Debilitating Flutter and Cardioversion

[Shcldavies]

I would really appreciate some advise from anyone who has been through what I am experiencing, I have had MAT for 23 years but have been just diagnosed with Flutter, the problem I have is when I am in flutter I have to stay horizontal, if I try to get up I feel Dizzy and collaps. The Doc put me on Flecainide in August and I felt better than ever for 4 months. Then I had the Flutter attack 3 weeks ago which Doc put down to the Flecainide, after 4 days had Cardioversion which put me back in NSR but still unable to do anything with dizzy spells when I stand. Now on Bisoproplol, digoxin and rivaroxban and feel ok when just sitting. What I would like to know is has anyone else had such low tolerance of Flutter and taken so long after Cardioversion to recover.

[Kaz747]

I was diagnosed with MAT last year after my second ablation for SVT when my EP said that every time he ablated a foci another one popped up somewhere else. We agreed to keep me on drugs and if I had an episode I’d take extra. That was fine until April when I had tachycardia and extra drugs wouldn’t help. My HR was a constant 150 for 3 days. I was diagnosed with Flutter and given a cardioversion. A few days later I was diagnosed with Shingles and was quite ill for a month. I got back to work for a few weeks then went back into Flutter then AFib so I’ve not felt great since. I have good moments then other times it’s a struggle to walk up the stairs.

[Shcldavies in reply to Kaz747]

Sorry to hear that your still on the recovery journey, the shingles would have irritated your body at a time when you needed to recover. I take it that your Fluter and AFib come and go as they please, how debilitating are they for you, I am concerned that my Flutter is causing something quite dangerous as if I am not horizontal within 20 secs I collapse (haven't blanked out yet). Can you stand and move around when your in Flutter and following your cardioversion was your heart OK or did the shingles prevent you from doing anything. Are you back in work now or are your symptoms too debilitating.

[Kaz747 in reply to Shcldavies]

I’ve had a challenging year. I was walking around with flutter but struggling a bit. I got back to work a month after my cardioversion and Shingles then ended up back in hospital 6 weeks later with flutter and then AFib. I had an ablation in September which fixed up the flutter but not the AFib. I’ve been off work since mid June. I’m on heaps of drugs but they still aren’t controlling it. Going for more tests in the New Year to see if there’s something else going on contributing to the problem (eg auto-immune, lungs, digestion, sleep issues). If you are collapsing I’d try to get answers sooner rather than later. All the best.

[Shcldavies in reply to Kaz747]

Good luck with your new tests, I think the problem we all have is that there just is not enough EPs to go around and during the waiting periods many deteriorate to some other arrhythmia as well. My condition changed in October 2016, went to Docs in January 2017 saw Cardiologist in June 2017 still waiting to see EP. I should. be talking in days or weeks rather than months and years. The Docs do their best but Organisation is letting us and them down by near non existent administration. I collapse when in Flutter and as I am in NSR now waiting for an EP appointment I am not sure what else I can do to get seen quicker. Who would have thought that I would be so desperate to get an Ablation. Hopefully my last stint in Hospital will move things on a bit.

[Polski in reply to Shcldavies]

Ring and check you are on the list, and ask for a cancellation, saying that you have to lie down within 20 secs when it happens. If this doesn't work see your GP with the same information, and ask if they can chivvy them up. It may be better to try an EP at a different hospital. If all else fails, consider getting a private appointment (research on here for details).

[Shcldavies in reply to Polski]

Thank you for the reply, your advise is appreciated. My Cardiologist has seen the ECG during one of these episodes (21 days ago) and is in discussion with the EP to get an appointment for an EP study/ablation, expecting to hear within the next few days once the festive season is over. I have been to see the GP and to A&E in the last 8 days and whilst they will not be aware of the ECG they say that I should be OK once the new drug combination kicks in. Thankfully I am not in Flutter since the Cardioiversion 16 days ago so I can get around but I do feel that I could go back into flutter if I do too much as any physical effort starts the ectopics. Still not sure why I feel so bad, so long after Cardioveersion, may be the Digoxin, or may be my condition is getting worst.

[Kaz747 in reply to Shcldavies]

It’s easier to get seen here in Australia. When I was first referred to see a cardiologist I had to wait about 3 weeks for an appointment and the weekend before I was due to see him I ended up at my GP’s and was sent to the Emergency Department. The cardiologist referred my to my EP and I saw him very quickly. I’ve developed a great relationship with my EP (I’ve seen him often enough!). I have him on speed dial in my phone and if I email him he always get back to me very quickly. I couldn’t ask for better care. All the best in your endeavours to see an EP soon.

[Shcldavies in reply to Kaz747]

Thank you, hope I get an appointment soon. Good to hear that your able to have such a quick and convenient means to you EP, looks like access is much better in Australia. It would mean so much if I could discuss my condition first hand with the EP. Not least asIt would build up my confidence greatly if he knew my current condition and be able to priorities accordingly based on up to date information.

[Hidden]

Are you sure you are still in NSR? Atrial flutter isn’t always fast at rest.

[Shcldavies in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply, I am pretty sure I am in NSR as the ECGs I have had show me in NSR and I can move around in a limited way. My concern is that I would have expected to be back to some form of normality nearly 3 weeks after ablation.