inspired by Paul’s post yesterday!

[dedeottie]

I have been wondering when to post this update to my August ablation and apparent return of AF after 7 months clear and because my conscience was pricked by Paul’s post yesterday I have decided that now is the time!

In my last post I was disappointed that AF had started again although at a low rate and was going in and out of rhythm in a way that it never had before. I was fairly accepting of the situation because I had always thought that the final ablation was a bit of a long shot even though my EP had been very optimistic after the procedure.

Well, I can now report that the AF disappeared again and that my heart is generally much more settled with far less ectopics as well. It has been 3 and a half weeks with nothing. Perhaps it was having a last ditch attempt at re establishing itself while the last bits of scar tissue built up. Who knows? I won’t be surprised if it returns but for now, all is good again. I hope this will encourage others who are past the three month blanking period and still having episodes of AF . I think for some people, scar tissue continues to build for much longer.

Best wishes All

Jane x

[Hidden]

much the same happened to me 7/8 months after my second ablation and despite anxiety and stress levels having been extremely elevated of late, NSR has remained intact since 2018 🤞🤞🤞. Long may it continue for both of us eh!

[dedeottie in reply to Hidden]

absolutely Flapjack. Let’s make the most of it while we can. X

[OzJames in reply to Hidden]

encouraging to read replies like yours, can I ask did you remain on drugs to this day?

[Hidden in reply to OzJames]

apart from the anticoagulant, I decided to continue with a low dose of Diltiazem. My EP said I could stop it but as I was borderline high blood pressure it might be better to continue. Whenever I think I might stop it, something not AF related pops up which could cause it to rise so on the basis of if it ain’t broke, don’t mend it I’ve left well alone 🤞

[OzJames in reply to Hidden]

that makes sense don’t rock the boat. I had Cardioversion late last year and Cardiologist took me off Anticoagulant but said to continue with low dose of Metopropol 12mg till next review in July. I guess to steady the ship.

[MWIC in reply to Hidden]

Means a lot hearing this and knowing there’s some hope to getting rid of this damned thing - Mine occurring now almost every day at some point and seems to have returned to making an appearance at night again when in bed - No meds other than Apixaban and on the waiting list for an ablation but 7-9 months estimated before I get to my day so cannot wait to get there as it is now sometimes impacting on life and making working more difficult

[Hidden in reply to MWIC]

Hang in there, I had two, a Cryoablation in 2015 (I think) and a RF ablation in 2018 and absolutely no regrets……best of luck with yours

[sassy59]

Really good news dedeottie and long may it last. Xx

[dedeottie in reply to sassy59]

thank you 🤞

[meadfoot]

pleased to hear things have been successful for you.

[DawnTX]

Enjoy every good second of no afib. It’s not. Unusual for that to happen once in a while from what I understand. I had permanent so I can’t really compare. Some people get lucky and do not need further procedures, but the majority do so don’t get down about it. It’s one day at a time with a fib actually it’s one second at a time because nasty a fib does what it wants to do. After a successful cardioversion in October I had 3 1/2 weeks of heaven. I loved every second and I still am grateful to have gotten that break. I just remember sitting on the couch and there it was thump and I knew it was back. Even now with my pacemaker I feel something odd I have to ask by EP about it. Here is so much information to take in at times but somewhere I am thinking he had mentioned my flutter. The thump does not hurt. It doesn’t do anything bad and my heart rate stays decent in the 70s. Unfortunately, I think most of us must except it’s never going to be the same again but that does not mean it’s bad it’s just different. I will take what I have now with my pacemaker, etc. and if I stay even just like I am today, I will be so grateful. on February 13 when I went to the hospital I could not walk. On February 27 after my AV node ablation I went home and I was able to walk to my car.🙏🏻❤️

[dedeottie in reply to DawnTX]

such good news Dawn. X

[DawnTX in reply to dedeottie]

thank you so much you have been there from the start with me so you know for me to say what I’m saying is somewhat of a miracle to me. To see the smile on my doctors face was incredible. He is not a cranky man he is just very humble and quiet. For him to tell me the hospital in Dallas has requested he teach the EPS his procedure so they can save more people and help more people. I know it’s an honor for him and I am so happy for him and so proud to call him my doctor. He has only been a doctor for 14 years but he’s passionate about helping us.

[Megams in reply to DawnTX]

~Thank you for sharing your journey DawnTX - my PVI cryo-ablation Feb 2022 went reasonably well with few jumpy beats during blanking period which was to be expected.

Unfortunately back into rapid a/fib in March & spent night in hospital - increase in SR Metoprolol & a drop in Losartan.

EP is suggesting pace & ablate as a 2nd ablation is deemed too risky due to the challenging time he had crossing through atria where I had good sized hole tightly closed in 1988.

