EP dismissed Bisoprolol causes memory problems or that light headedness has anything to do with AF. Told hubby you should have had the ablation when you were first diagnosed as it now has only a 50% chance of working. Then suggested cardioversion to see if a possible short spell of normal heart rythmn confirms light headed symptoms are experienced or not. If they are then to have 1, 2 or even 3 ablations.
Now he's not sure about any of it! He lives an ok life , drinks wine, potters about, plays with all the Grandkids..no stress in life. Feels ok most of the time. So, what would you lovely people recommend ?
Thanks in advance.
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Gill2016
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Gill, all I can say is I've had 3 ablations and still have lots of longer periods (now months) of PAF, but it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be. Mind you I've changed my diet dramatically too and now avoid consuming anything that contains artificial additives.
I thought AF caused lack of oxygen to the body and hence that caused memory problems. We're given medication to slow down our hearts, but who knows what else it slows down in our bodies.
I'd certainly try the cardioversion offered, they never fail to get me back into normal sinus rhythm.
I had two that lasted fifteen months and possibly would have forever if I had not had procedures that stimulated my vagus nerve with the last one putting me into permanent AF. My AF started as a result of my aortic valve replacement although I had a few ectopic beats prior to then.
I find it odd that some people can stimulate theirs to take them out of AF. It must depend on which part of the vagus nerve is stimulated.
My GP told me that there are two vagus nerves one on each side of the body or perhaps it has two branches.
I thought a 'plant-based' diet was mainly vegetables, grains and pulses plus a couple of portions of fruit as sugar in fruit is still sugar - our friend discovered this the hard way when he went on a cruise and over indulged from the fruit bowl, then came home to a diagnosis of diabetes 🙁. Though knowing him I am sure pudding was involved as well! I certainly couldn't eat so much fruit - couldn't physically fit it in but if I could I'd either have diarrhoea or bloating or both. So really just amazed. According to Sugarisit that would be the cause of your AF - not sure I go along with that but it would be an interesting experiment to cut down on the fruit and see if it makes a difference?
Anyway it sounds very enjoyable, I do love fruit 🍒🍍🍌
I had a cardioversion four days after my valve replacement (June 2012) when first going into AF as a consequence of the operation. That one didn't work so I was on amiodarone and warfarin for three moths when I had a successful cardioversion and back into NSR until December 2013 when I went into AF following a colonoscopy that stimulated my vagus verve. More Amiodarone ( that gave me many problems)
until the next good cardioversion about three months later. OK for over a year when a DRE (digital rectal examination by a urology nurse again stimulated my vagus nerve again and into permanent AF.
I was listed for double ablation for AFib and Flutter. During the 18 month waiting list here I have improved symptom frequency and effect ,and have now been taken off list as EP said no point at this stage as it's just to prove quality of life not lifesaving .I will be reviewed regularly and if at any time I get more episodes etc I am to contact him straight away. Xx
leave well alone. you say he has no stress then be glad of that and get on and enjoy life as much as you can. That is what I do and I am too old for treatment other than medication and as soon as I accepted that I started to get on with living.
How old is too old for treatment ? I'm 85 and have had a pacemaker for nearly five years and have three times turned down various types of ablation since then. Cardioversions I'm told will no longer work due to the size of my right atrium but an ablation would possibly reduce the right atrium size first.
Hi Gill - whilst I am all for knowledge and people making informed decisions about their own healthcare, I am going to say something you may find difficult to ‘hear’ but please read to the end.
How come you are posting about this and not him?
It is your husband’s condition and therefore his body, his choice, but he needs time to consider his options and maybe some more information? Rather than you post - I wonder if he might maybe read this and previous threads as reading the stories of others in similar circumstances can often help one make one’s own decision.
I am not sure we would be able to recommend any course of action as we are not medically trained all we can do is to tell of our experiences and share our knowledge.
It sounds from what you write as though he is confused with the advice of the EP and but pretty content with his QOL as is?
Personally if an EP had spoken to me in those terms and told me breathlessness and dizziness was not caused by Af, I would be seeing someone else but I know several men who value authority and tend to go along with what the doctor says and don’t want to make the decision so want to avoid medical invasive interventions at any costs, luckily he has you who can help.
I think there are times to be insistent if you believe a medication is causing harm or in a life threatening situation as life is always about balance - but treatment of AF, apart from anticoagulants, is not in that category as as all treatment is about improving quality of life and asking are you better with the suggested drug/treatment or without? That is very individual.
All treatment come with risk but also benefits. I take several medications which I know carry significant life threatening risks - but I take them because life without them would be worse.
Bisoprolol suits some people and not others, personally I refused to take it because I knew it wasn’t helping me and I know it exacerbated my neurological condition. Unfortunately it is often impossible to say with certainty which causes more harm, the disease or the medicine, which is where we value the right professional advice.
Cardioversion, if successful, will indicate whether or not an ablation may work so that is a possibility, apart from any benefit from staying in NSR, but I believe that one needs to understand the reasons behind the suggested treatments to make an informed decision so maybe he needs to do his own research?
Thank you CD. I couldnt agree more about him doing his own research but he doesnt, and prior to reading your reply I gave him my phone to read some of the valuable info on this forum.
To date he has not bothered, just listens to what I read out. Im probably making it all too easy but have told him the decisions are his and his alone on this. Drives me mad to be honest .
I would go for the cardioversion but pass on the ablation(s). My reasoning is that your hubby seems to have a pretty good QOL and it would be interrupted for who knows how long by an ablation and he might even feel worse in some way after especially if prepped with Amiodarone. I would perhaps nag GP or cardiologist to tweak medication if the EP is only interested in ablation. And maybe he could work on his fitness a bit to keep up the strength of his heart, see BHF advice.
I hope you'll both be happy with whatever you decide 😊
Whilst I agree, I think you are often prepped with Amiodarone for a cardioversion if Af is long standing and/or persistent. Certainly my husband was but cardioversion only lasted 8 seconds - but miraculously the Amiodarone worked and to date - no AF & no affects.
You could try and reduce the Bisoprolol dose to the point it is effective with the minimum of side effects. If the dose is too low and side effects become obvious you could ask to be moved to another Beta-blocker. I am on Carvedilol and feel better for it.
I'd stay away from any unnecessary interventions.
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