Post-Pace&Ablate Report

[SweetMelody2]

I’ve waited for three months after my pace&ablate procedure to report on it here. For those of you who have followed my winding tale, I’m the one who suffered an iatrogenic pneumothorax during the procedure (and my atavar used to be a giraffe).

My report: I feel great. I’m off all drugs except occasional aspirin for pain (instead of daily baby aspirin). The soul-sapping fatigue from afib and drugs is gone. I have my normal energy level back, which gives me back my precious everyday life—an everyday life where afib no longer intrudes or dominates. Indeed, I rarely even think about it. My heartbeat is steady at 70bpm (compared to ranges of 37bpm to 170bpm during my afib’s four-year heyday).

I haven’t had a cardioversion in three months (I’ve had nine) and will never need another one! Nor will I ever need another ablation (I’ve had three). I’m off all BB’s, CCB’s, AAD’s, DOAC’s—all drugs. What a relief! Amiodarone was the worst, a dangerous drug, but it did what it was supposed to do, short term. For me, drugs were never the solution. I proactively sought ablations, cardioversions vs. heavier drugs, then a pacemaker when my afib persisted. I am so glad I did. In hindsight, knowing what I know now and given my age (83), I’d have pushed for pace&ablate sooner—but understand other possible solutions needed to be tried first, and needed to have failed. I don’t know, though…..a pacemaker now seems such an obvious solution that maybe we should have gone there sooner.

The AV node ablation and pacemaker combined with my Watchman reduces my chances of a stroke to the barest minimum. I don’t have to worry about gastrointestinal bleeds, or even more seriously a hemorrhagic stroke from a fall—and I did fall just a few weeks ago and hit my head hard on a wood floor. Accidents happen. I’m so glad not to be on an anticoagulant. My hands are actually bandaid free! That’s even with having an energetic new puppy. Without the pacemaker and getting my normal life and energy back, I’d never have thought I’d be up for another puppy (I’m a dog person). This puppy brings huge joy to my life.

As for the iatrogenic injury: My lung was punctured during the process of finding the vein through which the pacemaker wires are threaded to the heart. A pneumothorax can lead to a collapsed lung and yet another invasive procedure—which I strongly resisted. The injury fortunately healed itself, so all is well. I did get an apology, accountability, and transparency—but it took a bit of tenacity. So did my dealings with coding and insurance—which was nutty. A long story; short version, I won and did not end up paying extra for having been injured by the medical system! That whole episode was absurd. Ah, what we go through with the medical system just dealing with the institutional apparati—it could stress anyone into getting high blood pressure.

Denouement of my afib tale? The Afib Circus has left town, my risk of stroke is extremely low as is the risk of bleeding, my quality of everyday life has been regained. My torturous afib tale has a happy ending with the Watchman and pacemaker. Now if someone could just fix my arthritis….. (-:

[BobD Volunteer]

Sounds good to me. Such good news is alwasy welcome .

[Borderterriorist]

Thanks for letting us know how well you are feeling. I've got my pacemaker and am waiting for the AV node ablation. I'm so much better since I had the pacemaker because they've been able to increase the beta blockers from 1.25gm to 10mg but although i've adjusted to them, I do get very tired. Hopefully I'll get the ablation soon and feel as good as you. have a lovely Christmas.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Borderterriorist]

I hope all goes well. I’m sure it will. I love my pacemaker. My atria are still afibbing away, but with the pacemaker and av node ablation, it makes no difference. They are out of communication with my ventricles, which pump steady as can be, regular as a clock, battery-driven. Wishing you a lovely holiday season, too.

[DawnTX in reply to SweetMelody2]

What a beautiful post! You sound like I feel. I don’t have the watch man but the end result sounds incredible for you. Quality of life is back. What more could you ask for?

I love that you also realize as I do that even when it thumps and feels like a fib or flutter, it doesn’t matter because it can’t hurt us anymore😊.

I am so happy to see someone else feeling so positive, especially after only a couple of months. To be truthful, it was pretty close to a year before I got used to everything because there is a learning curve sometimes. The best solution is talking to your doctor or nurse. Anything that made me nervous they were able to explain and if anything that helped me feel even better.

Your positivity is going to take you a long way, in healing and enjoying life. My only regret was, they did not do sooner. It made such a difference without playing trial and error with and procedures that are only Band-Aids.

enjoy life🩷🙏🏻

[SweetMelody2 in reply to DawnTX]

You and I certainly agree that sooner could well have been better. The AV node ablation/ pacemaker seems like such an obvious solution—now. What I had to go through, though, to get here! I was in the cardioversion section of the medical center so often that I knew the nurses by name and we made friends. (-:

Maybe one day pacemakers will be seen as the preferable protocol for recalcitrant, recurrent, drug refractory afib and no longer seen as a procedure of last resort. So many people on this forum are suffering through years of ablations and drugs when a pacemaker might return them to quality of life. It seems to me that for many if not most of them, a pacemaker is not even part of the discussion. I think it should be.

