So I haven't been on for a while or updated on the outcome of my ablation that I had at the end of August. I stayed in and out of NSR for about 2 weeks before settling in to a symptomless permanent AFib. The only problem was I felt breathless on climbing hills or running. A 24 hour ECG showed my average daily HR at 80bpm (including exercise). I'm still on 2.5mg of Bisoporol and a blood thinner.
Tbh I was initially disappointed but on reflection I think this is a really positive result. I sleep well, I exercise, I have the occasion drink and I laugh a lot. Things I spent a long time pre-ablation not doing. My EP and I will re-evaluate in April but I think I've found peace with this whole thing.
Life is good you splendid lot
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Kennyb1968
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Good to hear from you. Sounds like your in a better place even though your ablation did not completely work. Should you decide to try for NSR again, maybe check out the mini maze or a hybrid procedure. A bit more aggressive than a catheter ablation, but often with better results in hard to fix cases. Meanwhile keep enjoying life as you obviously are.
it sounds like you were doing great. To say that you get breathless when you run to me it is the fact that you can run. That is great. Sometimes it’s as good as it gets. You sound like a positive person and that will also keep you going, best of luck on continuing to be able to do what you mentioned
Thank you for the update, Kennyb. My take on it is that quality of life is the key thing and chasing the nirvana of NSR can just lead to a lot of stress and heartache ( if you’ll forgive the pun!) If the AF is at a level where it isn’t bothering you and you’re enjoying your life again doing what you want to do, then that, to me, counts as a successful outcome.
Your positive posts are really encouraging. I’m seven weeks post ablation - though less than two days of NSR in my case. Still railing against it all, but I can see the possibility of needing to accept the situation. I’ve not tried running - but then I only run for a bus, or when chasing the grandchildren, and then my knees regret it 😂
Hills and stairs are a different matter. I don’t exactly get breathless, but my legs feel like there’s no energy going their way. Edinburgh isn’t know for flat terrain either!
Keep at it. At first I really struggled with hills and stairs but the more I did it the better it felt. You will be recovering for months so give yourself time. My EP did increase my Bisoporol from 2.5 to 5mg daily and that really lessened the breathlessness.
I will! One of my daughters is moving into her very own third floor tenement flat very soon - I’m determined to see it. Though happy to have the excuse not to carry anything! At least there will be long landings.
I also have been in Permanent AF since 2016. I have stopped chasing the holy grail of NSR. I am able to do most things and am settled. However, I am still watching the development of newly emerging treatments with interest....never say never. Roy
Hey Kenny. I came to the same decision after a second failed Cardioversion about three weeks ago.When first diagnosed with AF I felt driven to get it 'fixed' but now I realise "there is no magic bullet" (to quote my Cardiologist!) and find that I would rather accept a slightly slower pace than pursue further treatments and the possible risks.
Although it's been quite a sharp learning curve since discovering I have AF, like you I have arrived at a conclusion that sits well with me.
For me, the way ahead is to focus on the many things I can do rather than the few things I can't and enjoy life in the present rather than struggle to find a better outcome in the future.
Spot on. I accept I will never be as fit as I was but I was very, very fit before. Now I am fit enough to do everything I did; just not as fast or as aggressively. Then that would have happened anyway, I'm 54 not 24 anymore 😉, So now when I hill walk or cycle I stop more and that lets me enjoy the experience and my surroundings and that's nice. Evolve and develop and keep smiling my friend.
I know.. I notice so much more beauty in the hedgerows etc when I stop.and push my bike up hills.Like you say, slowing down was probably inevitable anyway and I ask myself 'who am I trying to keep up with anyway ? '
I feel like I am seeing my life through a new lense ?
Having said that I am wondering about getting an ebike for long rides in the Summer but not so sure about that yet.
Have you considered an ebike?
Meantime I prefer Nordic Walking in the colder months up here in Edinburgh so not in a rush to make a decision .
My brother was diagnosed with permanent AFib which he had probably had without knowing for years even during his army career. He like myself was very into his fitness and he too noticed a bit of a slowing down. He got an ebike and now he has retired his wife and him have cycled all over the UK and Europe. It's definitely the way ahead. I've a few years yet on my gravel bike God willing but when the time comes I will definitely invest in one.
I'm exactly the same as you, in mild AF all the time but manage to live a good life and do long walks. Trouble is I live in a very hilly town and at the top of one of those hills. I have a choice when walking home from town, whether to climb up hundreds of steps or take the winding lanes. Wouldn't live anywhere else though.
Like you I take 2.5mg of Bisoprolol.
Life is good isn't it, I hope you continue enjoying yours.
Yes it is Jean. My EP increased the Bisoporol from 2.5 to 5mg daily and that really helped with the mild breathlessness that I was getting. Something to consider?
It certainly is. I'm guessing that your 5mg dose doesn't make you feel tired? Do you just take 5mg of Bisoprolol once a day? I take that but split it to 1 x 205 my twice daily.
Hi. Just read your reply to Kenny and inspired by your bio.I am not overweight and enjoy exercise, cycling and Nordic Walking, but tend to be a bit hung ho about my diet, tending to believe that if I get my 'five a day' all will be well.
