afib episode after decrease in metoprolol

[cherylttt]

Hello!

I had an ablation 4 months ago and have been wonderfully Afib free except for a couple of small episodes during the blanking period. At least that was true until a couple days ago. I was told be my EP last week to reduce my metoprolol from 150 mg daily to 50. I did and it took 4 days to have an episode, and then I had the longer episode of afib to date. About 20 hours. Then I have been told to up the dose again and I could choose between 100 or 150. I chose 150 as I know my body can tolerate it and also I have a 3 week international trip coming up, and don’t want to have any trouble with my wacky heart.

I was hoping after the ablation to be relatively med free, except for anticoagulant. I am starting to think that may be unrealistic.

How many of you are on rate or rhythm meds after ablation? Is this common?

Thanks!

[BobD Volunteer]

It took three ablations before I was AF free .(2008)

[cherylttt in reply to BobD]

Thank you for your reply. That’s a long stretch of being Afib free!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to cherylttt]

Had other arrhythmias mind and now have PM.

[mav7]

api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

If you have not seen the above link on ablation recovery please read.

Best to inform your EP of your concerns and your upcoming trip.

[cherylttt in reply to mav7]

I have and she feels I am good to go. Thanks for the info.

[Ppiman]

My ablation for atrial flutter in 2019 was a complete success, but on stopping the bisoprolol, a few days later I suffered a terrible episode of very fast AF. Restoring the bisoprolol brought it to an end, thankfully. I then slowly wound down the beta-blocker and all was well for about a year before arrhythmia rose its head again.

Steve

[cherylttt in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks for your reply. Did you end up having a second ablation?

[Ppiman in reply to cherylttt]

Not yet - I am on a waiting list for that - maybe a year away. The first ablation seems to have solved the problem in the right half of my upper heart, which was atrial flutter, but, for whatever reason, a similar weakness in the left side slowly followed resulting in multiple and regular ectopic beats and occasional (but now more frequent) AF. I think the atrium is especially sensitive to becoming arrhythmic in some people.

Steve

[cherylttt in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks for the info. Good luck!

[bassets]

I had the same problem after my ablation and am now on a reduced dose of meds to keep AF free. I asked the cardio nurse if I should have another ablation and we decided to leave it as long as I am feeling well and AF free at the moment. If things change I will have another ablation. I feel this first ablation was worth it although it didn't get rid of the problem. I hope you can sort this out and enjoy your trip.

[cherylttt in reply to bassets]

Thank you. Sounds like you have a good plan in place.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Well Metoprolol is a banned med for me. Didn't control my rapid heart rate. made me breathless and couldn't walk a hill. Pauses at night. 2 second ones.

186 for 1 year 5 months not good. Bisoprolol was a little better but still uncontrolled at 156, no breathlessness or pauses.

BBs don't control my heart rate but private specialist introduced CCB Diltiazem and immediate drop to 51 on 180mg. Tweaked down to 120mg AM control at 60s.

Bisoprolol for BP control. Bisoprolol 2.5mg PM.

Settled for 2 years 6 months so discharged from Cardiac Outpatients.

100mg Metoprolol is high let alone 150mg. I was a zombie tired and fatigued at 23.75. x 2 or 3 x 23.75s.

Usually it affects the breathing of Afers. Does look as if you are back to the start. Burning, freezing - scarring the heart seems barbaric to me and my heart.

cherio Joy. 75. (NZ)

[cherylttt in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Wow! You have been through a lot. Glad you found something that works for you. I feel fine on metoprolol. However, when they put me on sotalol I couldn’t walk down the street without stopping to rest.

It isn’t so much I mind being on the med it is just wasn’t what I was expecting. Makes me worried that the afib will come back. Overall since the ablation I feel great! Better than I have in years.

Thank you for your reply.

[Karendeena]

My EP says he wants me to stay on the Sotalol as he likes 'belt and braces'. Not sure if this is indefinite. I am 5 months post ablation and I wanted to come off these drugs but he knows best

[cherylttt in reply to Karendeena]

Thats an interesting perspective. Sounds like your EP is a cautious fellow, which is a good thing. Are you in the same dose as pre ablation?

Thanks for your reply.

[Karendeena in reply to cherylttt]

Yes I am at the moment. I have a 24 hour monitor on Monday which he has requested. I see him again in 4 months so I expect I will have to stay on the meds at least until then

[WildIris]

I still take metoprolol, half a tablet, after only one episode of afib in a couple of years, mostly for bp control. I too am fine on it.