I have seen the Cardiologist.

[Johnw]

I have seen the cardiologist, he has refered me to the John Radcliff and the Electro Physiologist iwth a view to a cardiac ablation. still not on warfin my score comes out at 1.2 so bordaline will see how the next appointment goes i dont doubt i will end up on warferin.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi John

Well I am glad you have seen your cardio, but do not understand why you are not on warfarin or another anti-coagulant.

The score referred to does score for likliehood for stroke, but for example I score 0 on it and yet am still on warfarin, and I want to be due, to the A Fib.

You're on flecanide if I remember rightly did you have a discussion about warfarin with the cardio?, did he/she give a reason?

May I make a suggestion, because I am almost certain that everyone here is going to suggest warfarin to you, why not ring the AFA tomorrow, and talk to them, perhaps they can either reassure you on this on suggest some next steps. I know they are happy to take this sort of call, and will have experience of dealing with this.

Also I am glad you are seeing an EP, they are specialists in this condition, and I am sure you will get a great treatment program from them.

Good luck

Ian

[TheStand]

John, I agree with Ian.... I wrote to another today and quoted something that was told to me a long time ago when I was questioning an anticoagulant.

"You can always stop taking the anticoagulant if it's decided you don't need it.... BUT... You CAN'T undo a stroke if you did"!

Remember that Stroke aren't borderline. You either have one or you don't. I'll always error on the don't side.

Good Luck with your appt.

Tim

[BobD Volunteer]

Agreed to all that John but also comment that at some point you will have to be on warfarin probably for at least three months prior to the ablation. In most cases this is not an option. MY EP told me that there was a four month waiting list and in a months time to see my GP about going on the stuff. I then had to stop a few days before and have clexane injections instead.

One small point of order. Ablation is defined as obliterating or making it cease to be there. You would NOT want a cardiac ablation then! Catheter Ablation, or Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) are more correct terms. I often smile at this having taken the trouble to look up the word in a dictionary once and deciding I quite liked my heart even as troublesome as it was.

AF ablation would be acceptable I guess.

Make sure you take a list of questions to ask and if possible a friend or relative as it is very common for one's mind to go blank or not register what it being said in times of worry and stress. I thought I was good at it till my wife told me something the EP said which I had no memory of.. Good luck.

BobD

[iloveyorkies]

My cardiologist put me on anticoagulants as soon as she diagnosed my afib. She said that immediately puts me at risk for stroke. She does not go by the chads score. I an on Xarelto.

[debilitated]

I think everyone who suffers from regular AF episodes ie not paroxysmal, should be put on an anticoagulant. I was diagnosed with AF four years ago and offered an ablation (which I declined), pill in the pocket medication and aspirin. In March I suffered a TIA. Through my own ignorance to the dangers of poor management and no health professional actually warning me of the risk of strokes due to AF, I have experienced an irreversible affect on my body and future life style. Debilitated