Cardioversion....

[travelbug54]

Hi Everyone, can someone please tell me how many times you can have Cardioversion? I have just gone back into AF again after a couple of months having had Cardioversion, this is very upsetting and very debilitating, thanks for reading....

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Travelbug

There is not technical limit of the number of times, but simply a practical one, cardioversion is hardly ever a cure, simply an indication of how easy it is for you to go back into NSR, and if you have been in NSR for several months, then pretty good.

You will now need treatment either drug therapy or an ablation of some sort.

Be well

Ian

[travelbug54 in reply to Beancounter]

Thanks Ian, hopefully my next treatment will be a more permanent one....

[PeterWh]

Don't worry. I didn't even manage 24 hours after my cardioversion!!! As Ian said the key thing is that they know you if you can go back into sinus rhythm. In addition they will also want to know if you felt better in sinus rhythm.

[excalibur]

I've had 5 but as everyone says they don't cure the problem, just do a reset. After my second I started on Amiodarone which did a pretty good job of keeping me in NSR for 8 years till the side effects meant I had to stop taking it. An ablation may cure it, but there's no certainty going down that route either. I've decided 12 years on to stay in permanent AF as it doesn't cause me any real problems.

... It's a journey

Lance

[abihel in reply to excalibur]

Hi...I've had 3 cardioversion and one ablation...I'm having my 2nd ablation in a couple of months. In the mean time my EP is starting me on Amiodarone but the way she had described it.has frightened the life out of me..she also said you could only take for 1 year. I have taken digoxin but it didn't do any good at all.

What are your thoughts on Amiodarone? I'm in persistant AF and and it effects my life terribly to the point where I can't functions normally...wheezing...breathing problems.... fatigue. I had four months of sheer bliss after my ablation and it was so good to be back to my old self.

Sorry to ramble on but I'd never heard of Amiodarone until yesterday.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

xx

[excalibur in reply to abihel]

Amiodarone worked for me in that it kept me in sinus rhythm after cardioversion. It's a powerful drug, with lots of possible side effects, but initially they didn't cause too many problems. The most immediate one was becoming much more sensitive to the sun - I have a bald head which didn't help, but using suncream daily and wearing a hat sorted this. It's not so likely to be a problem for you immediately now given the season!. The second effect was noticed by my optician when I had my annual check up. Amiodarone can cause some distortion of the eye, but this didn't trouble me. But after several years micro deposits appeared in my corneas, and this led me to have to give up taking it after 8 years on advice from an opthalmic surgeon. The deposits are reversible and disappear over a few months once you stop taking Amiodarone.

I did also have episodes where it seemed to me that my heart was fighting against the Amiodarone - pounding quite strongly - though I stayed in NSR. I think chocolate and red wine taken together seemed to bring this on and I now avoid red wine (but not the chocolate)

So particularly if you have problems whilst in AF, I would recommend trying Amiodarone. But make sure you have an eye checkup at least every year to monitor any possible optical issues.

If you do decide to stay in AF, you may find that over a few months some of the symtoms ease and make the AF more bearable - this has been the case for me.

Hope this helps. It's a difficult decision on whether to continue to try for a normal sinus rhythm or whether accept to live with your AF, and it seems everyone has a different perspective and set of issues with this

best wishes

Lance

[travelbug54 in reply to abihel]

Hi abihel, sorry to hear you are in persistant AF, I have been out of persistant AF for 2 months, it was so good to be normal again and like you I am now back to square one. Good luck with your second ablation, please keep us updated....

[Bolander in reply to abihel]

As people have said Amariodone is an effective drug but it can have side effects (as I found). It is probably worth trying, but be alert for any unusual symptons while taking it.

[Emsysy in reply to excalibur]

I'm with you, Excalibur. 2 ablations & 1 cardioversion but in permanent AF after 10 years of varying degrees of this complaint. Also leaky atrial valve and some angina. I just get on with life, walk a lot, cycle a bit, play hard badminton and expend much energy in the garden. I eat what I like (sensibly) and enjoy a pint and my red wine.

I just accept it's my lot in life and far better than many others I know suffering with worse afflictions. As I have said before on this site, I don't let AF rule my life.

[abihel in reply to Emsysy]

Believe me I try so hard not to let AF interfere with my life. Unfortunately I can't do much walking...it just won't let me my breathing goes bad and my legs weak...My EP said it's because my heart pump is not pumping with enough force due to the persistent AF. Gardening is also out of the question as the bending up and down also makes my breathing bad.

