Guest guest Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 I'm not sure that you guys are interested in my little story, but here goes: I just saw a new EP, and he said that, after evaluating my records and the results of a heart monitor I wore for about a month, the he believes I do not have atrial fibrillation but atrial flutter. He said that my nuclear stress test was very slightly abnormal, but since I'd been on flecanaide since 1999, that could explain it. In any case, he wanted to do a cardiac catheterization pretty much immediately (as in, next week) to rule out any blockages. If there are no blockages, then he wants to do a radiofrequency ablation sooner rather than later. So I'm marginally hopeful - I can't say that I'm looking forward to these procedures, but the 90% success rate certainly got my attention. Of course, if there are blockages, then we're in a different ball game entirely. I'm obese and in my late 50s, and believe me this has got my riveted attention on diet and exercise. The exercise will need to be postponed for a few weeks, of course, but if I get a reprieve, I do believe I've eaten my very last Krispy Kreme, and good riddance. I'd much rather be around to watch my grandchildren grow up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 > I'm not sure that you guys are interested in my little story, but here goes: > > > > > I just saw a new EP, and he said that, after evaluating my records and the > results of a heart monitor I wore for about a month, the he believes I do > not have atrial fibrillation but atrial flutter. He said that my nuclear > stress test was very slightly abnormal, but since I'd been on flecanaide > since 1999, that could explain it. In any case, he wanted to do a cardiac > catheterization pretty much immediately (as in, next week) to rule out any > blockages. If there are no blockages, then he wants to do a radiofrequency > ablation sooner rather than later. So I'm marginally hopeful - I can't say > that I'm looking forward to these procedures, but the 90% success rate > certainly got my attention. Of course, if there are blockages, then we're > in a different ball game entirely. > > > > I'm obese and in my late 50s, and believe me this has got my riveted > attention on diet and exercise. The exercise will need to be postponed for > a few weeks, of course, but if I get a reprieve, I do believe I've eaten my > very last Krispy Kreme, and good riddance. I'd much rather be around to > watch my grandchildren grow up. > > > > > Hi , did you come off the flecainide whilst you were wearing the monitor? The reason I ask is that a known complication of flecainide is that it can organise atrial fibrillation into atrial flutter. I think I'd want to know if it was the flecainide before having a flutter ablation. Whilst it's true that flutter ablation are more successful than atrial fibrillation ablations if you do go down that road you might want to discuss whether you'll have to stay on the flecainide to keep AFib away. (if it is flecainide that is behind your flutter) all the best -- D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 What are the ways that a doctor, or us, can tell whether we have atrial flutter rather than atrial fibrillation? Jo Anne Re: Atrial Flutter > I'm not sure that you guys are interested in my little story, but here goes: > > > > > I just saw a new EP, and he said that, after evaluating my records and the > results of a heart monitor I wore for about a month, the he believes I do > not have atrial fibrillation but atrial flutter. He said that my nuclear > stress test was very slightly abnormal, but since I'd been on flecanaide > since 1999, that could explain it. In any case, he wanted to do a cardiac > catheterization pretty much immediately (as in, next week) to rule out any > blockages. If there are no blockages, then he wants to do a radiofrequency > ablation sooner rather than later. So I'm marginally hopeful - I can't say > that I'm looking forward to these procedures, but the 90% success rate > certainly got my attention. Of course, if there are blockages, then we're > in a different ball game entirely. > > > > I'm obese and in my late 50s, and believe me this has got my riveted > attention on diet and exercise. The exercise will need to be postponed for > a few weeks, of course, but if I get a reprieve, I do believe I've eaten my > very last Krispy Kreme, and good riddance. I'd much rather be around to > watch my grandchildren grow up. > > > > > Hi , did you come off the flecainide whilst you were wearing the monitor? The reason I ask is that a known complication of flecainide is that it can organise atrial fibrillation into atrial flutter. I think I'd want to know if it was the flecainide before having a flutter ablation. Whilst it's true that flutter ablation are more successful than atrial fibrillation ablations if you do go down that road you might want to discuss whether you'll have to stay on the flecainide to keep AFib away. (if it is flecainide that is behind your flutter) all the best -- D Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Amen Rich O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 > What are the ways that a doctor, or us, can tell whether we have atrial flutter rather than atrial fibrillation? > > Jo Anne Hi Jo Anne, I think an ECG or event recorder/holter monitor is what is called for. I can spot flutter on my heart rate monitor but it's more speculation than certainty (I've shown my recordings to the docs and they think it's flutter too) see http://james.dialsolutions.com/public/AF_flutter_AF.gif the middle bit of the graph is very likely to be flutter but strictly speaking it's hard to say it isn't just tachycardia. (other than it would be unusual to see sinus tachycardia in between AF like this) if you are into the speculation game then flutter usually feels more