The selection for the groups in the AVATAR trial took place a couple of weeks ago (three groups consisting of two types of ablation or medication) and I was selected for medication. I decided to pull out as the medication route meant being having to be available at various dates during the whole summer. But even if I had been chosen for an ablation, I am not sure I would have gone ahead, and have an appointment for a second opinion from Professor Schilling on Tuesday which I made before the selection process. Had I been in the ablation group, it would have meant having an ablation after two shortish episodes, which whilst really unpleasant, weren't anywhere as severe as those suffered by others in this forum.
I am just so confused. The trial EP looked at one Alivecor reading (taken at the beginning of February) and said probably AF but I had no symptoms. Since then I have had quite a few ALivecor readings which say unclassified (heart beat 80 - 90) but they were at times when I was really stressed. If I do a reading during the night, my heart rate can reach 90 when I am totally relaxed. I am wondering if I am having nighttime asymptomatic episodes when I am asleep.
I am so aware of every odd beat or what feels like a hollow 'thunk' in my chest but I don't know if I always had this or have just become more aware since the diagnosis. I don't know how much to blame Bisoprolol - I was prescribed 2.5mg a day which made me feel very strange, breathless and tired, so I stopped completely for a month. However, my heart rate went over 100 (at night again), so I now cut the tablet in half and take 1.25mg a day. I feel marginally better but still need to sleep during the day.
Sorry for this long post, but confusion and extreme anxiety doesn't always happen to the most worthy, and I know I am so lucky in comparison to many here. I would much appreciate your thoughts.