afib without pharmaceutical drugs

[Unik]

Every day I read the posts and comments here and almost every one mentions a pharmaceutical drugs

I had ablation for afib and was not given pharmaceutical drugs

I have regular check-ups with the cardiologist and they tell me that I don't need pharmaceutical drugs

I have not had any episodes of afib except during the ablation for svt when at the end of the procedure they did stimulation for other tachycardias and they found afib. after a week they did pulmonary vein isolation, cryoablation (October 2022)

My question is: has anyone had ablation for afib and there is no pharmaceutical drugs

[Jajarunner]

The idea of ablation is, ideally, to get you off drugs or let you take less drugs from what I have been told by the electrocardiologists 😊

[Buzby62]

That is the aim, to reduce or stop medication if the ablation is successful.

I find out today if I can reduce some meds.

Best wishes

[Buzby62 in reply to Buzby62]

My question is: has anyone had ablation for afib and there is no pharmaceutical drugs

Yes, just took me off all the drugs. We will see how that goes now 🤞

[Ppiman]

The only required drug (which by definition is always a pharmaceutical) is an anticoagulant if the Chads2 score demands it. Other than that, the majority of people with take nothing (like my now 90-year-old friend), or a rate reducing drug like a beta-blocker. Some, with symptoms, take a rhythm tablet such as flecainide.

Steve

[Ilovedogs12]

Hi Unik,I have also wondered why so many people seem to be taking medication after having an ablation.

I'm just starting out on this journey and having my first face to face appointment with a cardiologist shortly, and I don't know what the outcome will be.

I assumed it would be a choice of staying on medication or having a procedure. But having read a lot of the posts on here I'm beginning to wonder if there is any point having a procedure if you are still going to be on medication.

Obviously I will discuss this with the cardiologist if he suggests it.

As I said, at this stage I have no idea what the appointment will bring, but this forum has given me an insight that I wouldn't otherwise have had so I have plenty of questions to be answered by the cardiologist.

It's good to hear that you are not on medication, maybe there's hope for me to also be medication free. This is what I'm aiming for 🤞🙏.

[wilsond in reply to Ilovedogs12]

My experience is that eventually the medication ( flecanide) stopped being effective and I had an ablation. My EP prefers patients to stay on meds for 6 months to ' retrain' the heart he says. For a couple of reasons I remain on meds ,until an upcoming review . I am to gradually reduce the dose prior to this.My point is that after the ablation the meds are now effective,so if I need to stay on them in my opinion it has been a success. I have only had 2 episodes since.

Everyone different of course x

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to wilsond]

What you say makes sense and is something I haven't read in any posts before. Thank you.It's good to hear you are doing so well and I hope it continues.

[wilsond in reply to Ilovedogs12]

Fingers crossed thank you

[Pommerania78 in reply to wilsond]

Why do you think the flecainide stopped working? Thanks.

[wilsond in reply to Pommerania78]

Because Afib is a chronic condition,which can return at will, randomly despite lifestyle changes.Medication can alleviate, sometimes for many years,not often but some members have had luck on their side.

There is no ' cure' for AFib ,ablation can stop symptoms, hopefully for a decent length of time but not guaranteed at all.

Ablation for A flutter is very effective in contrast.

May I say,you seem to be looking for an answer to a problem without a solution that is 100%.

AF is chronic, will not kill you as long as rate is controlled ( easy to do)

[DKBX]

I’ve had five ablations … and scheduled for a sixth. Every time I’ve tried to wean off the rate and rhythm drugs, the Afib returns. It’s an unpredictable mongrel dis-ease. I have to remind myself, “it’s a quality of life issue, not a life or death one.”

[marcyh]

I think you can be thankful! I've had two ablations. I would love to go off apixaban and I'm trying my hardest to avoid a rate med.

[37Polly]

you are young. Both sons in law have had successful ablations and take no meds…under age 65! Smile..you’re good