Any suggestions?

[farewelltoarms]

Any help for permanent afib after having three cardioversions which worked for the past two years last one only lasted two weeks. Taken off Multaq and on Lopressor 100 am & pm plus eliquis. Told ablation would more than likely not be successful. Should I get a second opinion. Do not feel that great when I am in afib

[CDreamer]

Just checking as the way I read your statement Taken off Multaq and on Lopressor 100 am & pm plus eliquis - I am concerned you have stopped taking Apixaban (Eliquis)?

I get you would stop Multaq, I would query the Lopressor unless your heart rate is low but stopping an anticoagulant in persistent AF? Am I reading that sentence incorrectly?

If you are still pursuing NSR and have good health insurance then maybe look at Wolf-hybrid-mini-maze?

I think that if your EP says you are not likely to have successful ablation after your cardioversions then you could seek another opinion but I wouldn’t be too hopeful you would get a different view and if you did I would questions why. Just my thoughts.

[farewelltoarms in reply to CDreamer]

No I am still on Eliquis....Lopressor to keep rate down. Thanks for your thoughts...

[Fullofheart]

Why do they think ablation would not be successful? A two week break of AF following cardioversion is good going I'd say. I only managed 24 hours and was still put forward for ablation. This is in the UK.

[farewelltoarms in reply to Fullofheart]

I am in my 80s and they felt it would not be permanent with low percentage of even working

Did your ablation work and did it last? I love the UK

[Fullofheart in reply to farewelltoarms]

I have had 3 ablations (in succession, over a year period) after 20 years of AF. Last one seems to have worked....some 5 months after.The other 2 were classed as fail.

I'm 48, so age may have been a factor.

[farewelltoarms in reply to Fullofheart]

Good for you. I hope you continue to do well.

[Thomas45]

I'm confused with your query., because of the term 'Permanent AF ' which you use. Permanent AF is an acknowledgement by you that further medical intervention will not restore you to normal sinus rhythm. it also means that your AF is all the time, 24/7 365 (366 this year).Then you say that you do not feel great when you are in AF.

Are you in AF all the time?

[farewelltoarms in reply to Thomas45]

Not sure what your confusion is. This is a medical diagnosis by two Respected Cardiologists not my diagnosis, and yes I am in AF all the time 24/7 365 days a year since October I was in SR for two years after cardioversion now Multaq and cardioverision not effective. I joined this forum looking for ??? solutions if there is one. Not an "acknowledgement" or self diagnosis by me. Documented diagnosis by respected Cardiologist.

[jimlad2 in reply to farewelltoarms]

To be fair to Thomas45, I was also a little thrown when you added "when I am in afib". That might reasonably have implied that you weren't in AF all the time. He wasn't questioning anything else that I could see. Sometimes language fails to achieve the clarity we aim for. A second opinion is probably worth a try. Also, low Magnesium, Vitamin D, Iron, an over-active thyroid, or uneven intake of calcium (a lot in the morning and none later in the day for example) may be contributary factors, though I'd expect that these will have been considered by your Dr/Cardiologist. Sorry I don't have anything more helpful to offer. It's a curse of an affliction, and, unfortunately, the trend for most of us is towards exactly the problem you have, permanent AF if we live long enough.

[farewelltoarms in reply to jimlad2]

Thank you did not mean to sound snarky, just frustrated. I was in SR after cardioversion but that was a while ago. I do feel that age is a factor in being more aggressive with treatment.

[Thomas45]

Thank you. When you stated that you do not feel great, "when in AF" indicated to me that there are times when you are not in AF. I would describe your AF as persistent, until such time that you agree that no further medical intervention will restore you to normal sinus rhythm.

I agree with CDreamer's comment.

[Offcut]

I was Diagnosed in 1992 for AF. Even though my GP at the time said not to worry about it 2 years previous? I have had 3 Ablations and 9 CV. Sorry to say all have failed! I have a number of other conditions that complicate my medicine regime and some allergic reactions to some drugs so not the ideal person to just try another drug and see what happens? What I have done is learned to live with it to the extent that I do not become aware of the minor AF only the bounce around the chest to the beat of Free Jazz! Whenever I have got a GP Appointment and it is not my regular one. I have often had them call in another Doctor as they are concerned with my stats etc. When the GP comes in usually it is one that is aware of me and they will do a quick feel and say "No this is usual for Mr X ?"

I have had many drug changes and been hospitalised because they did not suit me? I am now on Nebivolol and Digoxin for the AF but I take a total of 26 tablets a day for my other conditions as well. I was also put forward for a Pace and Ablate but after a look see they chose not too? I have IPAH which probably complicates things?

Be Well

[farewelltoarms in reply to Offcut]

Thank you for your reply.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Lopressor I understand is a ACE blocker but partners with Metoprolol BB which blocks adrenaline.

Both made me breathless and Metoprolol showed 2 second pauses at night whilst H/Rate avge was only 47.

I had rapid persistent AF H/Rate.

Now always on PRADAZA 110mg x twice, CCB Diltiazem 120mg AM for H/Rate Day and 2.5mg Bisoprolol PM for BP control I have arrived for the last 2 years plus controlled.

I also lost 6kg over the last year.

It all helps. I do have to rely on meds.

cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)

[riffjack846]

Even if you were to have a successful ablation Eliquis is the magic pill to keep you alive. My ablation was successful in 2020 and I will always have a chance of another clot. Eliquis for life.

[farewelltoarms in reply to riffjack846]

I am on Eliquis 50 twice a day. Just cannot keep HR under control

[Desanthony]

I am confused as to why even though you have had successful cardioversions - which would point to ablation being successful that you have not been referred for one?

[farewelltoarms in reply to Desanthony]

I was referred and given the option but told that it only had a 70% chance of success and if successful would last no more than 7 months. I am 83 and feel they are just writing me off. "Try and live with it" A lot of days just do not feel good especially when HR goes above 120. When I had the successful cardioversions and was back in SR felt great. Electrophysiologist said I had chronic permanent afib and it would just get worse?

[Desanthony]

I would definitely get a second opinion from another EP even if I had to pay to go privately.

[farewelltoarms]

Thank you. Will give it a try. Need to do something.