Some answers...Finally

[kfay]

Ok...so I met my new EP Dr. today. I knew he was going to be good when his nurse told me that today was actually his day off, he just came in to see because my ACHD cardio asked him to. He ended up spending over an hour with me. I felt such relief that someone was actually up to the job of trying to solve these rhythm issues for me.

So, in a nutshell, these pac's and atrial tachycardias, are very common after heart surgery and even more so valve surgery. He was surprised that it took four months post op, but then realized that that was probably about the time that the half life of the amiodarone I had been on had worn off. He thinks that most of the rhythm issues are being generated by an irritated area around my new patch for my asd closure. He needs to see my my operative notes to see exactly how extensive of a maze procedure they did before he can know for sure. He also thinks that it is too soon after my surgery to do anything invasive, so an ablation is out for now for that reason and also because if it is in an area around my patch causing the problem, it would be very easy for him to poke a hole in that patch during an ablation. So, we are on to a new medicine now for 2 weeks, then if it isn't working, we will move on up the ladder. The only other thing he is concerned about is a rhythm I've had 3 times now where I have felt like I was going to pass out. The way I described it to him, he said it could be the beginning of heart block. So, he is keeping tabs on that one, obviously.

Thanks to all of you for your kind words of encouragment. Sometimes, it is easy to feel like you are going through this all alone.

Kim

 

[Eva]

Good luck, Kim, and I hope your problem will be resolved with the medicine. Keep us updated.

 

[ottagal]

All the best to you, Kim and glad that you have confidence in your new EP. That certainly helps. Keep us posted!

 

[Bina]

Kim, you must be thrilled to have a doc who will listen and act in your best interest.
I'm curious what meds you will be trying.....keep us posted?
Good Luck.

 

[CThrock]

Kim, you must be really glad to have a dr that listens and actually is trying to handle the problem. I'm so happy for you that you got some answers to your questions. I hope the new meds he's trying will work and you can get back to some kind of a normal life style. Thanks for keep us posted. I was thinking about you all day.

Crystal

 

[Mary]

Kim,
I'm glad you've got someone in your corner for a change! Keep us updated, if you don't mind.

 

[Phyllis]

Good doctor and good news, Kim. I hope he is able to solve this problem with meds only. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

It sounds like your new EP understands your issues and is proceeding cautiously and SAFELY.

That is a Good Beginning!

Hope the New Meds work for you.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Dina]

Such a relief to have a doctor sit down with you and really give their
undivided attention-I'm glad. Must have been a good day for doctors
since my pdoc actually listened to me today. Hope the new medicine
helps the arrhythmias-Dina

 

[zipper2]

Well great news with your Doc,Kim and praying all goes alot

easier for you and you get this by the horns,you've suffered enough.

Good luck,keep us posted.

zipper2 (DEB)

 

[geebee]

Kim,

Your new doctor sounds wonderful - the good ones do exist - just sometimes hard to find. I am happy that things seem to be "fixable" and will pray that the heart block thing turns out to be something else.

Wishing you all the best with your new meds and hoping they will work just fine.

 

[Bryan B]

Kim,

I've been following your posts but haven't really had any experience to give you any suggestions. I guess I also didn't put "2 & 2" together concerning your ASD closure. I had my VSD patched during my Ross Procedure and the surgeon told me that patching the VSD ran a small risk of causing electrical problems with the heart. I also didn't have a Maze Procedure which I could see as potentially causing similar problems. I'm just glad that it sounds like you found someone that could look at your case rationally and come to what sounds like a logical diagnosis. That has to be a relief. Sometimes when you have seen the same doctor for awhile (this is just my opinion) they hear the same complaints from their patients and become somewhat skeptical. If you haven't already, I hope you summarily fire any previous doctor that didn't do his most to figure out your problem...and if you feel like it you can even tell him what was causing the problem so that maybe he won't overlook it in future patients.