Previous stroke with abate and pace.

[groesclose]

I read the opinions and results regarding ablate and pace with interest. However i wonder if there is anyone out there who has had a stroke and has gone on to have an ablate and pace proceedure? I had a cerebral stroke from a clot 5 years ago. Started on warfrin but found that impossible because my veins were ruined from chemo when i had breast cancer 2003 so was changed to Padaxa then changed to Apixiban 2005 to date. My AF which has refused to cooperate with medication over the years is now permenant and never stops i.e.beteblockers, digoxin, calcium cb (slozem and verapamil) and Amioderone which i was on for only 3 weeks as my fear factor was making me a nervous wreck. My cardiologistchad refered my to a EP who has told me i am a canditate for abate and pace. Really scares me. I'ts such a one way street. I am just so dizzy and fatigued all the time. My QOL is not good but i am breathing. Anybody out there who had been there? I would love to hear your story.

[Hidden]

I am also on the path to a P&A solution and like you I'm struggling with the whole idea of not having a natural pacemaker. What made a big difference to me was the fact that not all the AV Node is removed and enough is left to put me into 'limp mode' should my pacemaker fail. Also, has anyone heard of a pacemaker actually failing and going off line? I haven't.

[groesclose in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply, Ogilvie. I wonder why you need amioderone if you've had a pacemaker and ablation of the AV node? Did you have a stroke at all?

[Hidden in reply to groesclose]

not had the pacemaker fitted yet but I needed to be kept in NSR.

[Ladysmith64]

Hi I had Pace and Ablate late 2016. The final linking of the pacemaker and adjustments to setting my pacing was only finished last month. Sorry I cannot tell you I now feel great but I think maybe early days and my body needs a period of "quiet solitude". Over the past 5/6 years I have had 4 Ablations, numerous Cardioversions and I presume these procedures must take their toll. When P and A was put to me I was made aware of the possibilities and the chances of success were put at 70/30. My QOL was and had been pretty poor and I concluded that, even though many people on this site refers to the procedure as last resort, I felt the chances were worth it. It is of course a decision personal to the individual and I wish you well when you make yours.

[BStanding56 in reply to Ladysmith64]

After many cardioversions, 2 ablations and many visits to a&be cardiac wards etc, I then started collapsing without warning, I was given a 3 lead Pacemaker in 2012, I was told pacemaker would not stop Af but would stop me collapsing, I have NOT had any episodes of Af since, I am on a very low dose of amiodoryn, my life is so improved, I don't walk much further than a couple of miles a day, so to me the pacemaker has been brilliant, it had been planned for me to have final ablation after pacemaker fitted, but because of no Af this was shelved. I was told that Af could return, but have faith 5 years Af free, is wonderful. While I had Af, I was extremely symptomatic, it was horrendous when I think back, many a time wondered if I would see the morning. So to me a pacemaker gave me my life back

[opal11uk]

Hi Groesclose, I too had a blood clot on the brain 17 years ago, have also been the ablation route which didn't suit me and I got to a stage when I thought I was on the way out, having trouble breathing, feeling dizzy and ill but two years ago had a pacemaker fitted and together with drugs, namely Disopyramide and Bisoporal lead a decent quality of life now, I will never be free of A/F but feel more confident and well now and just hope it continues. Now preparing to come of Warfarin and going on to Pedaxa so remain positive.

[opal11uk in reply to opal11uk]

forgot to mention, like you I also had breast cancer, in 2008.