I have an ablation set for the 29th of October with one of the best in the US. I have a consultation for the 14th.
I have had "known" afib episodes twice in 5 years that required cardio conversion. I may or may not have other episodes I do not really know. After my last one in July my cardiologist suggested ablation as a way to treat and allow me to get away from the meds. My pause is two fold as one I seem to feel good now and was great for about 5 years until July and are there any long term effects from an ablation procedure?
Any thoughts
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easygoer13
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Before having this procedure I think I would go through the BRAINS list (see earlier posts). What medication are you on? and does it cause you any problems? As you are in the US I'm thinking of the expense too. All things I would be considering as ablation is not without risk and WCS you could be kicking a hornet's nest. Some people are going to disagree with me of course, just saying I think you are right to question the decision.
Since there is no cure for AF and any and all treatment is only for quality of life one must surely question such action if your QOL is already good. Here in UK I don't think doctors would be in such a hurry to perform the procedure but they do get paid whatever they do. I say this as a great fan of ablation by the way as I was always highly symptomatic but whilst fundementally a safe procedure it is not without risks.
yes and I think that is the question, is it worth the risks? If you believe your Doctor has your best interest at heart first and foremost and they recommend it, If you can trust them it is the way to go.
My question is does it make sense? I feel right now meds are controlling my life in the sense I have to have two alarms telling me what time to take which means what time I wake up in the morning. Are the Meds doing any long term damage to my body? can it be controlled differently?
Dronedarone does seem a bit heavy duty if not prescribed as a last resort but Eliquis is a lifelong drug for people over 65 with AF in the UK. Please let us know how your consultation goes.
I’m not sure anyone else can put themselves completely in your shoes, but from what you describe your view on ablation is very much 50/50. Most people end up with this procedure because their day to day lives are being compromised by the effects of AF. I’m one of those, and whilst I have no regrets whatsoever about my ablation, I got there after a long journey of ever increasing medication and more frequent AF episodes.
I knew in my own heart( sorry for that!) that the time had come, and it doesn’t sound like you are there yet. On the subject of the meds alone, if they had continued to control my condition, and I only had , let’s say, a couple of AF episodes a year, I don’t think I would have had the ablation. They can be effective for many years, but of course they have side effects, and not everyone comes off medication after ablation. I am a case in point. As for alternatives, ablation is still the main option. Research continues on both new drugs and treatments, and ablation themselves have been refined and improved over the years. Making general lifestyle changes, diet, exercise and working on your general sense of well being also have their part to play
Of course, doctors also look at other factors, and there is some sense in suggesting the procedure when you are younger ( 58 is young!). Having said that if you are otherwise well, there is still plenty of time to play with.
I’m not going to try and sway you one way or another, just give you more food for thought . Good luck.
That's interesting that eliquis is seen as a life long drug in the UK... I am 71 with my first flutter last April, and the consultatant has stopped my Eliquis already and may drop the beta blocker next month... Eliquis in the US in nor recommended for more than 3 years..... Haven't looked at warfarin, but I have heard of people taking that for 20 years. As I am going to do a David Attenborough and get my telegram from King William at age 100, I dont want to drugs for the next 29 years.
Can't find my source for that study right now so I will take it back for now..... If I do find the study I will post it. As these drugs are relatively new, I suppose there are no long term usage data as there is with warfarin... I suppose we are all guinea pigs in that respect... My EP specialist told me to stop using it 6 months after my flutter, so he must have some harm in mind...
My concern is that doctors who do not get paid by procedure as in UK can be independent with advice but surely where they are paid for each procedure as in some parts of the world, then that impartiality risks being compromised.
It's a concern here in the US... Everything is about $$$$.. I just did a 'free' colonsoscopy under Medicare as urged by my doctor. This week I got a bill saying Colonoscopy FREE, lassoing one polyp (20 seconds) was $395 and analysing it another $395 ...all after huge insurance payments by the insurance company. Before insurance it was thousands... So the polyp snip and looking at is costing me say £700 (Return flight Chicago/Heathrow)..... They want me back in 5 years to do another but they can get lost.. Its a racket... Back in 2008 I was billed $185 for shaking hands to meet my new doctor (20 seconds)...
