Some of you may remember me posting a while back about a heart condition I've had for several years. Several of you have e-mailed and PM'ed me asking how I'm doing. For that...I thank you! Anyway, I thought I would give everyone an update.
After really researching doctors and facilities, I decided to go see Dr. Wu at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The initial visit lasted over half an hour, and he never made me feel rushed or like I was taking up too much of his time. We decided to start with the Holter Monitor. I had already worn one for 24 hours, without any evidence of an abnormality. So, this time, I was to wear the monitor for 30 days...24 hours a day! I did have an episode while wearing the monitor, one night. So, I pressed the button to record a 45 second event. The monitor would hold 3 recordings, and then I was to call this phone number, hold the monitor up to the phone, and transmit these recordings. I was able to send 6 recordings from that night. I returned the monitor on April 10th.
Fast forward to July 10th. This was my follow-up visit and the first time I'd seen Dr. Wu since sending in the recordings. After reviewing the strips from the recordings I'd sent, Dr. Wu had determined I had Atrial Fibrilation (A-fib). He said it's impossible to know it's A-Fib, for sure, without looking at an EKG from a 12 lead reading. However, since my episodes are so long (up to 12 hours at a time), he felt confident that's what we're dealing with.
Dr. Wu said that an ablation can be done, but it's pretty risky. He said I would have to be on blood thinners for a month prior to the surgery, and for 2 months after. He also said that if they were to perform the ablation, there is a chance they would have to actually puncture my heart to reach the other side of my heart. Frequently, the abnormal rythms generate in the upper left chamber of the heart, and the only way to reach it, is to go through the heart wall. (Scarey!)
He then informed me that even we decided to perform the procedure, I would have to be on a course of medication, first, to see if the arrythmia responded to the drug. So, since I'd have to be on med. regardless of my choice, we decided to start it right away. I have been on Rythmol for almost 6 weeks, and I feel wonderful!!! The medicine does make me more tired than normal, but it's not the same kind of tired I was, all the time BEFORE starting the meds. Some foods do not taste right, but that's much better now, than it was the first couple of weeks.
I go back in October, and I'm hoping he will do some blood work to be sure my liver and all is doing well. I did go back 1 week after starting the medicine, and did a stress test. Everything looked good on that test, but I do want to be sure this Rythmol is not having any ill-effects on my internal organs. I have not had an episode since beginning the medicine, and I'm curious to know how long I can stay on the med. That is something I will find out when I go back in October.
So, all in all, I feel so much better! I am working full time as the secretary of the boys' elementary school. I am in the processing of re-enrolling in school so I can finish up my degree. I am still leading Cub Scouts for the boys, so you can tell, we are as busy as ever. I'm just so thankful that "sickness" does not have control over me, anymore. I don't have to worry about having an episode and completely disrupting the lives of my children.
If I don't have a single episode for 6 months, I will definitely believe the medicine is working. I'm excited at that thought! Again, thanks to ALL of you who spent so much time contacting me with offers of help, referrals, information, etc. This site is truly the best and is made up of some of the best individuals on this planet! I'm so blessed to be a part of such an awesome extended family!
After really researching doctors and facilities, I decided to go see Dr. Wu at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The initial visit lasted over half an hour, and he never made me feel rushed or like I was taking up too much of his time. We decided to start with the Holter Monitor. I had already worn one for 24 hours, without any evidence of an abnormality. So, this time, I was to wear the monitor for 30 days...24 hours a day! I did have an episode while wearing the monitor, one night. So, I pressed the button to record a 45 second event. The monitor would hold 3 recordings, and then I was to call this phone number, hold the monitor up to the phone, and transmit these recordings. I was able to send 6 recordings from that night. I returned the monitor on April 10th.
Fast forward to July 10th. This was my follow-up visit and the first time I'd seen Dr. Wu since sending in the recordings. After reviewing the strips from the recordings I'd sent, Dr. Wu had determined I had Atrial Fibrilation (A-fib). He said it's impossible to know it's A-Fib, for sure, without looking at an EKG from a 12 lead reading. However, since my episodes are so long (up to 12 hours at a time), he felt confident that's what we're dealing with.
Dr. Wu said that an ablation can be done, but it's pretty risky. He said I would have to be on blood thinners for a month prior to the surgery, and for 2 months after. He also said that if they were to perform the ablation, there is a chance they would have to actually puncture my heart to reach the other side of my heart. Frequently, the abnormal rythms generate in the upper left chamber of the heart, and the only way to reach it, is to go through the heart wall. (Scarey!)
He then informed me that even we decided to perform the procedure, I would have to be on a course of medication, first, to see if the arrythmia responded to the drug. So, since I'd have to be on med. regardless of my choice, we decided to start it right away. I have been on Rythmol for almost 6 weeks, and I feel wonderful!!! The medicine does make me more tired than normal, but it's not the same kind of tired I was, all the time BEFORE starting the meds. Some foods do not taste right, but that's much better now, than it was the first couple of weeks.
I go back in October, and I'm hoping he will do some blood work to be sure my liver and all is doing well. I did go back 1 week after starting the medicine, and did a stress test. Everything looked good on that test, but I do want to be sure this Rythmol is not having any ill-effects on my internal organs. I have not had an episode since beginning the medicine, and I'm curious to know how long I can stay on the med. That is something I will find out when I go back in October.
So, all in all, I feel so much better! I am working full time as the secretary of the boys' elementary school. I am in the processing of re-enrolling in school so I can finish up my degree. I am still leading Cub Scouts for the boys, so you can tell, we are as busy as ever. I'm just so thankful that "sickness" does not have control over me, anymore. I don't have to worry about having an episode and completely disrupting the lives of my children.
If I don't have a single episode for 6 months, I will definitely believe the medicine is working. I'm excited at that thought! Again, thanks to ALL of you who spent so much time contacting me with offers of help, referrals, information, etc. This site is truly the best and is made up of some of the best individuals on this planet! I'm so blessed to be a part of such an awesome extended family!
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