Back in AF with high pulse

[JackyMac]

A year after a cardioversion I am back in AF with a high pulse. In between I have had the occasion flutter which Flecainide has seen of.

I felt happy, healthy, fit, contented a feeling I'd had for several months. I did a parkrun on a Saturday and was really pleased with my time and on Sunday woke up to the present state.

Dr has put me on Verapamil and digoxin to try and bring the pulse down which doesn't seem to have worked. Warfarin levels are normal. Now recommending a consultant with a 20 week wait, so will do as before, surrender my holiday savings for a private appointment.

I really thought I would go on forever and really really disappointed this has happened again. Perhaps I should have added to my feeling, living in cuckoo land.

Rant over, thank you for listening

[Hidden]

I really feel for you. I'm afraid this is often the way with AF. I've lost count of the number of times I've said that I feel so well and then go back into an episode. ( At the moment I feel rotten so I'm not tempting anything!)

Do hope you can get an early appt and a new plan

Best wishes

Sandra

[BobD Volunteer]

Really sorry that you are where you are . It is always a great disappointment when we realize we still have AF but of course cardioversion is not and never will be a cure for it. Just stops it till it wants to do it all again. It does show that an ablation may well be suitable and hopefully provide a longer term solution. You need to see a specialist (Electrophyiologist) who understands AF and the treatment.

[JackyMac in reply to BobD]

Many thanks BobD as always. I was certainly complacent.

My doctor has never mentioned an EP, but I'll settle for cardioversion this time and pump for one next time.

[jeremygray]

so sorry to hear that - it might settle down itself ???

[jeremygray]

yes - why not an ablation ?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to jeremygray]

Hi Jeremy - Because an ablation is something you have when all else has failed and it is not something to be undertaken lightly. If I'd been a year with no AF problems after a cardioversion then that's what I would opt for again.

Having had 3 ablations, I now wish I had paid more attention to my diet beforehand and perhaps lost a few pounds in weight.

Personally, I don't think anyone should rush to have an ablation unless their AF is causing great problems.

Jean

[jsanta in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I am having my second ablation tomorrow unfortunately I can only walk about 100 feet without being out of breath. I was under the stand understanding though that an ablation can be if you were in some cases but after reading a lot of the people on this blog it seems that it's only a temporary fix. My question is if you get too many ablation's is it bad for your heart? also I guess weight is a big problem I have put on about 25 pounds so I'm sure that did not help my situation. On top of that I have sleep apnea. So hopefully I can exercise and try to lose some weight. Anyway fingers crossed

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to jsanta]

Hi jsanta - Like you I got very breathless and couldn't walk far while in AF, so we both really had no choice but to go for an ablation. Some people have very minor symptoms as my sister did, her episodes were infrequent lasting for about 15 minutes at the most and eventually they just went away.

In your case I think an ablation is certainly the answer, but afterwards please try and lose some weight as I'm sure that would make you feel so much better and help your heart to stay in rhythm.

Are ablations bad for your heart you ask? Well the only answer I can give to that question (and this is only my opinion) is if AF is affecting you badly and disabling you in some way and tablets don't help and your EP has suggested another ablation, then in that case I would always opt for an ablation no matter how many.

Jean

[jsanta]

I am having my second ablation tomorrow unfortunately I can only walk about 100 feet without being out of breath. I was under the stand understanding though that an ablation can be if you were in some cases but after reading a lot of the people on this blog it seems that it's only a temporary fix. My question is if you get too many ablation's is it bad for your heart? also I guess weight is a big problem I have put on about 25 pounds so I'm sure that did not help my situation. On top of that I have sleep apnea. So hopefully I can exercise and try to lose some weight. Anyway fingers crossed

[Chaben]

My understanding is that cardioversion is not a long term answer; mine kept me in NSR for under two days! Your medication might be adjusted. The 20 week wait would make me rant! Keep the faith and good luck!