I had 3 short incidents of AF over 18 months then one 2 weeks after my covid booster at the end of October 2022 which has lasted since mid November to date. So more or less permanently in AF. I privately saw an electrophysist in January who suggested starting amiodarone followed by a cardio version. I'm having second thoughts about this procedure because so many people say it barely lasts any time. Given the side effects from amiodarone and the fact that cardio version isn't a guaranteed permanent solution, I haven't gone ahead.
I seem to be coping well enough with the episodes of AF regarding heart rate as on bisoprolol 3.75mg am and 1.25 mg pm. Question: Has anybody else been through this scenario and what has been the outcome. I've been researching AF so I'm fairly well informed. It also seems a coincidence that this only started after having the vaccines and boosters. Anybody else experienced this?
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Rosie0202
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You're not in permanent afib. You're not even in long term persistent afib. Six months of continuous afib puts you in the "persistent afib" category, and other matters aside, your chances for a successful ablation would be the same as someone with paroxysmal.
But sounds like your doctor wants to try a medication approach first, which is reasonable. A short course of amiodarone prior to cardioversion with a short course after is a good plan. It's not a drug many want to stay on too long, however, so switching to something less toxic like daily Flecainide -- if you qualify -- might make sense. If that doesn't work out, or you cannot tolerate, then get evaluated for ablation.
My brother had the same experience. His consultant said a cardioversion wasn't worth it and currently he is asymptomatic and just takes an anticoagulant. It doesn't seem to have affected his energy.
I certainly wouldn't have any more Covid jabs. From what I read and hear from family/friends heart issues are a common side effect (the reason I did not have any jabs in the first place, thanks to reports on this forum) and they can also reduce your immune system eg more susceptible to other bugs/hay fever etc.
I am a little confused about your situation. You talk of persistent AF since November 2022, then say that you. are " more or less " permanently in AF, and then talk about " the episodes" .I have been in permanent AF for about six years, day in, day out. It's asymptomatic so normally I can't feel it. AF become permanent after 21 years of paroxysmal AF.
There is no cure for AF. Certain interventions help. Cardioversion by medication, e.g. Flecainide kept me free of AF except for 1 or 2 episodes a year until I was found to be in asymptotic persistent AF. Electrical cardioversion helps to put heart back into normal rhythm, but there's no guarantee that it will be long lasting. Equally there's ablation, trying to stop the short circuit in the heart. It improves quality of life for most people but there's no guarantee that it will. It's apparent that most people who have one ablation will need at least one more ablation.
My only medication now for permanent AF is an anticoagulant. Beta blockers caused urticaria and sudden exacerbation of asthma causing emergency hospital admission.
What has helped me is losing weight, and eating a mainly vegetarian diet. I eat fish.. I try never to be anxious knowing that whatever will be will be. I live alone except for two cats..
I can't give you a figure. It doesn't cause me any concern. It is at the high end of the normal range which I believe is 60-100. It occasionally gets to 110 at rest but doesn't cause me any problems.
Hello Thomas. My husband has recently been diagnosed with silent afib and was given bisoprolol to start with. Unfortunately it triggered his COPD which had been in abeyance for about 8 years. It's pretty bad now, and I'm wondering if he can ever get rid of it again. How did your asthma react when you realized that the trigger was bisoprolol, and how did you and the doctors handle it?
It was obvious that it was Bisoprolol as my asthma is normally caused by infection. On that occassion my lung ceased to function properly without any infection present. My lung "tubes" were constricting all on their own. Lots, and I mean lots of hospital nebulisers plus 40mg of prednisolone daily brought my breathing back to normal.
I am confused with your description of Afib conditions too. Persistent, permanent, paroxysmal? If you tolerate your current medication and your QOL is acceptable than stay like that. Cardioversion can last for some time or fails pretty quick. It is just a test to see if your future ablation if you choose to go this route can hold or not. It is all your personal decision here . Nobody can make it for you. Medication, ablation, cardioversion, mini maze is all the options we have.
My initial diagnosis of AF was a persistent episode only reverted by electro cardioversion.
During my episodes which were always persistent I was on a small daily dose of bisoprolol and rivoroxaban.
I was diagnosed with flutter during my consultations to have an ablation and was offered to have both treated in one go. I very reluctantly decided to be treated for the flutter only in 2018 and have been relatively free of arrhythmia since.
The few blips I’ve had have since have reverted without intervention within 48 hours
My main reason for accepting the ablation was although I was fairly comfortable when in AF, I was unable to exercise. I wanted to be off meds and be able to do the things I like to do
p.s. not covid vaccinated. One reason being was I’d read of people going into AF following the jab
I have also been in persistent AFib since October last year, and an ablation only lasted 2 days. Mine came two weeks after a Covid infection though - I had to delay my booster due to that, and it had been a year since my previous jab. Personally, I will carry on with my boosters, as I suspect that the infection might have caused more harm.
