After experiencing AF episodes several months apart, they gradually got closer together and now I have them on a daily basis. Average length is 4-5 hours, before I'm back into normal rhythm.
I am on Bisoprolol 5mg twice daily, up to maximum 15mg when in AF, (I have to take an extra 5mg at that time). I've never been referred to an EP, I only see my cardiologist periodically, the next appointment is next month. I have an ICD defib implant. I'm regularly checked at cardiology and the implant tested.
The episodes leave me very tired and somewhat depressed. I'm hoping the cardiologist recommends further treatment, although, from what I've read here, I'm not wildly enthusiastic about an ablation!!
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doramar38
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Gosh! If I had 4-5 hour episodes daily I would certainly be after an ablation.Sounds awful. I had one for nearly 2 hours a year and and a half ago and was so upset I cried a lot after it .I cannot imagine these on a regular basis Well, you will be well advised here and if you are in the uk you will get good advice as to whom to approach to do it if you decide to go down that path.
Hi ! I would ask to be referred to an EP when you see your cardiologist . There are different anti arrhythmic drugs which he may want to prescribe and many on this site find them very helpful without having to go down the ablation route.
Having daily episodes is very debilitating for you so you obviously need some extra help.
Best wishes
Sandra
• in reply to
Absulutely ask, no, demand an Electrophysiologist consult. This is their specialty and , in my experience both as a nurse (retired) and an afib patient often cardiololgists don't have the latest knowledge to effectively treat AF. Please find a way to see an EP and take care of yourself. AF can be managed well and not interfere too much with our quality of life when a knowledgeable doctor is driving your treatment plan. Have been in afib 8 years; have had a successful ablation and a pacemaker and wouldn't trade AF at this point for another chronic disease. It takes a while for you and your EP to find what works for you but when a good treatment plan is in place life can be good again. Take care xx 🐱 irina (age 74)
So happy you (and me) are doing well. We are examples of well managed AF care. Good for us!. I want others, esp newly diagnosed, to learn this is not such a bad chronic condition in the scheme of things. I want people to not be so afraid of having this diagnosis.🐱🐱 PS I named my pacemaker Seymour. We're very close! Sleep together every night. LOL
A lot of members on this forum take Flecainide tablets, along with a small dose of beta blocker, and find these are really helpful in stopping AF. It may be worth asking your cardiologist about them.
I was on Flecainide 10 years ago, but they caused me to experience excessive sweating! Was put on Digoxin, then Amiodarone, which nearly killed me!! So now on Bisoprolol.
I never managed on either Flecainide or Bisoprolol. Was on the first for 10 years, initially 100 mg twice a day. When the dose was increased from 50mg twice a day to 100mg in morning 50mg pm I was desperately tired and had “a head full of cotton wool”. Went on to Bisoprolol and had to force my eyes open in the mornings as I was so exhausted. And still AF continued. So I agreed to Ablation. Even though it was just 3 weeks ago I now feel better. No more AF medications just a blood thinner.
Lifestyle changes can be just as important and efficacious as medication and ablation so why not consider these as well. There are some excellent ideas on here if you search lifestyle and AF.
Yes everyone is different but whatever treatment you have for AF, making sure your lifestyle includes regular exercise and aiming for a healthy BMI of 25 certainly does no harm and can also reduce comorbidities like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
I feel a lot better since making lifestyle changes and have now lost 1.5 stone giving my troubled heart less work to do. My P -AF is much improved too.
Hi Dora I used to have AF/Atrial Flutter 4 or 5 days out of 7 for 24 hrs a day, since my ablation I've had a short run of an hour AF and nothing since, I cannot tell how good it is to wake up day after day not being in some form of arrhythmia, while the ablation is not a pleasant procedure it sure is better than living with AF and you can always opt for a general anaesthetic if worried.
Hi doramar38 . Your post about this has reminded me why I first considered having an ablation, despite only having had two AF episodes at that point when my EP suggested it. I have since had a third episode, so I am now at the stage you were at having sessions several months apart. I certainly would not welcome this on a monthly, let alone daily, basis.
I know the idea of an ablation is scary, I've been dithering and switching from one view to another for six months now (it's a 12 month waiting list I'm on). However, most agree that this disease becomes more prevalent the longer you leave it, and the drug route seems to me to be just as fraught with problems as the physical intervention.
In cleaning things, I'm a great believer in using mechanical removal of the dirt as opposed to the chemical treatment version. Rusty tools respond better to a good abrasion than a chemical conversion of the rust. Why should I not think of this in a similar way? Your experience has convinced me (at least for the next few days!) that an ablation is the best way forward for me.
I recognise that your mileage may vary, as they say, but for the best advice on this you really should make every effort to see an EP and consider their opinion alongside the other advice you have received, together with your own feelings. It's your body, and it's important to no one else as much as it is to yourself.
Magnesium taurate is amazing, I've been on magnesium for a week now and all my ectopic beats have disappeared, I feel like a new woman. Please give it a try. How you feel better soon.
Hello doramar thanks for your post, I have read that magnesium is good 👍 for your heart and for anxiety, what doseage do you take ? Do you know if it interacts with warfarin and where do you get your magnesium from? Cheers Gladie. xx.
Hi dorabar38. I sent you a reply but accidentally sent it to Yatsura. Check further down this thread. Sorry for the mistake. Computers are not my strong point. Take care and good luck finding the care you need and deserve. irina1975
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