AFib questions

Good afternoon @grandmajan, it's great to hear that your angina-like pains have stopped. I hope you can talk soon to the doctor that put you on Prednisone; she may want you to scale it down rather than stop it abruptly. As others have told us here, Prednisone can be a big problem, and you would benefit from a good talk about it with her -- why it was prescribed and what alternative medications might be considered. Has one of your doctors suggested surgery for your conditions? If so, what was suggested for you to consider? Do you still have an appointment with a doctor in about two weeks?

Hello Grandmajan, <br>It seems to me that you need a cardiac electrophysiologist. That type of cardiologist specializes in heart rhythm problems, the electrical system in your heart. My cardiologist (general- health of the heart), diseases of the heart) referred me to one for that reason. A cardiothoracic surgeon specializes in surgical procedures of the heart, lungs and other organs in the chest cavity. If you're experiencing aFib I think you need to see a cardiac electrophysiologist. Seems to be the best person for the job! <br>Good luck, <br>Martishka

Thank You, I would never have found that specialty. I will look one up and then ask my Dr for a referral. <br> <br><br>

Hello, Yes, I still have the appointment with the Cardio Dr, a week from tomorrow. Need to see the Rheumatologist that put me on the Prednisone.  I was getting gel injections, instead of the usual Cortisone, in my knees. We opted to do 5 small injections, one a week. instead of one big injection in each knee.  After 4 weeks, I suddenly was in pain, couldn't walk or hardly get out of bed. I even had to get a walker to get to the Dr. She put me on 40mg  Prednisone <br> By the end of the week I was getting better really fast. She told me I had an inflammation of my blood. Anyway, that's why the pred. <br>No one even discussed what might be next.  <br><br>

I'm 42 years old in great shape (not running shape, but overall); 2 young boys, active, etc.. Recently diagnosed with Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC), thus still learning about it. Had 7,500 PVC's in 24 hours. Now trying to decide between meds or catheter ablation (burn or freeze). I've probably had it for awhile, but symptoms (light headed, shortness of breath, tired, short-term memory loss at times, etc.) have gotten worse over the past 6 months. I stopped alcohol, caffeine, and trying to reduce stress. Seems to help, but something will have to be done.

I have an appointment with an electrophysiologist in a couple of weeks, but may fly out to MN or FL to Mayo.
Any advice/suggestions appreciated. I've read through many comments on Afib (couldn't find much on ventrical issues) meds, the ablation procedure, etc., but that just made things more confusing.

<br>Hello Texas 7777, <br>I was also diagnosed with PVC's , however it was accompanied with SVT (very rapid heart rate- up to 220BPM), AF and atrial flutter. I am fine now! I was told that the <br>PVC's were benign and there had to be a lot of them to warrant any concern. I am sure that with symptoms they need to be addressed. After my final ablation- a Pulmonary Vein Ablation, all the rhythm problems were gone and I am now off all my heart meds except for xarelto (blood thinner) and lipton. Apparently the cocktail of blood thinner and lipitor is the protocol for patients who have had PVA. After the ablation I wore a heart monitor every two weeks and sometimes for up to 7 days. I experienced a lot of PVC's at that time and I felt very uncomfortable about them. MY electrophysiologist explained that it was a natural occurrence after an ablation and that it was benign. I am wondering if you have any other rhythm disturbances as well. I am not aware of the meds for PVC's but if an ablation is a possibility I can answer some questions. <br>Good luck. martishka <br>

Hi Texas777
On this webpage you'll find the contact information for all 3 Mayo Clinic campuses http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

@cynaburst @predictable @lynnkay1956 and others can share their Mayo experinces with you.

You can also read more discussions in Visiting Mayo Clinic group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/traveling-to-mayo-clinic-minnesota/

I wanted to find if anyone had Watchman implant done. If so, what are your thoughts about the procedure and how it affects you personally.

Hi @frank4848. I moved your question over to an existing thread "AFib questions." Here you'll find several members who are discussing various conditions, procedures, recoveries, etc. Specifically, I'd like to introduce you to @cynaburst, @HeartPatches, @predictable and @mlemieux, who are all active mentors in the Heart & Blood group.

My cardiologist tells me not all clots are stopped with blood thinners. He suggested the mini Maze procedure.