Big disappointment

[Snowgirl65]

After 8 months of being a-fib free after my Dec. 2022 ablation, there it was again this morning. This is merely an "I'm feeling sorry for myself" post. I fear the trigger was worry over tree damage from a tornado that blew through Ohio. I worried about when the City would remove the downed tree branch (as large as a small tree itself) or if I should take care of it myself. Well, I did, but it all may have been too much for me. I've learned my lesson!

[Paulbounce]

Hi Snow.

Stress can certainly be a trigger for Afib. However, it sounds like your ablation was successful. Try to destress and there's every chance you'll go back into sinus again.

Good luck. You'll get there

Paul

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Paulbounce]

Thanks so much for your wise words -- which I should know by heart!

[Paulbounce in reply to Snowgirl65]

Pun intended there Snow lolz.

Cheers Paul

[sooty757 in reply to Paulbounce]

Hi me too major stress ,tried Kam's ? a/f started Sunday , been good for 5 1/2 years 6 month before my second ablation.Very depressing

[Snowgirl65 in reply to sooty757]

I can relate. Hope you're feeling better.

[Lilypocket]

Hi

Are you still in Afib? The sooner you can convert the better - but you know that 😄

But it does sound as if the ablation was quite successful and this a blip or you may need a touch up. Hope it's just a blip!

Take care x

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Lilypocket]

Hi Lilypocket -- It lasted two hours and wasn't too bad symptom-wise. I've had much worse! Thanks for your kind words.

[Lilypocket in reply to Snowgirl65]

Great! Not too bad then 🙂

[lovetogarden]

oh, good it stopped. But how frustrating that it kicked back in after such a long period without any episodes. Moving huge tree branches is apparently not a good idea! Hard t9 keep a gardener from doing these things though. Glad there wasn’t any more tornado damage than that! Scary!

[Snowgirl65 in reply to lovetogarden]

You're so right! I honestly don't know what triggered the episode -- worry or overwork. Guess I'll never know, but that's the nature of the beast, isn't it.

[CDreamer]

Sometimes we just cannot avoid stress, I think most of us would worry and stress about Tornado damage. Glad N S R has returned and long may it last.

[Snowgirl65]

Thanks for your kind reply.

[Singwell]

I'm so sorry to read this Snowgirl. I remember that worry about extreme weather and then dealing with the consequences caused an episode after your previous ablation. These are external stresses that could affect any of us. Be kind to yourself in these times. If you are safe, that's what matters.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Singwell]

Thanks for your kind words, Singwell. You're so right -- I had an episode after a previous ablation from worry over a snowstorm! I hope you're doing well.

[Singwell in reply to Snowgirl65]

Thank you. Yes. So far so good. Perhaps 2 small bouts whilst I was changing medication- uploading levothyroxine and then withdrawal symptoms from Diltiazem. But they didn't last long enough for me to catch them so that's good enough for me. Is everything OK now?

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Singwell]

I had a short bout in the past too when I was taken off a medication. I'm glad you're doing well now. I am too after that 2-hour event a few days ago. Stay well!

[Singwell in reply to Snowgirl65]

That's the plan. Now stay away from fallen trees, and no snow shovelling

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Singwell]

Ha!

[fairgo45]

I know exactly how you feel after my second ablation I gave up alcohol ,did everything I could to eat right and excercise regularly no stress I felt great but one day it came BACK I was so unhappy how could it have happened I'll never know but that night I had a glass of red wine with dinner it wasn't my trigger at least.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to fairgo45]

I had to give up alcohol too -- wasn't very happy about that, but it was a trigger early on. I guess it (a-fib) just hits when it wants to, doesn't it. Thanks for replying.

[Cabinessence in reply to Snowgirl65]

Yep me too re alcohol being a trigger. Had my first ablation 7 weeks ago and been in SVR ever since, although still taking Amiodarone which put me back into SVR in the first place, after I'd started taking it in the lead up to procedure. Come off it in 6 weeks and then have to wait for it to leave my system which can be up to 51 days, or so the pharmacist says. So won't know if I can stay in NSR until almost Christmas. If I do, then the question is will I risk having a pint? Or a half even? My fear is that doing so, might put me back into persistent AFib again. Keep us updated with your progress Snowgirl won't you? x

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Cabinessence]

Glad to hear you're in NSR. That Amiodarone stays in your system a long time. Well if you ask me, and you're not really, but I wouldn't risk that pint or even half. I'd sure like to go back to my wine days, but I fear they're long gone! Best wishes that your ablation holds.

