Had my 6 month phone check yesterday being put to annual . Bit deflated as it means nothing they can do , i so wanted a ablation but sadly overwight even though I’ve lost two stone need to lose at least another 2 before they’d consider and then there’s the longer wait lists. Also come September it will be 2 years since diagnosed , am I right in thinking they can’t do anything past two years?
I asked for another cardioversion as I’m now treated for sleep apnea to be told that’s probably pointless.( had one last year) It’s just so deflating guess my AF is here to stay and while I’m used to it now I just lived in the hope I could have had something to make it better.
Written by
Janelr
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Well if it’s 2 Stone to lose, you could lose that while on the waiting list? You’ve done 2, you’re half way there! Lose a bit more and then you’re nearer! I know it’s hard to lose weight but you’re doing it? You’ve done so well so far?
Meanwhile your AF could improve with the weight loss.... they always tell me that?
Only ever seen a cardiologist once last January and it’s only ever af nurse that rings , think it’s because I’m not worth referring as he said Ep would just not do it.
There is more than one EP in the world, but it is true that if you are very overweight and in persistent AF at the moment the chances of success are much lower. Maybe you will just have to amaze them with your determination as they don’t sound encouraging 🙁
Thanks I’ll bounce back I’m sure just feels like I don’t have a focus as there’s no point , I’ll lose weight but for my health but what kept me going was that ablation ha need a new focus maybe a holiday eventually lol
If it helps at all. I’ve only ever seen practice nurses and one doctor once. I’ve been in AFib since September and had one cardioversion which only lasted 3 days. I know it’s so hard to lose weight, especially during these lockdown times, but please don’t give up when you’re half way there! What weight is overweight for ablation anyway? I didn’t know that there was one!
It must have been so rewarding for you to have lost a couple of stone so think about how good to would feel if you could manage another two. Of course it’s going to be hard but the benefits will make it worthwhile. Take heart from Lord (she’s a Lady really) inspiring words. Some here have had AF for several years before taking the plunge and having an ablation so don’t worry about that. We heard about two years or more ago that the NHS was going to start limiting ablations to patients within certain weight ranges because it has such a bearing on the success rates. Don’t be down, work on having a better future......
Yeah I know waited a while for my initial appointment, then again for a cardioversion.... then again for an ablation!! It’s all waiting with AF! Just go back and ask to be on the list.... before you know it, your name comes up!
I don't know where you are getting the two year idea but that is nonsense. It's true that the longer you're in afib the less likely a single ablation is to work forever, you may need a touch up. But those are usually far less involved. Do what you need to do to get your ablation, but don't stress if it's not right this second. Even if it's in another two years it'll be totally worth it. Also, don't waste your time with another cardioversion. You'll likely just be right back in afib in a few hours. When I had mine it lasted less than 12 hours and I was only 36 at the time! Was in ruthlessly persistent afib and here we are 4 years post ablation and still in normal sinus. You've got this!
Right...I've read your post and I think you are not getting very good support. The AF nurse is not the same as a cardiologist and they can be as useless as a cat with gloves on anyway! Very often they seem to have limited understanding of AF issues. You can self refer to any EP..I did as private patient cost me 175.00 saw him within a week and we went from there. Best thing I ever did.Then went on his NHS list and have seen him ever since.
Please consider it,I feel you are left in limbo at the moment.
You can demonstrate how much you are committed to the weight loss already.
.I hope you get somewhere rather than having to wait a year for a phone call.....🙄best wishes
Hi there, firstly big congratulations on losing so much weight you have made a huge step. My thoughts in brief1. I understand yo u being deflated but please don’t be. ( easy to say I know)
2. I have not heard that unless sorted in 2 years you are “ stuck “ with what you got , my 2 ablations were 3 and a half and 3 and a quarter years after I was diagnosed, and with hindsight I had afib before that
3. The lockdown had given us time to either use or to lose, I know it is daunting but set yourself further goals for health ( weight excercise etc.) they are known to help
4 see a different cardiologist/ EP you seem to have a gloomy one and there are lots more!
5. I know money doesn’t grow on trees but here in Manchester a private consultation with an EP costs £150 it may be worth considering
6. At your age there is huge reason for optimism that you can have a mix of lifestyle changes and work on your ticker that can give you decades of healthy active life
Thank you I have been swimming but obviously that shut and started cycling but bad weather has stopped me think a lot of limited exercise has probably dampened my positivity. Af nurse said I have to be 30 bmi or less before being referred . I’ll aim for 3 stone then pay private to get advice from a actual ep. Apparently when I last had a heart scan my heart is good which I worry all these tablets I take and the length of time this goes on it can’t be good for it.
I was told that my sleep apnea was the cause of my AF as it hadn't been diagnosed for years and once I got used to the CPAP I could expect massive improvements with my AF. I have been on the CPAP machine for two years and in that time have had two ablations so getting to the magic point when the meds can really be reduced, my quality of life has definitely improved and certainly have reduced my fear and anxiety levels which I believe are key.Like a lot of the other comments, well done on losing two stones that couldn't have been easy and show the experts that you are determined and try to lose the next two! 50 in this game is young so you have time as the two year statement has to be rubbish. Good luck.
