I was diagnosed with Afib July 2021 previous to that I had been on and off of beta blockers 3 times this time my pulse was 160 so saw a cardiologist in the July who did the cardio version in the October which didn’t work so had another one in the December which has now changed me to paroxysmal. I am on bisoprol and flecanide she wanted me to see about having an ablation but I refused as at the moment I am handling it I was having two episodes a month lasting up to 15 hours but since this hot weather I have started having more but I can still handle them at the moment.so how many of you just put up with it and try and carry on as normal as possible as the ablation isn’t a cure it’s just to help isn’t it ?
how many of you refuse an ablation - Atrial Fibrillati...
how many of you refuse an ablation
Written by
Bell50
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
56 Replies
•
I turned it down, to many potential problems afterwards.
Bantam12 are you in continuous Afib and how long do your episodes last? I think that if the ablation was a cure then I might think about it but it’s not to say I would be an ideal candidate for it any way as my husband was also diagnosed with afib too and his cardio version worked but his was caused by a virus so he has extra beats too so he did see someone about having the ablation done and was told he couldn’t have it done.
My Afib doesn’t cause me any symptoms so I don’t know when it’s happening, my EP booked me in for ablation but I didn’t want to go ahead with it, I also have 2nd degree heart block with pauses so I chose a pacemaker instead and that allows me to take Bisoprolol and Cardio agreed that was a better solution.
Hi Bell50 I was offered one last year after a couple of trips to A&E but refused. I wasn’t offered any meds other than Bisoprolol to keep the hr down during attacks whilst I was waiting and I wanted to explore other avenues first. Since found out I have sleep apnoea and now on treatment for that which has made a big difference to my nighttime AF episodes. I’m not saying I would never have one but it would be a last resort for me, rather than a first option.
Good luck to you on your AF journey, TC
How did you discover you had sleep apnoea?
Curiosity, that’s how 😊 My AF episodes normally happen at night so I wanted to find out what was going on. I bought an O2 ring - a little device that monitors heart rate and O2 levels continually overnight and gives the results in the form of a graph on a phone app. That showed significant O2 drops, in fact it captured a couple of AF episodes as they started. Both followed significant periods of time with O2 levels in the 80% range. I asked my GP for a referral to have a sleep study based on that and the rest, as they say, is history😊
What was the brand name of your O2 ring? It sounds interesting, and I would like to try on for the same reasons as you. Thanks!
It was by Viatom , Wellue O2 ring. Hopefully I've attached a link to a Youtube video about it below. Should give you a bit more info. Good luck!
For me it has been a cure. No AF for two years now.
I was delighted to get it done. Couldn't wait in spite of, like you, being able to cope with it. Was glad to get off the bisoprolol too.
I really wonder if there can be a cure. My son , an extreme athlete who have a high incidence of A Fibbers, had symptoms and was diagnosed by a fellow canoeist who is a cardiologist. He went to Cape Town and had an ablation. That was sixteen years ago when he was 36and he carries on but to a lesser degree with his sports, and has never had another symptom and has regular checks. I have familial AFib, all my 4 sisters have it and father had it, but it did not manifest itself until we were much older(I was 74 - 5 years ago)) so maybe my son had an early predisposition and it could reappear when he is older, I was not a candidate for an ablation, was asymptomatic and just take 1,25mg Biso if my HR goes above 110 BPM. I have no rhythm controller, but find a glass of iced water very effective, I have been taking 120mg Verapamil and 10mg Lisinopril for 15 years for BP, so I imagine the Verapamil is instrumental in controlling my HR to a degree.
I think it depends on the individual. In my case I think they zapped all the rogue signals and I have not a since bout of AFib since. I have a theory that AFib starts when you are put under pressure and the heart produces extra signals to help. This is why I think athletes who push themselves hard are likely to develop AF.
It does run in families. One of my three children who is coming up to 60 has had ectopics for some time and I expect he will go on to get to get AF.
I didn't really have symptoms but I feel I am much stronger now that it has stopped. Things that I got my son to do before, I am now doing for myself. Mind you when I was fixing an old curtain track recently, I did wonder if I should be doing it. But I did it anyway!
Yes, I declined my cardiologists suggestion to refer me for ablation . However 18/24 months later, following a further DCCV and then more AF which turned into heart failure which I was told was attributed to AF, I decided that an ablation might be a good idea after all!
You make your choice. To quote one of BobDs little gems...when the pupil is ready the teacher will come !
BobDVolunteer
Back in 2005 I refused but six moths later I was begging for it. (the ablation that is just to clarify lol 😁).
Took three but then AF free since 2008.
