Just curious...

[Flo2pen]

Hello All just a curious question. Is everyone on here in the UK only? I joined this wonderful group about 2 weeks ago having 2 unsuccessful Ablations for AFIB. I am here in the U.S. taking basically propaferone 225 mg (4 times daily) and Warfarin 7.5 was just taken off flecanaid. I notice that some on here are on Meds for AF that has never been mentioned to me by my EP. So just trying to figure out does it matter if we are in 2 different countries. Af is Af right? I have learned so much from this group...

[Hidden]

Hello Flo2Pen, I think the majority of members are from the UK but there are many from the States, Oz and across Europe too. Medications often have different names in different countries and often Doctors will have different views about treatment plans which makes it all a bit of investigation process to find out what is best for you. You say Eliquis, we say Apixaban, you could almost make a song about it!! In the UK, Aspirin is not recommended for AF and we rarely use Solatol which I think is prescribed in the States. There is no definitive answer I'm afraid, but most drug companies publish the various names by which they are known around the world......

[Bshersey]

I am in the States - Boston - and I find this forum to be very useful and supportive. It's actually interesting to read about the differences in medicine and treatment approaches. For example, I couldn't imagine not having a general anesthetic for an ablation. I also take sotalol and had no idea how controversial its use is outside of the states. Although I guess my required three-day hospitalization when I started taking it could have given me a clue. Welcome to the group!

[Flo2pen in reply to Bshersey]

Hi Bshersey well said indeed. I am in Houston. I had 2 more unsuccessful Ablasions done June 18th. I do have in a pacemaker and is on propaferone 225mg every 8 hours and on warfarin as well. I went almost 7 years without any Afib and it has returned with a vengeance. I am hoping to lower these meds because the side effects are horrendous. Will check with EP on that for sure. This site has truly been helpful as well. so greatful to have joined and thanks for your response. take care...

[Hidden]

Hi Flo2pen. Welcome. I am also in the US-Atlanta. This is a great site and I also like all the different world views available for me to learn about and sometimes choose from. My Electrophysiologist always listens to questions and requests from information I've learned from this forum about treatments that differ from the US and he is open to new ideas. I believe this helps me get the best care possible. No one healthcare system has all the answers. I'm in my 8th a-fib year. Stable and comfortable with a pacemaker, an ablation, and a Watchman device. And no more cardiac meds or anticoagulants. Take care. irina

[Aprilbday]

Hi Flo2pen

I am from the US. My insurance is Kaiser. I was prescribed my A-Fib medication from the urgent-care facility I went to once I developed a bad A-Fib. Since then, had a check up with the general practitioner and have not seen an EP or cardiologist outside of the urgent care visit.

Seems abnormal to me when I read everyone else’s care, but I am not a candidate for surgery so I guess this is par for the course. I just take my AFib medications ( Dilacor-a calcium blocker that controls my rhythm , Lisinpril -for blood pressure, Pradaxa-anticoagulant, Xanax -anxiety, Prevacid generic for heartburn). Just got my Alivecor back and it is valuable to help me to realize when I am in AFib and remember to stand up slowly, walk but stop and rest.

[Flo2pen in reply to Aprilbday]

Hi Aprilbday well said indeed. I am in Houston. I had 2 more unsuccessful Ablasions done June 18th. I do have in a pacemaker and is on propaferone 225mg every 8 hours and on warfarin as well. I went almost 7 years without any Afib and it has returned with a vengeance. I am hoping to lower these meds because the side effects are horrendous. Will check with EP on that for sure. This site has truly been helpful as well. so greatful to have joined and thanks for your response. You Take Care as well.....

[djmnet in reply to Aprilbday]

You need to insist that Kaiser let you see an electrophysiologist -- it's not just about surgery. You can be sure your GP knows next to nothing about afib.

[Aprilbday in reply to djmnet]

Thank you so much. I will.

[Flo2pen]

Hi Irina1975 well said indeed. I am in Houston. I had 2 more unsuccessful Ablasions done June 18th. I do have in a pacemaker and is on propaferone 225mg every 8 hours and on warfarin as well. I went almost 7 years without any Afib and it has returned with a vengeance. I am hoping to lower these meds because the side effects are horrendous. Will check with EP on that for sure. This site has truly been helpful as well. so greatful to have joined and thanks for your response. You Take Care as well.....

[Hidden in reply to Flo2pen]

Hi Flo. April is right. Not all of us respond the same to various treatments. And many do well on the right meds. For me, I have always seem to have more side effects from all kinds of medicine. I did try various meds but because I seemed to need so many changes and trials of new meds I opted for surgical procedures. This is probably easier for me as I was an operating room nurse for years and often trust procedures over many new meds. Just my personal preference. The important thing is each of us finding what works best to provide the best quality of life we can find. irina

[JaneFinn in reply to Hidden]

Hi irina - just wanted to say that I find it strangely reassuring to hear that an operating nurse trusts and chooses surgical procedures xx

[Hidden in reply to JaneFinn]

Thank you. I will add a caveat. Sometimes our situation is an emergency and we have to trust the Universe and the referring doctor's choice. But I believe we need to feel trust for our surgeon. When we need surgery and are referred to one we have no experience with, we should do our research, ask around (it's been said that O.R. nurses know who the good surgeons are) and when you meet him/her if you don't feel 100% comfortable, move on. Most surgeons I worked with were excellent and I worry more about all the side effects Big Pharma's new 'miracle drugs' often cause. Their greed is too often too obvious for me. 🐱 Take care. irina

[RiderontheStorm]

Hello Flo from Seattle WA!