[Cabinessence in reply to Snowgirl65]

I know that's what deep down I should do. If I thought it would only take me back into paroxysmal, which is what I was for years until Feb this year, then I'd try a half and then accept I can't drink any more if I had an episode. But if it puts me into persistent again................😪

[Singwell in reply to Cabinessence]

Consider that your drinking privileges are all used up 😉 that helps me. And dark chocolate...

[Cabinessence in reply to Singwell]

Chocolate gives me migraines. I'm definitely a cheap date these days!🤣🤣

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Cabinessence]

I understand completely!

[fairgo45 in reply to Snowgirl65]

I haven't given up red wine,l I live in New Zealand its wine growing is legendary and at least I found out its not my trigger but I sympathize with those that can't have the odd glass of red🍷

[fibnum]

I do think that, as Afib sufferers who are lucky to be able to avoid episodes due to treatment or life changes that seem to be working, we have to be prepared to protect and defend our heart against anxiety. We have to take control of our reactions and emotions and consciously work to breathe, relax, clear our heads and put the source of the worry and stress at arm's length, dealing with it intellectually but not reacting with tension and emotional distress the way we used to be able to before Afib.

I was made very aware of it when, before my adult daughter and son-in-law's recital last fall, I felt my usual tension over everything going right, no one getting sick, no broken string, the size of the audience and, to a lesser extent, over everything going well in the performance. As I felt the tightening in my stomach and in my chest, I realized that it was a clear threat to my heart, and I had to control my emotions and tendency to worry about everything. It was actually fear of Afib that made me take deep breaths through the nose and exhale slowly and calmly, clear my head and protect my heart.

There was a kind guilty feeling, with a voice in my head saying, "Don't you care about their experience tonight? I did care, but I could not let it translate into so much stress and anxiety. I was pleased to see that even without my angst, they played wonderfully, as usual!

I know with heavier issues, such as worry about a family member's health or financial problems, it is much more difficult to fend off anxiety, but we have to try. We must, unfortunately, become more dispassionate and try to stay more emotionally stable about things. It is a weird feeling.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to fibnum]

I understand every word of what you say. [Very glad everything turned out well for your daughter and son-in-law's recital!] You had the presence of mind to remember to tame your anxiety in the midst of the situation, but sometimes it's not always possible -- we (at least I) forget. Thanks for your thoughtful words.

[Elizka in reply to fibnum]

Well said! I cut-and-pasted your entry to read again!

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Elizka]

Ditto.

[secondtry]

It is so easy, particularly when feeling well or there is an emergency, to fall into the AF trap. I have to constantly remind myself that feeling well without AF is a result of all past efforts and therefore I should maintain those or decrease stress levels further.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to secondtry]

Your words ring true! Sometimes we forget we have the condition and let anxiety get the best of us.

[Fullofheart]

Try not to beat yourself up about it would be my advice (that I would struggle to take myself- so talking from experience).We all know there are known triggers that we do our best to avoid but we also know sometimes AF just happens.

You had a great run of being entirely AF free which is great, so maybe this was a one off blip. Let's hope so. But however it turns out you cannot undo that 8 months where your heart and you had a lovely rest and it learnt how to behave itself. 🌸

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Fullofheart]

Thank you for your thoughtful words. I feel the same; glad I had those 8 months and maybe my recent episode was a one off. In any case, I'll have more presence of mind next time when stress strikes. As we know, it might still happen anyway.

[Singingforever]

Bad luck - I am sorry to hear this.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Singingforever]

Ah well... It has a mind of its own, I guess.

[Jetcat]

Take it easy snowgirl. Don’t let the odd blip of afib get to you.! Iv had 3 ablations and still get the odd blip now and again. 👍

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Jetcat]

Good to hear we're in the same boat, but sorry you've also experienced that odd blip too. I've had three as well.

[Jetcat in reply to Snowgirl65]

I can go 6 months then get a blip. Usually a 3 hour episode in the early hours.!! Then maybe go another 4months then a blip.!! Then back to 6months etc.!! I don’t think we ever get totally afib free?? I may be wrong.! But it’s all about the QOL. even though I get my blips I’m a lot better than I was before ablations physically and most definitely mentally. I also get ectopic beats for a week or two every 12 months or longer which are a total nuisance.! But I think myself lucky this is all I suffer with compared to some other things some folk have to live with. Im thankful for every day I open my eyes. Or should I say open my eye.? One’s artificial.😜👍

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Jetcat]

You certainly have a nice outlook on life and good sense of humor! You're right that it's all about QOL. My episodes were (maybe are) only in the wee hours of the morning too, and mostly -- but not all -- self-converted after I ate breakfast which coincides with my taking my morning meds.

