Looks like second Ablation needed..

[Andy-Mountains]

Had my first in October with great results. Pre ablation I was having daily AF bouts lasting 2 - 24 hours. Post ablation all but disappeared. Back to work (self employed with 4 young kids) with only the odd flutter once a month. Off all meds too. But as of 2 weeks ago the AF is back. Every other day having 2/3 hours bouts which completely floor me. Pounding chest, pain, extreme dizziness... have to go straight to bed feeling horrendous until it clears. Not ideal considering I do house removals!

Been in touch with Liverpool Heart & Chest hospital who have given me an appointment to see my cardio in 3 months time with a view to putting me on the 3 month waiting list for a second ablation.

I am completely gutted it has come back with such a vengance. I'm only 39 and I have a youngfamily to support.

Feeling sad, confuaed and utterly helpless....

[Rellim296]

Oh, what bad luck. But an answer can probably be found, surely, especially as you had such success last time. Just one little bit more .... But will medication also help in the meantime?

[Hidden]

Do you not have a drug that'll work on you in the meantime? How many have they tried? Mine took a fourth attempt to get the right one. If this is a possible route, then I'd suggest phone your cardio's secretary direct about your situation.

I've always been self-employed and know exactly how you feel !! Work totally on my own now, so if I'm ill that's the end of it. Hope you get it sorted soon.

Koll

[Loo53]

It can come back in 50% of patients that's why a 2nd one is needed. I'm on a trial at LHCH to find out why gaps develop in the ablation lines (with daily monitoring) and if early 2nd ablation to close those gaps intervention is better than not.

[rosyG]

agree with those above who suggest asking for medication straight away to help you until an ablation slot becomes available. Also , if you are keen to have another ablation soon, I would contact the hospital regularly, explaining it is making you really ill and asking to be on a cancellation list to try and get an early appointment, They will always have cancellations because of those unfortunate enough to find INR is out of safe range.

[CDreamer]

I agree with above and although I get that you want to be fit in order to provide for your family, it does often take more than one ablation to do the business so hope you don't get too disheartened.

[jeanjeannie50]

Yes, it sounds like a good idea to try a different medication as said above. So sorry to hear that this has happened to you. I understand the disappointment, having been there myself. I feel I've dramatically helped prevent my AF by changing my diet. I would really recommend that you try doing that.

Jean

[Andy-Mountains]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Spoke yesterday to my Cardiologists secretary who is going to speak to him and get back to me today or tomorrow re speeding things up.

I did actually have an appt last month when I was going to ask to go back on the ablation list, but the hospital cancelled.

Also started back on bisoprolol a few days ago and have asked about going back on flecanide.

Hopefully the meds can have the effect of at least making these bouts of AF more bearable.

Jean, regarding diet what did you find helped? It might be my imagination but I've been convinced several times that white bread has brought my AF on! Any help at all would be greatly appreciated right now.

Andy

[Loo53]

Andy I ate two things I shouldn't have one of them was some bread and a couple of biscuits and had a bad night heart wise last night even post ablation. I'm still learning what sets things off and what doesn't its all individual. So glad things are going to be speeded up for you. If you had a hospital cancellation then you should have been rescheduled. That is unacceptable to just cancel and not re-slot a patient.

[Rellim296 in reply to Loo53]

My ablation was cancelled because my INR was out of range (lucky for someone else) and I got squeezed in with six days' notice about six weeks later - as soon as I had 4 weeks INR in range.

[Hidden in reply to Loo53]

Yes it absolutely is, they should be trying harder for you. I'm self-employed, so I know what a burden it can be if you're ill.

[wpw62]

Sorry to hear you are poorly again. I hope you soon get things moving. A second ablation should be easier than the first. Good luck.