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New A-Fib Story: Small Intestine Bleeding Linked to Coumadin; After 8 Years, CryoBalloon Ablation at Age 76
Larry Stichweh from Lacey, WA, begins his A-Fib story at age 66 in 2008 with a 20 year history of high blood pressure.
“To investigate its possible causes, my doctor sent me to a urologist to look for a kidney stenosis problem. The ultrasound proved negative, but the urologist listened to my heart and noted an irregular beat. He ordered an ECG and after one look at it, he took me to his office, and said he was admitting me to the hospital right then and there. He said I had no “P” wave and was in A-FIB. Thus, began my A-FIB history.
I spent 6 days in the hospital while I was introduced to the arrhythmic drug, Sotalol. After I left the hospital, I had to report to a “Coumadin lab” every few days while they struggled to adjusted the Coumadin dosage to the target INR level.
High Blood Pressure and Intestinal Bleeding
A month later, I was back in the hospital when my blood pressure increased rapidly from my normal systolic of about 130mm to 200mm. Intestinal bleeding was found too, and eventually linked with the Coumadin. When it was discontinued, the intestinal bleeding stopped. Three units of blood brought my hemoglobin up to 11.5. I was put on aspirin instead (it was 2008, before the new NOACs).
Next 8 Years: Paroxysmal A-Fib Gets Worse
My A-FIB was clearly paroxysmal with episodes lasting between 1 and 2 days with 8 episodes over the next 8 years. When the last A-FIB attack lasted three weeks, it was time to consider an ablation. I was 74.
By 2016, cryogenic balloon ablations had become readily available in major medical centers in the US”…continue reading Larry’s A-Fib story.
HAVE A STORY TO SHARE?
How about you!? Do you have a personal A-Fib experience to share with other patients? It can be your own story or perhaps the story of your spouse, parent or sibling. Just tell the story from your point-of-view. If you are interesting in offering your insights and ‘lessons learned’, read how to write and submit your A-Fib story!
