So yesterday we got up at 4:30am to get ready for the drive to Bristol for my ablation. Showered, shaved, bag packed, all was ready.
While the nurse was getting me wired up for an ECG the doctor arrived. I asked if he could answer a couple of questions for me. He had a look at my notes and said he would, once he'd seen my ECG which was about to be done. (The nurse then whispered to me that he was one of the top men in the South West and visited Bristol to carry out some of the lists there and I just happened to be on his list yesterday.) So back he came, print-out from the new ECG in his hand, along with all the other tests, tape results etc. that I'd had over the last few months, all under a few different doctors. Well, blow me down, he told me I don't have AF! I do have atrial tachycardia and lots of ectopics coming from many different points in the left half of my heart. (Apparently these conditions can mimic AF with similar symptoms.) He then said I'd been wrongly diagnosed and certainly wouldn't be having an ablation. If the ectopics had all been coming from one point then he would have ablated for them, but as there were so many and all coming from various points he reckoned the risks outweighed the possible benefits so he'd try some medication instead.
I pointed out I have fluid retention in my feet and ankles and asked if this could be from the diltiazem. He's now halved my dose of that and also started me on flecainide. I will have to have another echocardiogram done in the near future and possibly another tape. But how lucky was I to see this man!! He thinks the new regime could give me up to five years symptom free - so onwards and upwards!
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SuziElley
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Wow, what an outcome. I have heard many times of procedures being cancelled at the last minute but not for the reason you have had. I wish you well for your new treatment. I wonder what your original medics make of it all. Saved by the bell as the saying goes. Best wishes.
I'm just wondering who it was that said you needed an ablation? Hadn't this EP seen your notes before? Good news though and it was great that he was honest.
Heavens to Murgatroyd!!! Good that you don't need an ablation but shocking (pardon the pun) that you have been misdiagnosed. I would be wanting some answers and some darned good ones at that. Good job this guy was on the ball. Hope that they can get all this sorted for you now.
Medicine isn't an exact science as we all react differently. I have the same issue with swollen feet...it went away as soon as I stopped taking CCBs (diltiazem or amlodipine) i now take irbesartan and have thin legs and my shoes fit again.
Blinking heck!!!! I had my second ablation Monday and it's a looooong recovery. Imagine all that if you didn't need it. Omg!I'm so lucky to be under Papworth;
I hope they soon sort you out WITHOUT an ablation!!!!!
Seems drugs are only really widely tested on white men. Medical studies don't like women because the hormonal changes mess with the results! Nevermind, that that is what happens in the real world! So you get the same drugs whether you are a hulking nan or tiny woman (and vice versa!). And ethnic groups are not studied either even though certain groups have different strengths and weaknesses (ie sickle cell anaemia)!!!!!!
You are quite right. I always query whether the dose prescribed is correct for me cos I am a 7 1/2st elderly woman and I am prescribed te same as fora 20st man! It does not seem right to me. Children sometimes get prescribed drugs by their weight. I am invariably told that the dose is the dose which does not make sense to me.
Exactly. Luckily for me I'm the size of the average man (5'9", about 11 st) although I'm obviously different hormonally!!!! But nearly all the drugs make me feel cr*p!
Gracious me, what a shock for you! You were indeed very lucky to be seeing that consultant. I had my ablation in Bristol, I have a review tomorrow and fear I'll be having another!
Your guardian angels were with you. Thank goodness you had all your records and saw the Dr who had you on his list. And he took the time to look over everything. Makes one wonder how many others out there are misdiagnosed and end up having surgery they never needed......Wishing you the best and take care!
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12 week post ablation update 
Short episode five months after ablation.
3 months since ablation now getting ectopics
3 months post ablation
