Hi I'm 46 and have been diagnosed with PAF at the start I was only getting occasional episodes that would settle by themselves however since last Xmas they seem to be more regular I am in 80 mg Sotalol twice a day and I use metacor as a pip to get heart back into rhythm if I have an Afib episode
I have been offered a pulse field ablation but not sure if it's the right thing to do as I see alot of people here saying ablations aren't always successful and I better to stay on meds
Thanks
Most people with successful ablations move on from patient help forums like these. So what you read here tends to be weighted toward ablations that did not work.
I'm very happy with my Cryo ablation two years ago, just wish I had it sooner. I say that because I feel I wasted a number of years with progressively decreasing quality of life, relying on medications that only partially worked and often came with side effects.
To me it sounds like your afib is progressing to the point where the benefits of an ablation outweigh the risks. PFA is the best that is being offered right now and I would take the opportunity.
Jim
That's an excellent point Jim. Most people who've had successfull ablation and are symptom free are less likely to return to this type of forum, imo. I just had a Pulse Field ablation 2 days ago. Just recovering. Had some minor bleed from the left groin site which required a trip to the ER so they could inspect and do a ultrasound to make sure there is no damage. All ok now. Feel good, a little tired. But good overall. I'm 58. My EP said it went very well. I continue to lose weight to reach my weight goal. No alcohol. I'll see how I feel after the blanking period.
As one of the few successful ablatees who did stay around to help others ( seventeen years and counting) what on earth are you waiting for? OK it may need repeating but at least you will have tried!
I'd say go for it when you get the chance. I had one a week ago so still early days but I'd do it again. I say that as a big scaredy cat 
I wrote a really long winded post last week if you would like more detail
My understanding is that evidence is with doing the ablation earlier rather than later. I had a PFA in early December last year. Prior to that I had an episode in Feb and then nothing until October/November when I had 3 in 5 weeks. So if you had asked me before Oct/November whether to have an ablation, I would have been uncertain but as it happened I got a cancellation with 3 days notice and took the opportunity. It seems to be settling down nicely, so would say go for it!
Go for it would be my recommendation. I've had two: 2009 and 2018. Not a total cure but good quality of life and much reduced bouts of AF post ablation for a number of years.
QOL is a key determinant in whether to go for an ablation, take into account the advantage of postponement as experience in this procedures increases.
PFA is my preferred option, when I get there, mainly because I understand there is less risk of collateral damage.
I would do some research as to the experience of the allocated medic with the relatively new PFA eg how many has he done.
I had ablation a year ago, still in NSR, would have another
I had a successful ablation 2 years ago after 2 years of purgatory.I switched overnight from Paroxysmal to Persistent and my Qol was 20% of what it had been.I stick around to help if I can but also selfishly as it reminds me how lucky I am and in a bid to keep me on track with the things that helped & hopefully continue to help keep it at bay.However bad habits are creeping in.I will be back in the UK on Monday after a month away and back to a healthy lifestyle.
Anyway back to your question.I was given 50% chance of the ablation working but it did.
Ablation itself not a problem.Some pain & discomfort,needed to take it easy afterwards and increasing ectopics about a year after but sorted out by stopping a particular med.
I would have no problems repeating the process.
I did it because of my QOL and didn't want more meds .
It is your choice but I believe Pulse ablation is less invasive.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Go for it. Wish I'd had mine sooner. The medication is not without side-effects, some of which are long lasting. Flecainide gave me tinnitus, which still hasn't completely gone away 2 years after stopping medication following a successful ablation.
paf for 5 years on and off meds all the time feeling very frustrated and doc says loose weight that could cure my afib but side affects are awful on flecanide 50mg at night but feel terrible soooooo scared for ablation but I don't know what to do for the best 😪
Why are you scared? I would rather have one than the wisdom tooth extraction I had without sedation.Would have no probs having another if needed.As regards complications they are relatively rare.But think how good the opportunity to get off flec.
I was scared particularly as it was sedation only but it would have 12 to 18 months extra wait with GA.
Think about it.
When you say you have been offered an ablation does that mean you have been clinically assessed eligible for one? If your AFib episodes are regular I would want to be certain there is no clotting in the atrium by echo or otherwise before an ablation was done.
Even the PFA is an invasive procedure which has risks associated with it so I suggest you get some medical help assessing those risks relative to eliminating the symptoms you are experiencing in AFib.
I had an ablation almost two months ago and it was supposed to be a PFA but once the surgery started the surgeon assessed that it would not be possible based on a structural issue with my heart, so he defaulted to a more conventional procedure. So far I have not experienced any symptomatic AFib episodes but the ablation was a tougher procedure on me than an atrial valve replacement and two pacemaker implants. Glad I did it but it certainly came with some risk and significant discomfort.