I agree that it takes time to adjust. I waited three months to report, and it took that time for me to be certain the procedure was the right one for me, but I know that’s not the end of the story judging by the incremental way in which I notice I’m feeling even better from week to week. I’ll know even more at the end of a year for sure. I anticipate feeling even better!

I’m happy for us and wish everyone else well in 2025!

[DawnTX in reply to SweetMelody2]

I was wondering where you had yours done. I didn’t really have a choice. I was in heart failure, and as my EP told me neither I or my heart could continue to battering. I had steady tachycardia, usually around 200 even sitting still I was in pain I could not walk I could not feel from the knee down because of my circulation. The list would be too long of all the things at the time. At another time, I would’ve said no to a pacemaker my EP believes in quality of life he thinks outside the box or I would not be here because I do not have your basic. In they did not have one for at the time. My doctor created including three leads. Pretty much when he was in there was when he was able to figure out what he could save me. I am4 seven even the calls me unique now I don’t know what has happened since then. My EP presented it in Dallas and the hospital requested he return to teach the doctors there to help save more lives. Ablations and cardioversions are encouraged. FYI my EP was not always the favorite child because he wanted quality of not wasn’t going to give that. I will tell you happy and sad at the same time, he was offered a position. I don’t see how he could have refused. He is young. I don’t even know if he’s 40 I swear he was doing heart surgery before he came the womb. he has been made chief of a university hospital in North Florida. I always knew he was going to become famous I wish him well. He seems to think about the only thing I will need is a battery change going forward, even though he was the creator of my pacemaker. I could tell he was not concerned. I think he felt that sure and numerous times he has said even people without problems wish they had numbers like I do. I miss him very much. They still have not replaced him that that I know of. I haven’t been notified yet. I have another picked out just in case I am not thrilled, but it’s going to be hard for anyone to fill his shoes. In fact it’s going to be impossible. FYI, my heart failure has reversed with an rate in the 40s. It is now in the 70s. I know they consider it a major surgery because it’s not reversible. That is why they try the other things first, but I think they need to have a limit and when I read about people having a dozen cardioversions or ablations, I cringe. Yes you and I are blessed and I’m hoping it becomes even more apparent that the Band-Aid surgeries are not working. By the way, when I left the hospital, of course I had to be in a wheelchair as I said I had not been able to walk or stand other than scaffold to the. Going I was able to stand up out of the wheelchair and get into the car on my own. I am able to take my dog out and even get some grocery shopping completed and without chest pain or tears from the pain. I don’t have energy like I did that may or may not be one of my. It may also be. I am now five years older than when I started the journey of a fib. I’m very unhappy about getting older and I’m fighting it lol in my head I am 35 even though I am 72. How can that be? Is this how a 7 should feel? I had been so active now I wobble when I stand up that’s the only thing off is my balance. Not sure why again I think maybe it’s that I am getting older. Why didn’t I notice lol. my carrier is the one that started me on the journey to the EP that saved my life. I will be eternally grateful to her anyone afraid of a pacemaker. I just want them to know it was barely uncomfortable. The hard part was not swinging my arm around because I talk with my hands lol one of my nurses suggested I have my sleeve pinned so I can’t move it. and yes, everyone knew and I knew everyone. It reminded me of the bar cheers from the TV program. Everyone knew my name lol after the fitting of the pacemaker as I was leaving, I was saying I’ll see you in two weeks and everyone was saying oh no, don’t say that lol I explained I will be back in two weeks for the rest of this to be finished. I’m happy to say I loved them all and they treated me like a queen I haven’t seen them since.

my wish is that everyone type of a resolution to their problem with their heart just to feel good again and go on and enjoy life that being said don’t let a fib run your life with or without the pacemaker because it will try. it’s up to you whether you give in and let it get into your head that badly.

congratulations on your success melody I know we are too very lucky. Women very blessed.

[CDreamer]

Great news, what a relief for you and so encouraging for others for whom this may be an option.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for replying. I’ve been reading your posts for several years. (-:

I too hope others are encouraged to explore this path. Proactively. It’s not one that was handed to me but one I actively had to pursue. It seems to me my providers offered only drugs, drugs, drugs at first. I went through three cardiologists before I found one who took my thoughts about an ablation seriously and got me connected with the best EP around. For two years my EP and I went the ablation-cardioversion-drug route, but when I said “Enough,” he agreed. Getting there meant I had to do a lot of self-education and research. I guess what I’m trying to say is that a lot of our health decisions are in our own hands. When I read on this forum what some have endured—like someone with nine ablations (!) and a fistful of drugs and is still miserable—I find myself hoping they can possibly turn their errant heart over to a pacemaker and get on with their lives.

Life expectancy for those with a pacemaker is the same as for those without. Quality of life with a pacemaker takes a giant leap upwards on the QOL scale, at least for me and for many, many others. I do hope others can benefit from my tale.

