In early January this year I had an ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation which worked like magic for me... but something else is now happening;
Before the procedure I was getting many periods per day/night of what I used to describe as 'low bpm' AF; appeared on the Kardia as premature atrial contractions in clusters with some 'normal' beats, but without the high bpm of 'AF attacks', which were, thankfully, much less frequent. I was taking Flecainide 100mg twice a day before the ablation, having used it 'pill-in-pocket' previously.
It has been bliss to be in 'proper' sinus rhythm for the past few months! I maintained a low dose of Flecainide for a month after the ablation, but I am now not taking any medication. I was put on anticoagulants one month before the ablation and these were also stopped a few weeks afterwards, so I'm not on any medication at the moment.
Recently, however I have been getting an increasing number of premature ventricular contractions (trace attached)... something new for me since my initial diagnosis 11 years ago.
I have maintained my 'lifestyle adaptions' - never smoked, gave up alcohol over 3 years ago, gave up coffee/coke etc over 6 years ago.
Has anyone experienced anything like this? I am a bit concerned that it might be increasing in frequency. Any advice?
Thanks!
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Browncoat
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Hi. Sorry to hear of your issues... I did read your post yesterday, and thought that the trace looked like an extra, but 'suppressed' atrial beat, with the rest of the waveform continuing as normal - I'm no expert (as you can tell)!
Was diagnosed with PAF in 2015, got Betablocker and Flecainide as PiP but never used one. Had 6 episodes in 2016 and did my ablation in 2017 for AFib and flutter.
Afib is gone (knock on wood), but I experience PACs and PVCs on and off. Sometimes they are gone for days then they are back. Sometimes a few, sometimes quite a lot. Initially they scared the sh.. out of me but somehow I got used to them. Sometimes they feel like PACs with a little flutter, sounds weird I know. Still take my Pradaxa and my Metoprolol but compared to the AFib events I had before the ablation its just like day and night. Now I need to get rid of some weight and there is hope on the horizon. Like you, I dont drink alcohol, coffee or tea. Gave up on my chocate ;-(
Hi, and thanks for the reply. Good to hear that yours come and go - I hope mine settle down soon. I think I'd be happier if I knew they were going to occur now and then and that there's nothing to worry about. There's always that concern that it's the start of something worsening (I'm afraid I'm a 'glass half empty' character when it comes to health!).
I still have one square of 75% dark chocolate every morning... supposed to be beneficial. It's the sugary milk chocolate we need to watch out for!
Thankfully I don't have any apnoea issues, though I'm not a great sleeper.
Good luck!
Since my ablation 6 months ago l have had numerous incidents of Afib and other types of palpitations which are shown on my kardia as unclassified, multiple ventricular ectopics, Tachycardia and junctional.
On Friday l ended up overnight in A&E as my blood pressure and heart rate were really high. As per usual none of the tests done showed anything abnormal so l was discharged.
Once back home and most of today my heart is playing up again with Tachycardia and high blood pressure etc.
The cardiologist in the A&E suggested increasing my sotalol medication.
I said l wasn't comfortable with that as I don't do well on medication and would rather find out what is causing these issues.
So like yourself l am really perturbed by the recent changes to my heart as these incidents are more frequent than before.
Sorry to hear that - it can be really disheartening (excuse the pun). I suppose there's always the possibility of another ablation if things don't settle down. I think the stock answer is often 'increase the med's' but, like you, I'd rather try and find out exactly what's triggering the events (sleep quality definately has an impact on me). Good luck!
Thanks for your reply. Yes just increasing medication or throwing something else at you without proper investigation seems to be the way. I do suffer from a poor sleep pattern due to long term back pain. Unfortunately at this moment l have a frozen shoulder which is making things even worse for which l have been taking Pregabalin and I wondered if that could be triggering my Afib and palpitations but there doesn't seem to be a connection.
Try eating bananas (at least one a day) as they contain potassium. Also take a magnesium tablet each day, but not magnesium oxide. Drinking mineral water may also help to balance your electrolytes, which can help to calm the heart down.
Hi Polski, Thanks for your reply. I l already take magnesium oxide although it is magnesium oxide. I also eat bananas but there is some other information that Sotalol and bananas should not be taken together. I will take your advice and consider taken mineral water.
Magnesium oxide usually causes diarrhea, which results in the person losing electrolytes, which then cause lots of other problems, so this could be the source of your difficulties. Magnesium citrate (eg try Nature's Best) is usually better tolerated, and is inexpensive, but start with one a day and build up when you are sure that you are not getting problems with diarrhea. Alternatively magnesium taurate has been recommended as being good for hearts (try Amazon or iHerb - the latter is usually cheaper).My EP (not in the UK) said potassium was essential with Sotalol, and put me on three tablets a day BUT in the Uk you cannot buy potassium tablets except, perhaps, on prescription, as it can be dangerous to take too much. So a banana a day is the nearest one can get, and is not excessive. Our bodies are used to digesting it, so it is much safer to eat a banana than to take a tablet.
I've been taking Magnesium supplements for a while now and settled on a complex called Fullnesium. I have reduced my intake by a third since the ablation, but I might look at increasing it again. I must admit I used to eat a banana a day but have let that habit slide... thanks to your timely reminder, I have just eaten one!
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