Very positive meeting with Rhythmologist

[Lilypocket]

Hi Everyone

As some of you may know I have been scratching my head about whether to have or not have an ablation. I went to see a Rhythmologist who was very communicative and reassuring. He is quite young and laid back in a nice way. I asked him how many ablations he did a year and his answer was about 600 a year. Better and better thinks I. He said in a modest manner that he is probably the Rhythmologist who does the most ablations in France ,( I had no idea before I saw him)

He said Flecaine doesn't suit me and is probably responsible for my very varying degrees of speed when I'm in Afib - fast and then nearly fainting and very low sinus rhythm for hours after an episode and breathlessness. Also he said my Afib is almost certainly Vagal related and that Bisoprolol is not the best thing to take.

I'm a bit annoyed with my cardiologist because he has never bothered to see how well my meds are working for me or explain anything.

Because of my thyroid issues he said I can't take the most effective drug for Afib Amiodarone ( well you know which one I mean 🤣,)

There was no pressure at all and he felt I would have a 90% chance of it working as it is really paroxysmal and for now I self convert -obviously Afib will come back eventually but I would dearly like to stop the drugs for as long as possible before it does.

He could do it in mid june. So there you have it. If I do it , will it open a Pandora's box of other rhythm problems etc or is that fairly rare. I suppose I'm just looking for other members thoughts on this. I feel a bit excited at the moment but really need to think it through carefully. So please message me with your advice, thoughts etc.

Take care x

Lily

[BobD Volunteer]

My ablataions left me totally arrhythmia free for ten years. Still no AF (at 14 years) but some other rhythm problems and possible need for pacemaker later this year.

Don't forget that the forum will be populated more by failures than successes as those people are off enjoying life with a few caring exceptions.

[Lilypocket in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob for your encouraging reply - 14 years is impressive. Do you think the ablations may have provoked your other problems? Or are they unrelated and it's just one of those things that life throws at you?X Lily

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Lilypocket]

If you are made in a way that arrhythmias enter your life they will. Nothing to do with ablations which have been highly beneficial to my QOL. You make of your life the best you that you can. Be positive, look forward not back and above all enjoy every day as if it were your last because one day it will be. lol 😁.

[Lilypocket in reply to BobD]

Absolutely! I live ok with PAfib compared to some but if an ablation might allow me to have a glass of champagne at my brother's 70th I'm up for it! 🤣

[Brenda-j]

I had an ablation nearly 5 years ago after 10 years of the AF gradually getting worse. It was the best thing I could have done. My QOL is so much better. I do have eptopics and small flutter which I don’t worry about. I now take just a 50gm Flecainide and low dose of verapamil plus blood thinner. I play tennis, golf and keep busy in the garden. I also have an occasional glass of wine. Life at 73 is good.Good luck

[Lilypocket in reply to Brenda-j]

Thanks for your reply Brenda. Apart from a bit of tachy and extra systoles has your Afib been cured ( for now😉)?

[Brenda-j in reply to Lilypocket]

I am Af free at the moment and hope it stays that way. I think less about AF. I try to eat healthily and have plenty of exercise. I wasn’t keen on an ablation but so glad I did have it in the end.

[secondtry]

Go for it! Deciding on an ablation or not is a very individual subjective decision and there can be no advice to trump that. However on a quick point scoring review of your post, I in a similar position would take up the offer.

[Lilypocket in reply to secondtry]

Thanks secondary! I think the procedure is quite safe these days but obviously a GA is always risky. But I am going in and out of Afib all the time these days which has been quite a sudden change. Take care.

[Hidden]

Your EP sounds just like mine! And much more knowledgeable than the cardiologists I saw beforehand or GP. Go for it! I did no regrets! Your situation similar to mine. Good luck

[Lilypocket in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Faber! Just gone into Afib again so I'm think best to get on with it before it becomes persistent or worse. I shall have a look at your profile to see your story. How long ago was your ablation,? RF or Cryro?

[ETHEL103]

I to dither about an ablation for which I'm on a list then I get a rough night with constant pounding heart and loads of wee trips to the loo and that reminds me it's a go-er.Best of luck.

[Lilypocket]

Well I'm suddenly having so many episodes that I'm losing weight! And I sympathise with the trips to the bathroom 😂I will if you will Ethel! Lets go for it!

Take care.

[Auriculaire in reply to Lilypocket]

I am not quite in the same situation as you as though it has worsened in frequency my afib is still only about 7 episodes a year. My cardiologist has never suggested an ablation and told me just to take extra Nebivolol when in afib to bring my heart rate down. His suggested dose of another 1.25mg does not do the trick! Is rhythmologist what EPs are called here? Did your GP refer you? If I were going in and out of afib all the time I would go for it! Especially with an EP who seems to have lots of experience. Bon courage.

