length of event

[Blokey59]

hi guys,

been having paroxysmal events on and off for a year or so now and they usually last 2 to 4 days. I know when I'm in AF because I feel so generally lousy wih it. My current episode is now 7 days and is my longest to date.

Anyone else suffer from longer ones? and am I to assume that it will just flip back

as it normally does?

By the way I'm on Warfarin due to a stroke 18 months ago and have just had my Bisoprolol increased to 6.25 from 5 as my events were getting more frequent.

ANY views would be most welcome

[BobD Volunteer]

I think you should be talking to another doctor like an electrophysiologist who actually understands AF. Sticky plaster treatment like bisoprolol isn't doing much for you so other avenues need to be explored before you become persistent (close by the sound of it ) or permanent.

For more information CAREAF website and AF ASsociation have excellent fact sheets.

Bob

[OmaJEO in reply to BobD]

Why do you call Bisoprolol a sticky plaster I am on 7.5mg plus Apixaban and feel exhausted - do find GPs don't listen either.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to OmaJEO]

It doesn't stop the AF. it just slows your heart down so that the events are less violent. You must see an electrophysiologist or cardiac arrhythmia specialist. GPs just don't have the knowledge to deal with AF in many cases.

[OmaJEO]

Thanks, I will try and get my GPs to refer me as I am fed up with feeling like so lethargic.

[Dodie117]

Listen to Bob. This disease is progressive and probably getting worse. You really need to get an EP on your case. I was on bisop but pretty useless. EP gave me choice - more meds or ablation. I opted for ablation and 2 years later still no AF.

In the meantime lots of people on here have found magnesium helps (I'm not medic so ask doctor) and of course latest thinking is lifestyle changes, especially improved diet and exercise for those of us who are a bit on the cuddly side!!

Good luck

[DavDug]

Hi! Blokey59

Follow the boy BobD (Volunteer). I was paroxysmal for a year with 12 episodes before I went permanent. AF is also progressive. So it does not "flip back" automatcally. It took 6 months from permanent commencing to getting the first Ablation (mid March 15th). Too long. With 6 cardioversions things were getting interesting. You don't want that. The longer you are in permanent AF the less successful you are in getting back into sinus rhythm (SR). Just had the second ablation. Feeling great! The quicker you get to the Electrophysiologist the better. He's the guy: that's if you believe that is your intended direction. It was for me and I am committed to that. I also take Magnesium taurate and Co-enzyme Q10 on the side of my Nabivolol and Dabigatran. Get Well. Dave.

[lingooz]

Hi I also have PAF. (it confuses me?) as when does PAF become AF.? I go out of rhythm most days for few seconds at a time and have had about 3 longer episodes with tachycardia and gone to A & E!! Yours had been 7 days (can't imagine) so as I say WHEN do you describe yourself as a AF sufferer as opposed to PAF??? So sorry to not really be answering your question but does this cross YOUR mind?

[RobertELee]

Hi lingooz. Just to clear up those definitions. We've all got AF but there are three states. Paroxysmal, Persistent and Permanent. The initials PAF, usually refer to the first of these, paroxysmal AF though as they all start with the letter P, it is open to confusion! The key characteristic of Paroxysmal AF is that it starts and stops spontaneously. Episodes can run from a few seconds to around 7 days or longer but if it reverts to normal without intervention, then it's paroxysmal.

Persistent AF is when you are in AF all the time and it requires cardio-version to return you to normal rhythm. This can be either electrical - with the use of the paddles and the immortal cry "Clear" (not that you usually hear it), or medical, taking certain powerful rhythm controlling drugs such as flecainide. Unfortunately, while normal sinus rhythm has returned it can only be regarded as temporary. A future AF episode is pretty well inevitable.

Permanent AF is when nothing will return you to normal sinus rhythm.

Most of us start off with paroxysmal AF but there is no doubt that episodes become longer and more frequent over time and persistent AF is usually on the horizon. Whether or not this then leads to permanent AF can only be determined by attempting one of the interventions above.

Successful ablations are more likely with paroxysmal AF and perhaps a little less likely with persistent AF. If ablation is your chosen route - and why wouldn't you take what is the only offer resembling a 'cure' for those of us with AF? - then it's important to understand, the earlier the better.

[PeterWh in reply to RobertELee]

If you look at the statistics if you are in persistent AF the % chances of success drop quite significantly versus paroxysmal AF particularly at the first ablation.

[lingooz]

Ah thank you so much!!! Never been offered anything at cardiologist, when I asked about ablation said it was dangerous procedure 😱 I really need to ask my GP for EP referral, put of as scared I guess? But I see now I should seek treatment before it becomes persistent!! Thank you for your reply

[Rellim296 in reply to lingooz]

Ablation is indeed a dangerous procedure for about 0.5% and of the other 99.5% a very large number will do very well indeed.

[PeterWh in reply to lingooz]

The cardiologist may be out of date with their understanding. As Bob has said many times the warnings an % are in their to protect themselves in the unlikely event something does happen. Also I seem to recall that last year (when I looked into it and researched before deciding to have my first ablation) that some of the statistics were from about 15 years ago and things have changed since then!!

[lingooz]

Thank you for your reassurance Peter, would like it before my next trip to Sydney in 2017 for sure ( a bit daunting going that far with fear of tachycardia on the flight) especially as I visit my daughter alone