E.P. chat 🙄

[booboo73]

Mornin all !!

Just had a telephone consultation with a new E.P. who was straight to the point and so lovely. He completely understood my anxiety which is rare. So... the conversation was much as I thought it would be, no more ablations and I will never be 'cured' but I accepted that a while ago ( So no getting rid of me on this forum!!). New issue very low hr which I may require a pacemaker if cutting Nebivolol down doesn't work. I will copy my notes below what I took whilst speaking to him. So all in all not the best news but he's promised me there are many options and im not in any danger with any if my arrhythmias and he has successfully performed Pace&ablate on younger than me. From what I've read and researched in the last year P&ablate sounds favourable to me!

Love to all and I'm gonna now take my Sertraline and will be like Pollyanna in a few hours !!!

.Notes

P.V.I. Ablation. Isolated all veins. Targeted problem area, couldn't induce any problematic tachycardia during ablation. It was a success as much as it could be considering the complexity of my issues.

No more ablation procedures, next step would be P&ablate.

Concerned about my low heart rate advises I cut my nebivolol to 5mg daily from 10mg. If this is unsuccessful he would advise a pacemaker and at a later date to ablate if needed.

Hopefully increasing my heart rate will solve the Pac/Pvc sensations which is my main issue at the moment.

Having a two day holter to see how low my HR is and to study the PACs.

Can see no issue in starting Sertraline and would be beneficial as we discussed my increasing anxiety, the risk of taking Sertraline would be very small.

[buddje]

HiThe worst thing I find is to be defined by my illnesses.

Try to calm yourself and find folks to talk to if you can...even on the worst days

I find it works😊

[booboo73 in reply to buddje]

Yes I agree. For me it's the mere mention of anxiety/mental health issues and I feel judged. I don't try and hide it anymore, it is what is is. Plus as pointed out to a dismissive nurse who said my anxiety caused AF (😮) 'After 6 years of different arrhythmias, 15 cardio versions and then 2 ablations... wouldn't you be bloody anxious?'... their reply was silence!! Xxx

[buddje in reply to booboo73]

Good for you !!!!!I am disabled physically and AF and it annoys me that I still have to ask for help.

For instance...we have just got a move from private rented to housing ass.

They have a list of my needs but are insisting on an O.T.assessment for adaptations......it makes me feel like a beggar

Just the mere fact that my partner is my carer full time should speak volumes.

Why can t they build houses that are adapted anyway......wet rooms...downstairs loo etc so we folks don t feel like this?

My rant !!!!!

I have still got a brain !!!!!

[booboo73 in reply to buddje]

Yes I agree, how infuriating it is. Before I had the gastric bypass I needed a grab rail in the shower and they made me jump through hoops and asked the most personal questions and made me feel humiliated. In the end we paid for it ourselves, bit I think sometimes thats what they wanted! Wishing you a peaceful housemove xxx

[Ianp66]

At least you've got some answers Mrs, not all bad. I've seen quite a few saying pace and ablate made a big difference with the pacemaker fitted so maybe that's a good option. Anxiety is in us all and don't be hard on yourself, even us supposed tough cookies suffer it to some degree.Enjoy a bit chill and hopefully get some sleep X

[booboo73 in reply to Ianp66]

Hi Ian, yes it's not all bad at all, I accepted I wouldn't ever be normal 😋Long way to go before a Pace and ablate hopefully. But I have to weigh up what would be best and I think the Pace&ablate would win if symptoms become worse.Saying that, the only issue I'm having now is the slow hr and evil Pacs, no AF/flutter at all. So things are good and I'm positive. If the reduction of Nebivolol works I could be just fine for a long time!! Xxx

[Ianp66 in reply to booboo73]

That would be great, definitely in a better place, really happy you went for it, fingers crossed reducing sorts it, and it's early days yet isn't it healing wise, def on right track X

[booboo73 in reply to Ianp66]

Thanks Ian, yep I'm hoping I can just carry on like this and the reduction of Nebivolol may help. I was on a huge amount ...fingers crossed! Xx

[BobD Volunteer]

All good Boo. Looks positive and at least you have a considerate EP.

[booboo73 in reply to BobD]

He was lovely. With covid its luck of the draw who I may get next time! I shall be in touch tomorrow 😊

[Jalia]

This all sounds pretty good ! Not least that you have found an empathetic EP. You now know that pace/ablate will be the answer if necessary so have time to get used to the idea. In your position I would go for it. I'm awaiting my 4th ablation ( 21 dccvs) and know that if this doesn't provide some relief then pace/ablate may have to be next step.

[booboo73 in reply to Jalia]

Hi x I've been researching P&A again today and I can't see any major negatives so far. I know it's not ideal nor 100% but living like this waiting for the next event is becoming so hard. I shall just hope my recent ablation gives me some peace first. I thought I was the highest on the cardioversion list....21? 😮.. I feel for you and anyone with this awful bloody condition. Good luck with your next ablation. Xxx

[Jalia in reply to booboo73]

I'm actually getting to be quite embarrassed by the number of dccvs I've had and dread the thought of presenting at A&E again. They are always so good there and brush my apologies away and insist I should be there. They have all been ' emergency 'cardioversions, albeit over 28 years.

[CDreamer]

Having people who listen and accept what you tell them is so important as feeling dismissed only adds to stress, which is a physical response, which does have an affect on your body.

