Testimonial Christina W

From emunity

My struggle with my Heart problem : Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

I would like to begin by saying that the last 17 years have been years of anxiety and fears for me. It started suddenly one day in January 1990, one day amongst many days of emotional tumults. First the feeling of a warm flash seeping into my body from head to toe, followed by my heart thumping fast in my chest. The episode lasted a few minutes.

I sat down rather bewildered. That was the beginning of many such episodes of sometimes three or four times a day, disappearing as suddenly as it started. I was petrified but kept it to myself for fear of being branded hysterical! The episode needing to be caught on an ELECTROCARDIGRAPH recording. I remember one evening in 1993 waiting three hours and 40 minutes in A/E after I have been seen by the triage nurse. However on this particular evening the tail end of the episode was recorded on ECG strip before the heart reverted to normal rhythm. Then began a series of 24-hour ECG recordings and subsequently I was prescribed beta-blockers with minimal effect and loads of unpleasant side-effects including dizzy spells and a very slow heart rate. The Atrial Fibrillation (AA) continued to plague me sometimes lasting one hour,30 minutes, two hours on daily basis. On August 1, 1997 I suffered a massive attack at work, an ECG was performed immediately and then I was taken by ambulance to the nearest A&E. That was when a diagnosis of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome was made. I was then prescribed Amiodarone which controlled the episode effectively. Unfortunately after nine months of tranquil heart, the the Amiodarone was withdrawn due to negative effect on my liver. I was back on the beta-blockers again which did not control my symptoms effectively but also due to the very slow heart rate, I felt dizzy, had fuzzy vision, lightheaded and felt generally unwell. These were harrowing days. After many tests and changes of beta-blockers the cardiologist decided the condition could be treated through Electro-physiological (EPS) studies and Ablation.in late 1997 the first ablation was performed but to me it did not feel successful because even after the procedure the symptoms persisted and I suffered two new symptoms.I was also admitted to critical care ward for four nights with (AA) three weeks after the ablation. A second ablation was performed also unsuccessfully in 1998.

My symptoms did not improve. I was sustained medication from then on until 2006 when I asked for a second opinion after watching live medical programme on TV as a patient with the same symptoms I suffer was trated. I was referred and seen by a second cardiologist in 2007. Things moved fairly fast. I was diagnosed as suffering from Paroxixmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAT) In October to November 2007 I was prescribed a blood thinning drug and thoroughly checked. On the 11th of December 2007 I underwent a Pulmonary Vein Isolation procedure for PAT. The experience was quite different from the first two procedures performed. This time it was more tolerable as I was given a mild sedation before the procedure. Before the procedure I was made aware of the risks and possible outcomes but I told my cardiologist " please get rid of these distressing symptoms for me" The post procedure has gone smoothly. As I write now in January 2008, I feel Dr Gill and his team at St Thomas' Hospital London actually succeeded in getting rid of those distressing symptoms! I give heartfelt thanks to Dr Gill and his dedicated team, and to our Father in heaven who through His divine wisdom work through these dedicated men to give my life back. BRAVO Dr Gill.