DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Recently you discussed atrial fibrillation. As you can see from the attached information, my husband has had many medical problems. In the early months of this year, he developed atrial fibrillation. A cardioversion was performed and worked for about five minutes. Then his doctor prescribed amiodarone. Since being on amiodarone, he has felt much worse. Could the medicine be the problem? He only sits around, and doesn’t even feel like going out for lunch. Another cardioversion is possible in a couple of weeks. Is there any danger to this procedure? — M.C.

ANSWER: Does his doctor know how he feels? He can prescribe many other options for your husband.

Atrial fibrillation is an erratic and fast heartbeat. Cardioversion, an electric shock delivered to the fibrillating heart, has a fairly high success rate of restoring a normal beat. Success depends on how long the fibrillation has been present and how large the person’s heart is. The sooner from the onset of fibrillation, the better are the results for cardioversion. The results for longstanding atrial fibrillation are not as good.

Fibrillation can recur after cardioversion. It can recur after taking medicines, too.

Danger exists for every single medical procedure. The complications from cardioversion are few and rare.

The booklet on heartbeat irregularities explains the common kinds of rhythm disturbances. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 107, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am an 87-year-old lady who has had atrial fibrillation since 2003. My cardiologists ordered beta blockers. Unfortunately, I was allergic to all they tried. Amiodarone made me break out in hives on the hands, arms and chest. I went to a doctor who specializes in natural remedies. He suggested I try hawthorn. This resulted in fewer episodes of fibrillation. I also stumbled onto a way to stop an attack of it. It is to immerse your face in a bowl of ice water. It works beautifully. Why don’t doctors share this simple procedure with patients and spare them misery? — J.M.

ANSWER: You have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, an erratic heartbeat that comes on episodically and goes away on its own. In the best of all worlds, if attacks are frequent or prolonged, it’s wiser to prevent them with medicines rather than to abort them with maneuvers like immersing the face in ice water. That’s an old treatment.

If you have gotten an OK from your heart doctor, then I will mind my own business.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: A few weeks back, a man asked about a problem that involves a bend in the penis during erection. You said it was Peyronie’s disease. I have the same problem. Would you send a copy of that article? — D.H.

ANSWER: I’ll write a new one for you. Peyronie’s (pay-row-KNEES) disease is a bend in the penis that is most noticeable with an erection. The cause is formation of scar tissue within the penis. The scar tissue can be felt as a hard lump or lumps. Large bends make intercourse painful and all but impossible.

It’s often wise to wait a year before making a decision about treatment. Sometimes the bend lessens or stays the same after a year. Treatments include oral medicines like pentoxifylline and verapamil. Those are only two examples. Oral medicines are not always successful. Injection of cortisone into the scar tissue is another treatment.

The only definite treatment is surgery.

You should be in the care of a urologist, who will tell you if you are a candidate for corrective surgery through removal of the scar-tissue lumps.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www .rbmamall.com.

Copy the Story Link