regular than AF (and for me there was a fast regular but unpleasant palpitation too). Some people can get flutter at lower speeds and I guess this would be even harder to spot without an ECG. -- D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 - I would be very hesitant to revisit a cardiologist who couldn't tell the difference between afib and aflutter... " believing " that you have one or the other is not good enough.. you either do or you don't? Many people with afib also have aflutter, but it's my understanding that they look completely different on an EKG, and it is my own personal experience, that they FEEL completely different in the body! I can tell instantly when I'm in afib, and I can tell when I'm not in afib. I cannot, however, tell, myself, without an EKG whether I am in aflutter or sinus tachycardia, which both feel quite similar. The cardio sure can, though! My flutter ablation took a grand total of 8 minutes, by the way... this was in conjunction with a PVI just last week. Stef Hines catherinehines@...> wrote: I'm not sure that you guys are interested in my little story, but here goes: I just saw a new EP, and he said that, after evaluating my records and the results of a heart monitor I wore for about a month, the he believes I do not have atrial fibrillation but atrial flutter. He said that my nuclear stress test was very slightly abnormal, but since I'd been on flecanaide since 1999, that could explain it. In any case, he wanted to do a cardiac catheterization pretty much immediately (as in, next week) to rule out any blockages. If there are no blockages, then he wants to do a radiofrequency ablation sooner rather than later. So I'm marginally hopeful - I can't say that I'm looking forward to these procedures, but the 90% success rate certainly got my attention. Of course, if there are blockages, then we're in a different ball game entirely. I'm obese and in my late 50s, and believe me this has got my riveted attention on diet and exercise. The exercise will need to be postponed for a few weeks, of course, but if I get a reprieve, I do believe I've eaten my very last Krispy Kreme, and good riddance. I'd much rather be around to watch my grandchildren grow up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 The doctors can tell by looking at the EKG what type of rhythm you are in, and smart EKG machines can tell you what the rhythm is as well! To tell yourself is more difficult, and depends on how symptomatic you are, and how many experiences of different rhythms you've had.. and still the EKG is needed to make the definitive diagnosis. I can tell when I'm in afib, since I'm so symptomatic... my heartbeat will be fast and very irregular.. I suppose I could potentially be in some other fast irregular beat (other than afib) but I never have been, so I assume afib. Aflutter for me is more difficult, since sinus tachycardia feels pretty much the same.. I know it's not afib, and I know it's fast, but I do know know whether it's sinus tach or flutter. I've had sinus tach (fast NSR) caught on EKG and I've had aflutter caught on EKG. I actually went to the ER with aflutter several weeks ago, thinking it was just sinus tach, and the speed while waiting in the waiting room got VERY VERY fast.. moreso than sinus tach or afib ever had.. it was almost scary fast. But the rhythm of aflutter is fast and quite regular, and at more moderate speeds (125 sustained) it didn't actually feel all that bad. I'd rather aflutter at 125 bpm than afib! Since afib and aflutter often go hand in hand, it's also not uncommon to switch from one to the other during an event.. seeems weird, since they are supposedly generated by different points in the heart, but I've definitely had this. I've also gone from afib, to aflutter and then converted to NSR more than once as well! Be thankful if what you really have is just aflutter, and seriously consider the flutter ablation, if you qualify. It's my understanding that a plain old flutter ablation is short and sweet, and you're home the same day! There are not nearly the risks as with a PVI either. stef J jakarasek@...> wrote: What are the ways that a doctor, or us, can tell whether we have atrial flutter rather than atrial fibrillation? Jo Anne Re: Atrial Flutter > I'm not sure that you guys are interested in my little story, but here goes: > > > > > I just saw a new EP, and he said that, after evaluating my records and the > results of a heart monitor I wore for about a month, the he believes I do > not have atrial fibrillation but atrial flutter. He said that my nuclear > stress test was very slightly abnormal, but since I'd been on flecanaide > since 1999, that could explain it. In any case, he wanted to do a cardiac > catheterization pretty much immediately (as in, next week) to rule out any > blockages. If there are no blockages, then he wants to do a radiofrequency > ablation sooner rather than later. So I'm marginally hopeful - I can't say > that I'm looking forward to these procedures, but the 90% success rate > certainly got my attention. Of course, if there are blockages, then we're > in a different ball game entirely. > > > > I'm obese and in my late 50s, and believe me this has got my riveted > attention on diet and exercise. The exercise will need to be postponed for > a few weeks, of course, but if I get a reprieve, I do believe I've eaten my > very last Krispy Kreme, and good riddance. I'd much rather be around to > watch my grandchildren grow up. > > > > > Hi , did you come off the flecainide whilst you were wearing the monitor? The reason I ask is that a known complication of flecainide is that it can organise atrial fibrillation into atrial flutter. I think I'd want to know if it was the flecainide before having a flutter ablation. Whilst it's true that flutter ablation are more successful than atrial fibrillation ablations if you