[CDreamer in reply to SweetMelody2]

We have trodden a very similar path. 😘

[Redactrice in reply to SweetMelody2]

Congratulations! What an amazing outcome.

Yes, getting off the drugs has to have a lot to do with quality of life. I'm only 60, have had one cardioversion and one ablation but still having breakthrough AF and still on daily drugs. I have been told that a pacemaker is 'the last resort' (different protocols in the UK), so I am unlikely to follow in your footsteps any time soon.

Enjoy your resurrection!

[Borderterriorist in reply to Redactrice]

I think it totally depends on your EP and your age. I'm 76 next week, I have atypical Atrial flutter, I've had one cardioversion and an abortive attempt at an ablation, this is when they discovered it was left sided atrium with the problem and not the right. An AV node ablation carries far fewer risks for me than an ablation on the left atrium. I've stressed QOL right from the start. I was very active, slim and relatively healthy when all of this started in 2020 but even though for most people my age I'm still pretty active compared with how I used to be, I'm firing on half power! It was the arrhythmia nurse who suggested pace and ablate to me, the EP agreed and I said yes straight away. There is a waiting list of 8 months and I'm half way there. Bring it on.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Borderterriorist]

Yes, bring it on! I love your attitude!

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Redactrice]

I, too, was told a pacemaker was a last resort. However, I speeded up the process of determining just what constitutes a “last resort.”

First I took lifelong drugs out of the list of options. Yes, me. I told my EP we’d tried every sort of drug we could, none worked to keep me in NSR, and the side effects were insupportable. Period.

That left two options: Another ablation or a pacemaker. Since the previous ablations, which statistically were promising, had failed, what made us think another ablation would return my heart to proper functioning? I was skeptical, but was willing to try one more—but only one more—if my EP believed the chance of permanent success in getting me off the afib merry-go-round was possible. If not, I opted for pace&ablate.

My EP then also opted for pace&ablate. We went for the “last resort” a lot sooner than some on this forum who stay on the afib merry-go-round (drugs-ablations-cardioversions-medical appointments-trips to the ER) for years and years and years.

It was four years from my initial afib diagnosis to my “last resort.” I think it could easily have been less as my heart was clearly not responding well to conventional treatments; nothing was capable of keeping me in NSR.

There is no set timetable as to when the “last resort” option is to be activated. You have a big say in that timetable.

Good luck!

[Redactrice in reply to SweetMelody2]

I suspect that 'last resort' in the UK has at least as much to do with budget as with efficacy. Ditto, cardioversion -- I've only had one, after a six-month wait in persistent AF. In 12 years and six or seven visits to the emergency department with fast AF (recalcitrant like yours), I have never once been offered an immediate cardioversion.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Redactrice]

Goodness. I’ve had three out of nine cardioversions in an ER, right then and there. The others were scheduled to occur within two to five days. That’s my experience, all within four years. I suppose budget does play a big role in cardio treatment in the NHS. Medicare in the States is good about funding cardiologist-recommended treatments; private insurance not so much in my experience. Good luck in sending your way!

[Frances123]

Such good news and so happy for you.

[Gincalpe]

Good news for you - thanks for sharing to help those wondering about Pace & Ablate.

[Texmosart]

Thanks. Hopefully I get my pacemaker on 15th Jan after 2 previous cancellations! Then the AV node ablation a few weeks later. You have given me much hope.

[Riccyticcy]

Excellent update, long may it continue ! Happy Christmas and Happy New Year!

[SingingT]

so pleased for you. I have had the same procedure because I couldn’t tolerate medication. I agree, having improved energy levels is a huge contribution to my quality of life.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to SingingT]

I hear you!!

[RagdollRagdoll]

Lovely story it will give others hope

[Whataperformance]

Great news, thrilled for you. I am 1 week post Ablation and have fingers crossed.

[Sixtyslidogirl]

Great story. Thanks for posting.

[Ppiman]

That was an encouraging and interesting account, Melody. The procedure has been mentioned to me by my own cardiologist but my AF RVR has tamed this last year to mostly a maximum of 130bpm, so is more comfortable. I am unsure what to do next but am on a waiting list (UK NHS) for an ablation (PF).

As an English teacher, mostly retired, can I also say what stylish writing you have! It's not so usual these days to find such and made your post a pleasure to read.

Steve

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Ppiman]

I was, pre-retirement, an English teacher, too, university level, including teaching writing. And textbook writer for adult students of English as a second language, grammar-based. Thanks for your comment on my writing—English teacher to English teacher!

[30912]

Thanks for the update as I am now at a crossroads with my Afib where pace and ablate have been mentioned, so it's reassuring to know.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to 30912]

Being at a crossroads describes the situation perfectly. I mean, thoughts like, “What!? Cut off all signals between my atria and my ventricles so I’ll be dependent on a human-made device that runs on a battery that they’ll cut open my chest to implant? That’s crazy! Isn’t it? Hmm. Maybe not?” Etc.

