Hi there. I tend to agree with the doctor that thinks this can be managed. He has to pay strict attention to his sodium. I do not think this is stressed enough by most doctors. A fib can be stubborn. I hope his latest echo shows some improvement.

I will pay attention to that, your right they never mentioned it! They told him to continue on his normal diet because he was ok on the bp/cholesterol front. He was on lanoxin and they took him off it when the first cardioversion failed. They have not mentioned restarting this med. He has appts two days next week on Monday with a cardiologist who specializes in Atrial Fibrilations and then Tuesdays his normal Cardio who is a transplant specialist. They both belong to the same practice. Hoping we can the afib in check so see what is next. Very frustrating to just not know anything. They told us it could be a good 9 months before we know if he is having any progress. Thanks again for your information!

yeah, it takes a good 9 months to a year before the meds really change things. keep us posted....and keep your chin up. :)

Well now this week they now decided to do an ICD. We knew it was a possibility but they had said a few months down the line. This specialist feels they are too busy trying to heal the heart and nothing will heal if he is in a constant afib. Any one have thoughts? Then I looked thru our insurance plan and it states they do not pay for prosthetic devices and lists a pacemaker as an example.

Wow....first thing I think you should do is call your insurance company and find out for sure if they will cover it. Find out exactly what brand/model they want to use. I am all for mechanical devices, if they will help, but I have to warn you........the entire ICD/pacemaker and hospital stay was over $100,000. The ICD/pCEMAKER ALONE WAS $55,000. Naturally, nobody will even want to do this if they are not going to get paid. Let us know what happens. PS....did his last echo show any improvement?
You said he was on Lanoxin, but they stopped it. Do you know what the reason was? Take care,
Sue

jenkaye, I found it so confusing and frustrating at the onset of my heart issues. I was trying to understand too much and not putting all the pieces together. A good bet for you and your husband is first, do as Sue suggests and watch the sodium intake. If it is in a box or can it is probably too much. Watch your seasoning mixes. Sodium hides in most of these. Figure it this way, you are not only helping out your husband, you are helping yourself and teaching the children good habits. Second: make a list of the questions you think of AFTER the doctor visits. Ask the doctor to explain his 5 yr remark. It was tossed about often for me as well. That was over 5 years ago and here I am, annoying anyone in sight still. Check the local hospitals for any literature. I found some great booklets that I picked up for heart related issues to give to my sister and brothers so they could understand Mom's heart issues. Thirdly, take time for YOU. You have to get rest in whenever you can.

If you did verify with your insurance plan that the ICD will not be covered, you might want to check the local hospitals for Samaritan Funding. This might help you with the affording of the ICD.

Hi guys! I'm still waiting to hear from the insurance. The submitted everything last week but they were requesting more information. I found out why today. They submitted the wrong insurance coverage. A girl at the Drs office confused my husband with his father (He was a previous patient now lives in Florida and has the same first and last name) So now here I sit and wait. I did check with my prior employer and I can go on Cobra Retroactive. They will cover this surgery. Someone from HR called the insurer to get some info for me. Worst case scenario we jump on cobra this week and hope it won't delay the surgery. Its definately been an experience. I think my husband is in total denial and is acting like nothing is changing around him. Maybe that is just how men cope! I'll be in touch. Thanks again.

Jenkaye, I wish you and your husband lots of luck dealing with his heart issues. I went through some issues about seven month ago. It took me some time before reality sunk in. It must be a defense mechanism we have, but to be stressed out over the health problems he is facing would not help him.Looking back I am glad that I did not stress on all the problems that we were facing as a family. For me, being positive about the outcome of my situation has been very important in my recovery. Again my best wishes.

I also found our doctors to be very vague on many issues. My husband has seen his cardiologist twice (once was the heart cath) and met with the surgeon who will be putting the icd in once. That was last week. The surgery is set for next week. There was very little mentioned about salt and nothing about what to expect after the implant. Thanks for listening and I wish everyone here the best! :)

Thanks everyone. I'll be in touch. He definately is in denial. I think it will all kick in this week for him. Not to mention me losing my job (which was expected) but I was told I'd be getting rehired and I was told last week its now not the case. The last thing we needed..MORE STRESS!!

Jenkaye, I think my husband is in denial also. He is a very stoic x-marine. Actually I jokingly call him 'stupidly stoic'. :) He is a tough son of a gun. He went through a stem cell transplant for cancer in 1999 and pretty much breezed right through it and bounced right back. SHOCKING! I do however, think this will be a bit different. Sorry to hear about your job. My grandmother use to say when things were bad, 'THIS TOO SHALL PASS'. And although she was correct, we still have to pass THRU it! Take care and be well!