How Much Walking?

[ALCapshaw2]

Paul,

I can't help but wonder why your cardiologist put you on Amiodarone. Did he try a more conservative approach such as Digoxin / Lanoxin first?

It *may* be worth getting a second opinion.

In my case, I had 3 A-fib events, the first while still in the hospital recovering from surgery and two more a few days apart around week 6 post op. All three resolved in about 3 hours with treatments ranging from several doses of Digoxin in the hospital to being monitored in the ER and the last one to just 'riding it out' in my recliner at home. It was interesting to me that they ALL resolved in the same length of time with and without medical intervention.

I continue to take a low dose Beta Blocker (Toprol XL 25 mg) to prevent PVC's and / or PAC's (basically irregular or skipped heartbeats at normal heartrates).

'AL'

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi paul!
sounds like you are doing really well with your recovery.
i think that if you were overdoing the exercise, you would feel exhausted afterwards.
you seem to be listening to your body and it seems to be working for you.
what does your cardio think? i'm so happy that you are doing so well.

just to present the other side of the amiodarone argument...
joey was put on amiodarone 4 days post op for a-fib. he had had several episodes pre-op and took sotolol regularly as a preventative measure. the sotolol was very effective for a few years.
then he had his avr and was recovering remarkably well until day 4 when his pulse shot up and he went into afib.
it was, needless to say, really disappointing. they immediately gave him a bolus of sotolol, which did nothing. in addition, they gave him an i.v. of magnesium.... also, no change.
his surgeon suggested amiodarone as a temporary thing. we checked it out with his cardio and so he was given the amio. he has been monitored all along, lung capacity tests, eye/vision tests, thyroid tests, etc. and is doing fine.
he has been weaning himself off of the amio for a few months now, but seems to feel "edgy" when he gets close to eliminating it altogether. (we're not sure if it's the amio or if it is tied to some other meds he takes. seems like it is more connected to the other meds and when he cuts back on those_he happens to be doing it at the same time_ he gets this weird feeling like he's going to start getting more skipped beats).

amiodarone is amazing stuff. it has to be checked and the patient closely watched, but it does the trick.
i think i must be one of the few here who has anything good to say about amiodarone.
i hope this gave you some more perspective.
be well, sylvia

 

[pillarpaul]

Thanks, Sylvia

Thanks, Sylvia

Sylvia, thanks for sharing another viewpoint on amio. Never realized what a controversial drug it is. I decided to make an appointment with my PCP for two weeks out and get his opinion, too. Also, I will ask him to monitor me for any side effects which I know he'll be happy to do.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Paul,
Have you thought about consulting an electrophysiologist?

I made a midnight run to the ER shortly after surgery [seems lots of us do that little trick] and after all the tests -- finally an electrophysiologist was called in and she recommended/prescribed 400mg of Magnesium a day.

I've been taking it for over three years and it does the job. I'm a long proponent of it and in fact a couple of years ago used to frequent my 'Magnesium Soapbox' on this forum regularly.

Good to see your smiling face here again...

 

[shana23]

That's great

That's great

Keep up the good work or should I say"walking"lol.I'm just 7 weeks out and not yet up to that...but I do plan on being back in the saddle(riding my horse)by the end of June.I've been thru the fibrillation too so I know how that can slow one down.Take care pal we're in the same boat but at least we are going towards the summer and that is good.All my best Shana23

 

[pillarpaul]

Shana

Shana

Shana, great to have you back. Sent you a PM, too. You had us all a tad cocerned.

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Shana..

Hi Shana..

I'm like Paul..Good to have you back..but be careful of getting on a horse so soon. Jennie just posted that she got thrown. while on vacation last week. Also, thanks for the PM..Bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Paul

Hi Paul

How do you like my new avator? My professional Avator poster made me look like I was getting ready to lay a dozen eggs.. Just asked him for a Mother Hen picture. How did your cardiac rehab go yesterday?.. Hope you and all the Newbies are doing great. Bonnie