But I looked at my options. Drugs were out. Cardioversions didn’t last. My ablations failed. Truly, what was left if I wanted out of this afib mess?

Once I did my research, asked my questions, and made my decision, it was full steam ahead. Best decision I ever made.

I hope you can take a bit of a holiday from ruminating on which path to take at your crossroads. When the right path appears, you’ll know it. Best wishes to you this holiday season.

[mike1961]

Fantastic to hear and congratulations !

As others have said, very encouraging for many here. I myself have had paroxysmal AF since 1999 - 2 ablations at Bordeaux 2018 and 2023. All is relatively quite at the moment (one 3hr episode after inadvertently consuming too much MSG (THE potent trigger for me always) a few months ago which self-converted). If and when things go downhill I wouldn't hesitate to go the P&A route. Oh to not have to worry about something kicking off whilst in company, overseas etc. Battery-driven indeed !

[SweetMelody2 in reply to mike1961]

I hope things don’t go downhill—but admire your lack of hesitancy in pursing the P&A route. To me, when all else has failed, P&A is the only viable solution to an uncontrolled afibbing heart. I just wish I hadn’t had to go through the “all else failed” period and just gone straight to a pacemaker, with or without an AV node ablation, as the most reliable and the preferred treatment of diehard afib🥘🎄🎄. You say yours is paroxysmal. It’ll probably have to get to persistent before P&A becomes feasible. Good luck! And happy holidays.

[mike1961 in reply to SweetMelody2]

Thanks SM2. My PAF did actually go persistent (mix of AF and ATach) 25 October 2022 after covid. Stayed that way until my second ablation on 3 Jan 2023. Only 1 episode of AF since after MSG as per above. As I said, I wouldn't hesitate to go P&A, but I'm hoping I can make 70 before I need to (64 in March). Kind regards and happy hols to you too.

[Tricia239]

Brilliant. I had mine done just over a year ago and apart from problems getting the pacemaker set properly (a long and contentious story), I feel as you do. Wish I had had it done sooner. All that said your positivity has done me a power of good. Thank you

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Tricia239]

Me too—“wish I had done it sooner.” August 2023 to September 2024 was a purely miserable afib year for me. My hindsight wish is that as soon as the 2nd ablation failed, which was immediately, we’d done a P&A. I took so many awful drugs, felt so awful, and had so many cardioversions before arriving at P&A that could have been avoided. I believe the P&A writing on the wall was apparent long before anything was done about it, and something was done about it because I was proactive. None of my providers came to me and said, “Gosh, you’re having a tough time. Let’s go for a P&A.” Rather, I rattled their cages by saying, “I don’t want to do this anymore. We need to find a solution NOW.” I hope others are encouraged by our joint statement that we wish we’d done it sooner.

I think I remember reading about your difficulties in getting your pacemaker set right. Sounded like a terrible time. That was your challenge. Mine was an iatrogenic pneumothorax. But what counts is that in the end, all is well. Just wish we’d done it sooner! (-:

[2007]

Hi, so pleased you are well, can I just ask you not on blood thinner? I have a pacemaker plus node abaltion but still on Apixaban twice daily, I am mid 60s, prior to pacemaker I had 2 failed abaltions plus meds, I still take 1,25 Bisoprolol daily, I've been told the pacemaker stops me feeling the practice AF but heart still experiences it, hope you continue to keep well kind regards Theresa

[Nannysue1 in reply to 2007]

Oh ive just asked the same question. I don't take bisoprolol but do take apixaban

[SweetMelody2 in reply to 2007]

I’m not on a blood thinner because I have a Watchman, which closes off the place where 98+% of clots in the heart form: the left atrial appendage. To me the combination of a Watchman and a pacemaker for a squirrelly AFib heart is the cat’s meow!

[Minniedog]

Thank you for sharing - very encouraging!

[Nannysue1]

Glad to hear it worked for you, it did for me too and it also gave me my life back. I still take apixaban though and am intrigued to hear that you don't need to take an anticoagulant? My understanding is that even with the pacemaker, I'm still in Afib but just can't feel it?. I don't have a watchman though and to be honest, don't know what that is (I'll have a Google) maybe that's the difference.Anyway, congratulations.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Nannysue1]

The watchman is an implanted device to catch blood clots so she wouldn’t need the dreaded anticoagulants.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Nannysue1]

I’m off blood thinners because I have a Watchman, which closes off the place where most blood clots form: the left atrial appendage (LAA). When blood flow is irregular (afib), the elements in our blood that allow it to coagulate can start hanging out together in the LAA and get into mischief, bonding together to create a clot or two. When that gathering place in the heart is closed off, blood has no place to stagnate and hangout with likeminded clotting agents to form clots.

