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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Sorry to hear about your troubles, but I AM glad to hear what it is.
PSVT is, among the families of arrythmias, a pretty benign problem, which used to be treated with oral medications for suppression, which was the case in my family. (I kind of wait each day for it to show up.)
Nowadays the medications that are used are better and more side-effect free than ever. However, for new onset, ablation is the way to go. Doesn't always work in one treatment, but with persistance, is very effective, and usually permanent.
They don't have you on the meds, because that would interfere with the ablation process.
Ablation is very simple, and generally, you would be sedated (hey, I think they use Propofol, move over Michael Jackson!----no, very very safe drug used properly, and greatly free of side effects. Versed is the other drug probably used.) I've never had patients complain after an ablation. "What's the big deal" was the typical comment.
Of note: Atrial Fibrillation is NOT the same thing, although treated in a similar way.
This problem should be able to be managed in such a way that it will have no effect on your ability to do anything, nor on your lifespan.
Best of luck for an easy and simple procedure.
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Mikemcee
Social climber
Mill Valley, CA
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Hey Mike - were you awake for the study part of the EP workup? I do dread that. I am a big fan of drugs and not remembering. Did you get your life back pretty much right away? I like your story. :)
Email coming your way.
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10b4me
Boulder climber
Happy Boulders
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best of luck to you. hoping you get back on the rock soon.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 4, 2011 - 02:57pm PT
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Thanks for the info and continued thoughts. My mom has A-fib. Not sure why they don't consider ablation for her. She's not the easiest patient though (her first cardiologist fired her! True).
I look forward to the study and hearing the specific issue I have just for information reasons. It's interesting that even with the genetic component, people don't necessarily manifest the exact same issue.
I was happy I'd just finally been rid of my 'undescended testicle' from the femoral artery plug following the angiogram. Now I get another (though it'll be in a vein). If you've had one, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. It creeped me out. :)
The MJ drug is what he said they'll use Ken. I imagine after the initial recovery it should be okay. I generally don't do very well with post-procedure/surgery though. Post angiogram was a major six hour ordeal complete with passing out. I've got an excellent photo of that. I totally look dead in it. But if that is the worst of it, then that is okay with me.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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I have no clue about that undescended testicle, but what I imagined? Yeah, creeped me out!
Thanks for letting us know what's going on Callie. You're in my thoughts and I am praying for good results the the procedure.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Wow. Who would have thought that whistling Barry manilow tunes would be the answer?
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Scary sh#t.
While only a few here on ST have experienced your particular problem, most of us are old enough to have gone the the same emotional experience -- finding a lump, losing the power in a limb, sudden onset of weird pain... We all know that there are a million things that can go catastrophically wrong with our bodies, and we all know that we are immune. Until one day we suddenly learn that we are not immune.
It's a terrifying experience, but I think I'm right in saying that you've got hundreds of tacoland brothers and sisters who are all cheering for you, and who are all just an email or a phone call away.
D
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Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Crimpergirl: Sorry to hear about your trouble, but it looks good for fixing it.
An aunt on mother's side has suffered arrhythmia since about age 50. She is not currently in the best of health at age 90, but has lived a very full life.
Best Wishes!
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Wow! 46? I'm with Dingus and Ron on that issue. You look young in your pics Crimpster. Wishing you well on this journey, I would bet finding and identifying it would be a huge part of the issue, so that's a good thing in that regard.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 4, 2011 - 03:34pm PT
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Well this business started at 46. I'm a hefty prime number now: 47. Maybe it's because I have the sense of humor of a seven year old boy that makes me seem immatur...uh younger? :)
Fart joke anyone? Haha. I cracked myself up.
And Silver, I think BN needs to see your prescription. Sounds like it's the ticket. :)
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Here's one I read this morning... some late night host on the KK mess:
Someone asked Bruce Jenner what he thought about Kim K's sudden divorce and he said "Well, I think it's important to keep a good face on for situations like this."
So he's asking the doctor to give him one...
