 130 at rest, but irregular.

I had my first ablation at 49.....second one at 51. I am 56 now. I was in constant A-Fib.....I was not going in and out of it. Like someone here said earlier happened to them, mine was found during a colonoscopy. Cardiologist thinks I had it for at least 6 months prior to finding out I had it and I just didn't know it other than the loss of energy. Recovery was instant for me for the most part.....not a terribly bad procedure and I was out for over 6 1/2 hours on my first surgery. Second one only about 2 hours.

One thing I will mention is doctor wouldn't do the procedure until I was checked for sleep apnea. I had it and had to get on a CPAP before he would do it. Come to find out apnea is one of the major causes of it happening. So if you even think you may have apnea, get tested and know for sure as it may help you avoid A-Fib in the future.

Was not aware that multiples could be done. That is new data to me. That in effect there is some correction still possible after the initial heart muscle cuts. That is actually hopeful info. Early on it was a one and done deal.

What about the chest cracking? Is it the same as open heart, or less invasive?

Wife has bouts of shut down, breathing, etc, hard to define the cause with the Afib and Parkinson's combined and she takes sleep meds.

An ablation is a procedure where they go through the arteries in your groin and to your heart. Think of it as basically carterizing sections in your heart to alter the electrical paths. When you are in A-Fib the current is basically like a dog chasing its tail and not going through each chamber correctly......therefor the heart is not contracting and pumping blood fully (the explanation given to me anyway).

Yes, sometimes multiple ablations are needed to correct it totally. My doctor said he has done 11 of them on one guy over a 20 year period. He claims once you have A-fib that you will always have it and it could re-occur at anytime. Some things trigger it more, such as alcohol usage, sleep apnea, etc....the more you change some of the habits that can contribute to it the less likely it is to re-occur.

I have has PVC's s and PAC's for 40+ years. No afib yet, but they put a 24/7 loop recorder inside my chest that satellite downloads every night at midnight to watch if and when afibs start. I am on Plavix blood thinner. Had a stroke a year and a half ago. Future does notlook real good. 3-4 problems with my heart.

Last May I had a funny feeling in my chest right before bed, not pain, just felt funny. Checked my blood pressure, BP machine also does pulse, it showed 130, but it didn't feel abnormal to me. Finally, wife took me to ER. Around here, when an old guy shows up with something funny in his chest, they go right to work. Didn't take long to diagnose A-fib. They kept me there total of 17 hours, doing testing, asking questions. Finally determined it was alcohol induced (I'd had a bit more than usual to drink that evening. Not what I'd consider a lot, but a bit more than my one nightly drink.)

They sent me home with a monitor stuck to my chest and kept track of everything my heart was doing for a couple of weeks. After that, I went to see the cardiologist. He told me my heart was fine. Said it can be alcohol induced, can be a cumulative thing, no problem for years, but then... He said he felt very confident in telling me that if I no longer consumed alcohol, I'd never have a recurrence. He said the head of cardiology has the same problem and, maybe once a year, gets a spectacular bottle of wine and has one glass.

Since that time, 9 months ago, I've had no alcohol other than when I got my wife a spectacular bottle of wine for Valentine's Day and I had about a 4 ounce glass of it. No problems at all. (also sleep better, wake up better, save probably $100 - $150 a week and have lost a bit of weight.)

Some solid information posted on here. It is not something to fool around with/ignore, unless you are okay with the potential consequences!

I don't deal with any doctor that gets pissy. I'm there for advice. I can take it or leave it. Let me decide if I want the meds, the side effects or just deal with it.

Moms a fib was not able to stop any way around. But when she finally shut up, and listened to me, she learned to go to her mental calm place and relax to get it to get back into rhythm.

I don't envy anyone with it. Best of luck.

The part to remember is all of our futures look the same at some point. As long as you know where you are going when you die and you are happy with it, live on. Live it the best you can until its over.

I had it for years and didn’t know what it was. Cardio verted 2 or 3 times and it never worked for long. Had the ablation procedure 12 years ago and wouldn’t use the c-pap so it came back. Another ablation 2 or 3 years later and so far it’s good. Take Multaq and bisoprolol. For years when I didn’t know what I had my pulse rate was over 100 constantly. I have a prescription for Xarelto but I live too dangerously for that so I don’t take it.

I had sleep arena bad, would stop breathing, said it caused the afib, on the c-pap machine, and do take a baby spring every day! So far good!

Coffee seems to be part of it for me too.

I had a bout of atrial fluttering last year. I was feeling a bit off for a few days - dizzy when I stood up suddenly mainly. Things came to a head when I came home one day needing a lie down, and when I got up I felt wobbly and then dropped like I was headshot. Syncope they call it. Apparently I hit the floor with a bit of a thud, though I was only out for a few seconds. I ended up spending a few days in hospital, wired up with numerous electrodes. Things stabilised there with medication - Amiodorone, Eliquis and Metoprolol, so I was sent home.