I had to proactively advocate for a Watchman for myself, parrying with skeptical cardiologists (and dumping them) and taking on my insurance company when they threatened to deny coverage. I was not going to be deterred. Fortunately, my wonderful EP was with me all the way; he and I worked in partnership to get the deed done. I’m grateful to him.

I love my Watchman. It gives me great peace of mind. Strokes run in my family: maternal grandmother (2), mother, and older sister—all of whom I helped care for and all of whom died.” from their strokes. Perhaps that explains why I was so determined to get a Watchman.

The other reason was that I chose not to live with the risks involved in excessive bleeding. Indeed, I recently fell (it’s embarrassing: I slipped barefoot on an unseen puppy pee puddle on a wood floor—I have a new puppy and should know better). I hit my head hard. Really hard. On blood thinners, who knows what might have happened. I had a beaut of a black eye and bruise that ran down the side of my face even without being on blood thinners. But no brain bleed leading to a hemorrhagic stroke. Accidents happen. The Watchman protects me.

Hope that helps answer your inquiry about a Watchman. I encourage you to read up on it. Mine comes from Boston Scientific. You can google their site, but there are also lots of NIH studies. One recent article has a title something like “The Watchman: A New Era in Stroke Prevention.” Good article.

Good luck!

[Nannysue1 in reply to SweetMelody2]

Thanks for that reply and I definitely will look in to it. Have a great Christmas

[Cavalierrubie]

Thank you. What an inspiration you are? Thank you for hope and encouraging us to never give up. I am going to put you on “follow” if that’s ok? I can then refer to your journey if l follow in your footsteps. Enjoy your puppy.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I’m thoroughly enjoying my puppy — even though as I explained in my response to Nannysue1, I slipped on a puddle of puppy pee in the gated off kitchen and fell. I do know better! This is my 14th dog in my life. I’d opened a part of the kitchen she’d not previously had access to because her housebreaking was going so well—or so I thought. To her, that new territory was just outside-of-normal territory and the perfect place to pee. Obviously. I’m still kicking myself. But really glad I wasn’t on anticoagulants! That was one of my first thoughts (following “Am I still awake and alive?”) after I fell and knocked my head hard on the floor: “Thank god I’m not on Eliquis anymore.”

Accidents do happen.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to SweetMelody2]

It must be such a release for you to be rid of all the medications. Thank you for sharing your success and courage. You deserve some peace after all you have been through to get there. I have had a dog in my life ever since I was born. 76 years ago. At the moment I have a Dachshund baby girl, brown and tan. Had her from a pup and she is now 4 years old and is my faithful friend. Look after yourself and as I progress on with my AF journey, I will look at this post and tell myself you did it! You beat it! Thank you. xxx

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

A Dachshund! I’ve has five Dachshunds. I love Dachshunds. They are such brave-hearted characters and so funny and sweet. Their courage knows no bounds. One of mine, Sugar Magnolia, a red, long- hair around 10-12 pounds, charged a coyote! She saw me racing toward her to rescue her, said to herself the reinforcements are here, and charged! To my horror. The coyote, fortunately just looked curiously at this odd-looking rabbitlike creature, then sauntered off as I scooped up my dog, screaming at the coyote like a madwoman. The coyote was not impressed.

I’ve switched to English Springer Spaniels—wonderful dogs!—because I live in a rural area with lots of coyotes, and a Dachshund is just too small for my rural living.

I had three black and tans. Great dogs.

Like you, I’ve always had dogs. I was born into a family that already had three. I’m now 83 and just got my 14th dog—who has a co-dogmom should the puppy outlive me, as is not improbable. But who knows. With a pacemaker and a Watchman I might just see the puppy through until she’s 12-14. Getting the pacemaker and feeling like myself again is what allowed me to follow my heart and get a puppy. I never would have done that if still in drug-induced zombieland or on the wild rides at the afib carnival.

I’ve thanked my EP for my puppy. (-:

[Cavalierrubie in reply to SweetMelody2]

Introducing Lady. Hope this is allowed, but it is Christmas.

Lady

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

How do I send a photo from an iPhone? I’ve tried every which way and nothing works. Instructions appreciated!

[Cavalierrubie in reply to SweetMelody2]

It took me a long time before it came through, Press the reply button and click the last icon on the end and then you can add photograph, either from your photo library or take a new photo. Good luck. xxxx

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Lady is adorable! Dachshunds are wonderful.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to SweetMelody2]

I have nearly always had rescue dogs, but Lady was the smallest of the litter and weak on her back legs. We got her strong and fit, and the Vet said she is very healthy and everything spot on, You will be very busy with your Springer Spaniel. They are very energetic, a good hunting dog and live up to their name “Springer.” Wonderful, happy dogs and handsome too.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Hope this goes through.

