So today I had my 6 month check up with the cardiologist.
As you know, I’m in NSR from January this year after cardioversion.
I suppose I could say I feel a little deflated as the Dr said he still wants me to have an ablation.... I have to carry on with the drugs and go on the waiting list for an ablation.
He said he doesn’t think I’ll stay in NSR....
dammit! 😕
Well we all know that cardioversion is not a cure for AF so yes it may come back. It is perhaps extreme that after only one event you are being told you need ablation. If you were in a part of the world where people pay for treatment this would ring alarm bells for me but I think not. I am a great fan of ablation as most here know but even so it does strike me as a little extreme. Have you made all the reccomended life style changes first?
Again there may well be a genetic/hereditary link with AF but it does make me think.
I have done all the changes.... no alcohol, no caffeine and lost 2 stone.
However my Dad had AF and died of a bleed in the brain last year. My AF started a short time after he died.
I had persistent AF. It never stopped, no episodes.
The Dr also said because of my gastric bypass that the usual drugs for PiP etc if AF came back, can’t be used for me. He said if I go back into AF, I should go to A&E and get another cardioversion while waiting for the ablation.
That sounds like good advice, give your background.
Why were you told after gastric bypass you cannot use PIP,I have not been told that so was curious .
He said I would not ingest the tablet well enough and it can produce some chemical imbalances.
Hi Hun. Cld u get a 2nd opinion??
Disappointing BC. The fact you are still in sinus after 6 months is good news though.
I`m two months NR after my CV. Chuffed to bits but expecting the worst. Maybe I`ll be following in your footsteps after my 6 month follow up 
Good luck with it - not news you wanted to hear.
Best,
Paul
Yeah I initially was counting the days, then weeks that I was in NSR after my CV... but fearing it would all come back. 6 months on and I actually only think about my AF now when I’m on here.... I’ve got used to being in rhythm. So I kinda hoped I was gonna be the one who’s CV lasted forever!!
Long may ours continue.... despite the pessimism of the Cardiologists!!
Actually I think it is good news as he is seeing it as a preventative procedure.
You’re probably right.... not even probably!!
I agree with Barb1 and your consultant is looking long term which can't be anything but positive. I was the same with my PAF, nothing for 11 months following a Cardioversion and when I was least expecting it I had an episode and had to have a further Cardioversion and at that point the consultant said that I would really benefit from an ablation. At first I was really hesitant but I had a real intuitive feeling of thrust with the consultant so went for it and although they said up to 6 months I had it done within 3. It was on the 31st May this year so i'm still on 100mg x2 a day but feel confident that I certainly made the right decision. Wishing you well.
Thankyou and yes I will do what the consultant says!
Grab it with both hands!
I will Mike!
I think it’s a good decision too. Like you I was in persistent AF prior to having a CV which lasted around a year but at the first signs of AF I was put on a maintenance dose of Flecainide until my first ablation which was around 6 months later. I think it is important to nip rogue impulses in the bud so having an ablation sooner rather than later sounds like a very good idea.....
and did the ablation work?
Needed a second but so far, so good!
Great! I am guided by the consultant.... I will do what he says. I was just a bit deflated yesterday 👍😉
You will be fine......👍
I think a little differently to most other members on here. In your shoes I would want to wait and see if my AF came back before having an ablation. Like you I've been 6 months AF free after a cardioversion at the beginning of January, have changed my diet too.
Do you know if you'll have a long wait and did your AF attacks make you feel really ill when you had them?
Jean
I think it’s 6 months or more, the wait JJ. I’ll see him again in 4..... he said let’s see how you are then if you haven’t slipped back.
I had persistent AF, no attacks, it was all the time. I did feel ill with it.... bit short of breath, tired and a permanent headache.... but I got used to it. I just carried on till I got my CV.
Maybe my body will decide....
That's good that you have a bit of time to see if you stay AF free now. For some reason I've been AF free for the last three summers and then it comes back and stays constantly from around the end of October to May/June, but have never been AF free for as long as 6 months before. I'm really hoping it's my change of diet and breathing more deeply that's helped this time and that I'll stay in sinus rhythm permanently.
Hope you stay well.
Jean
You too JJ.... fingers crossed for all of us CV’rs!!
Integrative Cardiologist
3 month post ablation consultation 
3 months post 3rd Ablation check up,
First visit to the cardiologist
Five month post-ablation check