But hey I knew it wouldn't last forever but enjoyed my new quiet heart for the time I experienced it. I've needed to remain philosophical as I've shed my tears of disappointment and don't want to go back "there" but forward.

Will scan this forum & learn from those of you in the pace & ablate corner.

Blessings ~

[DawnTX in reply to Megams]

I love your attitude about going forward and yes, enjoying the quiet when we have it. It is amazing how loud the quiet is and how lovely. I am laying here now writing you feeling “normal “with a quiet heart. thanks to my pacemaker. There are so many of us here who now have one and if you did not see all the positive comments yet then look for them. Minimal pain and a life-changing event. Please let us know how you are doing. According to my doctor mapping is always a challenge. You have a great doctor, not wanting to chance anything with you knowing what he does.

[Eliza2 in reply to Megams]

I’m a pace and ablate gal too after three failed ablations. Best thing! Finally no more tachycardia and can’t feel the afib. Relief.

[Megams in reply to Eliza2]

~Thank you so much Eliza - that is a comfort to know this. Why does a/fib still occur despite and are you still on meds?

[Eliza2 in reply to Megams]

the pace and ablate does not end the afib but you don’t feel it for the most part and the heart is not effected the same way after the pace and ablate as before from the afib. Also the tachycardia is gone as the pacer does the HR.

[Eliza2 in reply to Megams]

no meds😊

[Megams in reply to Eliza2]

~If there is still a/fib won't b/thinners still be required? I will formulate many questions. Thanks again.

[Eliza2 in reply to Megams]

yes still on blood thinners

[CDreamer]

Fantastic - you do tend to forget when you have been well for a bit just how crap you can feel when AF returns - speaking personally of course!

Long may NSR last

[dedeottie in reply to CDreamer]

completely agree CDreamer and not just physically but emotionally too. X

[Cookie24 in reply to dedeottie]

Yes

[Cookie24 in reply to CDreamer]

True

[Paulbounce]

Hi Jane. That's great news to read. It can take time for the scar tissue to heal but it sounds like it's working well for you. No afib for 3 and a half weeks - I except you're delighted.

Have a great weekend.

Paul

[waveylines]

Brilliant news!! 🤗🤗🤗

[OzJames]

great to hear your positive outcome, it will certainly encourage others. Do you remain on drugs?

[dedeottie in reply to OzJames]

he has kept me on sotalol but at half the dose I was on. I think to keep s check on rate mostly. Of course, apixaban remains and I take a statin. X

[OzJames in reply to dedeottie]

that sounds sensible, I had my cardioversion late last year and mine put me on a lower dose of metoprolol 12mg till next appointment in June. I think to settle things for 6 months

[LadyLawson]

thanks for this encouraging post Jane

[Lilypocket]

Hi JaneGreat to hear your news! So glad things seem to have sorted themselves out! Fingers and toes crossed that this respite lasts 🤞🤞🤞 X

[Cookie24]

This is good to hear. Last August, I had my third ablation for afib and atypical flutter. I have a a few episodes this month and had one today. So, I am getting low. I am still taking Diltiazem and Propafenone with Eliquis of course. Best wishes.

[Sharonsue]

Thank you for the encouragement. I had my ablation Aug 2,2022. No afib episodes as of yet. Hoping to get off of sotolol within 1 yr of ablation.

[dedeottie in reply to Sharonsue]

brilliant news. We must keep everything jointly crossed. I must admit that I will be a little nervous if/when anyone suggests stopping sotolol altogether. X

[Coco51]

Much the same happened to me after my second Ablation. It took about 4 months. The AF came back after a year when I reduced my Flecainide dose, and raises its head from time to time, but everything is relative. 8 years ago my AF was non stop, very fast, persistent, symptomatic, and Flecainide had a limited effect. Now after 2 ablation s, I rarely have AF, but when I do have a bout, it's slower, shorter duration, I hardly feel it, and Flecainide(back on full dose) keeps it at bay.

For what it's worth, I think expectations should be better managed about treatment. I went in to the cath lab expecting a cure ( I was told ablation had 70% chance of success without asking what sucess meant in this context, or about the other 30%). At first I was disappointed, but when I reflect on my life 8 years ago there's a world of difference and I am grateful.

If I'd been told it would reduce my AF burden and possibly stop it, and might possibly mean I could ditch the drugs, maybe I'd have been better prepared.

[Eliza2]

great news Jane!!!

Best wishes

Eliza

[dedeottie in reply to Eliza2]

Thank you so much. Life is good at the moment so I’m enjoying while I can. It helps that I know the way ahead of AF comes back as symptomatic and persistent as before. I know that pace and ablate will be the only option then and thanks to you and others on this forum, I will not be worried about it. I’m glad to hear you are enjoying life .

Best wishes

Jane