Got the Second Opinion

[Elsie1955]

And I am SO glad I did!

In a prior post, I had told about events leading up to a cardiologist getting snippy with me because I questioned the need for an ablation. The more research I did the more convinced I became that my gut feeling was right and I set up an appt. with a different doctor.

Monday I got a second opinion. The new cardiologist reviewed the information he had been sent by the prior cardiologist, including the results of my catheterization, and guess what?

The ONLY reason he could see for me getting it would be "just because you don't want to keep taking medication but there's no reason why you cannot keep on with the flecainide".

He is still sending me to the electrophysiologist, so we can meet. He said it like this:

"I'm the plumber, he's the electrician".

The idea is that I can find out more about ablation- AND ASK QUESTIONS WITHOUT BEING TREATED LIKE A FREAK for asking!

"You may want to just come off the medication but again, ablation is no guarantee that you will be able to go without medication, so it really is just another option. It's your heart, and your decision."

Flow is good.

Nothing requiring a stent.

Flecainide controls well with metoprolol without side effects.

But he is wanting me to track my blood pressure (I have been under a lot of stress over this), follow the Mediterranean diet and subtract extra sodium, and lose weight.

I start back to cardiac rehab next week!!

[sassy59]

Great news Elsie. Hope everything works out well for you.

[BobD Volunteer]

I think it is very important that you understand that there is no best treatment for AF. Any and All treatment is only ever for quality of life (QOL).

Yes I am a great fan of ablation having had four but I will never stop taking anticoagulation as ablation does not remove stroke risk and though arrhythmia free for ten years, I developed a different arrhthymia for which I now once more need to take medication.

The point is that provided rate is well controlled there is no different outcome whatever treatment is given .

[mav7]

Happy for you, Elsie !

Flecainide controls well with metoprolol without side effects.

Can your share your heart rate with above meds ? And are you persistent afib or paroxysmal ? In NSR most of the time ?

Reason for asking, I am persistent and want to compare Metoprolol results, My heart rate averages 82.

Thanks !

[Elsie1955 in reply to mav7]

Sure. My heart rate before taking it. My heart rate on waking, before taking, is on average 55-57 without any real significant change an hour later. They're having me track it and blood pressure. I'm paroxysmal and, aside from the recent escapade where the first cardiologist had me off the flecainide for 17 days, I had not had an episode in seven years! I can feel mine. It's like an alien crawling out of my chest. But even before flec, when I did have them, they were maybe, tops, one a month and cardio converted with a medication drip in the ER of Cardizem, usually within an hour or two tops.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to mav7]

Hi

Metroprolol did not control - 186 H/R day.

Bisoprolol " " - 156 H/R day

Diltiazem 120mg am. with Bisoprolol 2.5 Night. Controlled.

123/72. 77-88 H/R Day. 47 H/R Night

I thought Flecainide was used as a pill in the pocket used only when you felt the irregularity.

cheers JOY. 73. (NZ)

[Elsie1955 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

that's the whole thing about this condition. From what I can tell, people respond differently to different approaches and its not a one-size-fits-all. And no, flec seems to be something some of us take regularly. I was told the concern was plack build up with some people and lab mice. Nothing here. Not even a mouse

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Elsie1955]

Hi

Thanx for reply.

I thought that statins reduce plague built up as cholesterol.

I had clear, clean Carotid arteries. And it was called an embolic stroke which is caused by a blood clot, due to AF. The first monitor I had but on metroprolol showed up 2 pauses of 2 secs during the night.

I had the stroke @ 2am and it awoke me. Rxcept I didnt look in the mirror had a very sore head.

cheri JOY. 73. (NZ)

Its worth trying the 30mg CCB Calcium Channel Blocker with a BB separated am to pm.

[Elsie1955 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

they can yes but I had a DO that took me off statins for 4 years. My carotids are fine, it was just an area that there's a bend, not enough to worry about I was told.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Elsie1955]

Hi A bend!

Its as bad as my colon.

My Aussie surgeon said that I have the longest colon squashed into a small space he has ever seen.

So he prescribed COLOFAC 140mg. Full glass water with pill first thing in morning! Or I eat 1/2 kiwifruit, a fig, a prune.

Not a solution but relaxes the colon and rectum so it can pass.

Cheri JOY

[C66t in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

hi did you find colofac caused constipation? I had a lot of probs with it.😃

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to C66t]

No.

It made the colon and bowel trlax so that I got the urge and the contents came out normally.

Both the full glass of water on the empty stomach and the tablet worked.

Trouble with other meds they stop your urge.

If really bad constipation over 2 days (hospital) I ask for a suppository.

Not an enema and dont put it high beyond compaction but put it reasonably just in.

Again no diarrhoea.

No gall bladder so only thing that gives me diarrhoea is FAT - like chizels etc.

For me the above is a better way to go.

Cheri. JOY. 73. (NZ)

[mav7]

Sounds great !

[Singwell]

Well done you! Over here, if the pills keep the AF under control we're generally not offered ablation.

Dealing with your lifestyle- regular walks of 30-40 mins and adjusting food intake can make a huge difference to BP and general well being. Highly recommend the Zoe Programme for customised advice on your microbiome, cholesterol absorption and sugar responses. You can get it over there. Recently rolled out here and a few of us have done it.

[Elsie1955 in reply to Singwell]

I'll take a look at the Zoe Programme and thanks so much!

[DKBX]

right there with you re the flecainide and metoprolol. It keeps me in the 50s/60s but some high 40s at rest. Still … have had to go with four ablations and five cardioversions to finally be free of the beast for last six months. Combined w daily mindfulness/ walks/yoga /calorie restriction/tea-total lifestyle and meditative morning prayer, I remain in NSR…. for now. Good luck.

[beach_bum]

Second opinions are always a wise idea.

Like Bob said, it’s about quality of life.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

GO 1955. I am 1949 a little older.

You must ask questions.

My father used to say about my Mum asking ?s - she won't be interested. I sent him back a frown. Understand that I will answer and explain because she wants answers. Don't discount her enquiring mind.

I end up telling folks who wont explain. I dont want to be a dUMB BLONDE and I am dark haired!

I was always given reports that described me as having an ENQUIRING MIND.

When you enquire you are interested, seeking information.

GO GIRL.

The other person is being an arrogant fig.

Seek out a person you find is interested in you.

A cardiac specialist will be learned in ablations unless he is not uptodate trained.

My last appointment was with a National Cardiac Specialist. He said that he used to do ablations. He said I was not a candidate because of my enlarged chamber. He diagnosed a soft systolic heart murmur that no one has.

He wasn't a good listener when I was explaining how the operation in March 22 removed inflammation and my energy rate increased.

Manage your Health.

My have to be interested in our diagnosed, meds and what they do, talk about any side effects you have.

Cheri. JOY. 73. (NZ)

[secondtry]

Brilliant well done. Stay wary of the medics (unfortunately has to be done these days) and re your visit to an EP, I recall what my cardiologist told me when I insisted on seeing one 'if you talk to a carpet salesman he will sell you a carpet'.