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Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,779
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

My husband had cataract surgery back in June.  When the second eye surgery was done, he went into Afib.

 

The doctor's office called an ambulance and he was driven  two walkable short blocks to the ER.

 

He spent 10 hours in the waiting room and finally, they admitted him to the observation unit.  He spent 2.5 days there with meds until he was out of Afib and they sent him home.

 

Well, he went back into Afib within a week or so and had Cardioversion on Wednesday.  Yesterday, He was back in Afib again.  Less than four whole days later.

 

He doesn't see the Cardio doctor until August 1.

 

He is really upset.  He has no medical history of anything, is healthy and is at a good weight.  Blood work is normal. Chest xray normal.

I called the Cardio doctor, but they will have to call me back....appointments are hard to come by. I hope he can get in soon and this gets fixed.

 

I hope that he gets and stays out of Afib.  He has never been sick before and is annoyed and grouchy.  I feel helpless.

 

Maybe if you can offer a few prayers, it will help.  Thank you.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,708
Registered: ‎12-01-2023

@Carmie 

 

Just said a prayer for your husband.🙏❤️

My mom has AFib and had a similar experience during her first episode.  There is a surgery they claim will fix it, so you no longer need the meds.  Please choose a surgeon carefully.  My mom's wasn't able to completely fix hers, claiming she has a small heart.  She's still on the same meds and they make her very tired.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,690
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Ugh, I wish I hadn't read this. 

 

My husband is needing cataract surgery and will be seeing the cataract eye doctor next week to confirm it.

 

I'm sure one has nothing to do with the other, just a coincedence but it gives me something else to worry about.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,665
Registered: ‎12-13-2020

@Carmie  Just said a prayer for your hubs and you too.Heart

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,642
Registered: ‎01-25-2023

I hope you can get him in earlier, especially since he has a history with Afib. You are both in my prayers.

Lynn-Critter Lover!
(especially cats!)
Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,779
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

@CelticCrafter   His cataract surgery went well.  He is so happy he can see distances without glasses.

 

I am sure your husband will be happy afterwards too.

 

Maybe my husband has been going in and out of Afib and had no idea.  He doesn't feel it.

 

He was hooked up to an EKG monitor during the surgery, so it was noticed. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,408
Registered: ‎06-07-2010

@Carmie @If the doctor cannot see him until Aug 1 can your primary doctor suggest another doctor that will see him immediately? Another suggestion ask your primary doctor to call the cardio doctor for an immediate appointment. Sometimes doctors will do that for you. Hope everything works out.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,690
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@Carmie my mother-in-law never knows when she's in afib.

 

She'll go for a check up and they will find it.

 

She's 95 and has decided she's not going for the procedure anymore.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,183
Registered: ‎12-02-2013

@Carmie 

 

I totally understand what you are saying and going through with the AFib situation.  I have posted several times about my DH's heart issues.

 

Cardioversions may work for some. For others, the "success" may last one hour, one day, or week.  DH has had several over time.  

 

Five years ago he had an ablation by a specialist.  The procedure took 8 hours: 5 for the pure ablation where errant electric signals were cauterized and then 3 more for the insertion of a pacemaker / defibrillator device.

 

The success has lasted 5 years and he is now going for the second one by the same specialist.  We're hoping for at least another 5 years free from AFib.

 

The ablation doctor is paramount:  check their success rate.  Do not opt for a medication that will keep the AFib at bay.....we researched it and found the side effects devastating, esp. to elderly.  The med must be administered in the hospital over three days of observation.

 

Check out hospitals that have cardiac accreditation.

 

Good Luck and prayers...this will be a very trying time....

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill
Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,779
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

@CelticCrafter wrote:

@Carmie my mother-in-law never knows when she's in afib.

 

She'll go for a check up and they will find it.

 

She's 95 and has decided she's not going for the procedure anymore.


My husband can't feel it, but he wears one of those watches that alerts him.