Last week, I had my second Cardioversion, 3 blasts, 200, 250 and 300 joules, woke up feeling no different, except sore back and chest, nurse came to do my observation, I looked at her, and said, 'well, that did not work?', to which she shook her head, and said , no!.
Oh well, my first Cardioversion lasted less than 1 hour, last year, so now on the route of ablation, which, I myself am not keen on.
Anyway, my condition, which is now 2 years old, leaves me tired, fatigued, depressed, unable to do stuff I would have normally done, plus got restless leg syndrome, REM sleep disorder, plus a few other bits, must have been bad in a previous life 😅.
Anyway, wondering if others feel breathless, struggle to get air in, fuzzy head, lethargic amongst other thing?
Just been seen in Thoracic and Respiratory, whilst my SpO2 is averaging 93%, and having sleep tests, they say I am borderline OSA, but do not think I should go on a CPAP, as more heart related, but will review in 6 months time.
Do you suffer breathlessness, how do you cope.
Also, does you AFIB, cause anyone else to suffer excessive wind?
Thanks
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BHFK967
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Gosh, you had quite a blast!! My dccvs usually require just one zap of 100/150 joules. Such a pity this didn't work for you. I would have felt breathless etc if my dccvs didn't work but , as I said fortunately they always have ( all 24 of them over 30 years). Excessive wind not a feature I'm pleased to say.😀
Here's hoping you will get sorted soon , with ablation if proved necessary.
If cardioversion was unable to return NSR, why do you think ablation will? Cardioversion is normally used to see if NSR can be obtained and thus indicate that ablation may be beneficial. At best the next step should be a DCCV aided by amiodarone for three months to see if that might work.
Cardiologist team have suggested a ablation, I'm still out with the jury on this one. Been on amiodarone for about 6 months now, still learning as I go.
I have to say I would go for ablation regardless of results of cardioversion.Cardioversion is an acute intervention attempting to stop heart from racing fast ,the shock is meant to interrupt the pathological circuit that permeates the arrhythmia,but even if successful,the circuit still remains in there with the potential of acting up again.That’s where the ablation comes that is aimed at destroying above mentioned circuit with higher chance for longer remission.
The excess wind is normal, I think. I get it at times and often wonder whether it's chicken or egg, as a bloated stomach can cause arrhythmias. I've decided it's the heart upsetting the diaphragm, though, and not the other way round - but I can't be sure.
Is your breathlessness only occurring during AF or more generally? If you are taking beta blocking drugs, they can cause this and fatigue, on occasion, I gather.
Bloating can be truly uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful. It can push the diaphragm against the heart, too, which can set off ectopic beats and even AF. Have you tried a gentle laxative such as Laxido for a few days to see if it's some kind of constipation? I get that so easily and it causes a wide range of discomfort. I take prune juice by a company called Sunsweet each day and find that helps a great deal; if it fails then Milk of magnesia at night, or Andre's Liver Salts in the morning never fail.
In that case, a gel type double fibre might actually help a lot. Something like psyllium husk is good for both C and D! Start slowly with it if you do try as it can add to bloating initially.
I get breathless and always lethargic plus lightheaded and occasionally especially if I am standing up talking to someone I go foggy and need to lean on something
Having an ablation in September
All the best to you as the breathlessness I know is disconcerting. Try taking deep breaths
Wind, yes. I go through phases where I'm ok for a bit then it comes back. Usually starting mid afternoon. I think it's the Sotalol I'm taking. If I lie down and stretch out on my left side it usually moves through. If I don't, it rumbles round my left side. Not painful, just annoying.
You don't mention what meds you are on, except the Amiodarone. If you've been on that for 6 months and you still couldn't hold NSR with those high zaps, it's a stubborn heart you have there. If you're on beta blockers, Bisoprolol in particular, they can make you breathless. I could hardly climb the stairs for the 3 months I had them.
I don't know whether an unsuccessful cardioversion means an ablation is not likely to succeed. I have had successful cardioversions but my ablation wasn't so we're all different.
I'm would like to think that you're EP would not suggest the op if he/she didn't think there was a chance it would work.
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