My old friend A.F. is back.

[dedeottie]

Am still waiting for my 2nd ablation which could still be a while away. Meanwhile I'm in the middle of my second bout of A.F. in 6 weeks. This one is still going strong! I'm on max dose of flecanide.I've got an appointment with my E.P. next week ( a routine one made ages ago ). The arrhythmia nurse says he may discuss alternate meds to keep my heart quiet and I can only think that will be amiodrone of which I am terified! I have read all your posts about that drug so am well informed but would it be better to take it short term than keep going into A.F.? Any thoughts appreciated. I like to be well prepared! X

[BobD Volunteer]

He could well try propafanone which is a similar drug to flec and may suite you better. Don't assume anything and get stressed about it. Amiodarone can be unpleasant long term but what constitutes long term is a moot point. Proper monitoring can see it in use for some years provided that you don't live outdoors.

[Rellim296]

A six week gap is quite good, surely? Depends perhaps on how long it lasts each time and how badly it affects you. I'd be asking to see if they feel inclined to find out how all the AF is affecting your heart. An echocardiogram perhaps? Is AF causing any atrial enlargement or are you much as you were last time you had one? If the former, then less AF may be a better thing than any downside of taking something a bit more potent than flecainide. If the latter, then why mess with what is almost working well enough? Roll on the ablation date!

[jeanjeannie50]

I'd go with whatever the AF experts recommend. How long have you been taking Flecainide and are you taking a low dose beta blocker with it?

Hope you are soon back in sinus.

Jean x

[dedeottie in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean and thanks.I have been on flecanide for about 2 years and also take 2.5 of bisoprolol. Still in A.F. unfortunately. Guess I will do as I'm told when I see E.P. next week! X

[rosyG]

sorry to hear this- I hope you get some respite soon. take care

[DavDug]

dedeottie,

The Amiodarone did not do a lot for me and having unpleasantly suffered for 8 days I was put back on Diltiazem. I was also waiting for that meeting with my EP and was in AF despite the first Ablation and two cardioversions.

Have now been in Sinus Rhythm for two months after the second Ablation and looking to losing the beta blocker in December when I meet my EP. Feel great! Slowly getting fitter with my pocket fitness monitor.

Press hard for the Ablation if you feel that is the way forward. My Cardiologist kept me going for years on a variety of medicines and I wish that I had got to the EP sooner. Everyone is different of course as you will see on this blog. Get Well. Dave.

[dedeottie]

Thanks Dave. I am already on the list for 2nd ablation but waitin( list could be 6 months and don't want to risk going into persistent before it's done. I'm so glad your second seems successful so far ,you give me fresh heart. I must admit that I had lost a little faith that any amount of procedures would fix me. As you can see ,my glass is half empty at the moment! Anyway the good news is that I went into N.S.R. early hours of this morning so that was only 24 hours. Much better than the 7 days that it used to be.x

[Rellim296 in reply to dedeottie]

Onward and upward!

[CTG99]

Hi Dedeottie,

I don't know if it's any help, but Dr O'Callaghan switched me from Bisoprolol to Tildiem Retard on the rate front. I've been getting on fine with Flecainide so I'm not sure what his plan B on rhythm control would be but I know I'd trust him whatever he decided.

Caroline

[dedeottie in reply to CTG99]

Thanks Caroline. Actually I suspect my problem is with both tablets! My A.F. is exercise induced ( by exercise I mean simply going upstairs! ) and so keeping the heart rate down would probably help. Flecanide was totally working for me until 2 weeks ago but now hardly seems to be doing anything as i keep going in and out of A.F. like you I do trust Dr O Callaghan so I'm looking forward to my appointment. I really appreciate your post. It makes a real difference when you share the same consultant.

The information given at patients day has really helped too. It is tempting to not do anything so my heart rate stays down but I have mostly carried on as normal and nothing dreadful has happened ...yet!

I hope all is well with you. X