:-)
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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Crimpie, I have no helpful info, but ..So sorry you are having to deal with heart issues..)-;
F*#king genetics....I can relate, though it's not heart worries....
Time for more DVD rentals and good books...relax and try not to stress too much...Think Positive.
Saludos + Best wishes.
xo
nita
ps, I just read, The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.... loved it, though it may not be your cup of tea...not sure...
Hey Daphne, I think you would like this book.^
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Not knowing is among the worst dreads imaginable. Answers, even less than ideal ones, are a good thing. I'm pulling for you Callie.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Maybe it's because I have the sense of humor of a seven year old boy that makes me seem immatur...uh younger? :)
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GOclimb
Trad climber
Boston, MA
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Wow, I had no idea! Really sorry to hear it, but at least that's tempered by the good news of knowing that your on top of it, and have a good treatment course all planned out.
Now to your question...
My dad had a very serious arrhythmia about three years ago. Where it came from, no-one knows - best guess is a virus. His heart was quite healthy one day, and then all of a sudden... well suffice it to say that had they not rushed him into surgery, he would not be around today. He had an ablation which was completely successful. His heart function today is back up to where he can do absolutely everything.
Let me know if you would like any further details.
All my best wishes, and Allison's too!
GO
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 4, 2011 - 04:57pm PT
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*snicker*
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Well, everybody's unique, but I know several (male) climbers in their 50s and 60s who've had ablation, and one cousin. (At least one of the climbers posts here.) No health or fitness issues apart from arrythmia. It generally went quite well. IIRC, one eventually had to have a pacemaker implanted, but it seems there are different kinds of arrythmia. Good luck!
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aldude
climber
Monument Manor
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.....Heartbroken*
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Thanks for the info and continued thoughts. My mom has A-fib. Not sure why they don't consider ablation for her. She's not the easiest patient though (her first cardiologist fired her! True).
PSVT is an electrical problem, where, to simplify things, there are extra wires. When they ablate, they essentially cut those extra wires. once they are cut, it's cured.
In Atrial Fibrillation, the problem is that the electrical impulse goes from the top of the heart, down through the bottom, and up the sides....but when it reaches near the top, it runs right back into the circuit, creating a self-perpetuating circular pathway of electrical current which is much faster than usual, and not under control of the usual rate controller of the heart, called the pacemaker (located in the atrium).
If evaluated within a relatively short time of onset, AF CAN be treated with ablation, which creates a "wall" to that current coming back around. However, as time goes on, more and more accessory pathways are created, and ablation is not so successful in eliminating them. So, time is important. Chronic AF is much harder to eliminate using ablation. AF is also treated with "cardioversion" (shocking) the heart, to force it back into a normal rythym. This only works in new AF, not in chronic.
Cardioversion is rarely used in PSVT, and is considered a short-term treatment.
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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PSVT is an electrical problem, where, to simplify things, there are extra wires. When they ablate, they essentially cut those extra wires. once they are cut, it's cured.
In Atrial Fibrillation, the problem is that the electrical impulse goes from the top of the heart, down through the bottom, and up the sides....but when it reaches near the top, it runs right back into the circuit, creating a self-perpetuating circular pathway of electrical current which is much faster than usual, and not under control of the usual rate controller of the heart, called the pacemaker (located in the atrium).
If evaluated within a relatively short time of onset, AF CAN be treated with ablation, which creates a "wall" to that current coming back around. However, as time goes on, more and more accessory pathways are created, and ablation is not so successful in eliminating them. So, time is important. Chronic AF is much harder to eliminate using ablation. AF is also treated with "cardioversion" (shocking) the heart, to force it back into a normal rythym. This only works in new AF, not in chronic.
Cardioversion is rarely used in PSVT, and is considered a short-term treatment.
+1
Thank god I saw this post before I started typing.
Stay safe crimper. Some climbing even with this should be fine! And hopefully it will be fixed soon. Think of it as an injury that will heal...except without the pain and vicodin! Good luck : )
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