Puppy

[Cavalierrubie in reply to SweetMelody2]

What a little darling. Have a wonderful time together. It was meant to be. Happy Christmas to you and Happy New Year. 🌲🥰

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

It’s important to help rescues. I’ve had both, rescued v bred, but my rescues have been puppies from puppy mills. Four, possibly five of them. One Dachshund, a girl, was so bloated with worms that I was literally pulling them out. Ugh. Another came with kennel croup, from which he never recovered despite our efforts. Other puppies came from backyard breeders. I myself in the early 70’s was ignorantly a backyard breeder myself; two Dachshund litters. But I kept them healthy and well-socialized. My first Springer was from a backyard breeder. She had genetic weaknesses; both knees blew out before she was two. But with surgery and pins, her legs stayed strong until she passed. She’s lucky she ended up with someone who could get the necessary surgery done, which sort of counts as a rescue. After that I decided, using my old age as a rationale, to go with reputable breeders of Springers. That’s still a coin toss. One puppy from a breeder didn’t work out and went back to the breeder. I know puppies. But the three Springers I have now are fantastic dogs. So responsive and affectionate, loyal and companionable. I could go on…..

Love dog talk!

[Cavalierrubie in reply to SweetMelody2]

Bless you. Enjoy your gift. X

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

A precious gift, made possible by a return to heart health. I am filled with gratitude. Blessings and peace to you.

[Snowgirl65]

So well written -- and such a wonderful success story!

[4Pip]

great news. Great to hear about Pace and ablate being successful too. Congratulations and a happy Christmas to you

[nvken]

Your story is very similar to mine. I had four ablations and 20 cardioversions (3 cardioversions in one month in Arizona while on vacation). Finally my Cardiologist suggested pace and ablate. Five years now without all the drama and worry.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to nvken]

Very similar story. I was probably headed for 20 DCCV’s (that’s a lot!). It got to the place where I was lucky if a CV lasted 2-5 days. I love hearing from someone five years down the road with such a good report. Thank you!

[patiolantern]

you give me hope

[SweetMelody2 in reply to patiolantern]

There were times when I was so down that I couldn’t dare hope there would be an end to this medical circus. Clearly though, I never totally gave up hope, accompanied by determination and proactivity. Good luck and hang onto that hope!

[Cabinessence]

What a lovely, great story. I suppose the question everyone thinks of asking, but it reluctant to, and one which I'm sure you did is what happens if the pacemaker fails? Are you absolutely dependent on it not doing so?

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cabinessence]

I just chuckled. That’s the first question I asked when I talked to my doc about the pacemaker possibility: “Will I drop dead if the battery fails?” He smiled and assured me “No.”

First, the likelihood of a pacemaker failing is infinitesimal. There are so many safeguards in place. A pacemaker is closely monitored.

Second, the very worst thing that could happen is that I’d faint because my heart was pumping too slowly.

On another note, a pacemaker will not keep me alive if I’m dying from other causes.

Lots of interesting questions to consider!

[Cabinessence in reply to SweetMelody2]

Sorry to labour the point LOL, but I thought by ablating the AV Node you was effectively killing off the part of the heart which tells it to beat and therefore passing on responsibility solely to the pacemaker, no?

[Tricia239 in reply to Cabinessence]

I asked that question before having the P&A, apparently the heart would still be able to beat but very slowly, approximately 30 - 40 BPM, so whilst you wouldn’t be capable of doing anything physical you would at least be able to phone for help. Well, that’s the theory! Fingers crossed!!!

[Cabinessence in reply to Tricia239]

Aaah. Thanks for explaining that.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cabinessence]

My understanding is the same as Tricia239’s: the ventricles would slow to around 30bpm, meaning one would not instantaneously drop dead. Time for help to arrive. If the monitor is nearby (as when one is sleeping), an immediate alarm goes off.

Of course, the worst case scenario is, I suppose, always a possibility. But that far distant possibility does not keep me awake at night as I enjoy better sleep with my new pacemaker.

My understanding also is that there are so many warning signs of possible malfunction that a sudden, complete stoppage of signals from the pacemaker is extremely unlikely.

The battery charge is monitored daily. Any hint of lower functioning and a red flag goes up somewhere, in my case, in a lab in St. Paul, Minnesota. I live 1500 miles away.

The technology is astounding. My pacemaker even knows when my heart needs to pump faster due to the needs of increased physical exertion if I’m walking uphill. But it’s steady up and steady down, back to my base of 70bpm. No wild afib rides

I have chosen to trust the track record of pacemaker technology, but next time I see my EP, I’ll ask him why my ventricles keep pushing blood through slowly even if they’re not getting the electrical signal to do so from the pacemaker. And ask him how long that might continue. Good questions!

If you find the answer, please let me know.

[Cabinessence in reply to SweetMelody2]

Thanks for that Sweetie. Hopefully I won't need one myself but you never know. Forewarned is forearmed and all that. So lovely to hear how your life has been changed by this and you won't have to endure the dreary old AFib ever again. Best wishes from a damp, drizzling, but mild London.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cabinessence]

I love London. Its weather is exactly the same as mine. I live on an island north of Seattle. My husband and I, before he passed, spent 2-3 weeks in London every February. Yes, the weather was equally as cold and drizzly, but, a big BUT, we could spend our days at shows, concerts, the opera, movies, great parks and landmarks, the Tate, and eat our way through one delightful ethnic restaurant or good old pub every day. And just walk the streets of my favorite city in the world.

