Sorry not posted for ages, had lots of other health issues but thought I was finally getting there, until...
Sept 1st, woke in Af ..bloody hell. Had lots of wierdness in my ticker for a couple of years but all low rate so learnt to live with it. I was referred to a cardiac psychologist who helped my anxiety so much.
Anyway, rate was 110bpm and lasted 18days. Self converted to PACs and Bradycardia (44bpm) felt worse and Monday back in AF at 110bpm. Think I feel better in AF to be honest.
So I have an appointment at Leeds on Monday with Dr Pepper to discuss this. Im on max medication, Flec and Nebivolol and nothing is helping. Had 3 ablations and 18 cardioversions. So I know what is coming... Pace and Ablate or live with AF.
Ive just about had enough of AF now so the pace and ablate seems the way to go. What my problem is over the last few years i have been told countless times Im too young for a P&A, Im 49. Why?..... I've done so much research and cant see any huge negatives.... Am I missing something? Any advive or knowledge of bad side effects would be appreciated of why P&A is so negative at my age.
Thank you xxxoxxx
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booboo73
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Hi Kid long time no speak. I had my pacemaker early August so about 9 weeks old now. Not sure if or when to look into the ablate side and HR now drugged down to 75 most of the time and no sign or syncope now.
The battery life of a pacemaker is approx 10 years, so when the battery runs low the unit needs changing but not the leads unless there is a problem with them. It is not possible to change just the battery - unless someone knows more about newer models etc
At your age you would probably need several replacements.
Also there are worse states than permanent AF. For most people permanent AF is much less symptomatic than paroxysmal AF.
BUT you could end up needing a pacemaker anyway if the bradycardia gets worse to the extent you are fainting or loosing consciousness.
Good luck whatever you decide .
There is a booklet on pacemakers in this list of AF Association resources:
thank you x I have to admit im coping with constant AF much better than i thought. But my rate is too high at 120 and tried every drug and have a 'Flabby atria' (Oh the glamour) So I need the rate lowered. Maybe i msy get away with just a pacemaker like CD fingers crossed xxx
Am I allowed to say that I think Dr Pepper is wonderful, very knowledgeable, wise and caring? You are in safe hands. Secondly, on his advice my husband leads a full and comfortable life in permanent AF whereas the only way I could achieve any quality of life was with a pace and ablate. And for me, this really has worked wonders. Dr Pepper will guide you through all age related pros and cons. Good luck!
I did ask my Ep about it last time, it is available on the NHS but very hard to get it. I will be asking about it, its on my huge list of questions haha xxx
I’m listed for a convergent minimally invasive mini maze at Sheffield on the nhs. It’s been a pain to sort but mainly as I’m out of county. As the procedure wasn’t available in Leicestershire so my options where limited to another ablation or pace and ablate. It might be worth you exploring especially if your EP is supportive and happy to refer you to a cardiothoracic surgeon. I’m sure whatever you choose will be right for you. It’s just about having all options available so your able to make an educated choice.
Funnily enough at my last consultation when discussing my options, my EP said he had a colleague in Sheffield who performs the mini maze. ... its on my list of questions for tomorrow!! Poor chap, I have a lot of questions to ask him !! Xxxx
if it’s mr Hunter at Sheffield he’s very well respected and easy to talk to. He put me at ease instantly, reassured me and laid out my options. I actually felt someone was listening to me. It sounds like you’ve got a fantastic EP too.
welcome back. Sorry to hear this and really hope you get to a resolution. There are very good reports on here of pace and ablate and if/ when the day arrives, I personally would not worry about having one. … and trust me, I DO worry!
Yes i think its the only way to go. Im prepared now and mind made up (almost). Enough is enough now i want quality of life and that's what its all about at the end of the day xxxx
Definitely feel for you here and hoping that some greater heart stability is coming your way very very soon.
Am same age as you though and have had 3 ablations at this point over 2 years and a couple of cardioversions. From my own perspective only, I would be cautious of pace/ablate at 49 if there are other options still available, like additonal abalation while you possibly wait for mini-maze or perhaps a change in meds (which I can appreciate is not a jump for joy option due to possible side effects). Maybe this warrants a very frank discussion with your EP about what options can be explored, keeping pace/ ablate in the proverbial back pocket until other options have been exhausted.
All that being said I have taken comfort from the posters on this forum that are doing well after their particular pace/ ablate procedures and also experiencing an increase in their quality of life.
thank you for the reply. Could I ask you, if you dont mind, why you woukd be cautious of the P&ablate.. it seems to get a lot of negativity and I cant understand why.
Ive tried all meds now and doubt they will do a fourth ablation they said at the last consultation but will be discussing the mini maze.
Hello booboo73. Of course multiple individual factors have to be weighed in these types of decisions and everyone's case can be unique so what might be right for me may not work for you and vice a versa. Truly only you can decide what is best for you in consultation with your health care team.
That said you ask why I would remain cautious - I would expect that all other options would be explored with you before a last resort procedure such as pace and ablate would be offered by your health care team. There are many who have had more than three ablations, with many finding years of heart stability after their 4th, 5th, 6th... ablation. Your 3 prior ablations should not be the end of discussions here. As you say there is also the potential of mini maze procedure to be explored.
I think your age (same as me) could also be a factor here. With pace and ablate, as I am sure you are aware, there is no turning back and therefore there is the possibility that you would not benefit from future improvements in ablation techniques and new procedures/ medications.
Of course this is my perspective only, you certainly may think differently and I have little insight into your quality of life. If this is dreadfully impacted then I can understand why you would be seeking relief via a pace and ablate procedure. Just make sure that you are comfortable with this being offered to you and that you are confident that all other options have at least been discussed and ruled out.
Thank you so much for your detailed response and for taking the tine to reply. I had heart surgery as a kid, so lots of scar tissue, so Im not straight forward. I had to really fight to get a 3rd ablation which has failed. So i guess its AF rate control of P&ablate !! Xxox
I wish you all the best and stable heart health in the future. If you go down the road of pace and ablate please let us know how things go for you (likely this will be an option presented to me in the future).
There are also some on this support forum that have received a pacemaker and this in and of itself has greatly reduced their afib burden to the point that an ablation of the AV node was not required. Perhaps something to bring up with your health care team.
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Here We Go Again
Here I go again!!
Here we go again……..!!
Here we go again AF!!!!
ablation two days ago - Afib still here!
