Af at first but now also atrial tachycardia….

[Sigi1]

Hi everyone 🦋

Hope you are all doing well x

Just wanted to ask I have had Af for over 3 years now and had two ablations that have been somewhat successful as my Af is better but not we’re I wish I was but I am feeling greatful for the work they have done to help me improve my life ❤️ as I was very unwell with it with alot of fainting episodes due to such high heart rate… the first one needed a touch up then the second one I healed in a way quicker but lots of new symptoms plus little bit of AF still but different….

Ended up in hospital few times and all the EKG say mixture of possibly AF but mostly detecting atrial tachycardia and atrial flutter but the rate is still so high and I get a lot of chest pains with these episodes I am just unwell with it plus the medication don’t do me a lot of good 🙈 anyway the EP has decided to go for another ablation and that I do feel greatful for as I am still very young and have young children and not functioning really well with all of this

I am not afraid of this anymore as I was in the beginning due to lack of understanding and the whole shock of it but now more just so unwell with it.

But has anyone had ablation for atrial tachycardia as I know they can be tricky apparently I was told?

Would love to here son feedback x

I really appreciate this forum so much x

Thank you all for your stories and experiences it really does help one to not feel alone with all of this x

thank you and have a great day x

[BobD Volunteer]

I had an ablation for atrial tachycardia in 2019 which stopped the really high rates but I still average 85 bpm . Nebivolol to reduce my rate did produce some bradycardia and pre-syncope so I now have a pacemaker "just in case". Life is good.

[Sigi1 in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob for your reply x

Life surely is good and I am so grateful just being here and also understanding more of this whole journey as I think knowledge is power in this case. Glad to here that it helped with the really higher rates as they can be very hard on one 😞

Do you recon this was like a (side affect) from the ablation? Or no?

have a great day x

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Sigi1]

No , I had ten years AF free after my 2008 third ablation. I just think that those of us who are prone to arrhythmias will get them regardless of which type. It 's who we are!

[Sigi1 in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob 🦋

One more question if I can?

I really hope that’s ok? So once one has AF it’s a big chance it will Come back at some point? As the ablations are more like to increase and give better quality of life instead of actually removing it?

No stress if you don’t have the time to reply to this but just wanted to ask as you seam to be a person with a good understanding of all of this.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Sigi1]

Ablation is part of any ongoing treatment for AF. As I said I had ten years free of all arrhythmias which probably saved my life as I was able to have cancer surgery which they would not have been prepared to undertake had I still AF. (The radiotherapy would have missed some areas.) A Tach is a different arrhythmia so not AF but people who's hearts are made a particular way can be prone to arrhythmias of all kinds IMHO

All treatment for AF is only ever about quality of life. Since AF is a condition not a disease cure does not apply.

[Sigi1 in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob for your reply x

Very helpful and thank you for sharing your experience and story.

Have good day xxx

[Gracey23 in reply to BobD]

Bob I’ve been a group member since before my first AFib ablation in 2018. That ablation only lasted four months. I stayed on flecanaide and eliquis through the pandemic and finally was offered another ablation, Nov of 22. That ablation was extremely extensive with a pvi, cryo and ablation of the vein of Marshall. I ended up in lots of pain from the inflammation and felt defeated as the AFib came right back with tachycardia. My Ep has given me choice of another ablation or a pacemaker with av node ablation. I’m sorry this seems long winded but I’m confused as to what to do. I like all of us wants my life quality back and to be free of meds. I need some advice and mostly some support. A pacemaker seems like a very big decision as so many refer to the procedure as the last resort. I’m 73 years young in good health otherwise. Did you have a pace and ablate or just a pacemaker implanted? Are you happy with your decision to have one implanted? As you can tell I need some hand holding as this has been a very difficult four months in persistent AFib . Thank you so much for all you do for us in this amazing group!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Gracey23]

My PP was to prevent the gaps I started to get if my HR went too low.(2nd degree block) and the resulting presyncope. (almost passing out)

I resisted it for two years but my EP was persuasive and told me he would sleep better if I did. After 17 years it woild have been churlish to refuse. Apart from occasional ouch if I sleep on it I have no problem. I do not need AV node ablation.

Many people hve the PM and then find they do not need this last stage so worth a try. Be warned that since you still have AF and always will do regardless of results you will need to continue with anticoagulation . Other drugs may chnage but don't think this as a way to get off medication. Frankly I never understand reluctance to take drugs which can improve QOL