Ablation

[Patchwork123]

I have just seen my cardiologist who feels an ablation is the best option for me, I have PAF/ Flutter and have had a couple of visits to A and E in the last few months but prior to that maybe only two or three visits in the last fifteen years, I take 80mg Sotolol twice daily and Apixaban. He said that I may be able to come off heart medication apart from Apixaban after the ablation which is something I long to do. Could I ask how many people have successfully been able to stop medication after ablation.

[Hidden]

Whilst many are able to stop their AF medication after an ablation, it is not always the case for everyone. As with many treatments, there are so many variables therefore it is impossible to be specific. It takes a while before you know whether an ablation has been successful or not, so often medication is continued for at least 3 to 6 months. In some cases, where blood pressure remains high or pulse rate is a bit high, betablockers or calcium channel blockers are continued to help control these levels as they may have a detrimental affect on the success of the ablation. Even if medication is not stopped, doses may be reduced significantly which is all to the good, but whatever responses you might get to your post should only be seen as a guide because we are all different.......

[Patchwork123 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you flapjack I understand.

[BobD Volunteer]

Any and all treatment for AF is only about removing symptoms and improving quality of life (QOL) but yes many people are able to stop or drastically reduce medication (not anticoagulation) post ablation. I am 12 years post my last AF ablation and AF free but back on meds after 11 years due to another arrhythmia. Worth every second mind.

Do understadn that recovery is not instant and can take up to six months or more and if you decide to go ahead please read our two fact sheet on preparing for and recovering from ablation.

[Patchwork123 in reply to BobD]

Thank you for your reply BobD I will read up on it.

[Kaz747]

I had my last ablation 11 months ago and I’m now on 1/2 Attenolol per day which I’m happy to stay on to keep the odd little bumps away.

[Patchwork123 in reply to Kaz747]

That seems like a very good outcome. Thank you for your reply.

[Brad43]

My ablation was about 1-1/2 years ago. I'd been on Flecainide for a long time before, and stayed on it for a few months after. Then it seemed like it might have been triggering AF sometimes, so I switched to Amiodarone, which I had been on a couple of years previously. After a few months of that, they determined it was causing pulmonary problems, so they took me off of it. That was probably a year ago, and I haven't been on any med except Eliquis since then. I've only had 2 episodes in the last several months, but they last longer than they used to. I'm OK with that, as I was having them every 2-3 days before. I'm hoping the last couple of them were the final ones, and I won't have any more, but probably being too optimistic. I don't know if any of this is interesting or helpful, or if I'm just rambling as I so often do (at age 76), but there it is.

[Patchwork123 in reply to Brad43]

Thank you for that it’s good to hear everybody’s experience. Best wishes to you.

[cuore in reply to Brad43]

Were you having these episodes every 2-3 days when you were on Amiodarone? And, when you were taken off Amiodarone then you have had the two episodes? When I took Amiodarone, I would get episodes, but when I went on Flecainide I was in sinus for 5 months. Also, it seems you were in PAF when you had your one and only ablation?

[Brad43 in reply to cuore]

The every 2-3 days was while I was on Flecainide, prior to ablation. After ablation, I stayed on it for a few months and still had AF, a lot at first (while the heart remodeled) but decreasing over a few months. Then I switched to Amiodarone, and still had some AF, but fewer than with Flecainide, and eventually decreased to where I've only had the two AF in the last several months.

[KMRobbo]

Yes I came off all meds 4 months after my ablation but i only had PAF 3 years. However i had 12 incidents in 20 months, and get were getting more frequent and persistent.

[Brizzy5000]

Had my ablation for AF and Atrial Flutter on the 2nd of May 2018 at Bristol heart institute under sedation it was ok and have been AF free since, after 3 months I was off all heart meds only rivaroxaban anticoagulant I will stay on now as my age is 66, best decision I ever made as my QOL now is GREAT

[Patchwork123]

That sounds really encouraging, so glad things have worked out well for you. I have yet to see the consultant who will carry out the procedure so looking forward to discussing in detail. I think I am feeling more for it than against, it is a big decision but the hope I may be able to stop the heart meds is a big plus.

[Beta44]

Ablation nearly five years ago and came off all meds apart from Edoxaban straight away. No AF since and BP dropped back to normal after procedure, QOL fantastic but I stay fit and don’t put on weight.

[Patchwork123 in reply to Beta44]

That’s a brilliant result so pleased for you 😀

[KipperJohn]

Always felt it’s whatever each individual feels comfortable and safe with, taking into account advice from your EP. I had two ablations in 2016 and 2017 and have been virtually AF free six months following the second one - it took quite a while to settle down but worth it. I’m still on the same meds including Metoprolol, Losartan , Apixaban etc and have no plans to stop taking them as I think my body is used to them and I feel safer - if that makes sense. In 1917 I had an inguinal hernia operation and was also diagnosed with prostate cancer, from which I appear to have recovered after hormone therapy and radiotherapy. I sometimes wonder if I’d have coped without the ablations and meds. My quality of life at 72 is pretty good and I’m reasonably active.

I gave my eldest granddaughter away at her wedding on Saturday and my wife and I are off to Australia for Easter. I might do it all a fair bit slower these days but it’s worth it.

My best wishes and good luck.

[Camelia23 in reply to KipperJohn]

Glad you're enjoying life. It must be partly due to your hernia op 103 years ago!

[Patchwork123 in reply to KipperJohn]

Thank you KipperJohn it’s sounds like you have been through a lot but living life to the full, best wishes to you.

[bayonnejoe1]

Apixaban has had zero side effects for me. It's just an odds choice. Lower the stroke risk from 6x to 2x (I had a stroke on an aspirin regime a few years ago) and accept the small potential for a major bleed. Frankly, I've had several wounds, and tattoos, since going on apixaban and coagulation has been fine, so much so, I've been left anecdotally wondering about it's effectiveness. But don't get me wrong, I'm relying on the data and have now used apixaban religiously for over 2 years w/o incident. If you can manage cost via insurance or otherwise I recommend it.

[Patchwork123 in reply to bayonnejoe1]

Thank you for your response, I too have no side affects from apixaban it’s the heart meds that make me lethargic and the hope is I could stop them after ablation, I think I am swaying more to having it done.

[lovemy2]

Hello there! I had an ablation on June 12, 2019. I was on Flecanaide and Telemesatan 20 mg and Eliquis. After my ablation I was able to stop everything. My blood pressure is normal and I have not had one episode of AFIB. It is so freeing to me. I was one of the lucky ones as I know some people continue on meds. Best of luck to you.

[Patchwork123]

Thank you so much for your reply, thats a brilliant result so encouraging. I hope I am as lucky as you. Best wishes.