I was booked in the following Monday for cardioversion, but after they shaved my chest and attached the electrodes they found that my rhythm and other signs were completely normal, so I was sent home without the jolt. I had one brief episode in the following weeks, which resolved without any issue within a couple of days, and it was enough to suggest that slugging down way too many double espressos and forgetting to eat all day was a bad combination.

Happily this whole experience also confirmed that I don't have any heart issues apart from this. Arteries are clear too. The doctor has me take Eliquis and a half dose of Metoprolol just in case though. FWIW I understand that the latter is banned in shooting competition because it helps with steadiness, so there's that.

I got Vfib out of the blue while driving-which is very deadly. I passed out on the freeway while driving with no warning and luckily had people with me. got 4 shocks in the ambulance. less than 10% make it if you don't get shocked within 2-3 minutes- I was at plus 10 minutes. Almost 2 month post incident with an icd (pacemaker and difibulator). Not sure what the future holds yet.

I was healthy and have no blockage or other damage to my heart. Very frustrating. Only 51.

I had one of them ablation thingy's. It gave me a case of purple crotch......

Dang!

That's a bruise!

I'm sorry you had that bruise Huntsman, but I'm more sorry you showed it to me.
My heart cath was through the wrist. No bruise. Doctor sounded disappointed when he announced that I don't need a stent. That must be some gold plated chicken wire.

Looking up AFib and reading the info on sites like Mayo clinic don't give as much as this thread. I appreciate all of your inputs.

That is actually a sudo-aneurism, should have gone in for a sonogram. The artery puncture dd not seal off properly, bled into the tissue and then the blood went back into the artery. You are lucky it apparently, resealed by itself. If not, you might have been like I was, with a large purple butt cheek. Had to do the sonogram, live, with an injection into the point of bleed to shut down the femoral artery bleed into the tissue. Emergency room surgeon did the procedure, I got to be the object of a whole hospital teaching moment, all the nurses lined up to look at my groin, I told them I was a old GI and not much embarrasses me. So layng naked on a table with a line of nurses right out into the hall. Dr said 99% of the nurses only ever see the sudo-aneurism in a book. Did not even make a date.

I had over two dozen heart caths, so one deal of about 27-28 is not so bad.

Sounds like the procedure they now call AB is or may not be all that bad compared to open heart surgury and is much better than a stroke with permanent brain damage.

Gotta ask. Covid shots or not?

Yeah V-Fib mo worser then A-Fib. V-Fib will take you out, A-Fib more of a nuisance, well unless it leads to a stroke. You’re fortunate your ambulance crew was on top of their game.

DF

Yep, I bled like a stuck pig. One side was about the size of a quarter, the other side bled quite a bit. I bruised all the way to my junk and down my thigh some. When the nurses cleaned me up they used 3 wipes about the size of a paper towel. They came back soaked. I washed more off when I got home and showered. I did get the sonogram and had a hematoma at the sight that went away after a couple weeks. I am due for another ablation on March 28.

Going in for cardioversion tomorrow. See if it will stay in rhythm. I see where the University of Iowa developed a procedure like ablation but is done electrically or some such. Not as much heart mapping and doesn't use heat or cold. Faster and less chance for damage from what I gather. Called Parapulse PFA.

Well, we're off to Shreveport this PM, to be at the Willis Knighton cath lab at 6AM Wed. Finally got an appt after 6 weeks.

Hope it goes as planned. It's a tedious procedure that can last up to 6 hrs.

DF

Best of luck Dirtfarmer! Amazing how any heart procedure messes with your head.

I will be having an ICD implanted in my chest soon, and not looking forward to it.

Yeah, but it beats the alternative.

Best to you.

DF

If you've had Afib longer than 6 to 8 months, then that's very likely your new normal. Control your heart rate and blood pressure with meds. To get off a blood thinner due to stroke risk, ask a specialist about the Watchman implant.

I've had 5 cardioversions and 3 ablations in the last 5 years. Fun stuff...not.

7 cardioversions and 2 ablations. The last cardioversion and ablation were last week. My procedures are for SVT. I'm pretty sure I'm fixed. I will say I am feeling way better. The after surgery report has a lot of gobbledegook I don't understand but there were electrical changes and the one I did understand was that after treatment the docs were not able to induce the arrythmia with or without isuprel.

My mother had the Watchman implant; she could not tolerate Eliquis. She would get nosebleeds so bad they required hospitalization.

I have heard from my buddies that have ablations the sooner the better, because of failure, I would never wish to have open heart but when I did a month ago to replace aortic valve, aneurism on aortic tube, a fix A-fib, the surgeon told us before and after surgery that my A-fib would be fixed one time and done, if so and I get lucky, I’m very happy to be over it for good, some of you men have suffered just to much, going into A-fib is not fun, scary!

You got that right~

I know one guy that has an ICD, his heart has stopped 4 times since he has has it, it restarted his heart all 4 times. Said its like getting Kicked in the chest by a Mule. A Mule kick also beats the alternative lol.

Gotta love modern medicine!

Yes, I have. Though my a-fib came after putting me on Synthroid for a defunct thyroid. I was started on too high of a dose initially which I’m pretty sure kicked in the a-fib.