Hi Rosie, I had episodes of AF and had a cv which sorted it for a while but another dose of AF which lasted 6 weeks meant another Cv followed by Amiodarone up to my ablation which was almost a year ago. I came off Amiodarone after two months the anti coagulants in Sept and bisoprolol in Dec. I’ve experienced some flutter especially when I had covid, but been off all drugs for 3 months now. I’m nearly 62 and pretty fit. So my advice is have the cv and have an ablation…it’s totally sorted my life….for now anyway!
Paroxysmal , it just comes on and then stays until I have some form of intervention , and so far they have worked , but to a point . I had 6 months of persistent when I first started with AF , rate control only and life was not good as I could nt exercise , no energy , chest pains, dizziness etc . Reverted to sinus rhythm post cardioversion but came back after 8 months ,Had another cardioversion but this time with amiodarone and corrected for a year until the amiodarone gave me visual disturbances . 2 ablations followed , both lasted approx 8 months before persistent AF reared it’s ugly head again . Finally cardioversion no 3 last October , on dronedarone plus betablocker whilst waiting for ablation no 3 . I’m 58 , was 52 when it all began .
As others have said , it really does depend how the persistent AF makes you feel . For me it’s awful and I can’t function , hence all the interventions . Take care x
Cardioversion is such a minor procedure my advice would be to have it done if offered. I found it less stressful than a typical visit to the dentist; in and out in a few hours, feeling great. So if your reluctance is down to imagining it's a big, scary experience then please don't let that put you off! Trust me, it's not. I honestly thought: "is that it?" I'm so glad I had it done, because in my case it kept me in NSR until my ablation over a year later.
Most aren't as lucky as I was, but if it doesn't revert you then so what? Nothing lost and either way it will inform potential future treatments.
Thank you for the reassurance. I’m not frightened of the procedure but terrified at taking amiodarone. The procedure would involve ‘loading up’ with the drug weeks beforehand. All of which takes months to leave the body whilst having nasty side effects. My dilemma is that the AF could come back very quickly after the CV as CV only returns to NSR. Therefore I would require amiodarone to maintain rhythm as I can’t have one of the more tolerable drugs. I’ve done a lot of research on the subject and if the next step procedure is ablation as appears to be the case for a lot of people then my only choice would be the mini maze. This is expensive and to my knowledge it isn’t carried out routinely on the NHS.
Hi Rosie,My experience for what it's worth and what I would do in your situation.
Paroxysmal AF for 4 years until day after first AZ vaccine.
CV after a year lasted 9 days.Another years wait for an an Ablation.Discussion with EP was straight to ablation as Persistent for so long and Amioderine has many side effects.Now 11 weeks still in NSR.
I am lucky that the only medication for AF is Diliatizem Edoxaban.
A CV is a good way of seeing if NSR can be achieved. Amioderine increases the chances of the C V working but is it worth it.
I would Ask if you can try CV without going on Amioderine as a test to see if you can convert without it.
So interesting to me how different AF is to everyone. PAF episodes for me (started February), were awful prior to antiarrythmia meds and on Dronaderone. Basically couldn’t function other than lay in a recliner chair. Dizzy when standing or walking, fainted a couple of times etc. ElectroCV we’re such a relief! Felt normal immediately, and worth it even when NSR less than a week. After my 6th though, and AF’s progressed to daily / every 2nd day, EP said needed to start amiodarone to stop/reduce the AFs, to increase ablation (May 31st) Efficacy. So far so good, no side effects except some fatigue/sleep disturbances and HR down to 43 -45 during day (doesn’t bother me). AF’s every two or three days, but intensity way less, and always self convert in 1/2hr to 3 hrs. Such a relief! Anyways, good luck with your choice. Not easy.
My condolences Rosie. I haven't been through exactly what you have been, but agree that it appears that the cardioversions do not last. I felt I needed to comment regarding the Covid booster. My wife and I have not had any of those so called vaccines and were fine, aged 67 and 65. We both did get covid early this year and it persisted for about 6 weeks including a secondary pneumonia like lung infections. Most of the flu symptoms were mild after the first 6 or so days. We both got a precription for antibiotics which killed of the secondary infection.
I've read a lot on alleged Covid vaccine side effects and the potential for damage to our immune and other systems seemed too high. One of the worst appears to be the build up of he created spike protiens the body is stimulated to make builds up in the smaller capillaries of the body increasing pressure on the heart. Look at all the athletes and others that have "died suddenly", many of which appear heart related.
My suggestion would be to have a "D-dimer" test run which measures this clogging or back pressure on the vascular system. also, suggest you stop with the Covid boosters. Just my opinion.
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