[Kaz747]

Hi Flo, I’m in Western Australia. 🇦🇺

[SMRM]

Hi Flo,

I'm in SoCal - had first ablation today & was just coming on website to review the brochuRe once again (thanks to Bobd)

I'm

So far all good - had a brief spell of ocular migraine hallucination.

Love this forum - so grateful! Susan MarieMoody

[Flo2pen in reply to SMRM]

Take care SMRM

[dragonflyjan]

I’m in Oz NSW lived in NZ for 10 years, but born and raised in Worcestershire UK.

[Jes60]

UK here. I’m lucky in that my AF eventually subsided after my first episodes but a year later it came back but then I started having mainly ectopics ( the Kardia helped with diagnosing this change). My cardiologist gradually reduced my bisoprolol until he advised to stop taking it. The ectopics continued, saw a different doctor who said I should not have stopped my Bisoprolol and also put me on Diltiazem. This seems to be working and my episodes have much reduced. So it’s not just different countries which have different ideas, it seems all the doctors do too!

[IanMK in reply to Jes60]

I thought the NICE guidelines were supposed to standardise treatment (subject to tolerance by a patient) but clearly there is still a lot of flexibility.

[Ianc2]

Hi everyone

Interesting discussion, very much drug / treatment based but not much information regarding lifestyle management to deal with the causes of afib rather than the symptoms?

[ThinkHealth1 in reply to Ianc2]

This would be good to post as a new discussion!

[Rebma]

I am from USA and have found this forum very helpful. Lots of great info and wonderful support and great fellow people going through afib and other problems. What part of USA are yiu from?

[Flo2pen in reply to Rebma]

Hi Rebma am in Houston

[scienceguy02]

Hi, Flo! I’m in Tallahassee, FL and really appreciate this site fore its welcoming folks and the wide range of experiences shared.

I’m sure there are a number of medicines available in other countries that we don't have approved for use here and vice versa.

I take things I read here and do my research. I always tell my doctors when I meet them, " I am probably your worst nightmare come to life. I have a million things to ask about!😂"

Just experienced my first ablation yesterday and have my fingers crossed the years of PAF and flutter are over!

Absolutely intend to visit this group regularly!

[Flo2pen in reply to scienceguy02]

so will I..... Take care

[Eliza2 in reply to scienceguy02]

I’m in Jupiter Florida

[Amcech]

I'm in the U.S.

[Clareowenpearcy]

Western Canada

[Breezera]

Hi Flo. I am in London, Ontario Canada. I've found this forum to be extremely helpful - terrific info, wonderful support and great people here. A special thanks to BobD and Flapjack and others for their always excellent advice - it is very much appreciated.

At 61 years of age I'm a long-time PAF sufferer, although my condition has worsened over the last couple of years. Was originally taking propafenone (as what you're on) for many years, but when its effectiveness eventually declined I was switched to flecainide. Flecainide worked very well for me for a while, but its effectiveness also eventually declined, not to mention the side effects I experienced on that drug - fatigue, weakness and brain fog. I am now taking disopyramide (aka Norpace & Rythmodan), which has proven to be the best antiarrhythmic drug I have taken for my particular condition - vagally mediated paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The other medications I take are dabigatran (aka Pradaxa), metoprolol (aka Toprol & Lopressor) and lansoprazole (aka Prevacid).

I am scheduled for a PVI cryoablation next month (21 August) at University Hospital here in London, ON. I'm starting to get a little anxious, but I know it's the right course of action at this stage.

Wishing you the best.

Regards, Richard

[Flo2pen in reply to Breezera]

Wishing you the Best as well Breezera....

[djmnet]

Denver, Colorado USA !

[12cupcakes]

Hi Flo. Welcome. I am from Chandler Arizona. This site has helped me so much. I am still working on learning to adjust to PAF but I have learned so many coping skills from the awesome suggestions, experiences, and support. Best group ever!

[giada]

I am in the USA

Giada

[crueljon]

Hi Flo

I’m from a small town in the US - Shelton, CT. Had heart ablation in Dec. of 2017. Went off Amioderone one month ago and still in SNR. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

[ThinkHealth1]

Hi, I am from Massachusetts. The people here are great!

[Hidden]

Hi Flo2pen, Im in rural mid missouri. This forum is so valuable, much knowledge here and really interesting to hear from people all over the globe! My brother and 3 friends all have a fib here in the mid west. I have found all 4 of us are being treated a little differently. Two went for ablations because their a fib was intolerable. Two others are being treated only with blood pressure and rate drugs and Im using rate and rhythm drugs but EP is pushing ablation even though Im doing great right now. My a fib is very symptomatic so if it decided to throw a prolonged fit, Im sure ablation would b on my schedule. Im very interested in lifestyle changes so dont want to get aggressive with other treatments until Im forced to.

[TerriMo]

Hi Flo2pen,

I am also from the US. 😊 Kern County, CA. I find this group very helpful.

[Hidden]

I am in UK now, but, before AF hit I lived in Australia.

[Hidden]

I’m in US Texas. I’m so surprised how long it takes y’all to get medical care.