Hi. I’m on my second failed ablation but you said your third one worked ? If I’m reading that right that’s given me a bit of hope
Same here. Interesting!!
I have just put up with it for more than 12 years. My AF has always been paroxysmal. During that time frequency has been very variable.
My AF episodes are always caused by either a tablet intolerance or a food intolerance.
I have numerous intolerances, the latest one that I have discovered is dairy. Since stopping dairy I have been AF free for 10 weeks now.
My case is probably quite unusual. I can take a tablet for several months, then I seem to get a buildup which causes nausea and also AF episodes. An example was warfarin, by the time I stopped it I was having AF twice a week for anything up to 15 hours at a time. I changed back to one of the DOAC’s and had no AF for 20 weeks. I now have to alternate between Apixaban and Dabigatran just a few weeks of each at a time.
I have always refused an ablation because I want something more permanent, but more importantly, I need to get off of the anti coagulants.
At the moment, I seem to be stable but if that changes, my intention is to pursue the mini maze.
I have also failed on most of the meds for AF. I can’t tolerate flecainide, Bisoprolol or sotalol. I just take Nebivolol, but can only tolerate two brands of that.
We are all different, you have to do what is right for you. Listen to your body.
Hi MrsV (apologies for hijacking someone else's thread) do you mind if I ask you about Nebivolol .You say '' I just take Nebivolol, but can only tolerate two brands of that.".I have been taking Nebivolol for 5 years manufactured by Almus but on one occasion was prescribed tablets by Glenmark and had a nasty reaction which at first I thought was coincidental but testing over days I found it was definitely down to the meds. It seems I am not alone in 'brand intolerance' . Which brands did you have a problem with .
I can't tolerate Flecainide either and get by on Nebivolol/Apixaban and breathing exercises.
I can only take Glenmark, Noumed or Tiva. I can’t tolerate Mercury or Medreich.
My prescription states Glenmark, which is my preferred option. Unfortunately, they have not been easy to get recently.
I haven’t come across Almus. The intolerances are caused by the fillers as they differ
Thank you for your reply Mrs V 
I am aware fillers can cause problems but hadn't expected such a bad reaction from a drug that was essentially the same . My GP surgery who send out the prescriptions expressed surprise at my issues with a different brand and made me feel I was over reacting.
I have had all of that for years from, not only GP’s, but my cardiologist as well. Also pharmacists. Keep with it, in the end they will realise that you are genuinely suffering.
Another example for me was Bisoprolol. When first prescribed it, the initial pack was Cardicor which is the brand drug. Next pack was a generic brand and the first tablet caused really bad diarrhoea. Just to be sure I tried again about a week later and same problem. Some of the fillers just do not agree with me.
Hello Bell I refused an ablation. If having one gave a 90% chance of a cure for AF I would have one.I was diagnosed with P-AF 5 years ago and have highly symptomatic episodes lasting up to 20 hours every 8 days, most unpleasant but I live with it. The days in-between are ok and I make the best of them.
I live alone out in the countryside with my dog and have relied on myself and no one else since childhood , I can cope alone now but might not be able to able to if I have an Ablation and considering more than one is often required for a temporary respite from AF I didn't want to go down that lengthily route.
Also when offered an ablation it was in a 'failing' hospital that had just started doing them so not exactly an experienced team and I was told they could only to 'first ablations'
the second would be at another hospital miles away.
My decision may not be the best for everyone particularly those younger than me (I am 73) , for the time being it suits me.
I should read the NHS decision aid as it would be ideal to help you decide. However there seems to be a chance that you might go into permanent AF which would make an ablation less likely to succeed and you might have to take a rather nasty medication to help it along. Ablation may not be a ‘cure’ but for most people it is helpful in reducing number and severity of episodes, worked that way for me.
Hello buffafly I am only 58 and when I am in Afib at the moment I can tolerate it it can last anything from 5 mins to 15 hours, before I had the two cardio versions I was continuously in Afib these last two months have been the worse because of the heat as I think that is my trigger but at the moment I don’t want an ablation as apart from feeling my heart going faster I don’t have any more symptoms.I have been told it will probably get worse but I keep thinking why do I want to have an ablation if it doesn’t cure it so that is why I was asking if there is more people like me that just puts up with it.
Read my post. I am 62 and saw my mum and nanna dwindle away and ultimately die of AF stroke and heart failure. Ablation can be a life changing procedure, and dies not automatically fail! I haven't felt so well for so many years after mine What are your objections? It's worth a shot!
