Another day to forget!: Hi folks, just... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

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Another day to forget!

djbgatekeeper profile image
26 Replies

Hi folks, just asking really, am I a typical Afiber or not, things seem to have got worse in the last 2-3 months. I used to be able to go 3 or 4 weeks in sinus rythum then a few short afib episodes sometimes a couple of minutes each time. Since April this year I get daily skip beats and can't raise my pulse without afib kicking in which affects my job. Today even when resting my heart went into a irregular rythum for about 2 hours. Back in sinus now unless i move! Im in the NHS queue for various tests but things seem to have slipped down hill quite quickly... going to the docs on Tuesday to see if I can speed up the road to ablation whick i think is my best option to improve my quality of life....any thoughts would be appreciated.... have a good weekend all and stay well.

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djbgatekeeper
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26 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

AF begets AF so yes. the more you have the more you will have. This is why I for one feel that ablation should be a first line of attack rather than a last resort as many people consider it. That said we are all different and the only right answer is what is right for you. Many people find that getting a private EP appointment to see what is what works well and while it may not move them up the NHS ablation list at least they can get onto it!.

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to BobD

Thanks Bob, il have a good chat with my gp on Tuesday and see if I can bring the ablation forward as like you I feel it is the only sensible option now my symptoms have started to impact daily even with my meds... have a good weekend and thank you for taking the time to reply. Regards, Dave.

IanMK profile image
IanMK in reply to BobD

My ‘journey’ began almost a year ago with an ambulance trip to A&E with fluid on the lungs. By February this year I had seen an NHS cardiac consultant once and had a cardiac MRI with a follow-up with the consultant scheduled for May. Progress was much too slow for me, particularly since I have been on sick leave since the beginning of the year as a result of the medication effects and the exacerbating effects of work stress. I was fortunate in having health insurance so I decided to take the Private route and my GP recommended an outstanding consultant who subsequently referred me to a top class EP. I have my ablation scheduled for next week.

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to IanMK

Hi there, thanks for the reply and the private route is something I would consider if things start to get dtawn out. However, I have no insurance policy so was wondering do you know the approximate costs involved of getting an ablation private? Thanks in advance and good luck with yours. Dave.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply to djbgatekeeper

Hi,private consultation for me was £175 well worth it,was seen within a week and put on ablation list.Warwickshire area. Best wishes

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to wilsond

Thanks and good luck.

IanMK profile image
IanMK in reply to djbgatekeeper

I had 2 private consultations; one with a cardiologist and one with an EP. I think they both charged about this or a little more (it was central London). Don't forget that any blood tests or diagnostic procedures will add to this.

TOE and ablation wil be approaching £3000 and I'm sure there will be ancillary costs on top of this. As Bob suggests, I'd suggest at least the

private consultations.

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to IanMK

Thank you Ian that's very helpful, regards Dave

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to BobD

Hi Bob, I was just wondering do you have any idea what the approximate wait is for ablation these days? I would be treated at Liverpool. Thank you.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to djbgatekeeper

Anything from three months to a year depending on the centre. In the meantime look into the life style and dietary changes people find helpful. Reduce meat, especially red, processed foods. no alcohol, caffeine etc and find stress busting strategies. Check your BMI is less than 25 and work to getting it down. Don't over exercise and stay well hydrated. Two litres of water a day is minimum in warm weather and this does not include tea or coffee.

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to BobD

Thanks Bob, I will look into this, appreciate your comments 👍

momist profile image
momist in reply to djbgatekeeper

I was told in November last year that it was a twelve month waiting list at Blackpool. I called them in March and was informed that the list had slipped by more than a month. Liverpool of course may be different.

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to momist

Thanks for the information 👍

Not much to add to BobD's other than endorse it

Polski profile image
Polski

Follow all Bob's advice (including no processed food) and consider taking magnesium. (Search on here for previous posts on this). I found reading drjohnday.com very interesting and helpful.

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to Polski

Thank you 👍

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk

Mine invariably came when resting, i.e. just as I was settling down to sleep - fat chance lol. I have to say that yes, these occurrences become more frequent and lifestyle sometimes makes this happen too. If you are in a high pressured job for instance, or life is becoming more stressful in general. Yes, return to your GP and ask for an urgent appointment with your cardio and discuss, make a note of your symptoms and times etc, Good luck, I sincerely hope the ablation is your answer.

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to opal11uk

Thank you and i hope you are doing well 👍

Bobs bang on with advice as above, I have had this progress quicker since a nasty virus, just had the odd afib episode couple of times a year prior to that. Now on Ablation waiting list as exertion, dehydration anything like that puts me in Afib, quicker the better you get ablation the better I would say from others experiences

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to

Thanks for your comments and I hope you stay well 👍

KMRobbo profile image
KMRobbo

I agree with Bobd, ablation should be higher up the list of options. That said, in Sept 2015 when I was diagnosed, if an ablation had been described and suggested then, wild horses could not have got me into theatre!

22 easy months later with 11 instances of AF that were easily dealt with by me ( no doctors) , my af "developed" for the worse over a 5 week period. A lot worse. Then having spent over a week in af at 140 to 190 bpm, which was knackering and now being on 50mg flecainide twice daily and 200mg diltiazem with several life intrusive side effects , then wild horses could not have kept me out of the theatre for an ablation!

It took 4 months to get an EP appointment who agreed I would be a good ablation candidate , another 3 months to get the ablation, and I have now been off all drugs since may 15th.

I live in Cheshire.

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to KMRobbo

Hiya, thank you for the reply. Yes i was reluctant to have an ablation until the last couple of months which have been terrible, now I can't wait to get in the queue. I am from Warrington so probably close by. Did you have your ablation at Liverpool?

KMRobbo profile image
KMRobbo

No, I went to Royal Stoke. However most people near me go to wythenshaw south manchester which i understand has a specialist heart rhythm unit within the cardiology department.

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to KMRobbo

Ok thanks, I hope your recovery continues to go to plan 👍 il follow you so i can get any post ablation tips you may learn ... cheers Dave

KMRobbo profile image
KMRobbo

If you look at yesterday's post from jedimasterlincoln he appeared to have a great EP who also appeared to have a longish discuss ion with him. Jedimaster is at wythenshaw

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to KMRobbo

Thank you 👍

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