I'm new to this forum and in just a few days have learned more than I have in 5 years of dealing with AF with 2 EPs and a cardiologist here in the US. Thank you to the many kind and helpful people who have posted here. A major reason I have learned so much is the spirit of kindness and generosity that is so evident here.
I had a vague memory of Dr. Gupta's videos in various internet searches, but thanks to the advice of a poster here, I went back to explore Dr. Gupta's YouTube channel. I learned more in his 15-minute video on Vagal AF than I have from any of my doctors. I still have yet to learn if my EP will even acknowledge that it exists, as he has already told me that he doesn't think it's possible to attribute episodes to anything in particular.
What I really like about Dr. Gupta's approach is that he explains rather complicated heart matters in more simplified English. He's actually a good teacher and his kindness and compassion come through in these videos. I'm a teacher myself and so recognize and appreciate good teaching when I see it.
Because I found the video so helpful, and he says he really enjoys hearing from his subscribers, I wrote him a thank you email. I was amazed to see a lovely reply from "Sanjay" in my inbox this morning. I'm a complete stranger; he's not even my doctor!
In contrast, I managed to get the courage to email my EP yesterday to tell him what I've learned about Vagal AF and to say that I'd like to go off of Metoprolol because in the few days I've tried lowering my dose, I have felt infinitely better. The veil of depression lifted.
While I recognize that docs are busy people and respect that, Dr. Gupta's response reminded me that I've developed a way of "bracing" myself in dealing with my docs, and they are actually very nice people. There's a sense in the system of needing to not bother them because they are always so busy. I've been screamed at by docs in my former EPs practice and told I "use too many resources" because I talked for longer than 10 minutes when I was trying to get answers to my questions and no one was answering them.
So to experience the kindness and graciousness of Dr. Gupta in taking maybe one minute to write me a note was quite a welcome change from communications I've had with all of my doctors here in the US.
I'm still waiting to hear back from my own EP, which will likely be a note from his nurse, and not him. I'm hoping that he will be supportive and open-minded and not dismissive about Vagal AF. We'll see what happens.
Dr Gupta also has a broad outlook on health which many doctors seem unable to grasp i e that we need to treat the whole person. More and more we are seeing doctors coming round to the view that life style changes are important when treating AF especially weight loss. I believe Dr Gupta was one of the first to promote this thinking and I am so happy that he posts his videos here from time to time.
Dr Gupta has a very good way of explaining each and every nuance concerning AF.
I remember only too well 27 years ago when I was first diagnosed being treated by the first Cardiologist I met in hospital like a child who is told he should put up and shut up.
I am fortunate that my current EP is not only highly skilled in the field of Arrythmia medicine he also leaves all the previous Cardiologists who have treated me behind by a country mile where communication is concerned.
A doctor not only needs to be a competent practitioner but also must possess good communication skills.
This is particularly important for AF sufferers as the condition plays such awful mind games. For me the mind games ran a close second to my PAF.
I'm so grateful for my acupuncturist/Doc of Integrative Med, who is so kind and gentle. He has me spoiled, for sure, in terms of how docs ought to treat patients. He's taught me so much about what one might think is obvious, but I haven't seen it consistently in the AF world of docs and forums in the US - that the heart is nurtured by kindness and being kind to others nurtures the heart.
The mind game, yes, that is so very hard!
I mentioned the mental game in my other post and folks commented on how positive that was....then on Friday was up all night with an episode and insomnia, facing the prospect of getting up to teach a new college class, and related stresses, made it through, came home collapsed in a nap and was a zombie till I went to sleep at night. When an episode started, that was it, that positivity was lost in a complete meltdown from it all. A full-out tantrum about how hard it is to manage just all of it. I wonder if others have experienced that, too. Better today after acupuncture put air in my tires again.
Although i am retired I so relate to what you are saying. I feel swamped at times with on going family difficulties trying to 'stand in the gap'. Also as a commited christian I know I ought to leave everything with God when its too big for me. But heyho I'm human. Ive struggled with AF 5 years now, flecainide has helped a lot but getting breakthroughs now so ablation is looming, my EP says it'll be best way forward. I would be really interested to know how acupuncture has benefitted you. Its that I want to live every day to the best. Thankyou
I too have benefitted immensely from Dr Gupta’s advice on many topics - particularly ectopics. I once emailed him in the evening and had a reply around midnight. I don’t know how he keeps up!
