Some positivity from my AF story

[NewOne2023]

Hi guys!

Yesterday was the last day of apixaban for me after I went for cryoablation 3 months ago. I stopped propafenone one month ago and can say finally I'm off any medications after almost 8 months.

Short story

Male, 41

Diagnosed with PAF in October'23

Went on meds (bisoprolol & propafenone daily)

I was af free untill early December'23 with few short episodes and was advised by my EP to do the ablation

Although I didn't have any af since December, I did the cryoablation in early March'24

Just before the ablation I did a sleep study which showed 5 events which is borderline with light apnea so basically was all clear

So, today I deleted my alarms on cell phone to take apixaban and feel like I came full circle. I do have a strange occasional short headaches (still) in my left temple and a pulsatile tinnitus in my right ear ever since my ablation but my EP thinks this has nothing to do with the procedure so I'm having brain MRA done soon to see if everything is alright. I still have some palpitations (I'm too much aware of my heartbeats, but no af) every now and then, but that's due to developing anxiety when I was first diagnosed and I'm still a bit oversensitive with my heart. Hopefully this will settle with time.

But overall I think I should be thankful.

It's been almost 7 months since my last af episode, ablation is done and meds are stopped for now. I will continue with my daily 250mg magnesium glycinate supplement. I even had a small beer few days ago (after 8 months no alcohol) but strangley I didn't enjoyed the taste of alcohol, and ironically I wanted to swap it for non-alcoholic beer ehich I was drinking all these months. Maybe I'll try a glass of wine soon.

Some of you maybe remember my first posts. So thanks to everyone who replied to my posts. Will see what the future holds.

On my latest post ablation check up, my EP told me that we can tolerate one or max 2 episodes a year from now on and to battle it with PiP. But if it starts to be more frequent than that, I should come for another meet up and discuss a touch up RF ablation.

If it comes to that, I will surely do it.

[BobD Volunteer]

Glad you are happy with your progress. Long may it continue.

[SamAdmin Administrator Arrhythmia Alliance AF Association]

Good morning NewOne2023

Thank you for your post on Atrial Fibrillation support forum and sharing your positive news.

If you would like to share your patient story with our charity please contact

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Our Patient Services Team are here to help with any enquires.

Kind regards

SamAdmin

[MisterMagoo]

That's great news NewOne - onwards and upwards. Coming of Apixaban is a long term goal of mine, having just stopped Flecainide a few weeks ago. I worry about the bleed dangers given my love of cycling and already miss a dose if I have ride planned.

[Tapanac in reply to MisterMagoo]

Did you wean off flecainide or stop suddenly. I have received so many conflicting ways from medics

Thank you

[MisterMagoo in reply to Tapanac]

I weaned off over nearly 12 months after ablation. It took a few goes.Straight after ablation I went from 2x 100mg pd to 2x 50mg pd.

This was successful, apart from the odd incidence of Afib.

After 3 months I came of it and this was a failure. Went back to 2x 50 for about 6 months and the afib gradually disappeared.

Waited another 6 months and with no episodes but some flutter on hard exercise, I went to 1x 50mg at bed time.

After another couple of months tried coming off it but this didn't work so went back to 1x 50mg at bed time.

Waited 6 more weeks and having had no detected afib came off it again.

Now into my second month off Flecainide and no episodes so far.

If I do get an episode I'll try PIP at 100mg before considering going back to regular dosing.

Hope this helps

[Tapanac in reply to MisterMagoo]

Thank you it does help.

I hope you manage to stay free without pills

All the best

[MisterMagoo in reply to Tapanac]

I must add the the consultant that did my ablation expected me to be completely off Flecainide after 3 months without any weaning.But they have never followed up and it's been down to me to work things out by trial and error.

As has been said on this forum before, the only expert on you is you.

[bassets]

Good for you

[Tilly1957]

all sounds good, long may it continue!

[Sixtychick]

I had an ablation last September and I’ve been told I have to stay on Edoxaban for life, which surprised me. I’m gradually coming off the Sotalol heart drug though, so at least I won’t have to take that, although I am worried about stopping it after all these years. Iam doing it very slowly, so hope to be off it within the next few weeks, without any side effects. Hope your ablation lasts. I think we all get anxious, when we get AFib, you’re not alone with that and we’re all much more aware of our heartbeat, than those who don’t have it.Good luck