1st Cardioversion

[Safc1983]

I had my first cardioversion on Thursday and I’ve returned to afib today. I feel really disheartened about it. I was aware that cardioversion wasn’t a cure but I expected a longer period in NSR if I’m honest. I’ve taken a lot of steps to improve my overall health and had hoped this would be a factor in how long I could stay “normal”. I’m due to see the cardiologist next month but I’m not keen on ablation or a lifetime on medication but those are my only options it seems.

[BobD Volunteer]

That the DCCV worked albeit for a short time is good news. Yes it signposts towards ablation as a possible next treatment but do remember there is no cure, merely improved quality of life from cessation of symptoms. Obviously only you can decide on your next step when you see your Electrophysiologist.

[Safc1983 in reply to BobD]

Thank you for your reply BobD

[Paulbounce]

Don't be to disappointed Safc. In fact it's great news you returned to sinus - even if it was just for a few days.

Here's why.

I've had 3 CV's. The 1st one lasted about 3 months - the 2nd a few days and the last one is still rocking after about 16 / 17 months.

The fact you returned to sinus is great news - treatments can work for you. The last one for me involved being put on flec - 50mg twice a day and then increased to 100mg twice a day. It has worked wonders. Why they didn't do it in first place evades me.

May I suggest you talk to your cardio about going down this route and trying it ? Maybe it won't work for you - who can tell. However it's certainly something to talk to your cardio about. I know it has worked for many on the forum and certainly for me personally.

It won't hurt to ask and might tick some boxes for you

Paul

EDIT - if you and your cardio do decide to go down this route you'll need to start flec before your next CV. Flec on it's own did not convert me but after the CV it's kept me in sinus. So to be clear - talk to your cardio about building up the med in your body and then have your CV. The CV may put you in normal rhythm and the flec (flecainide) helps it stop that way.

[cuore in reply to Paulbounce]

May I ask you how long you were persistent for your first CV. Congratulations on your third. May you stay in sinus.

[Paulbounce in reply to cuore]

From memory it was 3 months (may have been 4). Memory like a sieve me

Paul

[cuore in reply to Paulbounce]

Sounds as if you were persistent for three months to be able to get such good results after your third CV. Luckily your heart didn't get remodelled too much compared to those that are six months and beyond.

I was persistent for six months before my first ablation resulting in my heart being greatly remodelled. But, I had a CV at three months which unfortunately kept me in sinus for only three days. I had no follow up care. I do wonder what would have happened had I had another CV shortly after my first. It is enlightening to read stories like yours.

[Paulbounce in reply to cuore]

Sorry cuore - I misread your email. Your question was how long I had been in afib before my CV ?

Looking back I would guess a year or so before it was picked up. I was very lucky !

Paul

[cuore in reply to Paulbounce]

I think you read my email correctly. I was trying to establish how long you were persistent before your CV, not paroxysmal plus persistent which you appear to say a total of a year.

From being diagnosed, I was one year paroxysmal for arrhythmia under a GP who didn't know what he was doing and didn't have the smarts for a referral. Then I spent three months persistent for a CV.

If you were one year persistent which would get you to long standing persistent, statistics show greatly remodelled hearts most of the time. Personally, I think your luck was your youth (probably under 60), a strong heart, and the three months persistent, not more. That is just my analysis, and obviously, I am not medically trained.

[Paulbounce in reply to cuore]

Sure cuore. I can see where you are coming from on all fronts. Yes I am under 60 and was fairly healhly (still am) until all this afib business. I also agree that GP's can't always understand the condition - they can't be in the 'know' about thing. This is why of course we have consultants who are trained to deal with different illnesses.

I'll just answer one thing for you. I went for a routine blood pressure test at the pharmacist about two years before my afib was picked up and confirmed - he said you have an irregular HR. Being a 'man' I didn't pay any attention until the next time I visited my GP - He didn't seem very worried and the matter was forgotten. It was by complete chance I was in the market in Stafford and the Sroke Assocation (all voluntary people) had a test day offering free BP tests to shoppers. I walked past but decided to go back and have it done - maybe the Big Guy upstairs suggested I should. They tried and couldn't even find a decent pulse let alone check my blood pressure.

I was told to see my doc asap (I hate going to the doc's). It's a good job I did as I feel it would be unlikely I would sitting here typing this comment now if not.