When I was first diagnosed with AFib no way was I having an ablation 20 months later after 13 Afib attacks 4 stays in hospital one for 5 days after being 165-195 bpm for 8 days and ever more severe drugs causing side effects I changed my mind . Afib begets Afib, the attacks were getting more frequent and more difficult to stop. The ablation was January 2018. No afib since. I have not taken ANY drugs except paracetamol since May 15 2018. No stress about traveling , no carrying drugs about everywhere. If Afib returned tommorrow morning I would have another ablation tommorrow afternoon.
Best wishes.
I had AF for about 5 years and said to myself that ablation would be my last resort. My AF was not bad compared to some, but the two or three episodes I was getting recently every month made me feel tired and started to last longer (8-9 hours instead of a couple). My cardiologist who I was referred to for ablation said this was the best time to have one before the AF symptoms got worse, the success rate being so much better. Managed to have it done couple of months ago (thought it would be another year due to covid etc, but nipped in on a cancellation!).
So far so good no AF. There was one vein he could not do under cryo due to its size, but the cryo worked on the left vein as during mapping It triggered my AF. If it comes back they will try the remaining vein with RF.
Honestly I could not feel more pleased, for although I lived with AF, it’s great not to have it!🤓👍
I have on average 2/3 episodes a week. Have been offered ablation but have refused. Main reason is that I’m too frightened to go ahead even when I read such positive comments on this site. One day maybe.
I was having the same amount of episodes, about 2 a week. This had increased gradually from when my afib started 2 years earlier. Ablation always seemed like such a last resort, but meds were not really stopping it. After talking to an EP my cardiologist recommended I felt confident to go ahead. So glad I did, everything went smoothly, one night stay in hosp. Only after effect was fatigue for a couple weeks. Glad I did it..
I wouldn’t agree with your understanding. Ablation blocks the signals. AF can affect and stretch the heart and lead to complications and further heart problems later on. Some cardiac services prioritise AF and prioritise ablation if the patient is suitable. Mine did. My AF was bearable, but ablation worked for me, two tiny episodes since November 2019 is even more bearable!
I turned down an ablation offer in 2014 and opted for 200mgs Flecainide instead. However, if I had continued to have AF, I would no doubt have gone for it.
I haven't had an ablation. They offered me one in 2015 and said there were quite a few risks in a tone that implied don't go for it. It scared me so I stayed on bisoprolol. Still jogging along. I might go weeks with nothing then have a bad month with one long episode and then lots of funny beats for three weeks or so. Am hoping a less invasive cure might come along. All the best.
I have had four ablation since 2011. Everytime it has cured the symptoms. My AF is always persistent. I would always opt for an ablation, instant relief from AF. It may not be acute but it certainly clears up the symptoms
As they say it works for me
Had three in 20 months, last in Jan. None worked. Have refused fourth and been put on dronedarone. So far so good (4 weeks) xx
There is a very good chance it will get worse. I wish I'd been able to have my ablation sooner than last year as the AF has caused my left atrium to enlarge, causing the framework around my mitral valve to stretch. So now, I'm on the waiting list for open heart surgery to repair it.
You need to factor in the possible consequences of your decision, whichever way you go,
I went for it, 5 times, because I was mid 30s and the quality of life/ability to work I was getting wasn't what I wanted it to be.
Hi there, I have suffered a lot this week. But yesterday I drunk loads and loads of water and kept calm, actually listed to meditation music for two hours. My dogs were very calm with there cool towels over them and I must admit I was very calm. So yesterday was first day in a week with no AF. Now I started AF in 2010. Have had numerous cardio versions and one ablation in 2013 which last for 12 months but I lost my husband and in 2015 AF started again. I was offered another but refused. I used to have the paramedics here often. Then I decided to change my diet stopped drinking alcohol completely. Stopped eating red meat. I stopped having the really high heart rate and it now very rarely goes above 92. I used to be on bisoprolol probably for two or three years but found I couldn’t breath when out with the dogs. I also am on flecanide which I would never be with out. I asked to have the bisoprolol replaced with Verapamil which I find very good. You will get used to how your body copes with your AF episodes and will slowly find what starts them off. I still panic when I first have a bout but it annoys me that I know I will have to lie low for a few days. This heat has been so intense. Sorry for the long message. But it is awful when you first start with AF and you don’t understand it. My three dogs are staring at me but they can’t be walked in this weather and I can’t be walked in it either. All the very best to you. X
I managed quite well on meds and lifestyle but it gradually progressed into a stage where meds were ineffective. Two extensive periods of continuous AF and Flutter4 and 6 weeks 24/7 persuaded me to get the ablation done. I had been on waiting list for years due to long lists and covid intervention.
9 weeks on,still in North and can't believe how well I feel. Even if I have to stay on meds at least now they are working!
