post cardioversion stuff

[swimminglove]

Hi guys

yes, its me again! (sorry! Just an anxious week for me).

I had a cardioversion on 2 July and my current HR is betwwen 42-48 at rest. Im in NSR.🥳 HR up to about 65 if I walk around the house. BP is 108/75. I spoke to EP and he said HR is low but okay as long as I feel okay. Which I do.

After 3rd ablation failed for Atrial flutter a month ago, he changed me from Fleccanaide to daily Sotalol 80mg x2. (he believes sotalol better for cardioversion result (and something about Fleccainide marshalling beats into a flutter pattern???????😳)

Im also on daily Apixaban 5mg x 2. Have been on this since diagnosis of AF (it changed to flutter after 1st ablation) in 2020. Also digoxin 125mg daily.

Five days in NSR after cardioversion is a hopeful sign for me. (3 ablations and 4 cardioversions).

But today Im gettting ectopic beats. I know we’re not supposed to think they mean anything but of course Im worried its a sign of the cardioversion about to fail.

any hints on calming them? Im resting. Im at home on holidays. Its very quiet. I dont drink. Im doing mindful breathing.

Thank you

x

[Afibflipper]

hi Swimming love, yes no need to panic right now just try to relax, meditate, adult colouring books etc. They say there is what’s called a blanking period where the areas treated need to heal & form the scar that is what should block the impulses from getting through. Mine was exectly 4 months. Stay well hydrated to keep your BP where it should be - I’d check if you go below 40 & also it’s accompanied with feel faint or dizzy then definitely keep in contact with the Dr again or 111 if the GPs closed obv if it becomes severely low or passing out then 999. It will go low if not moving not drinking etc xx

[swimminglove in reply to Afibflipper]

Thank you!😀😀😀

[Vonnegut]

I’m just incredibly impressed that you have an EP who you can talk to! Are you a private patient?

[swimminglove in reply to Vonnegut]

Hi Vonnegut

Yes.

But I was not always.

Our medicare system is similar to NHS and it always treated me well. Most of my life, in fact.

But after I was diagnosed, when I was 60, I was let down with by the public system in what was then diagnosed as Afib. I finally started paying privately for my medical care and after 12 months waiting time I had private coverage that included my AF. My afib changed to atrial flutter after my first ablation.

The difference in my treatment now is huge. Im semi retired and not wealthy at all. I tutor to make ends meet. But the $110 I pay a fortnight is worth it.

x

[Vonnegut in reply to swimminglove]

Gosh that puts my experience into perspective! It seems to be another case of where you need to pay extra to get proper care, even though, surely, you contribute to the state care through taxes? I tutored privately from our home for a bit when I was pregnant the first time and later when my children were older and at school, I visited children who had been excluded from school, in their own homes. They always managed pretty well when away from large classes!

[swimminglove in reply to Vonnegut]

it very much depends on your medical issues, here.

For anything that is an emergency, like heart attack, broken bones stuff like that, you get treated for free.

For chronic issues, there is faster and better service privately.

For example, my friend who has afib had to wait 6-12 mlnths for an ablation thru public system. Now that I have an EP inder private system usually a month to two months for one.

BUT, if I go to the ER in the middle of the night with a HR of 140 they will immediately treat me (for free) with a magnesium drip and a cardioversion.

Its the follow up care that might take time. My AF is persistent and very symptomatic. Ablations and cardioversions have so far failed. That’s why I’m being a little intense this week🙃

I think Medicare works for most❤️

[Vonnegut in reply to swimminglove]

Poor you! Sounds like you’ve been through a lot. Fortunately, I had around 75 years fairly healthy active years before this struck and Flecainide keeps my heart in order - my heart even behaved well when I forgot the first pill yesterday! But I only got the Flecainide after seeing an EP privately, who prescribed it to take as a PIP at first after the lowest dose of Bisoprolol proved too much for me to take daily after only three days!

[swimminglove in reply to Vonnegut]

yaay! That’s great news❤️❤️❤️❤️

Always good to hear positive stories!

When I taught in the UK for a while your NHS was marvellous! I snapped my archilles tendon and every month needed to go to the ER to have my leg re cast and ankle positioned in a different way. Staff were wonderful❤️

[Vonnegut in reply to swimminglove]

Wow! That sounds exciting! Re your Achilles’ tendon.

[ozziebob in reply to Vonnegut]

It's worth remembering that in 2010 our NHS had its highest ever patient satisfaction ratings, and the last 14 years have seen an avoidable downward spiral caused by ...

[Vonnegut in reply to ozziebob]

Too right! Sad and I don’t have that much confidence that things are going to improve now, but do hope they will.

[2learn]

Hi, you may find you don't need the Sotalol or as much if you stay in NSR. I always had to stop beta blockers after cardio or ablation as a 40 resting HR would knock me out. All heart medics I've seen seem more concern about a low HR than one around 90, but see how you feel.

[swimminglove in reply to 2learn]

ahhh thank you! I did wonder if it was the sotalol. Thank you!!!!

I’ll contact the EP’s office tomorrow. I appreciate the input!