Saying worry causes AF is hilarious, if that were true most people would have AF but we have to accept that stress does impact & exacerbates any condition - which is why you need people who listen & accept & say it as it is.

Sounds like you found a good one👍

[booboo73 in reply to CDreamer]

You are so right. I have felt so many times I'm banging my head against a brick wall. I explained I had high anxiety and because he didn't rush me and listened I was very calm on the phone and didn't keep interrupting him ... something I'm guilty of, so many questions and I don't listen to the answers.!!! Yes, the E.P today has made a huge improvement on my outlook, just hope I get him again! Xxx

[jeanjeannie50]

Glad you've been given a plan and hope all goes well for you bobboo. Good to hear that you had an EP that was understanding - about time!

[booboo73 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you xxx yes he was lovely and very patient with my anxiety, although I did behave quite well!! Xx

[Padayn01]

Hi booboo how you doing? For me acceptance for me was the one thing I just couldn’t accept but once you do life is so much easier I was just speaking this the other day to my good pal on here @Ianp66 the anxiety for me was sometimes worser than the condition, took me almost 2 years to get a hold of my anxiety but still not out of the woods yet with my anxiety and AF it will always be there just how long I can keep it at bay is the question, I’m so glad you got some clarity and you fo sound so much more positive which is fantastic xxx

[booboo73 in reply to Padayn01]

Hi Pad, I honestly believe my anxiety makes this much, much worse. AF is a horrible physical condition but I have wasted so many years worrying about it and bloody googling. I still do, but not as bad. I hate it. But what can we do eh. So glad of this forum, a lot of those close still tell me not to worry... If only it was that easy. Hope you are doing ok too, you've had a hell of a ride with this I know!! Xxx

[Shcldavies]

Ok not good news but not bad either. When I cut back on medication after my ablation from the Docs recommended 5 Bisoprolol and Digoxin (can't remember how much), to just 1.25 bisoprolol I felt a lot better and have not had any of the more troubling arrhythmia since, still get tachycardia for short periods (longest about 3 mins) every couple of months - fingers crossed your reduction will help. P&A does not sound good, but it does work for most, as far as posts on here go I don't think I have seen one that was not satisfied with it and many thought they should have had it earlier.

[booboo73 in reply to Shcldavies]

Hi, that sounds great and hoping it will work for me. Ive never really understood why ive aleays been on 10mg of Nebivolol as I've always had a very low hr without AF. Anything is worth a go. I get many more Pacs when I'm in a low rate. Everything crossed! Xxx

[dedeottie]

Hi. I am also having a conversation with my EP in April about Pace and ablate so I will report back on here. Like you Booboo there are no other options for me but I think I would have to be more debilitated by the AF than I currently am, to feel I wanted to proceed. Still it is good to know there is a final option. X

[booboo73 in reply to dedeottie]

It is daunting but I've done a lot of research and all the meds I'm on make me feel ill and don't think they work much anyway. Ive cut nebivolol down to try and boost my hr. The EP wants to give me the pacemaker for that reason only and if AF kicks of again I will ablate. I think I feel relieved there will be no more ablations, this feat and disappointment of it not working is lot to cope with for me. Although I will get a second opinion before I do anything. Hope you're keeping good xxx

[Peony4575 in reply to booboo73]

I sympathise . I spend my life trying to avoid meds because I never feel well on them

[dedeottie in reply to booboo73]

Thanks. I am mostly good. My AF is increasing but once a week ish for around 2 hours is nowhere near as it was before my first ablation. My problem is that during a second ablation I had a rare complication and my EP won’t risk that again and I can’t say I’m too keen either! All the medications used to slow the heart rate are not possible in large doses as I also have a heart block which would be made worse by those. My blood pressure is naturally low and beta blockers tend to lower those numbers too so I’m snookered if AF continues to worsen. Therefore it will help to know that ultimately I can have the pace and ablate. X

[booboo73 in reply to dedeottie]

It's all such a worry isn't it and you have enough on your plate I think and hope things stay stable.. I'm relieved in a way that I won't have to go through the ablation again but the negativity of the P&a scares me. I keep kicking myself to try and stop worrying!! Xxx

[Karendeena]

Hi there booboo, I have a friend who has had afib for 35 years and like you has exhausted the ablation opportunities having had 4. Her next step is pace and ablate but she is doing ok on Sotalol at the moment. It seems like this mongral condition just controls us in any way it wants to! Still, I wish you well and you are very positive and an inspiration. I have a question though, did your EP not mind about Sertraline? I have been successfully treated on Citalopram for years bug one cardiologist changed it to Sertraline as he said it was the less risky of the two in conjunction with anti-arrythmia meds. I then referred privately to a top EP who wants me off them and says that they can cause palpitations and there are major contraindications with the meds I'm on. I didn't find Sertraline worked as well for me but was better than nothing. I am now down to half a tablet every other day bug struggling with very vivid dreams

[booboo73]

hi x I'm was positive yesterday but anxiety kicked in today but I'm trying to keep busy and my over dramatic brain occupied ! I still havnt taken the Sertraline ... I'm not sure what to do. The EP wasn't worried at all about me having it. Said the risk was tiny and my GP said the same. I wish I didn't research everything the I would have just taken the bloomin thing . It's bad because there isnt a straight answers from the experts, would be so much easier if there was. I think I'm just going to have no Sertraline for now and just see what happens. I found Diazapam good but that's a big no from my doc.... ive had more than my ration already for this year!! Xxx

[Cheddars]

Hi