Cardioversion 4 months after ablation and now atrial flutter

[Kather]

Hi ,This is the first time I have posted but have been following since I had my ablation in March. I am 58 year old female in the U.S. and was diagnosed in Jan. with AF ,meds didn't work to regulate so we did an ablation in March and two weeks later I went into aflutter had a cardioversion. All was good after that and was weening off the meds but two days ago went into aflutter again over 15 hours and was told to go the ER for another cardioversion. I am so disappointed ,I know I am still in the healing process but now wonder if this is permanent. I have an appointment with my EP in two weeks. He has put me back on Eliquis and added diltiazem along with my flecainide . I am so tired and anxious and listen to every heart beat.

It is so hard to deal with setbacks I know things can be worse hoping for some advice..

[jeanjeannie50]

I know just how you are feeling as I've had lots of experience myself trying to come off of meds and being disappointed when I go back into AF. Next time I attempt this (at the end of summer) I aim to do it very slowly, like three months taking a quarter less of a tablet before dropping it down again. Don't forget the heart has been restrained by medication for a long time and needs to be re introduced to it's normal unhindered sinus rhythm very slowly.

Best wishes.

Jean

[Kather in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you I never thought of the heart having to get used to being without its meds to be retrained. I think this was triggered by stress my friend I was to visit was in the hospital and I had to cancel a trip to see her.

[rosyG]

If you need further ablation, keep in mind that ablation for flutter is very simple and nearly always a permanent fix

[Kather in reply to rosyG]

Thank you hopefully it won't happen again time will tell.

[Daves5091]

Hi Kather I am a 60 year old male in the U.K. and had an ablation for afib and aflutter 6 weeks ago. I always found the flutter the worst to live with but the good news is that to ablate a flutter is by far easier than afib and the fix is just a single line across the circuit. So keep your chin up and if you have to have the ablation it's the 100% success rate that you should keep in mind. My flutter has gone but my afib is still putting up a fight to stay but early days for me as you know 12 weeks is the timetable for the initial scaring. Pity they didn't do your flutter line as they were going past it for your afib. Hope your sorted soon. Daves5091

[Kather]

Well saw my EP yesterday and am disappointed. At first he was going to take me off the flecainide and eliquis and just stay on diltiazem,.As we were wrapping it up I was asking questions and I brought up the ER visit, then he looked at my ekg from my cardio I don't think he remembers that I had a cardio a few weeks ago. He said I have low rate flutter. I feel we went 180 degrees the other way. So now he has upped the flecainide to 300 mg a day ,which seems really high to me ,and says I need another ablation for flutter. What bothers me is at one point we were wrapping up and just going to be on one drug and the next I am on more drugs and another ablation in my future. I am going to get a second opinion at another clinic and see what the say .I really like my clinic and there are a few other EP's there I could see but thought it was good to see someone from another clinic. Sounds like its a matter of time before I have another episode, any advice please?

We all know how disappointing this journey can be.

[Clareowenpearcy in reply to Kather]

Disappointing yes, a much easier fix than Afib though! I would have another ablation & look forward to living without Aflutter & Afib.....I'm 9 weeks post 3rd Ablation for Afib & Aflutter. Feeling great! No meds except anticoagulant Xeralto. Take care & all the best

[Kather]

Thank you I did get another appointment for Oct. for a second opinion Want to make sure its necessary..