It seems I'm a fraud ! I don't have AF after all and my ICD is on hold

[IanMK]

I have an ECG response that is apparently unusual and is of great interest to the cardiologists I have seen. AF has been mentioned by several of them but they haven't sounded too convincing. I saw my EP yesterday and asked him. Although he thought he had seen attributes identifying AF, he now describes it as Atrial Tachycardia and Atrial Ectopics (if you're reading this, perhaps you can confirm that I remembered correctly).

I had an ablation several weeks ago but the EP became of the opinion during the procedure that it would not be effective since the source of the rogue signals was close to my AV node so I was scheduled for a pacemaker to be fitted next week. However, my condition has changed since the ablation and my rate and rhythm are not as consistent as they were prior to the ablation. My pacemaker is now on hold pending stabilisation of my heart post-ablation. While my 'heart' would like to get to the end of this episode of my life as soon as possible, my head says these things can't be rushed; the fitting of a pacemaker is a big deal. I have no fear of having one fitted and there are potentially great advantages. There are, though, several disadvantages so it makes sense to ensure that all other avenues are fully explored to resolve my condition before taking the plunge.

[10gingercats]

yesl Happyjo is correct. 'they' do love an unusual and interesting patient.....I was one once.... so wait a while and let them investigate well with every cardiologist and EP within their range being consulting for their opinion which is all to your advantage.

[doodle68]

Hi Ian I am not sure if that is good or bad news or a bit of both.

I thought the ECG pattern for a person in AF was distinctive with no 'P' waves and quite different to Atrial Tachycardia which has some odd 'P' waves and Atrial Ectopics which is a different pattern again making it possible to confirm a diagnosis of one or the other so how come your were diagnosed with AF .

Just get get head to tell your heart to behave itself and to stop being difficult

[IanMK in reply to doodle68]

Hi doodle,

Nobody ever said “oh yes, you have AF”, which is why I said they didn’t sound convincing (or, perhaps more accurately, didn’t sound convinced). Yesterday it was explained to me by my EP but I’m very much a novice at reading ECGs and it rather went over my head.

Sadly, my head has no influence over my heart 🤔

[Hidden]

Hi Ian, I think to be a fraud you have to be knowingly deceitful, engaged in trickery and sharp practice all for profit or personal gain, so puzzled and perplexed might be a more appropriate (no smiley face on my laptop!). I think the others are right, the medics will relish the challenge and hopefully you will be well looked after at a pace (no pun intended) that you are comfortable with. The best of luck for getting a treatment plan that's right for you and please keep us advised of your progress.

[CDreamer]

It’s always nice to be ‘interesting’. When my favourite GP of all time who supported me so well in the early days of AF retired I had an exit appointment with him to wish him well and say goodbye - accompanied by a very nice burgundy. He told me I was his favourite patient as I could always be relied upon to turn up with rare symptoms and diseases he’d never encountered before..........

Be a Flamingo in a flock of pigeons.......

[wilsond]

Carry on being ' interesting ' !!!