AF changing its face

[50568789]

I posted recently about my paroxysmal AF (since 2020) normally lasting up to 3 days, this time now entering its 8th day. Went to GP yesterday, all the usual tests, ECG, nothing abnormal except irregular heartbeat. The conclusion being probable it has done its time on paroxysmal and is trying out persistent/permanent for a change. Ironically also got letter yesterday from Papworth with a date in June for ablation, yippee.My question on here is other people's experience of progressing from paroxysmal to permanent. Did it come out of the blue? Was it like a switch being thrown? Is the AF the same, just not stopping? Did you need to adjust/ change anything? Is it a one way street?

[BobD Volunteer]

AF begets AF. The more you have the more you will have.

[50568789 in reply to BobD]

Understood 👍

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to BobD]

Bob, do you know - is there evidence to suggest that converting from PAF to permanent results in lower HR?

Despite regular medication my HR always exceeds normal rate during PAF - takes a few hours to revert to normal prior to NSR conversion…

I could persevere with irregular rhythm - as long as HR remained within normal parameters…

Right now awaiting to hear from my Arry nurse how to medicate/manage sporadic episodes caused by COVID! 🤦‍♀️

Cheers.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Fight-the-good-fight]

Permanent AF just means that you and your doctors have agreed that no further attempts to obtain NSR are worthwhile and that treatment will now be rate control (and anticoagulation ) . Some people do find that AF rate is eventually lower but there is no eveidence I am aware of for this, merely anecdotal.

[Coco51]

Mine used to be episodes of 2hrs. That went on for 10 years. I had a few episodes lasting longer. Then one day on holiday I was walking up a hill and the AF started and didn't stop. Out of the blue.

I didn't know much about AF at the the time and kept expecting it to stop. After 2 weeks I I was prescribed Warfarin and Bisoprolol. The AF went on for 5 months till I had a cardioversion. Then 3 months later the first ablation.

It was like a switch being thrown, yes. The persistent AF became less intense as I got used to it I suppose, until I did anything like walk up a hill and then my HR went really high. Wish I'd known then what I know now about relaxation techniques, Magnesium supplements, triggers etc

[mav7]

Have you worn a medical device heart monitor (holter) recently to determine the afib is persistent ? Or a personal device like Kardia or Apple Watch ?

Everyone may have different experiences. In my case I went from paroxysmal to persistent without any change in symptoms.

It is good you are scheduled for an ablation at this stage.

[OzJames]

mine has lasted even longer 3 days to 2 weeks(I was on holidays) I used to convert with exercise but last few times no luck so on Flecainide and metoprolol until I cardiovert with shock and have not really tried PIP yet. The point is I’m in sinus since for anywhere between 3 months and 10 months so am still considered paroxysmal

[30912]

Mine came out of the blue. PAF as it was, unexpected occasional, no cause, etc etc. Always self converting after 7 or 8 hours, occasionally 12 or 13. Then one day, it didn't self convert. I left it for seven days then went to A&E. Stuck me on a ward, then a cardioversion 3 days later which thankfully did work after 4 attempts apparently. That started the ball rolling with more tests and finally a second ablation.

Wishing you well with your journey.

[AKatieD]

Yes, for me it was a couple of days per incident after I was cardioverted. Then I had a couple of one week long and thought it might be the start of a downward slide, but this week I was back to 2 days.

[Karendeena]

Hi there, my paroxysmal afib was every 4 months (I think it had its own clock) and episodes lasted 36 hours at a rapid heart rate (I had flutter as well). Then the episodes started coming every 2 /3 months albeit the heart rate slowed down a bit after the first few hours. My EP said that AF is like a jack-in-the-box the more it pops out the more it wants to 'pop out' and I was now bordering persistent. He Also explained that AF is much more successfully treated when it is paroxysmal and therefore I was at the right time to consider the ablation. It was a difficult decision as I am a bit of a health anxiety freak, but with the support from this great group I went for it (although I nearly jumped of the chair as they wheeled me into the Cath Lab!

That was 7 weeks ago and 🤞my heart is behaving albeit the heart rate is around 10bpm faster than it was pre ablation.

I think you are at the right time, good luck and keep us posted

[Della71]

Why did you not have an ablation when paroxysmal? The longer after diagnosis they less likely it will be successful.

[50568789 in reply to Della71]

The 8 months spent on a waiting list haven't helped.

[Della71]

Are you in the UK?

[50568789 in reply to Della71]

Yes

[Della71 in reply to 50568789]

Of course 😢

[Buzby62]

It’s posts like this and the replies that made me decide rightly or wrongly to have an ablation, so far I’m happy with my decision. Others like  afibsucs are going through the decision process and hopefully this will help.

Best wishes