Optimism of 2020 was temporarily shattered this weekend as AF reared it's head again! Been in persistent AF since Feb 2017. Cryoablation Dec 2018 failed after 10 weeks.Had a bit of a bumpy ride since 2nd ablation at end July 2019, now looks like I've developed Atrial Tachycardia. Hospitalised and cardioverted twice Nov/Dec.Yesterday ended up in A&E after 8hrs of Tachycardia followed by 20 hrs of fast AF recorded on Kardia. HR had been increasing and when I left home sitting around 158bpm after 28hrs. Initial assessment then ECG which left me speechless- unusually I had converted back to NSR on my own at 67 bpm. Monitored for couple of hrs then discharged AF free with no intervention. Never happened before, stunned but delighted. Just wanted to share a little bit of my journey with this frustrating condition. The forum has been such a help to me over past couple of years.
Linda
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lindat15
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Thanks CDreamer. No quick and easy fix it seems just a question of managing whatever it throws at you. That's why ongoing support from all of you is/has been so helpful.
I'm back on small dose of beta blockers (1.25)as been switched from Dronedarone to Flecainide. The problem is none of the meds in the past have been that effective at controlling heart rate when active. I have low bp, and when, medicated low resting heart rate too!- one of the main reasons for deciding on ablation. Tachycardia not very pleasant however if this settles and can maintain NSR then preferable to being in persistent af
Yes, everyone's heart is different, especially after successive ablations. Glad you are back in NSR. Do you take any magnesium supplements? The reason I ask is because I vowed that after my third ablation, I started taking magnesium and even though four days after my third ablation, I went into AF, I converted back to NSR, 28 days later. Between the heart healing, scar tissue forming, and supplemental magnesium, the healing heart calmed down enough to help with the conversion.
One size definitely does not fit all! Was your 3rd ablation for AF or something else?- consultant will if necessary consider 1 more ablation for the AT but not for AF due to extensive scarring. Interestingly I asked GP to check out magnesium levels before Christmas- all normal but I believe this shouldn't necessarily exclude taking supplement. Did you take magnesium on advice from doctor as sounds like you've benefitted from it?
Third ablation for AF. I had taken magnesium supplements in the past and had a real calming effect on my Afib. So just decided to take again after the third ablation.
Thanks doodle68 trying just to take things as they come but as we all know AF can revisit at any time. Tough few months but had to try ablation route as feel so much better in NSR and drugs weren't working - in spite of fact 2nd seems to have caused the Tachycardia😏
I find your recovery time line inspiring. It's a long ride from Feb. 2017 to Dec. 2018 to be persistent ( albeit 10 week reprieve) before your second ablation July 2019. So, your heart was able to be "naughty" for quite a while, but you did get back to NRS. It's only 6 months since your second ablation so may you have good fortune to stay in NRS.
Thanks for your encouraging words. Still trying to be optimistic. Have found recovery from RF ablation much tougher than first ablation which was Cryo😏
Your first ablation would have been around the pulmonary veins, but for your second ablation, the burning would be beyond them. If you do not already know, it would be a good idea to find out exactly what areas were ablated. You were persistent a long time for your heart to be remodeled. Hope your EP got all your rogue signals this time round. Nevertheless, do not be discouraged. I had to have three ablations since I was allowed to remain in persistent too long.
Interesting to hear your history as don't know many people who have/had persistent AF and ablation success - all had paf and successful ablations at first attempt. Unfortunately EP won't do third ablation for AF . I think ablated around septum and some ? Outer area. Just need to be patient I suppose I see if things will remain calm.
I find the position of your consultant disturbing because he has not been in your heart for a third time: "consultant will if necessary consider 1 more ablation for the AT but not for AF due to extensive scarring ."
I asked my Bordeaux EP what was going to be done for the third ablation. My EP answered that she had to be in the heart to exactly know. Well, my superior right pulmonary vein had reconnected plus I had developed atrial flutter in the right atrium. So, you say you have developed AT, but something must be causing the AF even if you have extensive scarring. My EP also said I have extensive scarring.
Hope you will remain in sinus. But, if you don't, I strongly suggest you consult another EP.
Appreciate your comments- unfortunately further ablation for AF has been ruled out by my EP due to extensive scarring 😣 If cant get tachycardia under control then he will do ablation to try and eliminate that but wants to monitor meantime
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long may your NSR continue...
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