Don't wait until it gets a real hold ,is my advice
I was on the list for an ablation. I have paroxyl af 3 attacks this week In the heat lasts about 20 hours. They can’t find a reason. I can’t take meds owing to my naturally slow heart rate. I am just on apaxiban. Symptom wise nothing too drastic, increased urination, slight breathlessness on stairs and recently feeling fainting on bending down. Then my Ep rang and said he was discharging me as my symptoms were not bad enough. So I don’t have a choice
Hi janey1955 my cardiologist also discharged me I think because I wouldn’t consider an ablation .my symptoms started with chest pain ,shortness of breath and urinating more when I first have an Afib episode but since being on the tablets it is the heart beating faster and urinating more that I get now.This heat isn’t doing me any good as I keep going in and out of Afib and today my Kardia says I am now in tachycardia so not sure what that’s all about I think I was discharged too soon.
After 5 years of AFib and flutter ending up in A&E after having 180bpm for 15 hrs. The episodes became more and more frequent as time went by. I ended up being in afib around 5 times a week for between 2hrs and 15 hrs. I had a cardioversion the next day and was back to normal. Spent 4 days in hospital being monitored and on 5th day offered an ablation for both AF and flutter. I’m now 7 weeks in and haven’t had any episodes and feel great. I’m so glad I decided to have the ablation. Good luck
If I were to be offered an ablation (which I have not been), at this point in time I would refuse. My PAF seems to be well controlled (at this point in time) with side effect free medication-propafenone and atenolol. Previously 9-12 episodes a month, some >24 hours; now, on medication, <1 episode/month, <1 hour duration.
The chances of an ablation sticking are low. I really don't understand people. GL into the future!
I gladly accepted the opportunity to have an ablation. Afib is not something that I can "put up with." It makes me miserable. Have had a few bouts since ablation, and have been told that's not unusual and I can't help but think it may have been many more had I not had the ablation. I don't regret my decision at all.
Bell50 There is no cure for a fib and it doesn’t mean the ablation failed it probably means another spot popped up. My first two ablations held. My cousin asked me why they can’t just get it right. I explained it is like having a leak in a pipe. The leak can get fixed but then you could get a leak in another part of the pipe. The doctors are doing all they can and day by day they are learning new things about afib. I think also each of us are so different. This is not like having a valve problem where they can just go in and fix the valve. They referred to it as the electrical system of the heart so picture it that way and just like in your house you could have problems anywhere. Yes, a fib really stinks 😡
It is a question on my mind constantly.Do I or don't I ? I am at the moment sat in a triage tray to be looked at on a clinical need basis to see an Ep to see if I should have one.Problem is I have been in persistent AF for 19 months now.CV lasted 9 days and I don't want to take Amiodorine to have another CV.
After reading so many posts it's clear that a fib is different for everyone as are the results of getting an ablation
I'm 58 and was diagnosed in early 22 with paroxysmal afib. I was prescribed flecainide and metoprolo l and my afib symptoms stopped. Presently I'm scheduled for an ablation in December - I'm noticing some sleep disruption since taking meds despite my afib being suppressed so I'm opting for a drug free solution.
Have any of you noticed sleep issues and feeling overly tired on these meds?
Thank you
I refused an ablation offer at first as flecainide pill in pocket was doing the trick whenever an attack occurred..which was usually every 3-6 months. Within two years, though, it got to the point where I couldn't get on the procedure table quick enough. One episode afterwards on day 5, but otherwise AF free, coming up on one year consult with EP. The near constant ectopic PAC's have also been reduced by about 90%. Completely med free at 54! I was extremely symptomatic and suffered extreme anxiety. The day I went in for the ablation I was so scared. The first 4 months were quite rough as well as I did have LOTS of ectopics from an angry/healing heart. Slow as molasses, I started to heal and even now, things continue to improve. That bugger anxiety,....that monster wants to hang on, but slowly coming to terms with that one too. Best of luck on your journey.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
When to have an ablation?
I am only in my third year of having Afib. 2020 I had one episode. 2021 I had 2 episodes. This year...
age out of an ablation?
It appears I would greatly benefit from a second ablation. The first one was in my late 70’s. I am...
Do I need an ablation?
i’ve been on the waiting list for an ablation and the appointment has finally come up however I am...
How many ablation so?
I have had AF for the past 8 year and had five ablation 8 electrical cardio versions and just about...
How many people are still on medication (other than anticoagulant) after ablation?
I had my second ablation on Aug 15th last year. In my discharge letter the EP said to stop all meds...
Ocular Migraine/ Kaleidoscope Vision after an Ablation?
Waiting for an ablation
How many ablation can a person have 
How I feel post ablation
