Tachycardia five months after ablation

[aFibber55]

I had ablation (pulmonary vein isolation) last October. I posted couple of times during my recovery and after a few hiccups, I have been doing well as far as AF is concerned. I am still, however suffering from a nasty and a long bout of sciatica (piriformis syndrome), diagnosed by a physio several months ago. I only mention this as it might have some something to do with my current predicament of increased AF episodes with periods of tachycardia before and after the AF itself. I never had this before. The rate is not terribly high (112). For those wondering, AF is fast and irregular heart rate whereas tachycardia is fast and regular heartbeat (over 100.) I can record these with Kardia.

I have a scheduled phone appointment with my cardio nurse next Friday, but wondered if others have had similar experiences. I suspect lack of sleep due to sciatica might be the tricker, but I also understand that sometimes when the circuits start re-routing after ablation it’s possible to experience tachycardia as well as Af.

[PurpleGirl05]

There are *many* different heart conditions that can cause tachycardia (atrial flutter, SVT, etc), so definitely bring your Kardia readings to your appointment. My EP could tell from my 6L Kardia recordings that my tachycardia was atrial flutter, which is a 'cousin' of Afib but has it's source in the right atrium rather than the left. I had to have ablation for atrial flutter.

[aFibber55 in reply to PurpleGirl05]

Thank you PurpleGirl.

I will definitely do so. This condition just keep on giving. Just when you get used to something, it changes.

I got used to using Flecainide as pill in the pocket for episodes of AF with a an extra dose of Bisoprolol, but I am now hesitant to use the Flec as it’s for rhythm control and I don’t know if or when I slide from tachycardia to AF.

I am sure the cardio nurse will be able explain what next week.

Cant help but be disappointed as having ablation was such a big decision for me and it took time to get over. I went for it fully understanding the statistics of success rates, but still … you also ways hope to be the lucky one.

I hit the big 70 earlier on this year and or course have friends of similar and older vintage. We mostly manage to have a good laugh about various bits falling off and failing, but inside we 🥲. Still, it helps to know we are all in the same leaking vessel heading in to the sunset. Some days we enjoy the scenery and others the water is coming in faster than we can bail it out. Thank goodness was for occasional little island on the way to have some basic repairs and to be able to head off again.

[mjames1 in reply to aFibber55]

I got used to using Flecainide as pill in the pocket for episodes of AF with a an extra dose of Bisoprolol, but I am now hesitant to use the Flec as it’s for rhythm control and I don’t know if or when I slide from tachycardia to AF.

Good point. You never want to use Flec as PIP for flutter. Can do more harm than good.

Jim

[mjames1]

Not afib, but I've had episodes of tachycardia both before, and after my ablation. I found that daily Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, has helped significantly,

Jim

[aFibber55 in reply to mjames1]

Hi Jim

Good to know I am not alone. Will have to get a bigger weekly medicine organiser soon though🤣

I have just been put on a different cholesterol medication as statins didn’t agree with me. It was mutual 🤣 - and common contraindications are digestive problems and excessive wind. Oh goodie, yet another new way of embarrassing myself, as if I needed one. Yesterday I tried to unlock the front door with the car remote (again), forgot that my iMac hasn’t got a touch screen and mistook my husbands loganberry plants for brambles - snip, snip😱

[mike1961 in reply to mjames1]

How much Diltiazem Jim? Are you taking Flec too?? Cheers, Mike

[mjames1 in reply to mike1961]

120 mg ER (extended release capsules). No Flec

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello

I sure many of the fellow Members will offer their advice based upon their own experiences, however, should you would like any advice from our Patient Services Team we are very happy to help, we are available via our dedicated Patient Helpline; [phone] or via email: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

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