af lasting ages

[babssugar]

hello to all you lovely people

I went into af and it lasted for 3 month then it just went back into normal sync , has this happened to anyone else ?

Hugs babs x

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi BabsI was once in AF for about 2 months while waiting for a cardioversion. Went for my pre med the day before and was still in AF. Next day I was preparing for the procedure and was wired to an ECG machine. This showed I was back in normal sinus rhythm!!!! So it can certainly happen. It's odd because on the morning when I was due to have my cardioversion I said to my daughter how well I felt. You were stuck in AF a month longer than me, but I've been in constant AF now for almost 5 years. I've not had fast AF in that time and my pulse now flits between 60-90.

Jean

[babssugar in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for your reply jeannie50 😃 have a lovely day x

[BevCynfelyn]

My AF has never self-converted back to NSR, nor been converted back by drugs, only ever by a cardioversion. I've had 3 cardioversions which is all you are allowed in Wales so I've now been in constant, fast and very symptomatic AF since the last bout started in Oct 2022. HR rarely comes below 100 when resting and even with a cocktail of 8 drugs every day usually reaches 150 by the time I get up in the mornings.

[Karendeena in reply to BevCynfelyn]

That is awful for you and really (in my opinion) you shouldn't sustain a heart rate like that for long or it could damage your heart. I know my EP wouldn't want me to suffer like that.Have you considered an ablation?

[BevCynfelyn in reply to Karendeena]

Hi Karendeena. An ablation has been discounted by repeated cardiologists because the AF has already caused major structural changes to my heart, with a seriously enlarged left atrium and now a damaged mitral valve. I now have serious heart failure with my heart functioning at 20% of normal. I was scheduled to have heart surgery at the beginning of July but between arriving at the hospital and getting to the cardiology ward the bed became unavailable! So I'm waiting to hear when it's going to be rescheduled, with the very worrying concern that, according to my cardiologist (who is a Professor and the National Lead for Interventional Cardiology) I may not still be here in September.

[Alemo27 in reply to BevCynfelyn]

Hi Bev, Sorry to hear about your heart rate so high.I surprised how would you manage it.When my paroxysmal arrhytmia started and HR over 150 I can’t tolerate.But using Flecainide it helps to normalize rate. Why wasn’t recommended to you ablation or the operation before heart deteriorating ,if your “drugs cocktail” didn’t work ? Wish you good luck with surgery 😊

[BevCynfelyn in reply to Alemo27]

Because my original cardiologist wanted to try a year on drug therapy alone first. I was on flecainide for about 8 years but my new consultant thinks it caused more harm than good so stopped it in Nov 23. I've just this morning heard that there won't be any operations in Aug so now waiting for September date.

[Karendeena in reply to BevCynfelyn]

❤️❤️ Which hospital are you under? That's a very sad prognosis they are giving you, can you get a second opinion?

[BevCynfelyn in reply to Karendeena]

My cardiologist is Professor Anderson in the University Hospital Cardiff. I saw him for the first time on 24th June. I was very impressed and have complete confidence in his ability. He's pioneering the use of mitral valve repair via catheter and was the person to get the procedure approved by NICE and the NHS and began doing them at the end of last year. There is no one better qualified than him.

[Karendeena in reply to BevCynfelyn]

I think there are a few EPs across the Country who are very well qualified and recognised internationally. I would always get a second opinion but I suppose that's just me. Is your cardiologist and EP? Good luck 🤞

[BevCynfelyn in reply to Karendeena]

My cardiologist is the National Professional Lead for Interventional Cardiology so yes he is an EP, he is, basically, the top of the tree!!