My story continued

[Johnandvirginia]

One week on from my cardio version. I am not normally aware of my heart beat unless I check at my wrist. Yesterday I suddenly felt that something in my body was not right. I checked my pulse and lo and behold I am back in AF. Disappointing! What happens now? Who should I inform? My follow up appt. is not for three months.

[BobD Volunteer]

Sad but not unexpected I'm afraid but at least you know now that you can be put into NSR so that an ablation may be the solution should you choose to go that route rather than drugs for the rest of your natural. If last time you only saw a cardiologists you now need to see an Electrophysiologist so ask you doctor to refer you. There will still be a long waiting list I'm sure unless you book a private appointment as many do these days.

there is a list by area under patient information on the main AF Association website. Don't be fobbed off. We all need to take charge of our treatment so read all you can from the fact sheets on AF A and then you can argue from a position of strength.

Bob

[Johnandvirginia in reply to BobD]

Many thanks, Bob.

[Appi2cu]

Hi, if you know exactly when your heart went into AF you can go to any Hosp and tell them, provided it is less than 24 hrs since it happened they can cardiovert you there and then. That said your INR must be above 2 for some hospitals. The risk of having developed clots in the heart within that period are less than later that's why they can do it. Of course some Hosp protocols stop them helping you straight away. Just tell them you have a funny heart beat and your in pain, that'll make them do there job.

I've had my heart fixed 24 times, so don't worry about this treatment. Hope that helps.

[AnticoagulateNow]

I had one cardioversion during my AF travels. I cannot understand why anyone would want more than one. A cardioversion is not a cure for AF or an attempt at one. It's not even a treatment in the accepted sense of the word. You might hear of folk staying in sinus rhythm for a 'good length of time' following a cardioversion but though the procedure may have provided the 'jolt' to regularise the heartbeat, the length of time they then remain free of episodes has nothing at all to do with the cardioversion. Those with paroxysmal AF normally stop spontaneously and then they wait for the next episode. Persistent Affibers sometimes need a helping hand to get back into sinus rhythm and that can be done either with drugs like flecainide or electrically with the paddles. Either way these are only temporary fixes and you shouldn't be disappointed that it's only lasted a week.

Forgive me if I'm teaching you to suck eggs but there are too many on here who don't fully understand the purpose of a cardioversion and indeed we know from their posts that there are even some who confuse it with an ablation. Little wonder then that their expectations are hugely inflated.

The real value of a cardioversion is that it tells the cardiologist/EP that you are not in permanent AF, ie you can get back into sinus rhythm even if it may only be for a very short period of time. The fact that yours lasted a week demonstrates that your AF can be stopped and therefore an ablation - the only thing available to us at the moment that vaguely resembles a cure for this condition - is more likely to be successful.

Forget the cardioversion now. Important though it was at that moment in the race, it was just one of the furlong markers along the way. Now it's time to go for the 'Finishing Post'!

[Dadog]

AnticoagulateNow. I can see where you are coming from but to say you can't understand anyone who'd want more than one is a bit of a broad statement. There are a few on here, including myself, who go in happy NSR for over a year after a CV. It's simple and no big deal to have another and enjoy another year or so in NSR. That's not a 'cure' but a good way to handle the problem. Ablation strikes me as a bit hit and miss and there are plenty of examples of those who have had anything up to 4 or 5 of them and still not right. As you say, it vaguely resembles a 'cure.'

One day they may find a cure - who knows? Meanwhile we can learn about AF and be encouraged to handle our AF.

David

[heather110]

Maybe it depends a bit on your age - Im 51 was diagnosed with AF 5 weeks ago and have been in AF for that time. Otherwise fit and active and an outdoors sort of person. I am having my first cardioversion tomorrow. At the moment my feeling is that Im not prepared to have cardioversions for years and years and be on meds when in AF in between (Im not sure whether its the meds or the AF that have made me feel pretty lousy for 5 weeks but its not a good prospect for the long term). If / when Im back in AF (assuming it works for a while which I really hope it does) Im currently thinking that I want ablations while my AF is 'new' and I am 'young' to give them the best chance of working and making a difference long term.

Im probably naive but at the moment Im looking for a long term answer for this and the sooner Im on that road the better.

Heather

[Appi2cu in reply to heather110]

Heather I've had 10 cv's over 28 years there's nothing to worry about. They don't affect your life span. 150 joules is enough to set you right ( you can tell them that's what you want) you may mead more later on but that's ok for now.

AF is a horrid, I does far more mental damage if you let it than physical, millions have it though and most life a natural long life. Check out my last post I hope it will help you.

[heather110 in reply to Appi2cu]

Thanks but I'm not worrying about the cardioversions themselves . I just don't want to be beck and forth with it long-term waiting for it to happen and then off to hospital for another and so on. I guess I'm looking for a more permanent fix. As I said I might be being naive, or maybe optimistic!

[Appi2cu in reply to heather110]

Ok sounds like u have a plan. I suggest u have the blood thinners though, in the UK u can go to a & e and within 24 hrs of an occurrence they can cardiovert straight away.