Cardioversion

[West56]

Hi all just seen specialist and will not give me another cardioversion as first did not last long bit said a drug will keep me in n s r but it has side effects anyone k ow the drug name cheers

[Cazjay]

Hi sorry to hear your cardioversion didn’t last long. I’ve just had the same experience, mine lasted about an hour! If this helps I’m currently taking Bisoprolol (beta blocker) and Flecainide (anti arrhythmic) Good luck 😊

[Hidden in reply to Cazjay]

Is there a reason that they wouldn't try the cardioversion again? Mine lasted less than a week and I'd be willing to do it again just to see if we can get this right.

[Cazjay in reply to Hidden]

I was told that I would hear from cardiology in approx 2 months and sent home 🤷‍♀️ I also had cryo ablation in February and I have an appointment on Thursday to find out what happens next. My heart is still going crazy with meds and I’m thinking I just need to get on with!

[West56 in reply to Hidden]

Hi cameraguy I was look I ng forward to another cardio version but he said after one in wales cardiff I need to go on another drug ifirst to help me stay in n s r its a drug called anorodone

[Hidden in reply to West56]

I've had a visit to the cardiologist and now on the waiting list for ablation. He said that there's no reason to repeat the cardio version unless we do something else to cause it to be more effective. Makes sense I guess but burning (or freezing) the inside of your heart is a little worrisome. New meds now called digoxin. Lovely roller coaster of side effects

[BobD Volunteer]

Amiodarone is the usual drug to chemically convert but is not nice to use long term. Flecainide may be used alongside a beta blocker such as bisoprolol for longer term treatment. Not sure how much of a specialist he is. Have you seen a proper electrophysiologist (Electrician) or just a normal cardiologist(plumber)?

[West56 in reply to BobD]

Hi thanks for the reply it was with my cardiologist and another person who seemed to be in charge he was a specialist ?also if I dont take new drug he said within six years you will have forgotten that I have a fib and live a long life I am in wales its really good to know people are here for you

[CDreamer in reply to West56]

Unfortunately there are no EPs or specialist centres in Wales that I know of - Liverpool Heart & Chest or Bristol are the nearest. Many forum members from Wakes have had referrals to those centres - it is worth the travel to see a specialist!

If a Doctor had said that to me I wouldn’t have been at all happy. You never forget you have AF in my view.

May I suggest you go to the AF site & read up on your options. Best wishes CD

[Norm in reply to BobD]

From my personal experience I had five months on Amiodarone for afib. Nothing was explained to me. I am now on tablets for life for my thyroid. But the main thing is the Amiodarone did nothing for me except give me bad side effects. I know BobD says that there are no side effects, just effects and he is right. Please think seriously before you decide and do research Amiodarone. I know this drug has different effects on different people but at least be aware of whet they are.

[West56 in reply to Norm]

Thanks norm yes I will do a bit of searching before I make a choice just wish doctors etc talked and explained more about drugs and side effects ythanks to all that replyed

[sleeksheep]

There are a few that are prescribed so its anyones guess which one.

I had the same result with my first cardiologist - no more cardioversions but a change of cardiologist and a change of medication has had me in NSR four years in July.

A cardioversion followed with a drug that does not suit you and a cardiologist who cannot recognizance this can be very frustrating.

All afib drugs have side effects , its how they affect your quality of life thats the most important (side) effect.

Besides Amiodarone - which I would reject out right the ones I have been on are:

Flecainide - tolerated this after loading

Sotalol - never got used to this at all

Every person responds differently so no use worrying before hand.

[Finvola]

I was prescribed Flecainide almost five years ago and it has controlled my AF since then. It is normally accompanied by a beta blocker - mine is Nebivolol. All drugs have side effects but, so far, I have noticed nothing from Flecainide to worry me.

Propafanone is a similar anti-arrhythmic drug which already has a beta blocker built in and there is Amiodarone, usually for short term use.

The only way you will know for sure which drug is best for you is to try whichever your cardiologist prescribes and go from there. Beat wishes.

[Paulbounce]

My first CV lasted 3 months and the second 2 weeks.

I had CV number 3 this weekend - this time I`m on 200 mg of Flec a day. They hope it will help to keep me in NR.

It could be worth you asking for another spark and a drug, such as Flec, to see if it helps. The spark will get you back in NSR and Flec might help you stay there. It`s worth a punt.

Good luck.

Best,

Paul

[Ppiman]

I’ll he having that in a month’s time. I hope it works!

I guess the drug will depend on what the basic problem that’s causing your arrhythmia is? The safest general drugs that do this seem to be the beta blockers.

[Nugger]

British cardiologist put me on amioderone, I only took it until I was cardioverted 6 weeks later, I asked to be put on flecanide but they wouldn’t, came back to the states & cardiologist here put me on it & bisop.

Stay away from amioderone!

[Oldiemoldy in reply to Nugger]

The warnings on the amioderone scared me so much I refused to take it. Doctor said I was overreacting but he understood. So he added small dose of metropolol to the Multaq I was prescribed by ER doc the night after my post ablation release from hospital. I had an AFib attack that scared my relatives so they took me to ER.

Now off Multaq due to terrible cough it caused. Am experiencing an AFib incident now but it is not a bad one as they go.

So US docs also prescribe amioderone...

Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Oldiemoldy]

you were not overreacting , I took this dirty drug for a while, it killed my thyroid function and the photo sensitivity caused me to get sunburn if I stood too close to a window, wearing spf 50, in the winter!!

Never again

[Nugger in reply to Oldiemoldy]

Felt like I was dyeing on multaq, 3 days was all I could take, suppose to be similar to amioderone.