I wish I could just get on with it....but I can't....not through the want of trying/ x

[Emsysy in reply to abihel]

Hi abihel. Sorry to hear that. I confess I do get breathless and my back and knees complain a lot these days. However, I can still be very active and probably push myself more than I should. Walking up hills is the most difficult thing for me but I can manage 10 miles in a day. My cardio says my leaky valve means I have to work 25% harder than if I was AF free.

10 years ago when I first had AF I was very depressed, slept badly and constantly worried what my heart was doing. Now I largely forget the AF and find it is quite tolerable. My only real problem is profuse sweating when I do any exercise.

Make sure your medication is right for you. I just take 1.25mg of Bisoprolol; plus, of course, statins and Warfarin. For me, Bisoprolol is a wonder drug.

[abihel in reply to Emsysy]

I'm taking 10mg Bisoprolol and warfarin x

[wendyg123 in reply to abihel]

Snap,exactly the same but so far nothing has changed. Still as`tired at times like I was 12 months ago when I went through ,colonoscoapy in case `of bowel cancer, upper digesive tract because` I thought I had crones like Mum& nanna a I had a very low iron levels and it was by asking nurse to take Blood pressure they realise it was high that GP suggested ECG hey presto AF like Mum and aunty!!!! That is why I am so tired. If they had`taken my pulse they would have known. I am a Biology teacher and have tested the kids several times a year and I knew mine wasn't normal years ago but a GP was when I asked said that is was fine. Rubbish GP!!!! The bisoprolol has reduced`heart rate BUT warfarin in prep for cardioiversion..................... If it stops strokes I can put up with excessive blood with cysistis and the pin pricks every couple of weeks. Mum was 89 when she died, peacefully at home in her sleep with me and her grandson close by and my aunty is 94 and living on her own. Life is for living and I love my garden and don't mind the hardwork now I am retired.

[SteveBiss]

I have had two, but retured in to AF within 2 weeks both times

[abihel in reply to SteveBiss]

Oh I'm sorry to hear that what is your next move then Steve? x

[SteveBiss in reply to abihel]

Just taking drugs at the moment.

[jondeanp]

Fingers crossed, touch wood & all that. I've been in NSR now for 18 months following my 1st cardioversion

[abihel in reply to jondeanp]

Great news!!!! Best wishes for the future xx

[Michael1234]

I really think the variety of drugs being prescribed are very confusing. I was advised to take Flecainide 100mg twice daily when I was having PAF every 2-3 days. Then I still had an episode after 6 days, so took another 100mg to try to get rid of it. I stopped taking such high does of Flecainide as I saw no benefit.

Then I had a 12 hour PAF on a long haul flight because I mistakenly put the pills in the wrong bag. After that PAF I had another two days later which I treated with PIP. I then stopped taking Flecainide. I took 100mg a couple of times when I felt a bit stressed going to bed. I went 13 days without an episode. I used PIP for that episode. Now I have lasted 14 days without an episode.

I am sure I will have PAF again soon; but would I be better off or worse off taking Flecainide 100mg twice daily?

I think everyone needs to realize that what doctors prescribe is pure guesswork. You need to confront your doctor with the uncertainty of drug therapy.

I am sure that PIP is best for me. And when I feel that stress is developing and I feel uncertain going to be I take a pre-emptive 100mg. But this is all gut feeling.

When I see people telling stories of taking continuous medication I wonder whether this is leading to the best outcome for them.

[cbsrbpm]

Hi travelbug, I have had one cardioversion which lasted 4 months before reverting to persistent AF. The cardiologist would not give me another as he said it wouldn't hold and referred me to an EP for ablation. I had my ablation two weeks ago which hopefully seems to be going well so far. I think this was the best decision for me as I was very symptomatic. Hope you manage to get sorted and maybe they will refer you to an EP. Good luck.

Brenda

[travelbug54 in reply to cbsrbpm]

Thanks Brenda, cant wait to see my Dr tuesday to start to get things moving again, so pleased to hear your ablation went well....

[wendyg123]

I am waiting for FOUR 2.5 on my INR to get onto list for cardioversion but unfortunately had cystitis with loads of blood so I needed antibiotics so have to wait till next week!! Don't think it will work after having undiagnosed for so long but may as well give it a blast, nothing to lose.