Hi, I'm new here

[lakebudd]

I have had persistent a fib for about seven years. For three years I just given beta blocker and warfarin. I then saw an EP and had several cardioversions with no success so decided to have an ablation which had only a 50% chance of success since I was in a fib so long. I was a fib free for about two years. Had another ablation. This one only lasted three months. More cardioversions. No luck. Was put on Propafenone which seems to be working but I'm afraid of long term side effects. Dr says if I stop I'll go back into persistent a fib and he doesn't think another ablation would work. Has anyone had a third ablation that worked after the first two failed? I'm willing to try since I think ablation is great with very little or no side effects for me. Also, has anyone taken Propafenone for a lone time? I read they are only effective for two or three years.

[lakebudd]

7 ablations is way too many. Do not want to go that route. It just puts money in the hands of the EP. I wonder if insurance covers that many. Ablations are very costly.

I guess I'll stick with my meds and worry about the consequences, if any, later. Thanks.

[Hidden]

One ablation one benign tumour removed from heart and cox maze. Meds and pacemaker now give me a better quality of life. Not sure docs would continually do ablation just to make money

[lakebudd in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I guess doctors wouldn't be that greedy. I'm just too cynical for my own good sometimes.

[Barb1]

Why do you say they failed as they put you back in SR? As I understand it there is no cure for AF just respite. If you are symptomatic and EP recommends then personally I would go with another ablation.

[momist]

But not for much longer if the Tories succeed in selling it all off. Find the Naylor review.

[lakebudd]

Some say ablation is a cure, some say it is not. Conflicting viewpoints. I may go for one more but how many can one have? I don't know if there are any dangerous consequences in having repeated ablations.

[Hidden in reply to lakebudd]

Ablation is not a cure. It is tissue damage that for some provides short term relief. After 5 years success rates go way down.

[lakebudd in reply to Hidden]

If that's the case, I'll be happy with 5 years. That's 5 years less of taking anti-afib meds. I don't think there are any meds that are completely safe and free of side effects even if they are somewhat mild like fatigue or dizziness and who knows about long term effects like kidney or liver damage.

[Hidden in reply to lakebudd]

That's the problem, you don't come off the meds even after the Ablation.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I took a different approach. No Ablation, warfarin only. Gym daily. Hour of biking, half hour tread mill, fifteen to thirty minutes weight lifting. Liquid iodine, liquid b12, selenium, Cayenne caps, D3, Acetyl L Carnatine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Magnesium...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I can do most everything but run or jog. I feel pretty good heart rate and BP are great. Lost 70 pounds, eat what I want.

[lakebudd in reply to Hidden]

That's not good. Then what is the purpose of an ablation? Very confusing to me.

[Hidden in reply to lakebudd]

Well, you may get some time out of AFIB. It's a crap shoot. You may get 5 months out, 5 years, or not at all. The only thing certain is that it's not a cure. Sorry, I believe people should know the truth.

[dr1813 in reply to Hidden]

Hello

I'm 67 and started with paroxysmal AF 25 years ago. At first it was infrequent ie months apart but eventually about 10 years ago it began to become more frequent until it was every other day for several hours. After several not very effective cardiologists I eventually found an excellent EP who suggested ablation but wanted me to try propafenone first. Long story short I took it for 9 years with only two episodes of AF so it worked very well for me.

BUT

6 months ago it all came back after a stressful few days with a very sick grandchild. Now I'm back to AF every two or three days even with the propafenone and I'm waiting for an ablation appointment.

So propafenone worked well for me without any side effects but the AF came back eventually as it appears to do with most of us.

We all seem to be very different

Best of luck and I hope you get sorted.

David

[Hidden in reply to dr1813]

Thanks for sharing that. I've been in persistent AFIB for the last 8 years. So long ago AFIB seems normal to me. I was misdiagnosed for years until a major event put me in the hospital for a week.

[lakebudd in reply to dr1813]

Thanks for the info. Nine years seems like a good length of time for the Pro. to work without any serious side effects. My cardiologist said Pro. is relatively safe. I hope it does the same for me since 2 ablations did not work for me. Maybe by then there will be better and more effective procedures.

[dr1813 in reply to lakebudd]

my ep was astounded it worked for so long. I hope it does the trick for you.

[lakebudd in reply to dr1813]

I thought it was a long time. I heard it only last 2 to 3 years. It'll be one year for me in Sept. Hoping and praying. I asked my EP how many cardioversions a person can have and he said there is no limit. Those usually keep me in SR for three or four months. If you go for the ablation, I wish you good luck with that. It's a relatively easy procedure to handle with just minor discomfort. The worst part is laying on your back for 8 hours--no turning, raising legs, rising up but it's do-able. You are in my prayers.