7 WeeksPost Cryoablation...

[missyf323]

Due to come off the 50 mg 2x a day of flec this week and while I have had some episodes a few times a week rhey have mostly been short. Feel nervous that they will be more plentiful and cause my paroxysmal state to pregress even faster... Feeling stressed by all of this which we know can't help matters--- any thoughts, advice?

[jennydog]

It's still early days so don't be downhearted. Things are likely to improve. Do retain some flecainide to use as a pill-in-the- pocket. Always keep it to hand as it will help your confidence.

[missyf323 in reply to jennydog]

Thank you Jenny- great suggestion and I appreciate your kind words as well. Happy holidays!

[Kevwray]

Missy - from my experience (now 12 weeks post my 1st cryo ablation), had some minor issues & eptopics in the first 3 weeks, came off Flec after 4 weeks & had a little bump as body adjusting to no meds. Now only minor bumps ~ 2 weeks ago but feel great for being Flec free & no thinners either !

I would recommend buying the Kardia Alivecor, which cost me £90 but has been brilliant as could e-mail the 'bumps' to my EP & told no issues. Key thing if I could go back & speak to myself some weeks ago .... don't panic, things will get better & think about something different from your heart ... its had too much attention ! - good luck

[missyf323 in reply to Kevwray]

Thank you for your thoughtful and informative response- I will be happy to be off meds as well but have some apprehension based on the episodes I have experienced- mostly short and some ectopics but I have only gone 5 consecutive days with nothing.... remaining optimistic and yes- just ordered the Kardia! Thanks again and happy holidays.

[KMRobbo]

If you do get an episode which is an issue you can take some more tablets.

I came off flecainide 3 weeks before my follow up EP post procedure appointment, my presumption being that if the ablation was not a 100% success then I would have got some episodes, not masked by the flecainide, which I could report at the meeting and which may have been apparent on the ecg which was taken immediately prior to that appontment.

[missyf323 in reply to KMRobbo]

Hi KM- Curious, while on the flec did you have any episodes? Awaiting a call back to discuss just how to take the flec as needed but hoping unnecessary, however, as a realist, while remaining optimistic I understand that the likelihood of some sort of bump is great and will deal with it and what ever comes my way. I am 4 weeks out from the follow up so plenty of time to assess success....fingers crossed-and all other body parts as well!

[Morzine]

Thanks for posting that missyf323, as I haven’t had mine yet, due mid January.....but the coming off the Flecainade at some point after I’ve been thinking about that as it’s been my saviour.....I guess a bit like getting rid of the crutches and walking alone. I’ve been warmed by the replies you’ve got......

[missyf323]

Hi Morzine- Yes, this is indeed a lovely community of caring knowledgeable people with a wealth of hands on information we can all learn from. My cryo was 22 Oct and for a week I did not use the flec, however, at my week follow up my EP suggested a 6 week round of it which ends tomorrow! I have had various irregularities but remain optimistic. Whether the procedure worked or not I will take many life and personal lessons from this experience and move forward with another course of action as needed. Will keep you posted after a week or so off the flec. Thanks for your response and happy holidays.

[KMRobbo]

I only ever had one episode when I was on flecainide and that was pre ablation and when I had missed taking one pill the evening before! So my fault.

I did not have any episodes post ablation on or off flecainide. I did get ectopics, and still get them but I decided to ignore them after about 6 weeks, and now mostly don't notice them unless I get one when I am trying to go to sleep and everything is quiet and you can hear your heartbeat.

The ' ignore them' philosophy began because I would get an ectopic, bump bump silence big bump and then my hr shot up for a while. Then I realised I was causing the high hr because after the big bump my brain said " oh sh**, AFib is back!" and the adreniline gets going (this was one of the ways my afib started previously).

After a bit of practice I managed to stop the high hr occurring (mostly) .

[missyf323 in reply to KMRobbo]

The mind heart connection is very real...

[KMRobbo]

In my case it was called FEAR!

[missyf323]

Yes, I understand that! Just spoke with EP who thinks I should wear a monitor for a few weeks once off the flec. Ugh, but at least we will know if the procedure did anything or that I will need to redo. Still feel optimistic....hoping I am not just being a Pollyanna!