Heart problems and a stroke killed my husband, who was 12 years older than me. I can’t help wondering “What if he’d gotten a Watchman? What if he’d had a pacemaker for his too-slow heart?” I tried to get him to the university medical center I go to, but he stubbornly stayed with his local doc and HMO, and kept taking warfarin, which he hated, for a dozen years.

His long duration on warfarin contributed to the calcification of his aortic valve, whose replacement was implicated in triggering TIA’s, which turned into mini brain bleeds or mini-strokes that became multi-infarct dementia. While in dementia, he had a full-on ischemic stroke. And died. After the good fight… even though he couldn’t remember from one minute to the next why his left hand didn’t work and why he couldn’t walk. Having a stroke while in dementia is an unhappy way for one’s last stage of life to go.

“What if he’d had a Watchman and a pacemaker?” We’ll never know.

[Cabinessence in reply to SweetMelody2]

Was up walking in London Town yesterday looking at the Christmas lights. Went in to see the Wallace Collection in Manchester Square and had afternoon tea in their lovely Orangery. Then went on to Selfridges and John Lewis along Oxford St. We take it for granted a lot of the time, but we do go to the theatre once a month which gets us up into the West End or along the South Bank, with all its vibrancy. Men's attitude to their health appears to be the same the world over. I suffered from what I now know as paroxysmal AFib for nearly 20 years until I went to see someone about it. I guess in 50 years time what we suffer from will all be curable and folk will wonder why people ever suffered from it. That's progress I guess.

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cabinessence]

You just took my memory through a tour of London! I’ve been all those places. More than once. Thank you! I’d love to make one more trip to London, but probably won’t. Gettin’ creaky. If I had to live in a city, it would be London. Instead I live on acreage on a rural island, which suits perfectly.

As a dog person, you’ll relate to this. Right now I’m sitting in my kitchen early a.m. with three dogs who ate glass last night. The adolescent somehow managed to get up to the table where I’d left a small glass bowl with chicken bits that I use for training and knock the bowl to the floor, smashing it into tiny shards. No chicken in sight; only hundreds of tiny shards of glass. There’s no way they could have eaten up the chicken and not eaten glass.

I panicked when I came upon the scene. Got my wonderful vet on the phone. She said not to worry—just give them an extra dinner to provide plenty of padding for the glass to move through. She told the story of being in vet school when a Lab ate a syringe. They watched via x-ray as the syringe needle wended its way through and out. I calmed down.

This morning I checked all their stools. Normal. Amazing. They got an extra big breakfast. How’s that for smart? Naughtily get up to a table and break a glass bowl, then get rewarded by extra food! That’s quite a trick. I guess all is well. We shall see.

I, too, had afib a long time before it was diagnosed. Easily 20 years. I ignored it, all those funny bumps and periods of rapid beats. They went away, after all. Afib is so wily. Whenever a doctor listened to my heart, it totally was behaving itself, and I never brought its odd behaviors to anyone’s attention. (It’s not just men who ignore health warning signs!) By the time it was diagnosed, it was well established with no easy fix. I now see my pacemaker as inevitable. Just wish I’d gotten it sooner.

What will be the afib “cure” in the future? Interesting question. The EP world is advancing rapidly. My question is “Where does the electricity in our bodies originate in the first place?” I haven’t a clue. Next question, “What causes a cell to send haywire electrical signals?” I’ll leave knowing the answers to someone else and just be glad I have a reliable source of electricity just under my collarbone.

I’ve enjoyed our correspondence. The holidays are about to begin. Enjoy the lights of London for me!

[SweetMelody2 in reply to Cabinessence]

One last vignette. My vet said she had Dachshunds who get up on her kitchen table if she forgets to put the chairs back up to the table. Dogs are clever! Especially if it involves food. (-:

[mike1961 in reply to SweetMelody2]

Hi again SM2, my heart sometimes dips into the high 30s in NSR anyway (I've had nighttime lows of 38/39 on ambulatory monitoring a few times over the years - resting HR has always been quite slow - often high 40s/early 50s), so I don't think a dip to 30 if a PM failed would cause me too many issues !

[Kimmieblue]

This is wonderful, very encouraging, many congratulations to you and good luck. K.

[MWIC]

wow - fantastic to hear and you can feel you’re positivity - great news and long may it continue 👍

[Alfc]

That’s excellent news. Good luck for the future.

[Slidingdoors99]

That’s so good to hear!

Thanks so much for posting.

