Back in AF.

[SirBeatalot]

I had an ablation (first) in May 2021 and have been fine.Guess what's happened?

A couple of weeks ago I felt unwell and sure enough on checking my pulse found that I was in AF.

My GP advised a trip to A&E. Upon arrival at hospital my heart rate was 170 which is unusual for me as i normally have a particularly low HR.

I ended up staying in Hospital for a couple of days but did revert back to Sinus Rhythm.

I have been in and out of AF every few days since. I luckily saw my Cardiologist EP after a cancellation and am now scheduled for a second ablation on 7th February 2025.

I have a two week cruise coming up on 9th November and wonder if I should go?

My Cardiologist EP will write to my insurance company and advise that I am unfit to travel if necessary.

[jeanjeannie50]

AF is a hateful condition and we never know when it's going to strike! Are you taking any medication to help control it? Also I guess you are taking an anticoagulant?

Jean

[Borderterriorist in reply to jeanjeannie50]

You will need to contact your travel insurance company to let them know what's happened and it's possible they will make the decision for you. They might be willing to insure you but with an extra charge or they might remove cover for anything related to your AF condition. If you tell them your consultant will write a letter saying you are unfit to travel tbh I think they will cancel your insurance anyway. I hope you get something sorted out which you feel OK with, I've had similar issues this year and found it very stressful. Good luck

[SirBeatalot in reply to Borderterriorist]

I had reported my AF to my insurance company during the quote process and I did subsequently inform them of the new episodes and short stay in hospital. No mention of any extra charge or cancelling the insurance at this stage.

Thanks for your reply.

[SirBeatalot in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I forgot to mention my medication. Yes I am now on Sotalol 40mg, Apixaban, Omeprazole and Astorvastatin.The Sotalol was only recently prescribed during my stay in hospital in place of 1.25mg of Bisoporol. Thanks for your reply.

[Bigredhear in reply to SirBeatalot]

I had a very similar situation this year, I went back into AF after an ablation 3 years ago, I knew as soon as I woke up one morning that I was back in AF and mine was persistent until another ablation yeserday which (early days) seems to have worked.I had a summer holiday with my family booked about 6 weeks after I went back into AF and I decided that I wasn't going to miss it! I was put on Apixaban and Amiodarone as well as having my bisoprolol increased and that seemed to settle my symptoms down.

I had a 3 week holiday and am so glad I went.

Good luck

[SirBeatalot in reply to Bigredhear]

That is very similar!I will give it a couple of weeks and then decide depending on how things progress.

Thanks for your reply.

[Bigredhear in reply to SirBeatalot]

Good luck

[Karendeena in reply to SirBeatalot]

I take Sotalol instead of bisoprolol

[Nantoone]

Hi. I had paf twice in January and February and was also going on a cruise. I was referred to an EP and put on a waiting list for an ablation which I thankfully had in July. My insurance was through my bank and I told them I had had two episodes and was on the waiting list for a procedure. They charge me £15 monthly but charged me an extra £255 for the year for this condition which I felt was very reasonable. (I am 64). I asked the cardiologist if I was ok to travel and was told as long as I had PIP and most importantly edoxoban it was fine. I went on the cruise and out of the blue between Cambodia and Vietnam had my worst Af episode. I didn’t call the doctor on board as I didn’t want to be airlifted to hospital. I sat it out in my cabin and 9 hours later reverted back to NSR. It was scary but now knowing what I have already experienced I wouldn’t hesitate in going on holiday. I too am booked on a cruise in November and am actually getting excited. I really wish you well. Speak to your specialist about travelling then get in touch with your insurance company.

[SirBeatalot in reply to Nantoone]

I had a quadruple bypass 7 years ago and do still of course have heart disease so am unable to take a PIP tablet.I have told my insurance company who merely said that they have noted it.

We are going to the Canaries and Madeira plus a couple of other ports so nowhere too exotic.

Thanks for you're reply and enjoy your cruise!

[Mrsvemb]

I had an AF episode on a cruise ship many years ago. The care I got on the ship was far superior to any care you will get in A&E. as soon as the nurse took me to the ships hospital, the senior doctor was at my bedside. I had one to one care and couldn’t fault it. Blood tests, ECG etc.

I was kept in overnight, then advised to stay on the ship at the next port.

So long as you are covered on insurance, I would say go.

[SirBeatalot in reply to Mrsvemb]

Thanks, that is reassuring.

[Karendeena]

I would go. I am off to Cyprus on the 2nd of November. My EP told me to 'forget about it' I have only had the ablation in March this year though but have done premature atrial beats. Does your consultant say you are unfit to travel? This would be the test. I he is saying he will write to say this then he must think so. Remember on a cruise they have fantastic medical facilities

[SirBeatalot in reply to Karendeena]

I think my Consultant is prepared to let me go at this stage, but if the episodes become more frequent or severe then I guess he would be obliged to write to my insurance company advising them of the situation. On balance I think I might go.

Enjoy Cyprus!

Thanks for you're reply.

[Karendeena in reply to SirBeatalot]

Yes, you enjoy too, you will probably find because you are having a great time, the dreaded AF beast won't rear it's ugly head!!