do go down that road you might want to discuss whether you'll have to stay on the flecainide to keep AFib away. (if it is flecainide that is behind your flutter) all the best -- D Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Thanks so much, everyone, for your comments and advice - I'm definitely paying close attention and taking notes! The backstory is that I'd been with one cardiac group since 1999 and felt that my increasingly disabling symptoms (light-headedness, unable to speak or get my breath during an episode, for example) were being largely ignored. I'd only seen the EP with that group once, and the feedback I was getting was that this was a lifestyle issue, and I needed to control my weight (which, while clearly obese, isn't *that* bad - BMI of 30). I even had my primary cardiologist (at that time) tell me that I needed to be aware that " real Christians " were not overweight, and that I could be healed (as in, religiously healed) if I'd only change my lifestyle and join his church. That may well be true, but I don't remember ever being so angry at a doctor in my 57 years. " Livid " doesn't quite cover it. So I changed cardiology groups, had my records transferred, and had my first consult with the EP in the " new " group yesterday. He said that, going over my records (since 99) and the recent monitor results, he didn't see a-fib at all, but rather a-flutter from the first EKG, and believes I've had a-flutter from the beginning. (During one trip to the ER, a-flutter was diagnosed, but my doctor at the time discounted the reading.) The new EP debated taking me off flecanaide immediately, and switching the Toprol to something I don't recall, but decided instead to not to change medications since he wanted to do the heart cath and the flutter ablation as quickly as they could be scheduled, and then change medications as the situation warranted. I'm surprised to hear that flecanaide can organize a-fib into a-flutter, and will certainly ask about that at my next appointment. It's hard to imagine that a professional could mistake one for the other, so I don't really know what to think. My most disabling symptom at present is anxiety, since during an event I'm seriously helpless. The new EP, at least, took that seriously, and continued my medical leave from work until the ablation is completely. Re: Atrial Flutter > I'm not sure that you guys are interested in my little story, but here goes: > > > > > I just saw a new EP, and he said that, after evaluating my records and the > results of a heart monitor I wore for about a month, the he believes I do > not have atrial fibrillation but atrial flutter. He said that my nuclear > stress test was very slightly abnormal, but since I'd been on flecanaide > since 1999, that could explain it. In any case, he wanted to do a cardiac > catheterization pretty much immediately (as in, next week) to rule out any > blockages. If there are no blockages, then he wants to do a radiofrequency > ablation sooner rather than later. So I'm marginally hopeful - I can't say > that I'm looking forward to these procedures, but the 90% success rate > certainly got my attention. Of course, if there are blockages, then we're > in a different ball game entirely. > > > > I'm obese and in my late 50s, and believe me this has got my riveted > attention on diet and exercise. The exercise will need to be postponed for > a few weeks, of course, but if I get a reprieve, I do believe I've eaten my > very last Krispy Kreme, and good riddance. I'd much rather be around to > watch my grandchildren grow up. > > > > > Hi , did you come off the flecainide whilst you were wearing the monitor? The reason I ask is that a known complication of flecainide is that it can organise atrial fibrillation into atrial flutter. I think I'd want to know if it was the flecainide before having a flutter ablation. Whilst it's true that flutter ablation are more successful than atrial fibrillation ablations if you do go down that road you might want to discuss whether you'll have to stay on the flecainide to keep AFib away. (if it is flecainide that is behind your flutter) all the best -- D Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Once while in the hospital for afib, the doctor assigned to me actually SAID OUTLOUD in a room full of my family, that if I prayed more, I wouldn't have afib!!!!! Now, mind you, I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, but I do not expect my doctor to weigh in with a religious opinion in reference to my cardiac care! Stef *********************** I even had my primary cardiologist (at that time) tell me that I needed to be aware that " real Christians " were not overweight, and that I could be healed (as in, religiously healed) if I'd only change my lifestyle and join his church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 > > I'm not sure that you guys are interested in my little story, but here goes: > > > > > I just saw a new EP, and he said that, after evaluating my records and the > results of a heart monitor I wore for about a month, the he believes I do > not have atrial fibrillation but atrial flutter. > > > > I'm obese and in my late 50s, and believe me this has got my riveted > attention on diet and exercise. The exercise will need to be postponed for > a few weeks, of course, but if I get a reprieve, I do believe I've eaten my > very last Krispy Kreme, and good riddance. I'd much rather be around to > watch my grandchildren grow up. > > > > > > > > Hi , You sound very determined and I wish you the best of luck. I myself will have my flutter ablation this coming Monday at UAB hospital in Birmingham Alabama.I too am overweight and your post has boosted my determination to lose weight also.Thanks for the post. in alabama > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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