3 months + EP review

Having just seen Juggsy’s recent post I nearly decided to delay writing this. Many of us have had to face desperately low times and although I have been fortunate not to have faced such dark times, it’s easy to understand how AF can affect some people this way. Hopefully, my story will offer some hope although we all know with AF, things can change almost in an instant.

I had my second ablation just over 3 months ago to sort out some “loose ends” from a cryoablation I had over 2.75 months ago and today I had the first EP review. I was happy to tell him that apart from a very few ectopics and equally few runs of short, fast heart beats, every thing seemed good. The ECG was good and clearly he was pleased with my progress. We discussed medication and I said I would prefer to stay on Diltiazem for another 3 months and although he thought remaining on anticoagulation was marginal, we both agreed that I would continue to take Apixaban indefinitely. Although I see him again in March 2019 because I’m involved in a trial at St George’s, he has now discharged me back to my GP.

I’m very fortunate to retain this link with St George’s and have access to a good Arrhythmia Nurse so I am counting my blessings which make me really feel for those out there who, at the moment, are not so well placed.

We are going away next week for Christmas and the New Year so although I can dip into forum, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Christmas followed by a peaceful and healthy 2019 from Mr and Mrs FlapJack.

[Kaz747]

Merry Christmas to you too FlapJack and have a lovely holiday x

[Bagrat]

Sounds good stuff. Have a happy Christmas Wendyb

[Lorlaw70]

That's great news Flapjack, so pleased to hear you are doing good. Have a wonderful Christmas and all the very best for 2019 which I hope will find you well. Take care Laura

[Redders]

Have a wonderful Xmas and new year Flapjacks.

[Enjoy]

Happy Christmas from me also Flapjack.

It was very helpful to hear that you have been discharged to your GP's care but still have a connection should you need it. I often wonder, should my AF return, would I have to join the end of the "referral train" of about 6 months or pay for a first class ticket again and get on the fast one. Discharge for me made me feel a little insecure rather than great.

[jedimasterlincoln]

Merry Christmas!

[Barb1]

Great news. All the best to you and Mrs as well

[wilsond]

That's great news! 😀thanks for sharing positive experience! It's a very winding road sometimes with AF etc. I would say all of us have been very low at times.....

Best wishes for a great trip with Mrs F.Hope it's somewhere nice and warm!

Merry Christmas and a happy 2019 xx

[Gertsen]

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you to. Enjoy your holiday

Britta

[Fastbeat]

That all sounds good.Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[Hidden]

Wonderful news Flapjack - have a fabulous Christmas and New Year!

[jeanjeannie50]

Happy Christmas and New Year to our lovely Flapjack, the best waiter in the world and a valued contributor to this forum! Really glad to hear that all is well. X

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

😳👍🌹🎅

[Brizzy5000]

Merry Christmas and a happy New year to you and yours, keep the good news coming as it does inspire.

[Gincalpe]

Happy Christmas

[missyf323]

Hi Flapjack

My cryo was 10/22 and appears to have been unsuccessful. My EP believes after 6-7 weeks it can be determined. I was given another monitor to wear for this week to see what all the action actually is but think I will be headed in your direction as well, for a second ablation and can only hope for the same outcome. Thanks again for sharing the positive story, for me, it helps a lot. Any more details of what happened to you between ablation 1 and 2 would be great if you feel like sharing more! Happy Holidays!

[Hidden in reply to missyf323]

A bit in transit at the mo, but will get back to you.

[Hidden in reply to missyf323]

After what they call the “blanking period”, I was AF free for over a year but then AF episodes started and became more regular. They were nowhere near as severe as before the ablation and were stopped quickly using Flecainide as a PiP. The EP had some difficulty in treating one of my pulmonary veins therefore was not surprised that a second was necessary. It is not unusual for the expanding cryo balloon to miss tissue due to the irregular shape of some pulmonary veins. Hopefully, your situation is similar and you too will benefit from a second attempt. I think you may be in the US, but for all the folks in the UK, the sun is shining and the sky is blue here in Portugal.......and Brexit hasn’t been mentioned once!......😂😂

Happy Holidays.....🎅

[missyf323 in reply to Hidden]

Wishing you a wonderful vacation and a happy and healthy new year Flapjack. Portugal sounds like a perfect spot to relax and explore!

I am confused- were you free for a year from AF and then had the second ablation or 2.75 months after the first you that had the second? Sorry for being a dunce- beginning to think some brain cells were frozen along with some pulmonary veins! Thanks.

[Hidden in reply to missyf323]

Nothing wrong with your brain cells I’m sure. There was almost a 10 month waiting period for the second ablation so 1st was done in July 16. All was fine until around Nov 17 when I had 2/3 episodes and in December 17 I was put on the waiting list for a second. Whilst waiting, I had another 6 or so episodes which confirmed to me that I had made the right decision. Since the second, no episodes but touching wood and got everything crossed!!!

👍🤞👍

[missyf323 in reply to Hidden]

Now I understand! I can not really tell if what I am having is all ectopic or AFIB though I am inclined to think a bit of both! Time will tell and in the meantime I am just hoping for the best and happy that there will be some options to try again.

[Hidden in reply to missyf323]

It’s all in the pulse.....if your pulse is completely irregular, either fast or slow it’s generally AF. If it’s generally regular, but occasionally misses or adds a beat then that is an ectopic beat which most experts say are harmless, but they can also be unpleasant.....