Anyway, my cardio- guy put me on flecanaide (an anti-dysrhythmia drug) and an anticoagulant. Standard procedure, and I haven’t had it since (4 1/2 years).

It could be argued that tapering down on the Synthroid also helped.

No experience with it but wish you success in getting it under control.

Apparently, a bigger problem for me is forgetting I had already posted on this thread on page 1..🤔😀😜

Cardioversion didn't work for me. Went in for an EKG a week later and back in AFIB. Really don't have any symptoms that I can pinpoint. Some dizziness when I get up too fast. Didn't really notice that much till I started on my meds.

Artery was leaking...aye. hold manual pressure long enough or closure device. Hope you didn't move.

My dad had it not fun

Does anybody here have an ICD, "Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator"?

My buddy that had the Ablation done within the last couple of months has one. Talked mostly about the ablation procedure so don't know how it has been going for him. I think he mentioned it has [kicked in] four times since he had it put in. He was happy they quizzed him about being right handed. He is,but left eye dominant and shoots lefty. They implanted it on the right side. I go to a cardiologist tomorrow for a consultation on the ablation procedure. Still would like to know more about the Farapulse procedure.

lots of jabbed ending up with a fib

Good luck Dirtfarmer. I've got it too. It's not much fun.

Normal sinus rhythm, conversion worked.

We’ll be headed home in an hour. Gotta lie flat 4 hrs.

Three down, one to go.

This is a great facility. Arklatex area well served by the Willie-K as we call it and LSU Sch of Med nearby.

DF

Great to hear Dirtfarmer, congrats and I hope you have many years of a Happy Heart Beat coming your way

Thanks.

Gotta get her back where she can cook and clean. Good women hard to find. Have 47 yrs invested.

She has some help with cleaning. She’s a great cook.

DF

CT scan May 15th and pre op physical. If all goes well procedure early June. Doc does the Farapulse.

Got some cool stuff to show you guys. My wife said she'd never seen so much equipment in a surgical suite, electronic stuff everywhere.

Cardiologist is an Electrophysiologist. He came up thru the femoral vein with a special catheter into the right pulmonary vein as it joins the right atrium, then poked thru the atrial septum into the left atrium and worked on the area where the left pulmonary vein joins the left atrium. Those junctions are usually the culprits.

These are electronically produced pictures of the inside of her right and left atria.

First picture shows the areas of contrasting color which are the areas of concern, areas where those crazy electrical signals originate.

Second picture shows where he zapped those areas.

Third is a pretty sight, normal sinus rhythm.

DF

Glad it worked for you. I had the TEE I think it's called. Non invasive they say. Except I think it's invasive to cram something down your throat. Part of the process was mapping my heart. I guess if I have any further adventure that would be useful information. Or they got to charge more while had me hooked up to the Medicare meter.

Doc said I am pre Afib. I have PAC's and PVC's. They put in a 24/7 heart monitor in my chest that down loads every night at midnight. This after my stroke a year and a half ago. I am on Plavix blood thinner now.

I am scheduled for another heart MRI in three weeks because of two birth defects in my heart.

Dirtfarmer. Wish I had an EKG like that last picture

I had an occasional PVC. My cardiologist put me on the Beta Blocker, Carvedilol, which had eliminated them.

Best to you.

DF

Those are amazing images. Was this a regular thermo/electric type burn to ablate?

I think it was the burn, don't know if the freeze technology is still used.

Seemed to have worked.

Very tedious and time consuming. Takes a special personality to pursue Electrophysiology. With the uptick in post Covid A-Fib cases, it's not easy to get an appt with one of those "EP" Cardiologists, as they are called. You get in line. We waited around 6 weeks. He did two that day. A busy cardiologist can do a dozen or more cardiac cath procedures in a day, these guys two or three is pretty good day.

DF

That's why the new procedure is so much better. My cardiologist said the longest he has been in there is 80 minutes.

My electrophysiologist got hired away by a teaching hospital in Nebraska (?). He was a really sharp, young guy and had his pilot’s license and an airplane so we hit it off real well.

I had an EP study for PVCs and I was awake just enough at one point to hear him say, “I don’t see enough to justify any cauterization”. They implanted a monitor but so far they’ve been able to control the PVCs with meds. We hated to see him go.

Yeah, EP’s are in great demand. No telling what financial packages they’re being offered.

But they worth it when you need one.

Takes a long time for their training. They gotta be a cardiologist then train for EP.

DF

My wife couldn’t take Multaq, which is an upgrade of that one. It also caused nausea.

Those anti arrhythmia drugs are relatively new. Guess they cool if and when they work.

3mo supply of Multaq retails for $2,600, cost us $600 after insurance. So we have a 3 mo supply of meds she can’t use. Oh well.

I have a good bud, a fellow Fire contributor, who takes Multaq. May pass them to him (prob not legal). But who’s gonna know, especially after this goes on the web.

Ha! Not guilty till caught. Too expensive to go to waste. I know you guys wouldn’t rat us out….

DF