Yesterday I went for my three month check (three and a half months have passed). I had to tell my EP that the first nine weeks were great but since then I have been having episodes of AF on average twice a week; I had purchased a Kardia on 20 July so was able to print off copies of ecg's since then. He straight away told me I would need another op but this time it wouldn't be cryoablation it would be cauterisation of the parts that have obviously healed themselves; so I am back on the waiting list, let's hope it's not as long as last time.
Today I went to see my GP with what I thought was something completely different, drumming in my head, pressure behind my ears, dizziness etc. He ran me through some tests and took my blood pressure didn't seem unduly concerned suggesting I have some blood tests. While he was putting info onto the system I felt my heart start to jump and speed up, I didn't tell him as I have become used to this happening but he had noticed ( not sure how) and he suddenly felt my pulse, sent me straight to the nurse and had an ecg which showed a beat of 145. He then of course called an ambulance. The paramedics took my blood pressure which they told me was high and which had probably been the cause of the problems I went to the GP with. I was taken to A&E where I stayed for 5 hours while they waited for my heart to settle with the help of a double dose of Bisoprolol. I have been told my all the doctors not to just wait for the af to sort itself out which I have been doing. They all say after one hour take a bisoprolol and if that doesn't sort it out within the hour following phone for an ambulance. Since I have been on anticoagulants I have been reluctant to bother them and thought there really was no risk but they said the more tired the heart becomes the more chance there is of a heart attack.
Sorry if I have gone a bit but just thought I'd bring you all up to date and fingers crossed I don't have to wait almost twelve months this time for my appointment - and that was a cancellation!
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Nanabrodie
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Hi Nanabrodie - I'm so sorry to hear you've been having all this upset and don't worry in no way were you 'going on'. You told us everything that happened in a clear and concise way. I'm really hoping this is just a blip for you and things will soon start getting better.
The advice you were given by the doctors you saw about calling an ambulance after medication has failed to help within a few hours is interesting and is the same as I've always been told. Yet a few people on this site are always suggesting we sit it out. Once again I'm wondering if these are the people who get very mild attacks.
Hi jean - thank you for your response. I'll keep you up to date although I don't expect the follow up ablation to be for at least 6 months as this is how long it took last time and then I got a cancellation. From seeing my GP it took 13 months before I got the op, but we will see.
Hi Nannabrodie and sorry things have not yet been sorted out. As I have said so many times. cryo ablation is a great process but limited in what it can achieve and RF ablation is often needed to tidy up those areas which the cryo balloon is unable to reach.
Regarding the advice you have been given and the remarks made by Jeanjeanie I can only say that the advice which I pass on is that given by one of the top EPs in UK. It is also backed up by peer experience which is that A and E seldom do much other than observe unless you have chest pain or are passing out. Remember that many people are asymptomatic in permanent AF and they do not spend all their life in A and E. It is of course a very personal thing and does depend a lot on both one's ability to function and the type of staff available at any over worked hospital emergency department.
I do hope that you can have that RF ablation very soon and hopefully end up with a better outcome so chin up and onwards and upwards.
I have written previously that my EP said that I was to take 100 flecainide 20 minutes after an episode starts rather than to wait for it to stop. I wonder if this is because there is potential for the heart to get into the habit of fibrillating. I wish that I had asked this question but was rather taken aback by him shaking his head in disbelief that I didn't take a tablet unless I absolutely had to.
Personally I wouldn't go to a&e for my AF unless I had pain or wasn't coping as an average attack would probably terminate in the waiting room.
Please could this question be asked at forthcoming meetings/ conferences? DO HEARTS GET INTO THE HABIT OF FIBRILLATING AND SHOULD WE THEREFORE TRY TO STOP FIBRILLATING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO SPREVENT HABIT-FORMING?
I have been told yesterday by the consultant that the longer we leave it the longer it takes to get back into nsr and by constantly leaving it it could be damaging and weakening the heart.
in my case this is definitely correct - the minute I feel it I bomb it with 200mg ( I am on 100mg) of Flecanaide and it usually resolves within 3 hrs - I have tried a gradual approach 50mg every hour and it does not work for me - this will result in 24 hours in AF - in my case act fast and with a large dose works - nothing else does. Re hospital I was taken in once given a drip and more Flec and sent home .....
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