I think I'm about to find myself in a Catch 22 situation. Two weeks ago, I had my annual cardiology appointment and in the preceding week or so, managed to bring on episodes of AF just by worrying about the appointment. I went for a repeat ECG a few days later at my GP, still in AF, but I believe I had had periods of NSR in between, mainly at night.
Since starting on a new medication nearly a week ago, I have had no symptoms of AF though I could be having silent episodes of course. At the hospital appointment, it was suggested that a second cardioversion (I had a successful one 16 months ago) might be tried "further down the line" - consultant's words. The letter that came from the hospital to me and my GP yesterday makes no mention of cardioversion, just information about the suggested medication and my overall heart health. This includes a request to put me back on anticoagulation as opposed to aspirin. I'm fighting a separate war on the anticoagulation front however I've agreed to go back on it for the time being at least as the cardiologist informed me that I can't be cardioverted otherwise.
My question is: how am I going to know if I need cardioversion, short of wearing a monitor all the time? I'm not addressing the anticoagulation argument in this post - I'm aware of the issues and my particular risks. I am not going back to the hospital for another year so the GP will be managing me.