Hi AFIB2023
I think I may be the only physician on this forum . I am not a cardiologist , but I m an M.D. with board certification in clinical immunology. I developed PAF that became persistent . My AF by a Holter indicated I was experiencing AF 39% of the time. I was a candidate for Eliquis. My EKG was very abnormal as besides the AF I had a complete right bundle block and two other second degree blocks called Mobitz Type 1 and a left anterior fascicular block. None of it good except I was and have been asymptomatic. I decided to get compulsive and began monitoring my heart rhythm by Apple Watch and then switched to Kardia. By chance I had started on a laxative containing Mg hydroxide and after a few months I noticed more SR. I switched to two other Mg supplements and corrected a potassium requirement because I was on a diuretic. I also made a daily effort to remain hydrated and ate foods fortified in Mg and Potassium..I kept meticulous records and delved deeply into cardiology literature. I discovered several underappreciated observations . One is that you can have a normal blood Mg test and have Mg deficiency in your heart cells. Another important observation is the half life of Mg in humans is 6 weeks if you have adequate Mg which means if you stop eating Mg by 6 weeks you will deplete your body stores of Mg by 50% . However if you have pre- existing Mg deficiency which is well documented in most people with AF, it will tale multiple 6 week half lives of Mg to replenish Mg in your heart cells. Coincidentally by 24 weeks of doing all the above my AF switched to SR which has now persisted for 18 1/2 months to date. Additionally the other conduction problems described above were no longer present on my EKGs. My cardiologists who have read my story are frankly. in disbelief . I do not believe I have had an immaculate remission as during the 18 months of SR I had a few transient recurrences due to: 1. dehydration from an episode of bronchitis with fever which reversed back to SR following hydration ;2. Need to increase potassium 3. ; from dropping back on my daily dose of Mg and correcting it by resuming my usual Mg dose. Basically I am controlling Not curing AF.
I decided to submit my story to a dozen medical yjournals and it was rejected with the reason it is of low priority. Because I lost my father and two brothers from AF and because I am not a quack but a serious physician scientist , I felt compelled to write a book about my experience. It is available on Amazon and bookstores. If you go online and put in Atrial Fibrillation books look for one with.a cover illustrating a physician holding binocuoars.
My book does NOT discourage physician advised interventions like medications or cardiac ablation. Rather based on my experience it offers a scientific option to control AF even after interventions that may fail. Almost all cardiac ablations have 2 to 3 months of AF after the ablations called blanketing that is not always controlled by medications. I believe if EPs become aware of my story they might be interested in suggesting my protocol as an elective low risk prophylaxis to prevent blanketing or recurrences of AF needing a repeat ablation. Since it worked for me with long standing persistent asymptomatic AF it may also be a consideration for that class of AF. Because it is a low risk protocol it may be beneficial as an adjunct for some with current or controlled AF. but I DO NOT recommend anyone who buys the book to implement the protocol without involvement of a professional medical advisor. Ethically and legally I ca not offer medical advice so anyone interested in my book needs to involve their medical professional for many reasns to decide if they're a candidate and to be monitored by many parameters.
‘Hug your heart and someone who needs a hug’
My BIO may be helpful too.
Hugheart
Hello Hugheart,
Appreciate the insight! Do you think it was specifically magnesium hydroxide that helped or any form of magnesium?
Thank you for asking. Mg hydroxide started my story but I could not tolerate the laxative effect so I switched to Mg glycinate and Mg gluconate and converted to SR. However in my book I mention I then switched to a product that is only avaikable in the USA
Hugheart
May I ask which product that was?
Hi Hip2bsquare
Normally I would mention it but my concern is people would order it and not follow my protocol to make it work. In other words it is one part of the entire protocol.
I thought anterior fascicular block and right bundle block couldn't be reversed?
My RBBB did not reverse but my AFB and Mobitz type 1 did. They reversed when I converted to SR. It tells me just like I had long standing persistent AF that is difficult to convert with current therapies , at least for me I was able to convert to SR and reverse those conduction blocks with my protocol. I know cardiologists cannot believe I did this with my protocol but that is the documented truth.
Hugheart
You are young so - I’d say go for it. It worked for me for about 10 years. Is back but much milder than before. I’m now 76 so and EP not recommending another at this time.
I am 82 and had my pulse field ablation last year. Glad I did. I feel much better. Be aware fibrillating atrium is not pumping efficiently. I suggest going to a center of excellence for your procedure. I was high risk because I have pulmonary issues from scoliosis. Would do it again if needed. Hope I don’t need it though.
That's great. I just had my Pulse Field Ablation last week. So far, doing well.
Catheter ablation, or not?
Ablation or not .
Ablation or not 
