12 month follow up

[jedimasterlincoln]

Yesterday I had my 12 month follow up with cardiology.... after my 5th ablation in 2019.

Only 4 years late.

Though I'll have to live with the AF the rest of my life (I'm about to turn 41) the ablation was a success because when the episodes do hit I can stay out of hospital, they're not as debilitating as they once were and they only occur when I'm run down or otherwise unwell. Even then the episodes only last a day or so and resolve with 10mg Bisoprolol and up to 400mg flecainide for rapid rate control...... and not needing one of the 22 jump starts with the defibrillator I've had over the years.

Whereas they happened every few weeks at their worst, my episodes now only seem to be 4-6 monthly. Coupled with the lower intensity & shorter duration all means a massive positive change to my quality of life.

I still don't do caffeine very often, I reduce my salt intake where I can and I barely drink any alcohol apart from the odd whiskey a couple times a month.

A lot of friends have seen me go through a lot with this since 2014 and when the cardiologist reeled off all my treatments it did put it into perspective how far I've come.

Just need a new knee now.

[Finvola]

Such a positive post, jedi.

You've had a long, hard struggle and have come through so much - hopefully things will continue well for you.

Best wishes with the knee.

[wilsond]

It's been a long trip and I'm glad things are more manageable now for you ,Jedi. May the force be with you!

[jeanjeannie50]

Good to hear that you're doing well now. How's that beautiful baby of yours - though I guess she's no longer a baby?

Jean

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to jeanjeannie50]

She was 6 in July just before the schools finished for summer! 😱

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

My goodness - time flies by!

[Hylda2]

So very happy for you.

Di

[Rainfern]

It’s always good to hear positive news on this forum- and lovely to hear you’re so much better.😊

[OzJames]

Good do hear things are better than before. May I suggest next time you do your blood work to check both your magnesium and CoQ10 levels mine were both low and now after 8 months on both things are well controlled, though even with supplements my CoQ10 level is at the low end of normal range. I am on very low dose metoprolol and the Cardio believes it might still aid in suppressing that adrenaline spike which can bring on AF. After someone here mentioned it CoQ10 seems to be an important contributor to heart health and as we get to middle age our bodies produce less or don’t absorb it as well. You never know. In any case before taking anything it’s important to get the OK from your cardiologist

[Desanthony]

So glad to hear that things are better for you. Hope you get your new knee soon. I had mine done back in 2019 and managed to get all physio over before Covid struck - unfortunately I didn't get my ablation which after referral in January 2020 was due to take place in April 2020 - yes the wait was only 3 months here then - I wonder what it is now? Anyway, Im doing OK apart from being older. My new knee has meant a new lease of life for me before it I was practically crippled and using a walker now I can walk anywhere and everywhere and after sticking religiously to all the exercises helped by my ruthless wife - though she is charming, - at times, I can also kneel down in the garden to work -which helps my back. This was a big "bone" of contention about the knee replacement as I need to kneel to do some things because of chronic back pain and was told I wouldn't be able to after the replacement but even though I needed a Manipulation Under Anaesthetic (MUA) to get the required movement and angle of bend back. I healed quickly and had a lot of inflammation in the area and obviously because of AF and medication couldn't take anti-inflammatories so when doing the exercises at first couldn't get the required benefit from them despite my wife's ministrations making sure I did them countless times a day 20 mins after taking pain killers and used ice and heat packs to help. With determination we got there but it was hard work - so be prepared.

Good Luck!

[Singwell]

This sounds like a better place to be. I know you've had many challenges and hope things remain stable.

[Bagrat]

Really good things are more manageable now. You've coped with a lot including HR and I don't mean heart rate!!Hope knee doesn't mean a huge wait.

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to Bagrat]

Thankfully since moving wards over a year ago my new manager is superb. The whole team is totally different and I wish I'd moved years ago.