However, I am reviewing my diet since I have discovered I am no longer indestructible !! 🙉
I live on my own and have a limited repertoire of cooking skills. I prefer to batch cook and enjoy soups, sandwiches and salads... basically anything that is
easy 🤣.
I watch my sugar intake, although not adversed to comfort eating when the 'need' arises 🙄
Now, I am thinking it may be useful for me to monitor my protein intake ?
I don't have high cholesterol so although I do eat a lot of cheese and don't scimp on butter.
I guess my medication is low (2 x 5gm Apixaban &125mg Digoxin daily) and don't seem to have any side effects.
I take Vit D in the winter, as we can be a bit short of sunshine up here in 'not always so sunny' Scotland.🙃
What would be your top tips for diet ??
I reckon we will be of a similar age, I am 69, good to hear you are enjoying life with AF. Living in a hilly town must be a challenge at times.
The following is a general idea on diet that I often post on this forum:
Having had AF for 17 years, three ablations and numerous cardioversions my advice to everyone diagnosed with AF is the following:
1. Be Aware you are most unlikely to die from Atrial Fibrillation (AF). I used to think that the way my heart bounced around I would surely be found dead next day. Still here though!
2. Changing your diet to a more plant based one, avoiding any foods containing artificial additives, not allowing yourself to become dehydrated, cutting back on sugar, alcohol and caffeine, also losing weight (if it's needed) will all have a beneficial effect on your AF. Artificial sweeteners were a sure trigger for my attacks. How I wish I'd known all of this before having any of my ablations. Would I have listened if anyone had told me? Probably not, because I believed ablations would cure me - three didn't! They have helped some people though and my AF now is not so severe.
3. This is a hard one, but looking at gadgets that show your pulse and AF will make you anxious and anxiety feeds AF. I was obsessed with what my heart was doing for about the first ten+ years of my AF journey and my attacks were so debilitating I'd end up in a hospital ward, it has taken me a long time to take my mind off this subject and get on with living. The less I think about it, the better I feel. Now I used to feel cross with people who suggested I stop looking at my pulse rate machines, I thought that their AF couldn't be as bad as mine and they didn't understand how poorly attacks made some of us feel. I would get cross with anyone who said they could still go on holiday and carry on life as normal. They made me feel evil, by not understanding how ill I felt! In our minds AF is only as bad as we have experienced, for some attacks are mild for others they're more severe.
4. Make sure you don't slouch, or unwittingly do shallow breathing while watching tv or online. If you do your heart will protest. Also avoid tight clothing around your waist or chest.
5. Try supplementing with magnesium, any type except oxide (I use glycinate from YourSupplements and also take taurine, zinc, vitamins B12, K2, D3 and C). Be aware that if you take K2, which helps your magnesium go where it should in your body, it can alter your INR if you are taking Warfarin. I had to up my dose slightly, I self test my INR at home.
I feel really well and there's nothing I can't do now, despite being in constant low rate AF. Or at least I think I am, I don't check these days.
Thank you for your reply.I understand and agree with everything you have said and will take note of your advice.
On your point about being too focused on your heartrate to you detriment, I am thinking the same thing.
I have only been on this forum for a few weeks and as much as I am sure there is so much help and advice here, I have decided I would rather stop my notifications and get on with it.
Thank you again, I appreciate your advice. Stay safe
So much is discovered about AF and controlling it on this forum. New ablation techniques are tried by members and are talked about in depth. I would never stay away too long. It's busier than usual on here today. You must do as you think best.
Hi there - apparently Bisoporol dosage is very patient and body type specific. So I am 6' 5" tall and 15.5-16 stone. At that body mass 2.5mg was not an effective dose. Since I've been on 5mg I've noticed a dramatic improvement in breathlessness (which wasn't that bad before) and my average daily HR has dropped from 75-80bpm to 65-70bpm. Delighted so far!!
Hi Ken.Loved reading this positive post along with the replies, and I'm glad you have adjusted to living life with A Fib.
I'm due to have an ablation on Wednesday having been in persistent Afib since July.
I'm obviously hoping to get back into NSR - but I am very much trying to keep in mind, as you, Threecats, RoyM and many others have said before... While NSR is the ideal objective it is more important to focus on what you can do rather than what you cant.
After paroxysmal AF since 1999, my first ablation in 2018 helped quite a lot but then after 4+ years I had episode start on 25/10/22 that just carried on... it was mainly atrial tachycardia (240bpm atrial rate but 2:1 (conduction from atria to ventricles) = 120bpm daytime and 4:1 = 60bpm nights) with some AF when the AT didn't know whether to run at 2:1 or 4:1 ! ). I just had a second ablation on 03/01/23 and in NSR since, although I still get a fair few ectopics/short (second or two) runs of ectopics.
Thing is, when the 25/10/22 episode started it was quite unpleasant, but after a couple of weeks I was kinda getting used to it (could still walk for miles - so long as no steep hills... - no problem etc.) and at 4 weeks in I was barely aware of it for most of the time. Don't get me wrong I'd sooner be in NSR, but what that 10 week episode did impress upon me was just what a relief and freedom it was to NOT be constantly worried about going out of rhythm !
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