Ablation success stories

[glis]

Just wanted to gather some success stories for those looking for info. I’ll go first. I’ve been in NSR since my first ablation in February 2019. I know they aren’t a cure but being in rhythm for an extended time is lovely!

[BobD Volunteer]

Agreed glis. After my third in 2008 I have been AF free ever since but in 2017 a different arrhythmia arrived which is now well controlled.

[jeanjeannie50]

What a lovely positive post. Long may you continue to live AF free.

Thank you for sharing your good news. Let's hope others respond to say how well they've been too.

Jean

[Hidden]

Diagnosed persistent AF back in June 2014, CV September 2014 and with a bit of help from Flecainide, and 2 ablations have largely remained in rhythm since then. First Cryoablation in 2016 but needed touch up RF in 2018 then had a number of episodes quickly stopped using Flecainide as a PiP. Was put on list for a third but had treatment for an overactive thyroid so ablation put on hold. Not taken PiP for almost a year now so fingers well ‘n truly crossed.

[Jay10]

I had my cryoablation in 2008 after suffering worsening PAF since 2001.I am fine apart from few blips of AF and then I take Flecainide 100mg as PIP.

[Brenda-j]

My AF started 14 years ago. When it got to the stage where it was making my life difficult I eventually gave into having an ablation over 3 years ago. Although it left me with harmless eptopics which annoyed me at first it was such a relief not to have those AF attack which I dreaded. I still have a low dose of Flecainide as they say I have a small flutter but that doesn’t bother me.At 73 I play tennis and golf and am enjoying life. If I need another ablation in the future I will have it.

[dedeottie]

Thank you for this post, it is just what I need to read. Having been one that had a rare complication with an ablation, a different consultant has agreed to try again under GA this time. My first ablation plus flecanide then sotolol, gave me 7 AF free years. It was during an attempt at a tidy up ablation that I had the complication and no tidy up was done so it did well to last so long.I am nervous about this one as we all are but another 7 years relatively AF free, would be great. X

[SilverliningsForNow]

I had breast cancer in February this year, lumpectomy in May, Letrozole in June which triggered AF in July. Was PAF but became persistent. I was very very LUCKY. My EP took one look at me and arranged an NHS ablation cancellation for the following week in September. Have been absolutely everything free since then - slightly afraid to say it out loud but I’ll whisper they say its 100% success and don’t envisage any return in the near future. Life is SO GOOD. Still on meds but weaning off in near future.

[KMRobbo]

PVI CRYOABLATION January 2018 , ectopics from time to time which I just ignore, no AFIB since

[pottypete1]

Having been in AF since 1992 I moved nearer to centre of cardiac excellence and was referred to the Arrhythmia doctors.

From 2007 to 2017 I had a total of 7 ablations.

Following the last one my quality of life slowly but surely and now I have only had 2 short episodes of AF Iin the past 12 months.

I believe the vast majority of successful ablations provide much quicker results but all the same I am glad that I agreed to the treatment.

Pete

[Morzine]

I’m a success touch wood!!three years I feel it took that cloud away that was hanging....that’s how I view it......

It may not last forever but if it goes wrong again I will be straight along to my cardiologue asking if I can have another.......it was no big deal to have done now I know , but at the time I fretted before.....I certainly wouldn’t fret this time .

Sue

[Rw12]

Had paroxysmal afib for over 10 years that wasn’t diagnosed until 2017. The afib became more frequent until it was a daily occurrence lasting a few minutes to an hour but I would always self convert. It severely limited my ability to live a normal life, impacting my ability to workout etc. I had an ablation in November of 2020 that appears to be successful as I haven’t experienced afib since. Truly life changing.

[Simoni]

It's very helpful to read these positive comments when I am fretting about having my first ablation in Feb, thanks for the original post

[NYCgal22]

I am having an ablation for PAF probably first week of January. And understandably have been very nervous but this post makes me feel better! I am a very healthy and active 68 yr old only issue is Afib. My doctor could not believe, except for having a child, I had never been to the hospital. Would love to be off all meds again, especially since I seem to be hypersensitive to taking long term drugs and developed a skin rash which changing drugs hasn't helped much. I would love to be able to drink a glass of red wine occasionally again as right now it's a no no as it is a strong trigger for me. Good luck to everyone who will be undergoing ablations like me!

[seasicksurf]

I had PAF for 5-6 years which episodes began to slowly increase in frequency to about one every 10 days, significantly affecting quality of life. I had been using PIP which was effective every time to get back to NSR, but between the AF episodes themselves and PIP hangovers, quality of life was terrible. I had radio frequency ablation in May 2021. After about 4-6 weeks of recovery with off beats and healing related symptoms, I was back to normal and ready to get stronger. I have been gradually working up my exercise levels since and am back in shape for my daily workouts. Looking back, I wish I would have had the ablation earlier, as it was recommended by my doctors years ago. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to cure myself and the condition progressed. If you get the chance for the ablation cure, jump at it.

[Elli86 in reply to seasicksurf]

Hi seasick.

How long after your ablation did you taper off drugs? Or were you never taking full time therefore didn’t have to taper? You were lucky with the 4-6 weeks that’s a very decent recovery time. I’m still recovering 15 weeks later. Coming off meds now though and hoping it’s onwards and upwards from here 💪 hopefully I’ll soon be able to add to this thread 🙏🙏🙏

I’m pretty sure you’ve commented on a couple of my threads before but I can’t remember your age?

[seasicksurf in reply to Elli86]

Elli86, I was on metoprolol succinate, apixaban and amiodarone for 90 days following the procedure. Since I was doing well, they were discontinued (I did not wean off) except for the metoprolol that was retained for treating my blood pressure and keeping my heart rate from getting away (beta blocker). I will say coming off the meds at 90 days was a relief and helped me to feel better and get stronger more easily. Side effects were not horrible for me but I was fatigued and had sore joints (my gout was flaring up a lot). Anyway, I'm 64 and after a very active life, I am more limited by arthritis than my healing heart at this point. Best of luck on your healing path Elli. Keep moving and move more each day!

[Elli86 in reply to seasicksurf]

Thanks for info seasick.

Hope your recovery continues the way it has and you can keep AF at bay 👍

[Madscientist16]

AF free (and med free) since my first ablation in November 2019.