It is 1 year to the day since my 7th ablation.
In that time I have had just one 5 hour episode.
After 26 years of PAF I feel that maybe my heart is at last under control with only Ectopics to remind me to not be too complacent just yet.
I hope however that this post is somewhat reassuring for those who might have thought that their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th ablation was a failure.😉
Pete
Good news Pete. Thanks.
Wow! That's fantastic. So pleased for you. And reassuring as you say😉. Here's hoping I can post something similar a year after my second. But never complacent. Thank you.
Wow! congratulations, Pete! I'm curious about what the timeframe was for the 7 ablations - over how many years? Also, were they all with the same EP? That's really incredible.
Morning Nella
I had the first ablation in 2009.
I had the first 3 by a Teaching Professor and his team. He then retired and I had one by his successor who was then head hunted by another NHS Trust. The final 3 were all carried out by the same EP who had previously worked as one of Dr Schilling’s team at Barts.
To be precise only 5 ablations were for AF. The first was for Atrial Flutter and the final one was for Atrial Tachycardia. In fact it is now 18 months since I had my last AF ablation.
Pete
God loves a tryer Pete! Well done for sticking in there, you deserve success!
So pleased for you. Your courage will have given others hope. Stay well.
Great news happy anniversary! Xx
wilsond has beaten me to it....but it’s worth repeating, Happy Anniversary! Fingers crossed for many more.
Wonderful news - long may the rhythm continue!
Really pleased for you Pete. You went through a lot and now have your reward. Congratulations. x
Great news. Continue to enjoy your freedom.
Wonderful anniversary Pete - the first of many I hope.
Good news Pete ,long may it continue.
Congrats on a successful outcome to date. I’ve had two ablations, the last one lasting 18 months before AFIB cane back. I’m back on meds for the last 5 mos with no AFIB or ectopics. That being said, I’ve been hesitant to eventually consider a third ablation as my EP warns me about the accumulation of scar tissue on heart function due to multiple ablations. How did you get past that issue or do your EPs not concerned based upon your heart has performed?
Thx
My heart is badly scarred inside the left atrium but I was told that it was caused by years of AF.
The scarring caused by ablation being on the contrary therapeutic. With the state of the art equipment the ablations are very carefully targeted.
My EP has even told me that if appropriate he would not dismiss the possibility of doing yet another.
Pete
Excellent news and long may it continue. At the start of your journey did you go down the chemical route? Enjoy your new found freedom.
I took Sotalol first for about 6 months. I then took both Bisoprolol and Flecainide for about 25 years.
Unlike some others I still take Flecainide 100mg x 2.
All is stable this way and I have no wish to rock the boat.
Pete
It was a very complicated story over many years. I was told by the first EP before he retired that there was nothing more he could do for me and that I should face the fact that sooner or later I would be on permanent AF.
About 18 months later I was in hospital for another of many cardioversions when the EP who had taken the place of the previous encombent suggested it was worth trying another ablation.
There was little improvement when I did have that ablation but the team were not prepared to give up.
Because of a postponement I was asked if I would be prepared to be treated by my current EP and I had such confidence in him I was prepared to have a further two AF ablations.
It was felt that this was the last chance.
Following the second of these ablations I developed Atrial Tachycardia. My EP said that Atrial Tachycardia was easier to treat than AF.
After 3 months with a heart rate permanently greater than 125 he performed an ablation procedure lasting about 7 hours.
I have now been AF free for over a year. I spent the previous 26 years in and out of AF.
For me, although I cannot believe it is all over due to the years of mental torture, my heart related QOL is significantly better than it has been for longer than I can remember.
It has all been worth it.
Pete
Congratulations Pete. I mirror your success to a point as I have had 3 ablations and many Cadios. I have been in NSR for 1 yr on aug 30. Still on bisoprolol and flecainide, however on my next appt with EP, I am hoping to have changes with those meds. Nevertheless I am thrilled with my QOL now.
It WAS ALL WORTH IT IN THE END , (after 15 years of non QOL)
I really do know how elated you are. Great news
Marney
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