As a rule, I don't share personal information on here, but for the past 18 months, I've been dealing with a medical issue that might also affect some of you...
In August of 2023, I was feeling weak and out-of-sorts, and when I checked my pulse, I could definitely feel that my heartbeat was very fast and irregular. I went to my primary care doctor, who told me I was in Atrial Fibrillation, and immediately directed me to our local hospital for evaluation.
During the battery of tests they performed on me that day, a doctor introduced himself and asked me if I had a cardiologist. I told him I did not, and he smiled and said "Well, you do now...you're my newest patient." And so began my AFib adventure...
I spent two days in the hospital then, on intravenous and oral medications, as they tried to get my heart rate down, with the secondary -- but unsuccessful -- goal of trying to convert my heartbeat to normal sinus rhythm.
After I was discharged, I was placed on several new prescription medications -- blood thinners and blood pressure meds -- and my new cardiologist scheduled a cardioversion, which is an electrical shock to the heart (basically a defibrillation). The cardioversion (which a friend calls "riding the lightning") worked briefly, but after a few days I was back in AFib.
A second cardioversion and more meds followed, and again, I returned briefly to normal sinus rhythm -- and then went right back into AFib.
The next step was a cardiac ablation, which involves threading catheters up into the heart from the veins in the groin, and cauterizing the malfunctioning nerves in the heart. (The preparation for this is -- ahem -- "interesting". The patient has to be shaved of all body hair, front and back, between the neck and the knees. When my girlfriend saw me after they prepped me, she burst out laughing! I looked like a metrosexual...all I needed was a man bun and a murse!) The procedure was performed in January of last year, and it seemed to work.
By last November, I was back in AFib, and after being given my options by my cardiologist, I opted for another ablation, which was done just before Christmas. Two months later, I feel pretty good, and my heartbeat -- knock on wood -- is normal. I've lost quite a bit of water weight because my circulatory system is working properly again, and I no longer get winded climbing a flight of stairs.
This has been an interesting experience, and I've learned a lot. Besides the obvious lessons -- pay attention to your body, don't dismiss symptoms, try to live a healthy lifestyle -- I learned that when you're on medications, especially cardiac meds, you must take them exactly as scheduled, the same time every day. Don't ever skip a dose, and plan ahead for your refills so you don't run out. I also learned to be very, very attentive to things like my pulse and breathing, and to trust implicitly what my cardiologist tells me.
Also, I've been very grateful for my excellent medical insurance, and I've acquired an even deeper appreciation for living in an area where first-rate doctors and hospitals are readily available.
So for now, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The real test will come next month, when my lady and I will go to Europe for 16 days, and will be at high altitude in the Alps for about half that time...wish me luck!
In August of 2023, I was feeling weak and out-of-sorts, and when I checked my pulse, I could definitely feel that my heartbeat was very fast and irregular. I went to my primary care doctor, who told me I was in Atrial Fibrillation, and immediately directed me to our local hospital for evaluation.
During the battery of tests they performed on me that day, a doctor introduced himself and asked me if I had a cardiologist. I told him I did not, and he smiled and said "Well, you do now...you're my newest patient." And so began my AFib adventure...
I spent two days in the hospital then, on intravenous and oral medications, as they tried to get my heart rate down, with the secondary -- but unsuccessful -- goal of trying to convert my heartbeat to normal sinus rhythm.
After I was discharged, I was placed on several new prescription medications -- blood thinners and blood pressure meds -- and my new cardiologist scheduled a cardioversion, which is an electrical shock to the heart (basically a defibrillation). The cardioversion (which a friend calls "riding the lightning") worked briefly, but after a few days I was back in AFib.
A second cardioversion and more meds followed, and again, I returned briefly to normal sinus rhythm -- and then went right back into AFib.
The next step was a cardiac ablation, which involves threading catheters up into the heart from the veins in the groin, and cauterizing the malfunctioning nerves in the heart. (The preparation for this is -- ahem -- "interesting". The patient has to be shaved of all body hair, front and back, between the neck and the knees. When my girlfriend saw me after they prepped me, she burst out laughing! I looked like a metrosexual...all I needed was a man bun and a murse!) The procedure was performed in January of last year, and it seemed to work.
By last November, I was back in AFib, and after being given my options by my cardiologist, I opted for another ablation, which was done just before Christmas. Two months later, I feel pretty good, and my heartbeat -- knock on wood -- is normal. I've lost quite a bit of water weight because my circulatory system is working properly again, and I no longer get winded climbing a flight of stairs.
This has been an interesting experience, and I've learned a lot. Besides the obvious lessons -- pay attention to your body, don't dismiss symptoms, try to live a healthy lifestyle -- I learned that when you're on medications, especially cardiac meds, you must take them exactly as scheduled, the same time every day. Don't ever skip a dose, and plan ahead for your refills so you don't run out. I also learned to be very, very attentive to things like my pulse and breathing, and to trust implicitly what my cardiologist tells me.
Also, I've been very grateful for my excellent medical insurance, and I've acquired an even deeper appreciation for living in an area where first-rate doctors and hospitals are readily available.
So for now, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The real test will come next month, when my lady and I will go to Europe for 16 days, and will be at high altitude in the Alps for about half that time...wish me luck!
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I dealt with this mess throughout the second half of my fire department career, fighting to stay at work through all the meds and treatments. Frankly, A-Fib is NOT easy to live or work with!