Dilemma! I have made improvements to the frequency and intensity of Afib and flutter attacks through lifestyle changes,I was on waiting list for ablation and just been told that as now my meds (apixaban and flecanide taken on inset of any arrthymia)is controlling my symptoms well,therebis no point in having the procdedure.If you look at my posts I copied fhe letter out on here.Have a good talk with your consultant and make your decision based on what the proceedure will change.Some people remain on meds afterwards,and here in the Uk a recent study advised AF prone people,even after successful ablatiin,remain on anti coagulants for life. Good luck
Hi I know how you feel. My ablation is due 30/9 it was meant to be 27/8 but was cancelled last minute due to another urgent case. ( I was relieved to be honest ) but yes the question “ do I go ahead or just carry on “ as sometimes I can go a few months with a bad episode but then when you do have one you think “ thanks for that reminder as you know how poorly you feel” and at that point you want the ablation but then when feel quite well, you wonder if it’s worth the risk? I will go ahead with mine and let fate take its course. Good luck with yours I’m sure will be fine
Good Morning. I just had my 3rd ablation on September 10th. The last two were by one of the top Doctors in New Your City. I am a female and have been told that it usually requires more than one ablation, but there are many exceptions to that statement. Having AFIB, atrial flutter, and some other arrhythmias, my doctor feels he got them this time. I feel good just somewhat tired and limited on how much physical activity I can accomplish. In time, it all works out. As Bob stated, there is no cure but certainly improves your quality of life. I was on all of the cardiac medications and they failed me as my doctor stated. Best of luck and you will be glad you had your ablation. Please keep us posted.
I personally hate taking any meds. The thought of putting foreign chemicals in my body that will have to be increased in time just boggles my mind. I have the monster a couple of times a week. I was scheduled for an ablation scheduled aug 20th, which I cancelled 2 weeks before hand. My thinking is that once they go into my heart, freeze or burn, It CAN NOT be undone. and.... there is no guarantee that it will make things better, and the risks were just too high with only a 60% chance of stoppng the afib for an undetermined amount of time.
All the info you can get here, from people that have had this proceedure is the best! I have always found people here so helpful and allowing me to make a decision for me. You will make the right decision for you, so relax and get as much information as you possible can so you will have an informed decision.
I am curious where you are scheduled to have this done. Im in the US in central florida,
When I finally decided to have an ablation the decision came relatively easily. In fact I quickly went from undecided to wishing I had done it years ago — this based on my understanding that afib gets worse with time (each afib episode has a tendency to modify the heart reinforcing errant electrical pathways). I became mildly obsessed with the notion that my inaction was causing irreversible damage. This all prior to my ablation 10 months ago.
(The procedure was more unpleasant than I anticipated, but I am now — for now— afib and drug free. )
I am in the US as well and also 58 like you. I am scheduled for my first ablation this Thu. Sept. 26. I have a highly regarded EP doing the procedure at the university hospital in Madison, WI. I can understand your thoughts about whether to do the procedure or not. It definitely comes down to QOL. Mine was an easy choice to do an ablation. I tried some of the medications and not only did I feel fatigued and lethargic, they did not stop my afib episodes. I have paroxysmal afib, but the frequency has been rapidly increasing. 9 months ago, it happened once/month, a few months later once/week and last few months now twice/week. My episodes last 24-36 hours. Prior to this condition, my passion was endurance running and I can still run about 3 days a week (when I'm not having episodes), but at slow pace and no races. I am counting on the ablation to at least get me back to more frequent running, if I can do a occasional short race I'd be ever so grateful. If the first surgery doesn't work, I'm committed to a doing another one or two to get my life back. Good luck with your journey!
I am in the U.S. as well. I am 52 and have had AF for only 14 months. I wanted an ablation after the very first episode as the medication has made a dent in my once very active lifestyle. My insurance would not pay for it. After another episode and yet another med, the insurance company caved probably because they did not want to have to pay for 2 ER visits with a hospital stay a year. There is no guarantee that the meds will work this time. There is no guarantee the ablation will work the first time. I am willing to take the shot now, because who knows what will happen later especially if my episodes get worse and more frequent (as they tend to do). I want a shot at getting some of my life back now, while I can really enjoy it. My surgery is scheduled for November. Like many other posters here have said...everyone is different, everyone has different circumstances, you need to do what you feel in your heart/head is right for you.
I have only had AF for a little more than a year and the progression of frequency and intensity has been discouraging. I hope you have a good outcome on your first attempt.
I have had a third ablation and am now 4 1/2 months sinus. I believe I understood my EP correctly when he said that if I had gone beyond 6 months persistent for my first ablation , I would not have been able to return to sinus because I was one of the worst cases at the 6 months persistent. How long were you in persistent for your first ablation? I am not trying to scare because your body most likely reacts very different from mine.
Of course there are risks associated with ablation and your cardio will discuss these with you along with the likelihood of success. Make sure you get all this info and time to reflect before deciding. This has to be a very personal decision and in making it a lot will and should depend on how you are responding to the medication and any side effects. The meds do seem to be working as two episodes in five years is not a lot!!
Speaking personally I waited fourteen years until my AF became frequent and the usual treatment (IV flexanaide) failed to work this requiring cardio
Version which is not without its own risks!
I have been one of the lucky ones as so far - touch wood- my AF has not reoccurred post ablation and after three months i was able to cease taking any blood thinners or other medication.
As I say - this has to be a carefully thought through and well Informed decision
The good news is that if you have one of the best in the country the risks of complications in the procedure itself are of course much reduced
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