Training With Afib!!

[sensei8]

Do you know of anyone who has been diagnosed with Afib [Atrial Fibrillation] that still trains or no longer trains in the MA?

[sensei8]

Anyone??

Reason I asked was that on October 4th I was diagnosed by my doctor that I've Afib, and was referred to a Cardiologist!! Stress is an enemy of Afib, and in that, I might have to step down for good as Kaicho, and might step off the floor as well. Will find out when I see the Cardiologist on October 17th, day before my birthday!!

I'd love to live to 80, and not pass away at 59 or 60 or anything before 80...if I have anything to say about it!!

[JR 137]

I don't know anyone personally with it, sorry. But if I did, I'd tell you what I'm going to anyway; listen to your cardiologist. Perhaps get 2 opinions. Possibly seek out a cardiologist who deals with athletes. It may very well be a career changing decision that you have to make. Make sure your decision is a well informed one.

I'd imagine every case is unique and it's not a one approach fits all thing. Don't jump to conclusions just yet (so much easier said than done!), but at this point be conservative. Right now the conservative mistake is far better than an aggressive mistake.

Best of luck to you. Hopefully it'll turn out fine.

[LLLEARNER]

Would you have more stress if you had to step off the floor? You have been in MA so long it would be a shame to lose your contributions as a Sensei.

[sensei8]

I don't know anyone personally with it, sorry. But if I did, I'd tell you what I'm going to anyway; listen to your cardiologist. Perhaps get 2 opinions. Possibly seek out a cardiologist who deals with athletes. It may very well be a career changing decision that you have to make. Make sure your decision is a well informed one.

I'd imagine every case is unique and it's not a one approach fits all thing. Don't jump to conclusions just yet (so much easier said than done!), but at this point be conservative. Right now the conservative mistake is far better than an aggressive mistake.

Best of luck to you. Hopefully it'll turn out fine.

You know what, JR...you make a lot of since...seeking out a cardiologist that works with athletes is something I hadn't thought of!! I'm still reading about my Afib as well as the many procedures against my Cardiologist advice because he doesn't want me to assume anything because I'm not a Cardiologist...I love to read, and this is how I educate myself. However, what do I know...I'm not a Cardiologist whatsoever!!

Thanks, JR!!

[sensei8]

Would you have more stress if you had to step off the floor? You have been in MA so long it would be a shame to lose your contributions as a Sensei.

Stress? No...maybe...I don't know!! Last time when I was at the Hombu, just this January, I had a few episodes where I felt quite fatigued and short winded at times while I was teaching, and in that, I averaged about 4 classes per day. That, not teaching with that same vigor, that, stresses me out the most.

I know I'm not that whippersnapper that I use to be, but man oh man, me just doing everything minus the physicality, drives me crazy...adds to my stress level.

As my wife reminds me, if I push yourself to much, I could do more harm than good, and that could end any future contributions on the floor!! What's one to do?!

[JR 137]

I don't know anyone personally with it, sorry. But if I did, I'd tell you what I'm going to anyway; listen to your cardiologist. Perhaps get 2 opinions. Possibly seek out a cardiologist who deals with athletes. It may very well be a career changing decision that you have to make. Make sure your decision is a well informed one.

I'd imagine every case is unique and it's not a one approach fits all thing. Don't jump to conclusions just yet (so much easier said than done!), but at this point be conservative. Right now the conservative mistake is far better than an aggressive mistake.

Best of luck to you. Hopefully it'll turn out fine.

You know what, JR...you make a lot of since...seeking out a cardiologist that works with athletes is something I hadn't thought of!! I'm still reading about my Afib as well as the many procedures against my Cardiologist advice because he doesn't want me to assume anything because I'm not a Cardiologist...I love to read, and this is how I educate myself. However, what do I know...I'm not a Cardiologist whatsoever!!

Thanks, JR!!

I don't know why I didn't think of this before...

Look up the local colleges' athletic training rooms phone numbers. Call them and ask them who they work with, and for contact info. The bigger the athletic program, the better. If you're still in Houston, look up the University of Houston's sports med/athletic training room. Ask a few places, because some docs don't take certain insurance, may be booked for too long, etc.

Most of the team cardiologists are local guys who have their own practices. They should know quite a bit about active people, otherwise they wouldn't be working with college athletes.

If you were near a college I was affiliated with (personally or professionally), I'd call for you. Unfortunately, I don't have any contacts anywhere near Houston nor California (where you listed).

[JR 137]

Poking around a few websites (U of Houston, Baylor, Texas Southern), most don't list team cardiologists. Only one I found who does is Rice...

http://www.riceowls.com/sports/sports-med/Teamdrs.html

A phone call to a training room should help. If I had someone call me when I was an athletic trainer, I'd have no problem giving them contact info. Every sports med program should have a cardiologist they refer their athletes to. We always had specific cardiologists, because we knew they took good care of our athletes.

[sensei8]

Thanks, JR; nothing ventured, nothing gained. Seek out those who are the experts in their respective fields, and listen, not talk, but listen!! Those college's are in my area, and I'll definitely look into all of your suggestions. Again, thanks, JR!!