After several visits to a cardiologist and numerous tests that gave no indication as to what was causing my PAF, I have booked to see an EP down in Cardiff. Given that to date I feel no further forward with the specialists, indeed this site has done more for me than anyone in the medical profession to date, are there any specific questions I should be asking the EP?
Thanks in advance
Dave
Good luck Dave,hope you soon get things sorted.
Don't look for past causes look for a way forward. You may never fully get rid of it but it should be possible to greatly improve your quality of life either with ablation or for some , drug regimes. AF is a mongrel condition where no two people have the same symptoms or even triggers so an EP is the only medic to see. Ask what he can do to improve QOL and how long he feels it will last. Many EPs think that early intervention by ablation is better than long term drug use with diminishing returns and as a great fan of the procedure I agree.
Bob
Is he/she recommending an ablation? (That's my preference for my circumstances if it was offered)
What drugs are they prescribing if any and why?
Can you change drugs QUICKLY if they don't work and how do you go about it; take ages waiting for letters through your GP whilst you're still suffering, or do it direct to him/her via the secretary. Mine has done it by email when I've been desperate, absolutely brilliant.
Same with any other issues, do you contact direct or through your GP?
Will an ablation only be offered if drugs don't work or you get bad side-effects?
How should you lead your life, anything you should be doing/not doing, exercise / stress / diet / alcohol / whatever.
Are you going to be anti-coagulated if not already? Which AG?
Good luck.
Koll
Thanks for the replies all. Fingers crossed for Wednesday evening when I see the EP and I can hopefully start to move forward with this condition and try and get some resemblance of my life back.
"get some resemblance of my life back" I hear so many people say this sort of thing and for what it is worth my view with any progressive condition such as AF is to accept that this is in your life now and work towards finding ways to improve QOL rather than wish for something in the past. You will always be an AF person even if you manage to find treatment which reduces symptoms or improves QOL and your risks associated with AF will continue now for life regardless of the outcome of any treatment. Acceptance that you have AF and it is now in your life is the first step in doing that whilst ensuring that you do not allow AF to become all of your life.
Bob
This is such sound advice, Bob.
I was told by my gp when I was told I have paf that it is a very small part of my life this site has been a godsend have found it so helpful both bob and ian are both very helpful lots of people on here talk about triggers this to buy to monitor your pulse, inr ect are seem to go of to a and e quite often im not saying they are wrong I know better than most how frightening it can be when you are told you have af but it is best not to let it take over your life get a good gp and ep and make sure you are on warfarin and medication im lucky I know my way round the nhs and who has a good reputation in london after working in it for 21 years so good luck karen
Hi. Do you know who you are seeing ? My E.P. is in cardiff and he is really good. In fact there are a few of us on this site being treated at Cardiff so you are in good company! X
I think there is a little team of E.Ps there. Mine is Dr o Callaghan. Good luck. I think you will feel much better when you have seen your E.P. x
Sorry heard of GP and Cardiologist but who or what is an EP?
Whow what a great response. Thank you. Will have this delight further down the line no doubt.
A good move Dave to get an EP opinion, it is important to have that info. He is likely to say ablation asap. Mine said on 100mgs/day Flecainide it's like a "sheet" on 200mgs (my dose) like a "duvet" sooner or later it will get out. My cardiologist had said if it works on my drug level stay with that as ablation expertise is getting better all the time. I have concluded drugs only buy you a limited period of months, if you are lucky, and I will end up going for the ablation with fingers crossed soon. In the meantime it's a last ditch attempt with diet, supplements and lifestyle accepted by EP as "shouldn't cause any harm".
Hope this helps and good luck for tomorrow!
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