Regarding screaming doctors, I remember a brilliant post from BobD describing how he informed the said shouter that he (Bob) could shout much louder and advising him not to start. Loved it and filed it awayjust in case . . . 😀
I recently found myself having a rather intense conversation with my dermatologist about being poisoned by the steroids she gave me without telling me what they were. Now I find it all humorous. She was a broken record of saying, "We give this to AF patients all the time and most have no problems." I responded with loud versions of "That's the worst thing you could say right now" and just plain, "Stop saying that!!"
I really had just plain had enough of that kind of response.
It was like swinging at a cement wall to get through that med school-ingrained mentality of seeing people as concepts and not full human beings. She finally did get it though and the human being inside came out to say she learned something from the experience. Imagine that...
I agree with you that Dr Gupta is amazing . I don't know how he fits everything in each day
I too received a reply from the doctor which I didn't expect after thanking him for his magnesium video. He truly is one in a million.
He's a man who truly cares about people and really wants to help as many as he can. His sincerity is there for all to see in his presentations. Yes, he's certainly helped us all so much by explaining in a clear and concise manner all there is to know about AF. The most giving person I've every come across and my AF hero.
That’s wonderful, Jean. I’m happy to know that he has helped, inspired, and comforted so many here. This also helps me learn more about this community. Thank you!
Sounds typical of Sanjay Gupta …. very occasionally I have posted a comment on his FB page … earlier this year I attended a seminar he organised in York … at the end I approached him to say thank you for the day and to ask a quick question. I was taken totally by surprise 'cos he knew who I was! That takes a special kind of person, I reckon. Observant, interested and genuinely caring.
That is wonderful, CaroleF. Thanks for sharing this story. It's healing for me to hear these stories in addition to the lovely boost his email gave to the start of my day after a rough weekend. Somehow it helps to know that there are docs like this out there, never mind the gold mine of information he provides.
I too have learnt something much from this forum and Dr Gupta’s videos. There is so much sharing and caring here. I have been empowered to ask questions by the knowledge I have gained here. Welcome to the forum.
Karen
Thanks, Karen. It’s healing to be among all this kindness and care with people who understand and focus on the positive and solutions. When you’re alone among those who emphasize pills and procedures and are close-minded about other possibilities, it takes a toll. It’s a whole different world here.
Indeed. I’m lucky enough to have a very caring cardiologist/EP too that is very supportive and supports a holistic approach to health. Whenever I’ve been in hospital (and that’s been a lot lately) all the nursing staff tell me that he is the nicest of doctors 😀
I couldn’t agree with you more, we are very lucky to have him. You may also want to check out his FaceBook page as he quite often does live Hangouts when you can post individual questions which he will answer.
Another UK doctor who developed AF himself as a young man whilst training and over working in a stressful environment whilst not sleeping or eating well - which of course all trainee doctors go through - is Dr Rupy Aujla and he was able to eliminate AF through Nutrition. He also blogs and writes and shares on his webpage and FB. thedoctorskitchen.com/
The modern wave of young doctors are trained differently, think differently and thank goodness - behave differently! I am very lucky to have an EP from this school of thinking who will take time, when able to explain and communcate. I am so glad that you are finding the forum useful.
This is very helpful, CDreamer. Thank you! What a fascinating experience this has been. With the information on vagally-mediated AF, I knew Toprol must be bad for me and have had to face the reality that I've been taking it for months, which has definitely been bad for me. I can tell by how much better I feel that this is the case. My docs didn't even talk to me about it or vagal AF. Or anything at all related to the psychological/emotional aspects of AF. They are nice people and are kind and are a step up from the last doc's practice with the screamers, but there is something just crazy about neglecting these incredibly important areas in dealing with AF.
And so then I am really moved by the power of the kindness, understanding, support and love of the people here and Dr. Gupta, who wrote back to me again.
One email, one forum comment, maybe 2 minutes out of a person's life to help a total stranger. For me, this is profoundly healing. This is what the heart needs! The meds do their thing, but a dose of real love does wonders. Helps to wash away the awful parts of the treatment.
Ahh Nelly - that made me emotional. I am so glad you are finding this group helpful and that you continue to post. I don’t read every post, every day but many of us us PM service to keep in touch.
I'm glad you found the forum! Dr Guptha is excellent and very respected here. He is a holistic approach supporter,doesn't just look at the symptoms but the causes of problems,and tries to offer suggestions as to how to alleviate these without just popping pills etc.
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