Hello, new here, I am contemplating a second ablaton and have some fear of it. Had one in 2013 worked some for about a year, steadily continue to have increasing episodes. They are not near as severe as they were before the ablation, but they can still knock me down pretty hard. The anxiety sometimes is not so good either. Still have some fear of traveling, an doing things, etc. Most of my seem to be from digestion issues, I try to eat right but sometimes bad things sneak in, msg are a kicker for me. Also have thyroid issues that fluctuate, so I have weight issues that go up and down with it, just started a water aerobic class and I love it, have lost 4 pounds in about two weeks so that is a plus. I have tried just about all the meds out there, right now I just take Eliquis and metoprolol as PIP, I do not so well with beta blockers, they make me depressed and a zombie. I am wondering if I continue to really watch the foods and get rid of the weight and hope for the best and it will sop or should I just go ahead and have the ablation and continue with diet and exercise? I can tell when an episode is going to hit soon as I get PVC's and Pacs a day or so before. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Second ablation?: Hello, new here, I am... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Second ablation?
It's true that lifestyle changes can result in a significant improvement for AF sufferers and this is borne out by the enormous difference between the number of folk with AF in poor countries compared to those in rich ones. Therefore, anything you can do in this area has to be worthwhile. Maybe the best route forward is to see an EP to help you assess what is going to be best for you......best wishes, John
My understanding is that losing excess weight and eating healthily etc to become as fit as possible, will help the ablation, when you have it, to be as effective as possible. So perhaps the best answer is to tackle the life-style issues first, and then go for the ablation if you still really need it.
Losing weight is desired because ot the possibility of a 'tamponade'
My understanding is that losing weight may result in fewer episodes of AF for those with PAF. It may also help to ensure that ablation brings good results, in the sense that it may be more likely to end, or decrease, the episodes of AF.
I believe it is thought that some of the AF may originate in the fatty layer around the heart. If this layer decreases then that in itself may break up some of the faulty pathways in the heart.
Losing weight, when needed, also helps to improve one's health in many different ways, and that should enable our bodies to deal both with AF, and with the trauma of ablation, better.
Yes but a tamponade during ablation can be dangerous
What is a tamponade?
If they accidently cause a wound inside the heart and the peridcarial sac fills with blood this affects the function of the heart and BP can drop and cause death.
The Electrophysiologist will warn anyone having ablation. Apparently to get to it they have to insert something in under the bottom of the sternum which isproblematical if people are overweight
11 years ago I was put on Metropolol and put on 5 Stones in 5 months. I spoke to the Professor handling me at the time and he said some people are just VERY sensitive to them. I stopped taking them and took my chances because I felt like a zombie. 15 weeks later I had flutter ablation. It took three goes and then developed PAF 6 months later
They prescribed Bisoprolol 1.25, said it probably wouldn't make much difference because it was such a low dose and I startd putting weight on again so we agreed I would only take it if I had an arrhythmia
11 years on and my weight has not gone up or down but I can no longer take beta blockers because my blood pressure and heart rate plummet even on 1.25 mg.
I have recently had cryo ablation for PAF when it became a daily event and 6 weeks later no arrythmias.
My diet is a nutritionists dream but I don't lose weight because I just cannot be active enough and to reduce food just makes me hungry, miserable and completely out of kilter.
The Electrophysiologists at Kings in London told me beta blockers do not cure the condition, they just slow your heart rate and left it to me to decide whether I wanted to take them at the onset of an arrhythmia.
It must also depend on the condition you are taking them for but you might find losing weight easier without them. I could hardly drag myself about and was very breathless. Feel much better without them
Speak to your Consultant and see what they say
I cannot handle beta blockers on a daily basis, they make me depressed and so lethargic, I only take a metoprolol when I have an episode to help get my rate down.
Thank you all for the support. I am scheduled for the ablation next week, really nervous about it. Second guessing myself. Have not had an attack for a few weeks. I am not wanting to go thru the afib and fatigue after ablation again, hopefully this time it will not be so bad. I was feeling really bad before it last time and it turns out I was having a reaction to the Xaralto, doc took me off it and the differnce was like night and day. I am a worrier all the time since this afib business started, never was a baby before like I am now. Ugh!
Six days post ablation and doing okay, no afib, just really tired. I want to thank you all that replied to my original post with the good advice and gave me courage.
Moscow Ablation / Purpose of Second Cardioversion
Second ablation for SVT
Ablation and weight
Cryoablation 6 months on.
Post first ablation and second needed 