[MaryCa]

Hopefully it was just a blip! Are you taking magnesium taurate and coenzyme Q10? The Q10 in particular has helped my heart behave post ablation, Dec 22 as well. The Q10 is not recommended with warfarin, but there are people on both who manage their INR themselves.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to MaryCa]

Hi MaryCa -- I don't take the supplements you mentioned (but do take a multivitamin, extra B-complex and C). I suppose I should look into those you mentioned, but am afraid they'd interfere with my regular meds. I'll investigate further -- thanks!

[MaryCa in reply to Snowgirl65]

Dr Sanjay Gupta London cardiologist recommends magnesium taurate. Loads of research on google scholar about the benefits of both with afib.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to MaryCa]

Many people on this forum swear by it. I'll be doing some research on it. Thanks for the recommendation.

[MaryCa in reply to Snowgirl65]

I was in nsr post ablation but I was getting lots of ectopics, bigeminy and trigeminy beats the Q10 had them lessened in a few days. I may still get them but I don't feel them and the last few ECGs I did on my kardia were excellent. It reduces inflammation and seemingly afib loves inflammation. Inflammation also loves sugar unfortunately. But then again sugar isn't the best for any of us anyway, another reason to give it a miss.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to MaryCa]

You seem well read on the subject and gave me some good info. I'll definitely be looking into Q10. I'm glad it works so well for you -- and great news how it lessened your symptoms.

[Xian1]

I try to avoid all the known afib triggers and do all the other things they say help avoid afib. However, my EP tells me there is no cure for afib. Having had 7 cardioversions and 3 ablations, this seems so true. I am now on medication interventions, currently on dofetiltide after previously trying metroprolol and diltiazem. As I move through the continuum of interventions, my EP tells me that amiodarone is next and then AV node ablation with a pacemaker. Interesting to note that in AV node ablation with pacemaker the heart is still in afib, the pacemaker just drives the ventricles despite afib. EP also stated that the other option is to just live with afib if the symptoms were bearable. Maybe that is the choice I will make. I have been on dofetilide for about a month now. According to my apple watch I am in afib 13% of the time. Being part of this online community sure helps emotionally.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Xian1]

I agree, Xian1, this forum sure helps my mental state when a-fib is getting me down. I was on dofetilide for a while too; didn't have any bad side effects and it seemed to do the trick at the time. My former EP told me I may need a pace-and-ablate procedure, but I've since dismissed him and got a new EP who said that's not even in the cards right now. Maybe consider a second opinion in your case? Just a thought.

[Xian1 in reply to Snowgirl65]

A second opinion is a good idea. Why did you discontinue dofetilide?

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Xian1]

It was prescribed by my first EP, and when I fired him and got the second one, he took me off it immediately. My first EP diagnosed me incorrectly so the dofetilide wasn't appropriate for me.

[Elizka]

Background: 3 instances of AFIB (that I know of), had ablation for AFIB in April of this year. Not taking medication to control heart rate, but I'm taking Eliquois. No afib since ablation and have been able to resume working out and feel great.

Yesterday, out of nowhere, my heart rate went up to 176!. I was sitting down on a work call, but I had been in a very stressed and in a sad state for two days. Heart rate went down after I drank some water and did deep breathing. I did a Kardia after I got heart rate down and no AFIB.

I called my EP's office. NP said it didn't sound like AFIB, maybe SVT due to stress, but then said two things:

1: It isn't "IF" but "WHEN" AFIB comes back. Lovely.

2: The heart is still very "excitable" even months after an ablation.

I know I was in a bad place. I know I was very upset but it kept building. I guess this is life now ? Peaceful as you can. No massive stress! It is not worth it.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Elizka]

Your words ring so true! Thanks for your response -- it's much appreciated.

[Lenaropes]

It is my husband who has AFib but I feel your stress. Everytime he has an episode which is a minimum of monthly I fret myself into a tizzy. I am a retired nurse and just can't understand why there are so many with AFib these recent years and why it can't be cured. Try to stay positive and think of this as a bump in the road. Now no more episodes. !

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Lenaropes]

Being a nurse and spouse of an "a-fibber," you must be very sensitive to our situation. Thanks for your kind words.