Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibs, Seizures, & Pacemakers

[RonP]

Hey Gang:

Thursday morning I had another bad episode and awoke in the hospital. It seems my heart rate got too low even with the pacemaker, pushed me into a seizure, and dropped my oxygen level down to 45%. Now they're telling me that even with the pacemaker I'm having atrial fibrillations constantly.

Does anyone else exprerience these types of problems since getting their aortic valve replaced? If you do, what have they done for you and how do you handle them? My cardiologist is now thinking of replacing the Guidant pacemaker/defibrillator with another type of device which will also take care of the other rhythm problems and the atrial fibs. (I don't remember how they spelled the fibs word but I think you know what I mean there).

Any comments or advise on what works for you would be appreciated.

 

[Rain]

Hello Ron,

I'm so sorry to hear of your problems. Yikes! I have atrial fib and my cardio ?threatens? me with a pace maker every time I see him. I can?t give you any comments or advice, but I just wanted to speak up for the ?Gang? and say we love you..... I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Rain

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Rain & Ron

I have a concern that is completely unrelated to A-fib....so don't know if this will help. It's a conduction problem where the signal does not get from the left side to the right side of the heart fast enough. Called first degree A/V block. They say as I age there is a chance that this may prolong into a second degree block and necessitate a pacemaker.

Don't think they use the pacemaker or any other associated deceives unless you are truly 'passing out'
and or lightheaded to the point where you almost black out.

If I get to that point...will seek out a good electrophysioligist... they specialize in these types areas.

The best to you both.

 

[lvbush]

Re: Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibs, Seizures, & Pacemakers

Ron,

My mother has atrial fibrillation. It got worse during her hospital stay. In fact, they were considering a pacemaker for her. Did you get the pacemaker before or after your valve surgery? If after, do you feel the surgery caused the atrial fibrillations and the need for a pacemaker?

Crystal

 

[RonP]

Hello Ron,

I'm so sorry to hear of your problems. Yikes! I have atrial fib and my cardio ?threatens? me with a pace maker every time I see him. I can?t give you any comments or advice, but I just wanted to speak up for the ?Gang? and say we love you..... I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Rain

----------------------------------------------------------------
Rain:

Thanks for the prayers for they most certainly help and are very much appreciated. I don't know how to respond to a post yet so I've used this method.

The atrial fibs are something we should both be concerned about according to my electrophysiologist/cardiologist. His big concern is that even with a pacemaker, I still have the problems. I hope he gets the device I need to eliminate them. Like me, you should watch your atrial fibs very closely. In addition to that, I am taking Atenolol which should eliminate them so I don't know what to say. I just know I don't like waking in the hospital after an event has happened.

Have a great day and may God bless you as he has me.

RON

 

[RonP]

IVBush & Gina:

I am using an Electrophysiologist for my rhythm probelms but that really doesn't seem to take care of all of them. I had my aortic valve replaced by a St. Jude mechanical in Sep 99 and then started having the rhythm problems. After seven cardiac arrests (three in one night), they put a pacemaker in me in Aug 00. They've also got me on Atenolol for some of the rhythm problems. I don't know if the valve caused the rhythm problems, but I didn't have any until after I got the valve so you be the judge of that.

Is anyone else with a mechanical valve having rhythm problems or gotten a pacemaker? If so, I'd love to compare notes here.

I do think that at the age of 51, it shouldn't be messed up like this, but at least I'm still here and I am thankful for that.

RON

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Ron

I started expeiencing PAC's 'preamature atrail contractions' three months post op. These lasted for more than a year until I was placed on a Beta Blocker for migrange headaches beleive it or not.

Yes, valve surgery can defiatley cause unexpected arrithmia's. Something they usually don't tell you about until you have it. Sounds like there is a good chance you had yours in the mild form and were not aware prior to you surgery?

In any case...hope they figrue it out for you soon! Have you thought about visiting another heart center to obtain another opinion?

 

[RonP]

Reply To Gina

Reply To Gina

Hey Gina:

It is really good to hear from you. You're right! I probably had the arrhythmias but just didn't realize their significance. I may be wise to go get another opinion for right now progress is not being made and I sure can't afford another spell. Each leaves me worse than the one before. The arrhythmias also produce grand mal type seizure activity which puts me in an unconscious state and I just don't remember anything of what happened. If Beve didn't tell me, I just wouldn't know.

I'll keep you posted. Do enjoy this great weather and do take care of yourself. I'll keep you posted on what I find out from another source. I do need to know.

RON P.