[Lilypocket in reply to Auriculaire]

HiWell I didn't have many episodes just a couple every 6 months that lasted 20/24 hours. The cardiologist changed me from Sotalol to Flecaine. It increased my episodes but they were shorter

This month things have accelerated and I have had about 10/12 episodes a couple lasting 15 hours. I have had this condition since about 2012 so I knew sooner or later this would happen. So I suppose I should go for the ablation as if there is a chance to dump the meds (and have a glass of champagne again 🍾,) it would be worth it even if the respite is not permanent.

I was not referred I just wanted another opinion from an " electrician" after being treated by a " plumber" for so many years who is a great believer in meds and living with Afib. Of course I informed him and he confirmed my choice of Rhythmologist.

I think 600 operations a year over the last 10 years is very encouraging. I'm just a bit nervous of the unknown as I live ok with this compared to some, Also I don't have a partner so can't discuss it with someone. Just have to put my my big girl's blouse on and get on with it 🤣

Take care.

[Auriculaire in reply to Lilypocket]

My cardiologist is a "plumber" too ! My episodes have increased since Jan 2020 - I'm blaming the pandemic- but only last 8-12 hours and are much less symtomatic than the first diagnosed one in 2015 ( though I think I may have had one in 2014 but it only lasted a couple of hours)The main thing putting me off ablation is the do nothing recovery period. I have had enough breaks from my passion of gardening having both hips replaced in 9 months. The second replacement was more problematical and I still have more pain than I thought I would . Hope you manage to screw yourself up to it. You are so right -the unknown is always daunting.

[Lilypocket in reply to Auriculaire]

Hi well I've just sent the Dr a mail to confirm I'm going ahead. Hope the wait isn't too long or I could change my mind ☺️. It was the cost which helped me decide! 700 euros!!! I thought there was a number missing. Of course added to that is a night's stay ( he prefers to keep an eye in the first 24hours). He said there is a 1 and 1/2 month wait - nothing! Fingers crossed I don't chicken out 🤣

[Auriculaire in reply to Lilypocket]

Oh that's good news. 6weeks is a short wait . Will your mutuel pay the bill ? I have had three operations done in a private clinic here and am always amazed at how cheap they are compared to private health ops in the UK. Of course there are not the trimmings and the food was not wonderful but the care was very good and even with the extra in honoraires it was cheap!

[Lilypocket in reply to Auriculaire]

I agree! I saw a private EP in London 4 years ago just to talk in English to a Dr. about Afib. He quoted 15.000 for a Cryoablation 😲.He operated in a renowned hospital and had a good reputation. I declined. I don't have a mutuelle as when I retired they explained they didn't insure private persons. But 700 euros is very good indeed.

[Auriculaire in reply to Lilypocket]

We are both retired and have had a mutuelle at Groupama for 20 years. When I was working part time at a cultural centre I was technically an employee of the mairie of Limoges and the usual charges were taken out of my salary but I don't think it had any bearing on health cover. The state part of our health cover is paid by UK since my husband was 65 but before that we paid quarterly contributions to URSAFF. The difference between 15k and 700 euros is hallucinante!

[Beta44]

I had slowly deteriorating paroxysmal AF for more than 20 years before opting for an ablation 7 years ago. Since then I had been AF free until a few weeks ago when I had an episode that resolved in three hours. Those seven years were absolutely wonderful and if I am to go back into having frequent episodes of AF then I will not hesitate to have another ablation. However, at present I am keeping my fingers crossed that it was just a stray event and will not reoccur, or at least not very often.

Peter

[Lilypocket in reply to Beta44]

Hi Peter,Thanks for your optimistic reply. Do you think your episode was set off by something?

Are you still taking any medication? Anyway a second ablation would probably zap that rogue signal if it pops up again. Once again thanks for giving me positive feedback 🙂

[KMRobbo]

Had an AF CRYOablation 4 .25years ago . NO AFib since. Nit taken ant related drugs since May 15 2018.

Best wishes

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

As I understand if you have it done then they can get birdseye look of your heart otherwise it is trial and error on meds.

I also had thyroid problems and in Feb 2020 4 months after stroke with AF rapid and persistent the Papillary Cancer was removed. Lots of arguments but two on to one my surgeon and anaesthatist went ahead before the 6 months clear wait.

You say thyroid problem ??????? Please explain.

cheers JOY I am finally controlled on Diltiazem 120mg am and Bisoprolol 2.5 pm per day along with my thyroid synthetic hormones and refused radio active iodine - that I would not have on low risk. Been throught 2 x yrly thyroid scans - all clear...

Take care Diltriazem is a Calcium Channel Blocker.