My AF story.

[shirlygirly]

My introduction to af started approx 10 years ago. I was about 70

and was a little worried but at the same time was certain that after

the medication everything would be sorted. After around 7 years or so

and 4 ablations, obviously I had periods after each ablation when my

heart settled down but unfortunately,9 I found myself back to square one.

On the last occasion I completely collapsed and the result of that was

I needed a pacemaker which really knocked me for six. It didnt stop

the af and I gladly accepted av node ablation which Im pleased to report solved my problem.

The lessons I have learned from this is taking it too lightly, I was

so fit for my age, I was regularly walking miles round the area where

I live, I was so independent I never thought it would come to this.

On my first visit to see my consultant he said I needed a Pacemaker but at the time it seemed such a drastic step when most of the time

I was fine.

I had the av node ablation around 18 months ago, I was terrified but had

to accept it was the only option. I have been struggling to breathe

for some time admittedly some days are better than others and I

accept I could be a lot worse. My diagnosis is a degree of heart failure

which I find hard to live with. My consultant says the best thing I can

do is exercise, walking which Im doing every day. I try and do a bit in

the garden but sometimes its a struggle. I try and do 10,000 steps

but dont always manage that.

I wish with all my heart I had had the pacemaker when it was offered

on my first visit. My consultant says you have to decide that for yourself when you are ready, but what did I know, I now know that the older you are an ablation is unlikely to work for long.

Having said all that I have had excellent treatment at LGI and I

really couldnt praise all the staff highly enough.

Good luck to all who are just starting their journey most of you Im

sure will have a successful outcome.

.

[CDreamer]

Lovely post. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but we work with what we know and think and feel at the time. I found I had to drastically amend my expectations of what I can now do and not but it is hard adapting isn’t it?

I found PM worked for me without the AV node ablation but everyone responds differently to each treatment .

[shirlygirly in reply to CDreamer]

Hi CDreamer, Im so grateful to you, I somehow got to read some old posts, among them yours about your husband. Hope Ive got the right person!!

When I got the diagnosis of HF I was really knocked for six and felt really

sorry for myself. After reading how well your husband is doing it has made me feel so much better, it is possible to pick yourself up and improve your heart health however bad you feel some days.

I do have days when I feel better than others like today, so I popped my jacket on and went for another walk and it cheered me up enormously.

Luckily I live in a countryside area so I am really lucky. I was feeling a bit down today and your post really picked me up and made me realise that there are people worse off.

I have just had a new lead put in my crt pacemaker and that has really

improved things for me. I am slightly worried about after the lockdown

as at the minute I am nervous about going out and about.

I am almost 83 so I expect that will be sometime off.

Thanks so much.

[irene75359]

I think you have articulated how many of us feel when we wish we had done something differently but you are obviously doing everything now to keep as fit as you can.

10,000 steps? I am so impressed!

Wishing you well.