I think the moral of my post is that there should be MUCH MORE awareness about afib. I've said it before and I'll say it again. It wouldn't take much for people to be made more aware of the condition. It's easy to check by taking your pulse and may save lives. I bet there of 1000's of "me's" (before been made aware) walking about with added stroke risk etc if it's left untreated and they won't have clue they are at risk.

Paul

[cuore in reply to Paulbounce]

I absolutely agree that there should be more awareness about AF. I live in Canada so we don't have "consultants." My GP was definitely not up -to -date about AF, but. still acted as if he were an EP , even sending me for an echo , until I became persistent in one year from diagnosis when he finally referred me. If a GP does not know, he should refer to a specialist right away rather than have a patient lose precious time. I am still mad about that because I paid the price.

So, that's why I do ask the question on this forum if one is persistent because I do not want what happened to me happen to them.

I may sound sour but three ablations later in Pessac (Bordeaux), France I am now 16 months sinus. I feel great considering.

[Safc1983 in reply to Paulbounce]

Thank you for your reply and congratulations on your 16/17 months! I’ll certainly speak to him about different medications and, hopefully, I’ll be second time lucky.

[Paulbounce in reply to Safc1983]

No worries Safc and good luck. Defo speak to your cardio about med's and what might work for you

Enjoy your day

Paul

[Golfer60UK]

Good morning from a very windy and rain from North Somerset.

I had a cardioversion which worked for a couple of days, then an ablation which again lasted for a couple of days.

Bit like yourself was disheartened but after a discussion with my Cardiologist who told me that sometimes it needed two or three ablation procedures to achieve normal rhythm.

Had my second ablation Friday 28 September, and so far ok, must stop keep taking my BP to check my pulse rate which has returned from 80/100 to my normal 50/65

So don't worry as you will have a general for the ablation procedure and wake up back in your room

Best wishes

Dave

[Safc1983 in reply to Golfer60UK]

Thanks Dave. I’ll glad to hear you’ve maintained your rate from February. Because of covid I’ve only had 10mins with a cardiologist since I was diagnosed so ablation scares me long term but I’m pleased to hear results can be gained from it.

[LMCPL]

Hi Safc, don’t be disheartened, I’ve had 3 DCCV’s & the third one seems to have worked ( all be its only been 10 weeks )

Hang in there

[Safc1983 in reply to LMCPL]

Ten weeks is very good and I hope it continues! Do you mind me asking how long you lasted after the first two DCCVs?

[LMCPL]

Hi again, 1st one about 12hrs & 2nd close to 36 hrs. So when I went for the 3rd, I had No expectations whatsoever... Also not keen on the idea of ablation.!.!.!

[Steve101]

Hi Saf

I have had one cardioversion that was successful. After two weeks I went back into AF, like you I was really deflated. After 6 days it went back into NSR on its own. Like you I have also radically changed my lifestyle. My EP said the only reason why I reverted back to NSR was because of my improved lifestyle.

Since then I have gone back into A F on two occasions (I had my cardioversion in March last day before hospital went into lockdown). On each occasion my heart has gone back into NSR on its own after a few days.

So don’t let yourself feel deflated for too long, you are doing the right thing by changing your lifestyle, and fingers crossed you may well go back into NSR on your own.

Best wishes

Steve

[Safc1983]

That’s incredible Steve! I’m chuffed for you. Did you have any triggers at all?

[smtmonkey11]

I had a cv a year ago in April it held until September that year then this March I had an ablation it held until a week ago. Every day of NSR was worth the pain and trouble so keep the faith and don’t give up

[Janith]

I had a cardio version 8 months ago ... l feel as though l will never go into afib again. Really. It’s wonderful! I am on sotalol.

[Paulbounce in reply to Janith]

What great news Janith. I seem to recall your post before your CV and you really sounded postive about the whole thing - it's sounds like your positivity is real working for you - well done and keep up the good work.

I have also had a good result from my last CV - however I know it won't last forever. It's still great news though you have come this far. Please note though that it can return at anytime.

Please don't think I'm being negative - I'm not. Just to make you aware though it can return.

Long may you stay in sinus

Paul

[Janith]

Paul ... thank you ... l know that it will pay me another visit one day ... just hope when it does, covid has gone bye bye. I rarely think about it. Thank you my Dear Almighty. Best, Jan