Visit to consultant re PAF

Went to see a consultant about my PAF, and the bottom line is that I will be referred to Basildon with a view to having an ablation. The consultant was very competent and considerate, but pulled absolutely no punches. He said that at the moment my left ventricle is only slightly enlarged but if the PAF continues it would get larger and larger and I would start getting breathlessness etc. which would “ruin my life” . He also said I should be on an anticoagulant even with a CHADS2VASK of I (which is “just a number”). He also said there was no point in doing a holter as it wouldn’t reliably pick up PAF. Not a great afternoon then...

[CaroleF]

To be honest, I think that was a very good afternoon - though I can see why you might be thinking otherwise. Your consultant seems to be a no-nonsense sort of guy and to have "said it like it is". You might have preferred him to be less straight-forward?

I'm not aware of all the details of your case and nor do I have any sort of medical qualifications, but:

1) Anticoagulation even with a score of 'just' 1 is a very sensible precaution given that AF makes the possibility of a serious stroke 5x greater than for someone without the condition.

2) Breathlessness is no fun since it limits all your activities.

3) Holter monitors frequently don't pick up episodes of paroxysmal AF. (Sod's Law in action!) . If there is a need to confirm that you definitely have paroxysmal AF then buying an Alivecor/Kardia to use with your smart phone might do the trick and persuading your consultant to insert a 'Reveal' device definitely would.

I've read the other post you made today about the suggested ablation and do understand why you might be reluctant to have it done, but I have no experience of this myself and will leave it to others to respond to that message. Do bear in mind though that, human nature being what it is, what we tend to see here are the experiences of people who have had problems post ablation. Those for whom it has been successful don't really need this Forum any more and tend to disappear. Having said that there have been a number of people recently who have made a point of recounting their success stories. (I'll try to find a couple of these and report back).

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Hidden in reply to CaroleF]

Thanks for this reply- I wish I have your positive outlook.

[JoBrien]

Hi. Who are you under at Basildon? My husband is with Mr Tan, and he has been the first consultant that as you said says it as it is !! Actually so nice to hear others from the same neck of the woods. Xx

[SharonTyrrell in reply to JoBrien]

Mr Tan is great. Like you say a very straight talker. I myself preferred that. The care that I have had st Basildon ctc has been second to none.

[JoBrien in reply to SharonTyrrell]

Hi Sharon, I agree they are brill. Actually going to call the AF nurses today to mention the red leg issue my husband is having and also how actually the last few days my husband just seems worse. He described this morning that instead of bouts it agresive episodes that last 10 mins, he now just gets them and they last for hours and just wipes him out with no energy or enthusiasm to get going. It breaks my heart to think of all you sufferers go through as to stand on the outside watching and feeling hopeless is horrible and stressful. People don’t realise how much of not only a physical drain it is for you all but also a mental thing too. Xx

[SharonTyrrell in reply to JoBrien]

I’m sorry to hear that your husband is having a rough time. When was his ablation. They say it can six months or more for the heart to be happy again. I hope you get some answers. Before my ablation I was having af episodes of 20 hours every three weeks. It’s exhausting both mentally and physically.