[N400033]

I celebrate your success and hope it continues. After considering the pace and ablate solution for a year, i finally decided to "go for it" since my quality of life was miserable and no other solution appeared viable for me. I had the procedure this past Tuesday, January 7. The procedure went well and stayed in the hospital overnight. So not yet a week. My Dr set my PM at 90 bpm and left it there for a couple days before dialing it down to 80 bpm where it is now. I feel that I'm doing well. I am having some weakness and fatigue. I was told that these are normal symptoms at this stage, and it may take 4 to 6 weeks before I am able to see benefits of the procedure. Can you tell me how long did it take for you to see a positive effect? I know your post was first written after 3 months.

I am so glad that i went ahead with this procedure and am anxious to see the full effect.

Are you able to exercise at your regular pace as before your AFIB?

THANK YOU!!

[SweetMelody2 in reply to N400033]

Sorry for the delay in my response. I had a “device adjustment “ appointment with EP and a rep from the pacemaker’s corporation, Boston Scientific just today, a few hours ago. I waited to report to you until I got their report—all of which is good.

My favorite EP NP told me that patients are told to expect to feel better in around six weeks, but that in her experience with patients, it’s often closer to three months, anecdotally. I think she’s right. I was feeling steadier in my energy by six weeks, but more so now as I continually feel I’m improving

I’m in my 4th month and decidedly glad I have a pacemaker. I DO feel better, more like my normal self. I don’t have to slog through everyday life anymore. I have just normal energy for an 83-year-old, and that’s just fine.

They started me at 85, then 80, then, 75, and now 70, where they are going to keep me, it was decided today. But other adjustments were made

Can I exercise as before afib’s last two awful years? No, not yet. The only symptom that I feel wasn’t improving was my breath: I was running out of wind on even slight inclines. Today’s appointment was made to address that.

I believe we’re making progress. The rep, the one with the most knowledge about the device, did some testing of my heart rate upon exertion and determined that my pacemaker’s exertion sensor needed tweaking so that it took less exertion to get more blood pumping to and nourishing my lungs.

He thinks my walking up inclines without losing my breath will improve. Now we shall see. I should notice a difference, he said, in a week or so.

My breathlessness is not serious, more of a nuisance. I’d like to be able to walk my dogs without having to stop to catch my breath on gentle inclines. On hills—well, that’s different. I expect to resort to some harder breathing…that’s just normal.

I also need to note that getting back to normal exercise was interrupted two months ago by a fall. Recovering from the fall injuries—wrenched knee and black eye—definitely reduced my exercise program plans. So I’m probably not the best person to ask how long it takes to get back to normal exercise.

This might help: Witin 2months of the procedure, I was up to 5000-6000 steps a day, with a goal of 7500. After the fall, my step count fell to 2500 for a week at least. I gradually got it into the 3000’s over the next few weeks. Now, two months after the fall and 4 months the after the procedure, I’m in the 4000-5000 range.

To get back to your post, no, I did not feel like a spring chicken after the procedure. I stayed in the slow lane for several weeks. I noticed only gradually that normal levels of activity were again feeling normal and good. It’s been a gradual process, but I detect small improvements and celebrate each—such simple things like simply emptying the dishwasher as a normal part of kitchen doings vs the old days of debating with myself if I had enough oomph to do it, dreading doing it, and procrastinating. It may sound silly, but for me to notice that emptying the dishwasher is easy and quick gives me a moment of “Good going, girl!” These little changes, tiny triumphs, happen slowly.

I wish you the best. And my best advice is Don’t Fall! (-:

[N400033]

Thank you SO MUCH for your input. In my discharge sheet, they say 4 to 6 weeks to see an improvement. So that is consistent with what you are seeing. It's always good to hear from someone who has had the experience. I'm so glad that you are recovering from your fall. And i hope you continue to see improvements back to where you were. I'll be careful with that, as i don't want to deal with that this soon after my procedures. Or ever for actually.

Thank you again for your feedback. I will keep you and the others informed of my progress.

May i ask if you are resident of the US?

Thank you,

JP

[SweetMelody2 in reply to N400033]

Yes, U.S. My EP is at the University of Washington Medical Center.

[N400033]

My Cardiologist and EP are at Upstate Cardiology in Greenville, SC.

[Jalia]

So good to hear. I'm just catching up on Pace/Ablate posts as I have the pacemaker implantation booked for the 27 March. This is after 5 ablations and some 28 dc cardioversions.. at age 80 . My EP did not give up on me and he will do my pace/ablate.

I hope I feel as good as you obviously do!

Best wishes

Jalia

[SweetMelody2]

I’m very happy for you. I threw in the towel after 2 ablations and 9 cardioversions. Your record is amazing! But what a merry-go-round. I hope your pace and ablate gets you off and you can just live an ordinary everyday life without afib always intruding and taking you for a spin. I’m finding my 80’s one of the most enjoyable periods of my life—MINUS afib! I feel more and more content as I age, and especially now that I’m not battling with one afib episode-drug-procedure-hospital visit-appointment after another. I wish you well—and here’s to a happy, healthy 80’s!