Thnkyou yes I wondered if sleep apnea caused but will never know. I tend to think it may have as snored even when I wasn’t overweight. My mum had af at roughly same age as me I wonder if hereditary. My big goal is to get of these awful water tablets take 3 a day it’s a nightmare !
I so admire you for losing two stone! I've been struggling with weight for years, and medication to control my heart rate and rhythm doesn't help from what my pharmacist says. It's very discouraging, but you're an inspiration!
Thankyou I struggled at first to get it right with meds, even then I hate water tablets we tried reducing them but sadly my feet went like marshmallows. I do SlimmingWorld as I love food and you can eat lot with it. Bizarrely I felt fantastic on amiodarone which was only on leading up to cardioversion. But side effects that it causes really didn’t want to take long term.
I had been diagnosed with permanent AF for 3 years when I eventually saw an EP - had to go privately first as didn't even see a cardio for 14 months on NHS - though I did see one privately. I then got the cardio to refer me to the same EP who was part of her team, after I went back into AF after my second cardioversion - first CV had me in NSR for nearly a year second one not so long - about 5 months and the third one I had just before lockdown and after being told it was about two months till I got to the top of the ablation list. Once you see the EP here there is about a 3 months waiting list - what it is now after Covid I don't know. Had the ablation cancelled 3 times now due to Covid my first one would have been in April last year - but of course hospitals closed. 2nd one was in September when we had eventually managed to get to see and stay with my sister to help her move house as her husband died in April so couldn't do it then on my part. The third was in October but cancelled as Covid outbreak in cardio unit and it closed down so glad I hadn't been able to go in September as it would have meant that back up would have been hard to come by in October. Still waiting but thankfully still in NSR since last February when I had my last cardioversion.
Yes With all these hopeful replies I’m going to keep at it now know due to covid waiting lists will be longer so gives me extra time . Which I imagine is not much good for you all this waiting fingers crossed you get in soon.
Hi! Please can I ask you a question? If you’re in NSR then how can they see which parts to treat when you get your ablation? I’m fairly new on my AFib journey and so I’m still reading and asking many questions!
You don't need to be in arrhythmia with a competent EP. I just had an ablation with one of the best and I was in sinus rhythm. An EP will enter the Left Atrium where most AFIB is located and stimulate areas by shooting adrenaline-like medication out of a catheter to find out where AFIB producing sites are. He will then map them and ablate them.
Also from what I understand is if they have to they can put you into AF to view how the heart is working and cardiovert you out again if necessary. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
I opted to continue without further treatment. I could have had a second cardioversion, but only if I took amiadorone for a considerable time before and after.
As my mother suffered from very low kidney function by my age, and her only brother had a kidney transplant in his early 40s and died in his 50s, I have always been wary of opting for very poisonous medication. My AF is much less troublesome after the cardioversion reverted than before, and I was also afraid that I might feel worse if I reverted after a second one. My EP said that the risk is the same, with or without treatment as long as my BP and pulse are under control and I don’t forget my anti coagulants., and the treatment is only intended to help with the symptoms.
He referred me for a sleep apnea test, as I reverted to AF
during the night, and I suffer from this to a moderate degree. Rather than visiting the hospital for a CPAP machine at the present moment, I opted for weight loss and using a wedge to sleep on. I no longer wake with a start during the night or fall asleep during the day, so I think it is working.
I think I get tired more easily, seem to run out of energy about mid afternoon, although part of that could be age and excess weight. I can feel my heart at times, but find that I am not constantly thinking about it now I have made this decision and as a result am much more relaxed.
Hope this helps a little to put your mind at rest and relax a little. I certainly don’t regret my decision.
Don’t be deflated, you have done so well to get where you are, hang in there and keep going. This is for you and only you can push yourself but you have the help in mind of me and lots like me that all say we’re behind you.A journey starts with your first step. That step is way behind you. You are strong enough to get here, you are strong enough to keep going. Good luck and stay safe.
Easy way to drop weight and keep eating is to walk 2 hours a day (for those who can. Most can.) Gentle walking is even recommended for those in permanent AFIB.
I've been walking 2 to 3 hours a day for a few years. 50 pounds came off rather quickly ... plus you can eat quite a bit and still drop weight. During some stretches ... I had trouble keeping weight on it was dropping so readily.
For entertainment while walking, I have an 8GB mp3 player and load it with audio from youtube and all kinds of interesting podcasts .... plus a full music library of my favorites. No boredom whatsoever ...... I actually look forward to it everyday.
don't give up. Weight issues and sleep apnea need addressing before ablation and are linked so you might find your AF improves when they are sorted out They have success with ablation after longer in AF now but ablation won't be the answer until the issues are sorted
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Previous AF episode over two years ago.
knee replacement on apixaban 
Warfarin and Apixaban
AF episodes starting again!
2nd Ablation recommendation 
