Letter from EP

[wilsond]

Got my resu!ts of the 7 day holter,which was to decide whether to remain on list for ablation for afib and flutter or not. I was in sinus rhythym throughout,with some AFib and Flutter events of short duration.This was is in heatwave end July when lots of us struggled,and I also had an emergency tooth extraction! My recent echocardio showed a normal heart structure and function,apart from a biscuspid aortic valve,

Letter said 'if your symptoms are well controlled with medication,then ablation is not necessary,as it is purely for symptom relief and not life saving.I will remove you from the list,but you will remain under review every 6 months. Should you have debilitating or worsening symptoms or more frequent episodes,please contact the arryhmia nurses . I have asked for an OP appointment for you'

Thought Id share his thoughts.(Proff Osman) on the purpose of ablations here.

[Jalia]

Thanks for sharing ! That all sounds very satisfactory and I'm sure very reassuring for you , not least because you are still being kept in 'the loop'.

[BobD Volunteer]

As you know, I have been saying for years that any and all treatment for AF is only about quality if life (symptom control) so nice to see this.

[wilsond in reply to BobD]

Yes indeed Bob,thought youd appreciate me sharing it from the horses mouth!

[Finvola]

Thank you for posting this - typical, though of the elusive condition! My EP said almost the same to me as I am happy to stay on Flecainide. Fingers crossed that your AF still thinks you are wearing a monitor. xx

[wilsond in reply to Finvola]

Thank you,you stay well too!

[teach2learn in reply to Finvola]

I have been pleasantly surprised, after experiencing a return of worsening symptoms 2-1/2 years post 2nd ablation, that all ectopics and flutters have backed off following carefully consistent doses of 400 mg liquid COQ 10 daily. It's nothing short of miraculous! Not unlike the results of MoveFree (Schiff)(glucosamine/chondroitin+) for my knees. I've been able to put of knee replacement for 15 years! Of course, losing 20 lbs helped, too. I could chalk it up to placebo effect or coincidence, but each time I have had symptoms start up a little, I realize, after the fact, that I missed that day. Taken at recommended doses, for me at least, these two supplements have been life altering.

[Hilly22]

Good morning Wilsond 😊

I know you’ve been in a dilemma over this, so it must come as quite a relief to have that decision made, and at the same time know that they’ll keep you under review.

Take care and keep well my friend xx

[wilsond in reply to Hilly22]

Indeed,i have been hoo ing and haa ing while been on their long waiting list 12 to 18 months at UHcW...Ive been on 19 months! Thank you lovely,have a ice weekend in the nice sun! Stay well xx

[Rienij70]

Very happy for you. Xx

[wilsond in reply to Rienij70]

Thank you Rienjij,hope your are well too xxx

[Rienij70 in reply to wilsond]

Yes I am doing well thank you, still alive and causing havoc here and there. Xx

[wilsond in reply to Rienij70]

Keep up the good work my friend!! Ha ha! Xxx

[jeanjeannie50]

Sounds like a good decision. Best wishes.

Jean x

[wilsond in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Feels like the right thing to do at present but will keep eye on the ball!! Best wishes to you too, x I shall of course remain on the forum anyway xxx

[Ianp66]

Good news, hopefully it all settles down a bit now for you x

[wilsond in reply to Ianp66]

Thank you,shall monitor closely,if it starts to get worse shant mess about! At the moment i can manage episodes with flec. Etc. Stay well Ian x

[Bertiedette]

Good news Wilsond I am awaiting for the same news as you.. Not been on an holter but may have desision to make. After deciding note to ablate I think that I am in permanent af now and not able to get back into sinus rythm. Despite upping doses of meds. I will be seeing Mr Osman on December 6th. I don't want an Ablation but will be guided by Mr Osman.

Best wishes for the future.😄😄

[wilsond in reply to Bertiedette]

Oh good luck bertiedette! Best wishes,let us know how you get on! If ever you fancy meeting up .....xx

[Hidden]

I thought that the NICE guideline was that if medication was not successful in stopping the episodes or greatly reducing them, ablation is automatically recommended. I was told that in my case abaltion is advised even on the basis of having an episode once or twice a month. So your episodes must be very infrequent?

[wilsond in reply to Hidden]

No if AF symptoms are well controlled or respond well to medication when they occur, Prof Osman said the risks outweigh the benefits,as if my QOL is good,then will not be significantly improved by what us after all an invasive proceedure. I get AF and AFlutter a few times a week ..but not every week, as soon as it starts ..respond with Flecanide as pill in pocket. Stops it quickly ..within minutes.

Each of us AF people are different it seems to be,if you have debilitating symptoms I'd see the point of ablation. At this point I do not ,compared to when I first got AF diagnosed..awful symptoms..terribly stressful personal and work life ,health in general was poor. Now in much better place and state....

Best wishes to you xx

[Hidden in reply to wilsond]

As your symptoms stop promptly after taking flecainide there is little time for the AF to do much damage- I suspect that is the main reason an ablation is felt to be inappropriate . Mine last from about 6-8 hours, usually, and so will, apparently , lead to further enlargement of the left atrium which will result in breathlessness eventually.

[wilsond in reply to Hidden]

I will watch carefully. I have had long episodes before,and sometimes now and then now. But overall the QOL is good. Proff Osman told me that actually the AF is still there,but the ablation interferes with the neural recognition in the brain and thus we feel relief from symptoms .Best wishes xx

[Hidden in reply to wilsond]

I didn’t know anything the neural recognition of AF in the brain. Does this imply that the benefits of an ablation are largely illusory- you still have AF but you don’t know you have it? I do think that more information should be given to patients about the procedure.

[wilsond in reply to Hidden]

That's what he said definitely..and I had a witness with me! He is due to speak at the Patients Day in Brum in October..sadly away or if have gone as it's only 20 miles away. Xx

[Beehive1]

Very happy for you.

[Hidden]

Thanks for the info- glad you have received such good caring treatment- wish it was more available hereabouts as trying to get proper treatment must add to the stress of having PAF!